The following article was part of the Profile 2016 special section of The Luverne Journal. The section in its entirety can be found in the March 31 edition of The Luverne Journal.

For those who have had the opportunity to attend, the experience can be classified as “traditional family country fun.” The annual Glenwood Festival at the Well, which takes place the third Saturday in May, is always a crowd pleaser for not only those in the community of Glenwood, but for any fortunate enough to attend. The Flowing Well has been a gathering place near Crenshaw, Coffee and Pike counties since Glenwood first came into being.
In 1909, a group of well diggers flooded the area now know as Glenwood. It was in August of that year that the Glenwood well was discovered. It was recorded in those days that the well produced an output of 40 gallons per minute. The “Flowing Well” as it is now dubbed still runs and has brought enjoyment for the community ever since.
“The well has always been kind of a gathering place, a central location for Glenwood,” said Steve Holmes, long-time emcee for the event and publicity chairman.
According to Holmes, the festival is inspired by the motivation to keep the community close-knit and the upkeep and maintenance of the town’s flowing well, which has been described as an integral part of the town’s history for over 100 years now.
Along with the celebration of the Glenwood Well, the event also includes festivities such as the Beauty and Beau Pageant, local arts and crafts, carnival food vendors and also features entertainers from Alabama.
This year will mark the 23rd year for the festival, and will once again focus on the old “flowing” or Artesian well. Holmes has seen many varying groups come through the festival over the years.
“We’ve had everything from local dancers and karaoke singers, to Grammy-winning songwriters and session musicians and everything between,” Holmes said.
“There are usually some very well-known surprise guests, as well.”
The festival kicks off with a parade at 9 a.m. and winds down with a street dance beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for the festival are available at the gate and run $5 for adults and $1 for children under 12. It has been estimated that at past events that attendance has ranged anywhere from 800 to 1,000 people.
The annual Glenwood Festival at the Well Foundation supports a scholarship program for young people in and around Glenwood.