Athens “Haunts Walks” Offer Haunted History

Everyone knows that Athens, Alabama is a beautiful historic town. Most people know that many of the structures predate the civil war? You may even know some of the personal history of our founding families. However, not all our history lies on the surface.

Maybe you’ve seen that unexplainable form in the corner of your eye while visiting one our historic homes? Maybe you heard footsteps but turned and saw no one? Maybe a cold spot you past through in 90 degree heat chilled you to the bone? Maybe you took pictures at the Fiddlers’ Convention and caught odd round shapes in the picture? Maybe the answers to these occurrences lay in the tales of some of our oldest residents…the ones of ether or malcontent.

The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association has launched its ticket sales for this year’s “Haunts Walks” and this is your opportunity to get a glimpse into the haunted history and mysterious happenings of Athens through the ghost stories. This walking tour takes you from the Athens Visitors Center through the historic districts with guides Shane Black and Billy Ward recounting tales, woes, and the unexplained.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Athens Visitors Center, Monday – Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM. The Visitors Center is located at 100 North Beaty Street on the corner of Market and Beaty Streets, next to the Big Spring Memorial Park. The upcoming walks are on October 1, 8, 15 & 29 and each last about 2 hours. Tickets for adults and children age 5 and up are $5.00 each. Children under age 5 are admitted free. There are a limited number of tickets available, so purchase them early.

This year we have added a little more fun for the October 29th walks since they are just a couple of days before Halloween. We are asking those who attend on the 29th to come in costume. We will select the best costume from each walk and the winner will receive a prize. It will be lots of fun seeing all the “spooks” walking through Athens.

There are two tours each night. The first group departs at 6:30 PM followed by the second group at 7:00 PM and leisurely stroll downtown Athens. This is a walking tour and those participating should wear comfortable walking shoes, with reflective colors and bring a small flash light.

You may have noticed there are no tours on Oct 22nd; this will be the week of Storytelling. This year’s Storytelling Festival will have local tellers on Tuesday Oct 22nd telling their tall tells. This will allow for the public to come out and enjoy hearing about your friends and neighbors shenanigans. The winner of this juried competition will join the professional tellers on Thursday Night Olio. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for children. Purchase tickets early at the pre-registered pricing at www.AthensStorytellingFestival.com until Oct 9th. The Storytelling Festival with the professional tellers will begin Thursday evening Oct 24th, and run through Oct 26th.

For information about the above walks & Storytelling or any other Athens-Limestone County events, call 256-232-5411/256-867-1438 or visit our website www.VisitAthensAL.com.

HERE ARE THE LOCAL EVENTS FOR OCT 4th – OCT 26th:

October 4 10:30AM – 1:30PM
Annual Bean Day
At First Baptist Church, Family Life Center. Lunch includes white beans, slaw, cornbread, onions, drink and a homemade dessert for $6.00. Delivery plates available for 10 or more orders, but does not include a drink. Contact The Council on Aging Foundation at 256-232-7199 or janesiniard@ymail.com or Jennifer Reece at 256-233-6412 jennifer.reece@limestonecoutny-al.gov.

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention
Oct 4 & 5
The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention is known as the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers Conventions” for its role in reviving the tradition of competition in old time music. Approximately, 15,000 people are expected to attend the convention this year from more than 30 states. The convention brings some 200 contestants to compete for top prize money. There are 18 different categories, including several fiddle and guitar categories, harmonica, mandolin, bluegrass banjo, dulcimer, old time singing, banjo, and buck dancing. The Convention culminates in a “fiddle-off,” between the top two fiddlers. The winning fiddler is declared “Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddle Champion,” and takes home a trophy and $1000. A total of $11,850 will be awarded to contestants. In addition to the musical competition, hundreds of musicians will participate in the numerous jam sessions conducted across the Athens State campus during the weekend. Many people camp in travel trailers and even tents during the event on the University property. The convention also includes 150 traditional arts and crafts booths. These feature many handmade and traditional items. Convention proceeds support student scholarships and University projects. To date more than $500,000 has been contributed to the University. Contact: 256-233-8261, athens.edu/fiddlers. Admission is charged.

Alabama Veterans Museum Coffee Call
Oct 5 at 8:00 AM
All veterans are invited to the museum for breakfast and a time of fellowship with fellow veterans. Contact 256-771-7578.

October 5, 2013, the world will walk again with Scott Kelby, president of Kelby Training and #1 bestselling photography and technology book author, in the 6th Annual Worldwide Photo Walk™ more…

Yesterdays Event Center
Oct 5th 6:00 P.M.
Presenting the musical comedy of “Three on a String”, a trio with 40 years of performances who has performed all over the nation, including for President George W Bush. This show will have a country/folk/americana/flavor featuring world class musician and music historian Bobby Horton, and will include skits, jokes, and lots of audience participation. This will be a complete dinner show but no dance floor available for this show.
Show details: Show admission is $10, E-mail Reservations are required. There will be a complete dinner available including drink and dessert for $9.95.
Doors open 6PM, dinner available 6-7PM, showtime 7PM
We can accommodate group reservations, church groups, car clubs, social clubs, etc.
You may reserve seating by replying to this e-mail, and pay at the door, cash or personal check. Please specify if you plan to eat with us.
We will confirm your reservation by e-mail reply. You will receive best available seating. We are now booking company Christmas Parties, and can produce your complete event including facilities, a complete dinner, and entertainment packages.

The Haunted Lester Hospital
October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 & 31
For more information visit The Haunted Lester Hospital.

Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby
Oct 5
This is a rubber duck race. Adopt a duck for your family. Fun for the entire family. Contact 256-233-8728 to adopt your ducks. Donations

Fit as a Fiddle Relay for Life 5K
Oct 5
The City of Athens Relay for Life Team is hosting the 5K at the Athens Sportsplex in conjunction with the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Thanks to Steelcase for helping sponsor our fight against cancer and to Fiddlers for letting us host the run! Registration information is available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1muaDcr–cNt3OHDEs-enpFqlnPkY1YX8TnJ376LSWUM/edit?usp=sharing. Or you can register online at Active.com at: https://www.active.com/running/athens-al/fit-as-a-fiddle-relay-for-life-5k-run-2013

Haunts Walks
Oct 8 at 6:30 & 7:00 PM
For a fun night with family and friends, join us for our annual “Haunts Walks”. Tour guides will tell you some of the ghosts’ stories of homes and buildings in Athens. It’s about a mile walk and takes between 1½ – 2 hours. Tickets are $5.00 each go on sale in August. Contact: 256-232-5411/256-867-1438

Athens Cruise In on the Square
Oct 6
The monthly Cruise In is held the 1st Saturday night of each month – Apr – Oct. Bring your antique vehicle and park around the square. Enjoy delicious dishes offered by our downtown restaurants. Come early and check out the great buys at the downtown businesses. Be sure and get you an ice cream cone at Limestone Drug or milk shake at Kreme Delight. Make it a family night. Contact Tom at 256-457-9179.

Paint the rack PINK party!
October 10th at 6:00 p.m.
What is a Paint the rack PINK party you ask? Test your creative skills by creating your own work of art made of bras. Our elite panel of judges will pick our winning pieces to be auctioned off at the Pink Elephant Luncheon. Both events will be held at the Limestone County Event Center. The cost is $40 each to participate that includes your bra, painting materials, cocktails, & light hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds will benefit the Pink Elephant Mammogram Scholarship Fund. Cancer touches close to many of our hearts. Imagine if you didn’t have the means to get checked by your doctor. It happens very often. Help us help the community. This event will provide people with no insurance the opportunity for an annual exams.

Pre-registration forms are available and will be posted on the event page. Please print form & mail it to the address listed {100 Sanders St., Athens AL 35611} or get with Shelli Davis Waggoner for more assistance at shelliw@alhnet.org. Cash, check, & major credit cards accepted. Hope to see you there! Feel free to invite as many people as possible. Event sponsors include Tiffany Pack- Realtor with Garner Real Estate Group, Creative Canvas, & The Pink Elephant Foundation
*food, drinks, & cocktails are first come first serve, supplies are limited {you must be 21 to drink}
To Download Form Click {or click Get Tickets on the Event Page} >>>>https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6HCzkB_mONIa1ExNnZxem9ZZTg/edit?usp=sharing

North Alabama Christian Children’s Home
October 12 12:30-3:30PM
First Annual Benefit Motorcycle Ride. Group leaves from Central Church of Christ 320 Highway 31 N in Athens at 11: AM. Call 256-757-4212 or 256-366-3327.

Cowart Elementary Harvest Festival
Oct. 12 from 4-7 p.m.
This is a carnival-style fundraising event to support the school. There will be games in every classroom, silent auction, basket raffles, bingo in the library, lots of food and lots of fun for all ages. Some of our most popular games are the calk walk, toy walk, book walk and stuffed animal walk. Armbands are $10 for unlimited play or you can use tickets– 50-cents each, one ticket per activity/game. The entire community is invited to come out and support Cowart Elementary!

Fly with Davis
October 15, 2013 at Big Spring Park and I think we said 6P. This is a balloon release in memory of infant and fetal loss.

Haunts Walks
Oct 15 at 6:30 & 7:00 PM
For a fun night with family and friends, join us for our annual “Haunts Walks”. Tour guides will tell you some of the ghosts’ stories of homes and buildings in Athens. It’s about a mile walk and takes between 1½ – 2 hours. Tickets are $5.00 each go on sale in August. Contact: 256-232-5411/256-867-1438

Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation presents the 6th Annual Pink Elephant Luncheon Wednesday October 16th, 2013 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CDT at the Athens-Limestone Events Center contact Shelli Waggoner – shelliw@alhnet.org 256-233-9236 for more information or register here

Oct 19th “The Flashbacks” Classic Showband Dinner Show (public) For more information contact info@yesterdaysevents.com (256) 232-2506 or go to www.yesterdaysevents.com

Local Tellers Competition
OCT 22ND
Storytelling starts off with our Local Tall Tellers giving their best stretch of the truth. The winner of this juried competition will join the professional tellers on Thursday Night Olio. Tickets are $5 and $2.50 for children. Pre-register pricing at www.AthensStorytellingFestival.com till Oct 9th. Call 256-777-4525 for more info.

Athens Storytelling Festival
Oct 24, 25 & 26
It’s going to be an exciting weekend. Check out the website – www.athensstorytellingfestival.com for more information. Contact: 256-232-0400.

By: Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association