Fall In North Alabama Is Festival Season

With the weather starting to cool off and the days getting shorter, that is a sure sign fall is on its way. In my line of work, it means fall fun is about to begin!

September 1st – 30th, the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association will proudly exhibit works from three local artists Pamela Keller, Gary Anderson and Katelyn Harris who are featured in the Athens Voices Juried Exhibit at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur. Athens Voices celebrates 48 artists from the 8 Athens’ in the United States with a juried art show and traveling exhibit. Please stop by the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center located at 100 N. Beaty Street to see a sampling of the collection Monday – Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM and Saturday 8:30AM-11:45AM. For more information, please call 256-232-5411.

The Alabama Veterans’ Museum’s Coffee Call will be held on September 5th from 8:00 AM- 9:30 AM at 100 W. Pryor Street. Veterans and their families come together for a free breakfast, and to share their dedication and service to our country at the Veterans’ Museum. The Athens Cruise-In will also be held on September 5th on the Square from 3:00 PM-6:00 PM.
As we observe 9/11 this year, we have an opportunity to participate in the Travis Manion Heroes Run. Join the Alabama Veterans Museum to raise awareness and honor the fallen on Saturday, September 12th. To donate or signup go to visit www.travismanion.org search heroes run Athens or email athens@911heroesrun.org. Use the code CB1 when registering so the museum will receive a portion of the proceeds. Also see Sandy Thompson’s piece.

The Superheroes Day is September 12th at Big Spring Memorial Park 106 North Beaty Street Athens, AL. Come and join Team Victory 4 All in the park to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. Everyone is encouraged to wear your super hero costume and enjoy the day in the park as Team Victory informs attendees about the threats of childhood cancers. Learn more at www.teamvictory4all.org
Athens-Limestone Hospital invites everyone to enjoy the day at Canebrake Golf Club for a round of golf supporting the Hospital Foundation. The 18th Annual Crystal Cup Tournament will be held on September 17th with a 3-Man Scramble. Join this full day of fun starting with lunch at 11:30 AM and tee off at 1:00 PM. Contact Laine Terry at 256-233-9236.

A new event for Athens is the Alabama Veterans Museum’s Militaria Show to be held at the Limestone County Event Center two days, September 18th and 19th. Come enjoy exhibits on Antique and Military Guns, Ammo, Knives & Edged Weapons, Uniforms & Helmets, Medals, Patches & Badges, Flags, Fields Gear, Documents, Photography and more. Admission: $5.00 per adult. You can also purchase 2-Day passes for $8.00. Children under 12, Military, Police, Fire & Rescue, and Re-Enactors in Uniform will enjoy free admission. If you would like to reserve an exhibit table, contact Sandy Thompson, Veterans’ Museum Director at 256-771-7578. Vendors tables (6ft) are $45.00 and display tables (also 6ft) are $20.00.

Keep Athens Limestone Beautiful will be having their annual Duck and Run 5K on September 19th at Big Springs Memorial Park at Beaty and Market Streets. This mildly challenging race will take runners through historic Athens neighborhoods and through the Courthouse Square. Prizes will be awarded, including cash prizes. T-shirts guaranteed to the first 200 registered runners. Find more information at www.duckandrun5k.com.

Do you like the music of the BIG BANDS? Then come out to Yesterdays Event Center on September 24th for the Senior Lunch Matinée Show with Silvery Moon Big Band. Event begins 11:00AM with lunch at noon for only $10.00 – RSVP required. For more information email info@yesterdaysevents.com

The Annual Tourism Haunts Walks begin in October at the Athens Visitor Center meeting room. These guided Haunts Walks offer a special treat for the Halloween season. Here is your opportunity to get a glimpse into the haunted history and mysterious happenings of Athens through ghost stories. This walking tour takes you from the Athens Visitors Center through the historic districts, downtown and Athens State University with guides Shane Black, Billy Ward & Mac Martin recounting tales, woes, and the unexplained.

On October 2nd & 3rd, come out to the 49th Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler Convention on Founders Green located at 300 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL. 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. For more information on this festival go to www.athens.edu/fiddlers or call 256-233-8215.

Fit As A Fiddle Relay for Life 5K run will be held on October 3rd at the Athens SportsPlex located at 1403 U.S. 31N, Athens, AL. Join the City of Athens Relay for Life team for this annual fundraiser that uses the Athens Greenway to Athens High School Track and back for its route. For more information contact hhollman@athensal.us

One of the cutest races you will ever see is on October 3rd at the Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby at Big Spring Memorial Park Athens, AL. Get your ducks in a row for this Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful fundraiser. Adopt a duck for $5.00 or a Quack-Pack of 6 ducks for $25.00. Visit Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful (KALB) at 125 East Street, Athens, AL or call 256-233-8728 for more information.
By: Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association