By: Cayce Lee
As September gets underway, chances abound to give back to Limestone County and beyond through fundraisers, workshops, and acts of stewardship. Be sure to check VisitAthensAL.com under Events for the details to our highlighted events below and find even more events too.
September 6 sees the State of Education Address come to Athens State with a chance for citizens to hear about our school systems. The 6th Annual Little Light of Mine Foundation Dinner will brighten the Limestone County Event Center on September 7. September 8 brings a variety of activities – 9/11 Heroes Run at the Alabama Veterans Museum, Superhero Fun Day and Family Expo in Big Spring Memorial Park, Swing Thru 5K at Calhoun Community College – each gives a chance for the hero in you to step forward and have fun for a bigger cause.
September 14-21 will be the United Way Week of Giving with area agencies and groups collecting to benefit United Way partners. September 15 will have them running, walking, or waddling for the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful annual fundraiser, Duck & Run 5K, as well as the annual commemoration of the Trail of Tears with a motorcycle ride that runs from South Pittsburg to Waterloo. Mable Hill Baptist Church is having its annual Fall Craft Fair on September 15 to raise funds for the refurbishing of their annual Christmas tradition – Bethlehem Walk.
A Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium will happen September 20 to help raise awareness to the growing plight. Things will rev up on September 22 with the 2nd Annual PTO Car Show at Athens Middle School (former high school) as well as Lowe’s Kids Safety Event at the store, For You We Ride Poker Run, and the ICMC 1st Annual Bikers Ball at Redstone Harley-Davidson. September 28 sees the 4th Annual Love for Lakely Golf Invitational come to Canebrake. Semper Fi Riders Annual Poker Run starting at Redstone Harley-Davidson on September 29 rounds out the opportunities to give so far.
Goodbye summer … Hello fall
As we mark Labor Day’s passing, fall is just around the corner with football, brightly colored leaves, hunting, and of course – Halloween. September 8 & 9 sees the return of the annual Elkmont Lions Club Dove Shoot to Hobbs Farm in Elkmont. Something wicked this way comes to the woods of Dog Days in Ardmore as the seasonal haunted attraction Doomsday at Dog Days kicks off its season September 28 and 29. It’s a far friendlier day under the trees in Mooresville as the annual Fall Gathering at Mooresville Mercantile welcomes fall on September 29. Kayakers and anglers of all ages will want to head to the Riverwalk Marina for the 2018 NAKA Demo Day and Tackle Swap.
The family-friendly favorite, Haunt Walks, has begun its ticket presales at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, for $5.00 each, cash or check. This first come-first served pre-sale last until the tickets are sold and are available for purchase Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M-5:00 P.M.
Bicentennial happenings…
Mooresville invites the public to join them for a Movie in Mooresville: Tom and Huck – which was filmed in the tiny town by Disney in 1995 – on September 28. September 29 brings another bicentennial event to Mooresville – A Town that Grew with Change featuring walking tours conveying the history of transformation of Alabama’s oldest town.
Own a piece of history — Bicentennial-themed T-shirts are still available at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens.
Travelers in Athens may begin to notice a change in scenery as murals begin to pop up around town commemorating the City’s 200th anniversary.
Get your eat on… try somewhere new!
Looking for breakfast or a sweet treat in Ardmore? JT’s Coffee and More located at 27031 Main Street in Ardmore TN, is open Monday-Friday from 6:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M. or Saturday 7:00 A.M.-2:30 P.M. with an old-fashion breakfast or lunch plus fresh made desserts to tempt you.
Just in time for football season, Winston’s Wings 29901 Jones Avenue in Ardmore AL, is open daily from 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. for finger-licking good sauced wings and the traditional sides.
The Red Caboose Café in downtown Elkmont is under new ownership and offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with hometown hospitality from 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. Monday-Friday and 8:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. on Saturday.
Be part of the magic…
The Athens North Pole Stroll has begun pre-selling the trees for this annual Christmas tradition. The event has been awarded the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Events for December 2018 and will continue the celebration of the Bicentennial with Christmas Memories as its theme. Information can be found by going to www.visitathensal.com/north-pole-stroll.html and following the 2018 North Pole Stroll button to all the information and forms for this year’s event.
By: Cayce Lee
Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
