PELHAM, Ala. — School bus dealership Transportation South Inc. will host its third annual “Love the Bus” celebration on Valentine’s Day to honor Alabama’s best school bus drivers, as voted by the students, parents and teachers they serve.

The event, to be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1400 McCain Parkway in Pelham on Feb. 14, will announce and recognize a 2013 Alabama Love the Bus Driver of the Year and finalists. Guests will be treated to a barbecue lunch and cake.

Transportation South officials said that each school system in the state was asked to nominate a school bus driver who portrays love for his or her job, school and students. School systems sent in one-page nominations discussing why their nominee should be chosen as the 2013 Alabama Love the Bus Driver of the Year.

Alabama state pupil transportation director Joe Lightsey will speak at the event, and more than 150 school and community leaders from throughout the region are expected to attend to show support for the school bus drivers.

The American School Bus Council’s Love the Bus program is celebrated on Valentine’s Day and throughout February across the country as a way to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport more than 26 million schoolchildren to and from school each day.

“School bus drivers play a critical role in the lives and education of the nation’s students, and the Love the Bus program is a fun way for us to recognize their dedication,” said Bucky Law, president of Transportation South.

To view a variety of photos from 2012 Love the Bus celebrations, including one at Transportation South, see this photo gallery.