Alabama county celebrates official Obama holiday
November 07, 2009 11:48 EST

MARION, Ala. (AP) -- A small, rural Alabama county is in the midst of a five-day celebration that concludes Monday with an official holiday marking the election of Barack Obama as the nation's first black president.

Poor and mostly black, Perry County is sparing little during five days of festivities.

County employees will get a paid holiday Monday as government offices close. Events include an old-fashioned civil rights rally and march, a golf tournament, a weekend carnival and a parade Monday through Marion.

Critics of the holiday say the county -- with 14 paid holidays -- can't afford another. But supporters say it's appropriate in a county that was a landmark in the struggle for voting rights for blacks.