Music, Stories And Frightening Tales In October!

Fall is here, and October is full of exciting events for the whole family in Athens and Limestone County. Make your plans now to attend these fun and/or frightening affairs!

On Oct. 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd & 24th, visit the Doomsday at Dog Days at Dog Days Grounds located at 30444 Gowan Road, Ardmore, TN. ASF Haunt invites you to join them in their new location for nights of screams and chills. Wander the treacherous path in 6-acre Haunted Woods, as creatures stalk and terrorize you. You may not find the exit until light of day, if you’re that lucky! Cost $13 per person. Cash and Credit Cards accepted (surcharge may apply to credit cards). Ticket sales start at 7PM and attraction opens at 7:30PM For more information, go to www.asfhaunt.com.

Are you ready for the 49th Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler Convention Oct 2nd – 3rd? The fun is held at Founders’ Green on Athens State University, located at 300 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL. The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention is known as the “Granddaddy of Mid-south 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, visit www.athens.edu/fiddlers or call 256-233-8215.

We would like to invite our Veterans to the Oct 3rd Coffee Call at Alabama Veteran’s Museum, located at 100 West Pryor Street Athens, AL. Join fellow Veterans and their families for breakfast 8AM-9:30AM. Contact Director Sandy Thompson at 256-771-7578 for more information, or how to sponsor a breakfast.

Come out Oct 3rd for the Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby in the Big Spring Memorial Park Athens, AL. and see hundreds of rubber ducks racing for the big prizes at this Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful fundraiser. Adopt one duck for $5.00 or a Quack-Pack of 6 ducks for $25.00. Race starts at 4PM, and ducks must be purchased by 1PM. Visit the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Office (KALB), 125 East Street, Athens, AL, or 256-233-8728 for more information.

The Annual Tourism Haunts Walks begin in October 6th 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 Beaty and Houston historic districts, downtown and Athens State University with guides Shane Black and Billy Ward recounting tales, woes, and the unexplained. Call the Visitor Center at 256-232-5411 to reserve your tickets soon, they disappear quickly!

This will be the last Friday after Five for 2015 will be on October 9th. Bring the family to Downtown for shopping and activities after regular shopping hours on the Square. Friday after Five is held the second Friday of each month July through October for shopping, dining, arts, antiques, music.

Saturday, Oct 10th will be a huge day in Elkmont, Alabama with The Running With The Goats Race, sponsored by Belle Chevre Creamery, which is located right next to The Richard Martin Rails to Trails. Belle Chevre is located at 18849 Upper Fort Hampton Road, Elkmont, AL. The creamery will host the 10K, 5K and Fun Run options for all skill levels of runners. The 10K begins at 7AM, the 5K at 9AM, and the Fun Run at 10AM. Runners can test their speed against kids and goats in the Fun Run Goat Relay. There will also be awards, raffle and and after race party. For information or registration, go to www.active.com key words: Elkmont Running With The Goats.

After the run, stay for the Southern ReInvention on October 10th at Belle Chevre Creamery. The Southern Reinvention is a collective of cultural voices committed to craft and unified in their desire to celebrate the South’s traditions, while at the same time embracing change and evolving with time. Southern Reinvention promotes those who craft unique food, drink, art, fashion and literature with a clear Southern identity. In our journey, we hope to discover and share the best of today’s Southern artisans, while discovering and defining the contours of our current culture and society. Tickets are $5 at the door. The event will be from 10AM to 3PM. For more information, call 256-732-4801.

If your fun is cars, all kinds will be participating in the October 10th 1st Annual Athens “Sports-Plex” Car, Truck & Bike Show at the Athens SportsPlex located at U.S. 31N Athens, AL. Join sponsor Brian Wiggins with State Farm Insurance from 9AM to 3PM for a show open to all cars, trucks, bikes and etc. Door prizes will be given throughout the day, cash prizes for the competitors, full food and drink concessions, Kids Dugout Play Ground, music and more. Entry per vehicle: $10. Goodie bags will be provided to the first 100 registrants. No trophies, no judging, show and shine only. For more information, contact 256-777-0606.

The 8th Annual Pink Elephant Luncheon will be held October 14th at the Limestone County Event Center, 114 West Pryor Street Athens, AL. Join the Pink Social Hour at 11AM, sponsored by Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation as they raise funds for mammogram scholarships and technology for early breast cancer detection to save the lives of men and women in the community. Contact Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation for details 256.233.9557 or email: lainet@alhnet.org.

On October 22nd come to the Senior Lunch Matinée Show with The Cadillacs at Yesterday’s Event Center, 15631 Brownsferry Road, Athens, AL. Come enjoy the sounds of The Cadillacs performing your favorite 50’s, 60’s, Doo-Wop and Old Country. Cost is $10 and includes lunch, drink and dessert. Groups are welcome. Event begins 11AM –for seating, opening, announcements, blessing, and lunch with the show kicking off at 12PM. Cancellation policy applies. RSVP required: info@yesterdaysevents.com.

Come to Elkmont, AL and enjoy all the beautiful fall colors by horseback, bicycle or walking for the October 24th and 25th Rails to Trails Fall Color Ride or Walk. For more information about the event, call 256-732-4211.

The 9th Annual Athens Storytelling Festival is held October 20th – 24th in Downtown Athens, AL. This PEAK Award winning event will offer you a weekend spent listening to stories of adventure and excitement, a place where memories and magic are captured and spun into tales that make you laugh and cry. Stories will be told on the courthouse square in Athens, Alabama within close proximity of an eclectic mix of shops offering a wide variety of antiques, gifts, gourmet foods, clothing and hardware. The courthouse square boasts several warm and inviting restaurants, and food vendors will be present for good old-fashioned festival fare. www.athensstorytellingfestival.com. Their Amateur Night will be held on Tuesday, October 20th.

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church located on 207 East Washington Street, Athens, AL presents Storyteller Dolores Hydock on October 25th. Join the Daughters of the King of Saint Timothy’s Episcopal in hearing her stories about “the goodness we show, the goodness we hide, and looking at others with loving eyes” starting at 2PM. Free admission. A tea will follow the storytelling in the parish hall.

Apple Annie Monster Dash 5k and 1 Mile Scary Scurry on October 31st will be held at Athens Swan Creek Park 100 U.S. Highway 31N Athens, AL. The Apple Annie 5K is a charity race benefiting Joy’s House and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Athens/Limestone County. After the 5K, there will be a 1 Mile Fun Run for kids of all ages! There will be a Family Fun Zone with games, face painting, food, music, and a hot air balloon! Awards will be given for the race and for the most spirited Apple Annie runner. Early registration $25 until October 17th. Late registration is $35. Kid’s registration for 1 mile Scary Scurry will be $10 includes prizes. There will be a fun zone with hot air balloon, bounce houses and more. Costumes are encouraged.

Yesterday’s Halloween Party will be held on October 31st at Yesterday’s Event Center located on 15631 Brownsferry Road, Athens, AL. Come enjoy your favorite music plus a little Halloween fun. Complete country dinner available including drink and dessert for additional $9.95. Show admission is $15 and email reservation is required. All seats reserved and not attended are subject to a fee of 50% of the ticket price if not cancelled with notice 48-hours prior to show and will be billed to reserving individual. Doors open at 6PM, with dinner from 6PM to 7PM. The show begins at 7PM. To reserve your seats, email info@yesterdaysevents.com.
By: Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association