Ozark
Around Ozark
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Town and around · Alabama · 50k people
Ozark
Locals say Wiregrass
Where the pines meet the sky and the tea is sweet
CrimsonBurnt Orange
Welcome to the Wiregrass! Whether you're here for the aviation history or the peanut fields, you'll find a friendly community. Come for the barbecue and stay for the longleaf pines.
Clubs for Ozark
No clubs for Ozark yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Ozark. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Ozark. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- United States Army Aviation Museum Showcases the history of Army aviation with over 160 aircraft.
- Lake Tholocco Recreation lake on Fort Rucker, popular for fishing and picnics.
- Outdoors Hike the longleaf pine trails
- Outdoors Fish at Lake Tholocco
- With kids Visit the Army Aviation Museum
- With kids Attend the Dale County Fair
- Evenings Grab a drink at a local barbecue joint
- Evenings Attend a concert at the Ozark Civic Center
- Locals love Barbecue joints
- Locals love Peanut farms
Through the year
- Dale County Fair Fall Annual county fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Army Aviation Museum Open House Spring Airshow and static displays at Fort Rucker.
- Wiregrass Christmas Parade Winter Holiday parade through downtown Ozark.
Hot, humid summers and mild winters; best in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Wiregrass”
- The region's nickname
- “the base”
- Fort Rucker
Getaways
- Enterprise Visit the Boll Weevil Monument and local shops.
- Dothan Explore the National Peanut Festival grounds and Wiregrass Museum.
- Troy Check out Troy University and the Pioneer Museum.
- Eufaula Lake Eufaula fishing, historic homes, and the Shorter Mansion.
Local flavour
Rooting for Alabama Crimson Tide (NCAA), Auburn Tigers (NCAA), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Falcons (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Boiled peanuts A Southern staple, especially popular in the Wiregrass peanut belt.
- Sweet tea Iced tea sweetened heavily, a constant at meals and gatherings.
- Barbecue Pulled pork, ribs, and chicken with regional sauces, often served at local joints.
- Conecuh sausage A smoked sausage from Alabama, often grilled or served with biscuits.
- Peanut butter pie A creamy dessert, a nod to the local peanut industry.
Where people go
- Military installations (Fort Rucker) Home of Army Aviation, the base is a defining presence in the area.
- Peanut farms Vast fields of peanuts, the region's signature crop.
- Longleaf pine forests Dense stands of longleaf pines that characterize the landscape.
- Small-town main streets Quaint downtowns with local shops, diners, and a sense of community.
- Barbecue joints Casual spots serving slow-smoked meats and classic sides.
Heritage and traditions
Ozark and the Wiregrass are proud of their deep military aviation heritage, centered on Fort Rucker, and their peanut-farming roots that give the region its down-home character.
This time of year in Ozark
- Peanut harvest and county fair Fall Fall is harvest time, and the Dale County Fair brings the community together.
- Ariton Peanut Boil Fall A community gathering to boil and share fresh peanuts from the harvest.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Ozark Riverfest May Celebrates the Choctawhatchee River with live music, food vendors, and river activities.
- Ariton Peanut Boil Fall A community gathering to boil and share fresh peanuts from the harvest.
- Daleville Freedom Fest July Fireworks, parade, and family fun for Independence Day.
Landmarks with a story
- Dale County Courthouse Built in 1903, this landmark anchors the town square and reflects the region's early 20th-century architecture.
- Ozark Downtown Historic District A collection of preserved storefronts and buildings from the early 1900s, offering a glimpse into the town's past.
Food traditions
- Catfish fry A Friday night tradition at churches and community halls, often during Lent, featuring fried catfish, hushpuppies, and coleslaw.
- Peanut boil In the fall, families and communities gather to boil fresh peanuts in salty water, a Wiregrass staple.
- Biscuits and sausage gravy A hearty breakfast, often after early morning chores or before a day in the fields.
Music and arts
- Country and bluegrass Local bands play at festivals and community gatherings, carrying on a Southern tradition.
- Gospel music Gospel quartets are a staple in local churches, especially in the African American community.
- Quilting A traditional craft passed down through generations, with quilts often featured at county fairs.
A little history
- 1824 Dale County established
- 1841 Ozark becomes county seat
- 1942 Fort Rucker (now Fort Rucker) opens as an Army airfield
- 1950s Peanut farming expands, earning the Wiregrass its nickname
Rivalries
- Alabama Crimson Tide vs Auburn Tigers The Iron Bowl is a major annual event for locals.
- Game day Friday night high school football games
- Game day Deer hunting season
- Outdoors Kayak or canoe the Choctawhatchee River
- Outdoors Watch a sunset at Lake Tholocco
- With kids Feed ducks at Lake Tholocco
- With kids Attend a community fish fry
Locals speak with a classic Southern drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The accent is relaxed, with a tendency to drop 'g's in words ending in -ing.
Only here
- The region's name comes from the native wiregrass that once covered the area.
- Fort Rucker is the primary training site for U.S. Army helicopter pilots.
- The Choctawhatchee River offers some of the best canoeing in Alabama.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers; stay hydrated.
- Try boiled peanuts early—they're a local staple.
- Learn to say 'y'all'—it'll help you fit in.
- Expect a strong military presence; many locals are connected to Fort Rucker.
- Take time to explore the small towns and their historic downtowns.
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Part of Dothan area
Nearby
Every areaEnterpriseAlabamaWhere a pest became a point of pride.DothanAlabamaThe sweet heart of the WiregrassTroyAlabamaSmall-town warmth, Trojan spirit.EufaulaAlabamaWhere the lake meets Southern grace.BlakelyGeorgiaWhere the peanuts grow and the rivers run slow.AndalusiaAlabamaDeep in the pines, where neighbors are family.BainbridgeGeorgiaWhere the Flint River meets southern charmMontgomeryAlabamaWhere the South's story unfolds.
Ozark, AL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.