August is the time for preparing to go back to school. Wait, what? School? We still have great events to enjoy, like the Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days on August 1st & 2nd. This great 2-day event has been taking place for 22 years. If you haven’t gone, you are missing out on a load of fun. You’ll know you are there when you see thousands of tractors in all colors and sizes on 20147 Elkton Road before you reach Piney Chapel Elementary School headed north. This event celebrates life on the farm and the preservation of antique engines, tractors and other equipment. They have events like the Parade of Power, Fast Crank Competition, Slow Races, and the Ladies’ Skillet Throw. The kids can take a chance with the Pedal Pull. On Friday Aug 1st, you can take a tractor ride to Elkmont on the Richard Martin Rails to Trails and enjoy a hotdog when you get there.
The event opens at 7AM on Friday, with the tractor ride at 10AM. Live entertainment will begin at 5:30PM. Come out to have great pinto beans & cornbread, along with other tasty concessions. On Saturday morning, you can have biscuits for breakfast! Admission is only $5, with children 10 and under admitted free of charge.
With agriculture being big in Limestone County, as well as having a large equine population, many will be supporting Ardmore in their 22nd Annual Police & Reserves Rodeo. The rodeo is also being held August 1st & 2nd. Ardmore presents their event at John Barnes Park, 30510 Ardmore Ridge Road, Ardmore, TN. You are invited to come and support the Ardmore Police Department and Reserves while enjoying this excellent family activity.
The Col. Sam Gibbons Walking Horse show will give it one more try to finally hold their event at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Arena. This free event will take place on Friday, August 1st at 6PM. Bring the whole family or your church or scout groups.
On August 9th, the Ardmore Quarterback Club Car Show will be held at John Barnes Park, located at 30510 Ardmore Ridge Road, Ardmore, TN. Join the Ardmore Quarterback Club for the largest car show in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee.
Are you looking for some beautiful trees to plant? On Aug 23rd you can find every color of Crape Myrtle at the Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival located at John Barnes Park. Come and enjoy the all day live entertainment, along with arts and crafts, and the Miss Crape Myrtle Festival Beauty Pageants.
Here is a tip on pruning your Crape Myrtles: prune as little as needed. When you prune the branches back to the trunk every season it’s called “Crape Murder.” You will weaken the tree and stunt its growth. It eventually will quit putting out sturdy growth that won’t even support the blooms. Then the tree will become susceptible to many kinds of fungus and rot. Only trim what really has to be trimmed for shape and thinning so sunlight can get to the inside of the tree. If you trim the tips after they bloom out, this will promote growth and new blooms, giving you a healthy pretty, bloom-filled tree. Remember, a little fertilizer or compost won’t hurt.
Have a great August, and be looking forward to some enjoyable events to come in September, too! For more information on these events and others go to VisitAthensAL.com or call us 256-232-5411.
By: Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
100 Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611
