Outdoor EXPO Brings More Than Recreation, Safety Too

Getting outside is about having fun, right?

We get so eager to hit the trail, take to the roads or water or put on our explorers cap and just take off. Too often we overlook things we should think about like weather awareness, sun protection and safety.

The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association’s Outdoor EXPO held in conjunction with the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Earth Day on April 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. wants to give you the chance to add safety and awareness to your outdoor adventures.

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Board will be sponsoring the Sci-Quest Roaming Dome from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m. in the meeting room of the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center at the southwestern corner of Big Spring Memorial Park. Eager adventurers will be able to step inside and take a seat for Force 5, where extreme weather takes center stage in a full dome animated show. Adventurers will experience a forceful hurricane, a ripping tornado, and the most powerful storms in the solar system. So get ready to take cover for this exciting experience!

Jason Simpson, WHNT News 19’s Chief Meteorologist, will be at the Outdoor EXPO 2015 answering your weather questions, questions about Storm Hunter 19, sharing how you can stay weather aware and meeting attendees. He joined the WHNT 19 team in January 2012. Raised in Holly Pond, Jason is no stranger to the Tennessee Valley.

Jason has covered many weather events from hurricanes to tornadoes and blizzards. Jason was on the air April 27, 2011 and saw firsthand the magnitude of the destruction in different parts of Alabama including right here in Limestone County. After the storm he took action, volunteering in devastated areas to help people rebuild and where he couldn’t go, he sent supplies.

When weather threatens the Tennessee Valley, Storm Hunter 19 heads into the heart of the communities impacted. This rolling observation station and live coverage vehicle keeps WHNT 19 meteorologist and viewers up-to-date on the latest conditions often as the storms and conditions are at their worse. Attendees can come take a close up look at Storm Hunter 19 at the Outdoor EXPO 2015 and learn more about how it’s taking action to keep you safe and weather aware.

Relay for Life of Limestone County will be hosting a booth to raise awareness about sun safety, skin cancer and their goal to have more birthdays by fueling the search for a cure to cancer. This volunteer driven movement has many stories behind each person involved. Want to know what Relay for Life is and why it’s important? Stop by their booth at the Outdoor EXPO and ask them, “What is Relay and why do you Relay?”

Imagine being in a rural part of Limestone County or anywhere in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee and needing to get to the hospital immediately. Now imagine a fully equipped helicopter with a medical team landing and then taking off to whisk you away to a life-saving facility within minutes rather than hours. This service is a reality with Air Evac Lifeteam and they will be at the Outdoor EXPO to share how you can benefit from their membership program. Emergency response vehicles from Ardmore Alabama/Tennessee Police and Fire Department will be on hand for attendees to see, ask questions about and take photos with. The Alabama State Highway Patrol will also have a vehicle and officer as well in attendance for the public to meet, speak with and snap photos with too.

For more information on the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Outdoor EXPO 2015, please call 256-232-5411 or visit the Outdoor EXPO page at www.VisitAthensAL.com. For information about the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Earth Day, please call 256-233-8000 or visit www.KALBCares.com.
By: Cayce Lee
Social Media Specialist for the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association