Summertime wouldn’t be complete without “The Crape Myrtle Festival and Pageant”

Come to Ardmore for the 13th Annual Miss/Master Crape Myrtle Festival Pageant on August 23rd at the Ardmore, Tennessee Annex. Competitions will begin at 5:00pm with subsequent divisions competing throughout the evening. The pageant is open to young ladies from birth through nineteen years of age, and young men from birth through five years of age. This pageant is NOT limited to residents of Ardmore. There will be a $3 fee, per person, to attend the pageant.

The “Miss Crape Myrtle” and the “Miss Teen” Division winners will be presented during the Crape Myrtle Festival on August 31. The festival will offer unique arts and crafts, delicious festival food, live entertainment and of course, all varieties, sizes and colors of Crape Myrtles. Live Country, Gospel, Bluegrass and Rock and Roll music can be enjoyed at the amphitheater. Bring your chairs or blankets and settle in for a wonderful day of music. The festival will be held at the Ardmore, TN, John Barnes Park, located on Ardmore Ridge Road.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS WHEN SELECTING YOUR CRAPE MYRTLES
First, think about the flower color and matured size. With so many varieties to select from, you should have no trouble finding the color you want in the size and shape that will fit your planting site. By selecting a Crape Myrtle for the size of the space where it will grow, you will only need to do minor pruning. Be sure to remove small twiggy branches inside the plant to promote good air circulation.

However, do not prune Crape Myrtles in the fall or winter, since it compromises their cold hardiness. Crape Myrtles bloom on the current season’s growth, so they can be pruned in the spring and will still flower normally throughout the summer. Crape Myrtles drink in the full summer sun and heat, so find a place that meets these requirements and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. After the plants are well established in the landscape, avoid excess watering and fertilization.

Events and Up-Coming Activities for August 2013

Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival
NOW – Aug 3rd on Thursday-Saturday night -THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
There are rides for kids along with great concessions and bingo! The rides are: small Ferris wheel, rocket ships, small swings, carousel, train, roller coaster, parachutes, large swings and the scrambler. Concessions available include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, french fries and cokes. Also available are the crowd favorites of cotton candy, dippin’ dots and funnel cakes. Our concessions are very reasonably priced and each of the rides is just one ticket, which is $.50. For more information or updates see our Facebook Page also: Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival.

Athens State Art Students to participate in National “Athens” Exhibition. Now – Aug 20, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday from 8:00 to noon. Athens Voices USA ’13, an Athens, Ohio biennial event by The Dairy Barn Arts Center, is an all media, juried art exhibition that aims to feature the diverse styles and visions of artists residing within 30 miles of a city named Athens in the United States. Athens Voices USA 2013 will be the fourth juried art exhibition celebrating “Athens” from all over the Nation. The event will be at the Alabama Center for the Arts located at 133 2nd Avenue in Decatur, Alabama.

Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo – Aug 2 & 3 – It’s time for bucking Bronx, calf roping, barrel racing and much more at the Ardmore, TN John Barnes Park. To buy a chances on the Saddle, tickets are $3. Admission fee $8 for ages 6-12 & $10 for ages 13 and up. RODEO QUEEN CONTEST – ages 1-21. $25 to enter. Get your form today!! NEW this year: Kid Fun Zone with Pony Rides, Military Flight Simulators & Boys & Girls Club Face Painting. Contact ardmorepdreserves@hotmail.com or at Ardmore Police Dept. Contact: 256-423-2146.

Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days – Aug 2 & 3 – Antique Tractor ride on Aug 2nd at 10AM from Elkton Road and on the Rails to Trails to Elkmont. Cattlemen’s Association at the Depot with rib-eye sandwiches for sale. Contact:256-431-6226, 256-431-0619 – Fee

Alabama Veterans Museum Coffee Call – Aug 3 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.

Athens Cruise In on the Square – Aug 3 – 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.

Red Devil Rock Show Aug 3 at 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM Join the fun at the Elkmont Baseball Fields, Vaughn St., Elkmont, AL 35620. Tickets: $15-$75. Headlining will be the Americana/Rock collective, Banditos. A band known for being famously eclectic and recalling the sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revival and tributes to Aretha Franklin.They really make your feet stomp to the beat. The band is comprised of Timothy Parsons on guitar and vocals, Steven Pierce II on vocals and banjo, Mary Richardson on vocals and tambourine, Randy Wade on the drums, Jeffery Vines on the upright bass, and Jeffery Salter on the electric guitar and lap steel. The line-up also includes local Athens band Spiral Down South, Georgia natives Poanna, Missouri musician Riley Downing and more. Along with many other side acts who will be gracing the Second Stage. Contact Chris Hagood at chagood06@gmail.com, 256.777.7027, www.reddevilrockshow.org, or www.facebook.com/reddevilrockshow.

Ardmore Quarterback Club Car Show – Aug 10 at 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM – One of the biggest and best car shows in Tennessee and Alabama is in Ardmore at the Ardmore, TN John Barnes Park located on Ardmore Ridge Road. Awards will be presented in 10 classes with the top five by class. All judging is done by the contestants. Live music will be provided by Microwave Dave. Six grand prize drawings will be held during the day. The AQBC Grand Prize is a 1967 Chrysler Imperial. Brand Stovall’s Auto Body Shop will present cash prizes of $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500.00 for third place. A Corporate Prize of a rolling tool box valued at $4,200 will be given away by Snap-On Tools. Naylor Performance Transmission will give away a 700R transmission. $50 cash drawings will be every 10 minutes. A 50/50 drawing will also be held. Pre-enter by August 4th and the fee is $20. Day of Show entry fee is $25. Spectator admission is $5 per person or $15 per family. Children 12 and under are admitted free. John Barnes Park, 30510 Ardmore Ridge Road, Ardmore, TN. Contact: Rodney at 205-908-2677 or Sandy at 256-656-3413.

Singing on the Square sponsored by Champion Chevrolet Aug 16 at 6:00 PM – Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the free concert featuring Athens State Community Band of Athens, AL. Contact: 256-232-5411 Free

Midnight Madness – day/night disc golf tournament – Aug 17 at 5:30 PM – The Athens State University Alumni Association announces this event benefiting the American Cancer Society. Registration begins at 4:30 PM., a players meeting at 5:20 PM., and the day round will begin at 5:30 PM. The tournament will be held on the disc golf course located near the Athens State University Library. There will be five divisions including an open category, women’s category, advanced/intermediate, recreational, and novice/junior categories. $30 entry fee will include a large player’s pack for all players including CRF Champion Glo Disc, LED and batteries for three discs, a golf towel, hiking socks, and snacks between rounds. Each round will also be offered a custom dyed trophy disc. Contact Bill Bullington from at 256-990-1254 or by email: Bill_Bullington@yahoo.com.

Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Luncheon – August 21st 11:45AM – Held at the Limestone County Event Center on 114 W. Pryor Street. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.alhfevents.org or call 256-233-9236. Mail check to 100 Sanders Street, Athens, AL. 35611. Guest speakers will be AJH Chief Nursing Officer, Jan Lenz and Lori King-Taylor, M.Ed, Principle Consultant, Trinity Performance Solutions.

Miss Crape Myrtle Pageant – Aug 23 – Young ladies ages 1 day – 19 years and young men 1 day – 5 years are invited to participate. The pageants will be held at the Ardmore, TN Annex building. For more information visit website www.ardmorealtnchamber.org or call Tonya at 256-777-6621.

Athens State Zumba Fundraiser to Benefit Newly Formed Charity – Aug 24 at 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM – A Zumba fundraiser will take place in the Ballroom of the Sandridge Student Center at Athens State University. No reservation is necessary. The proceeds from this event will benefit a newly formed charity, Sarah’s Helping Hands. The cost for admission to the Zumba Event is $10 per person. Refreshments, door prizes, and a silent auction will be included. The silent auction items range from gift baskets by Avon and Pimentos of Athens to hair and beauty products as well as a Thirty-One bag and a haircut and style by Lindsey Rosson of Escape Spa. If you would like to help with this event or would like more information, contact Hannah Esch at (256) 749-5485 or hesch1@my.athens.edu.

Ladies Tea and Fashion Show at Creekside Plantation – Aug 25 from 2-4PM – Chapter Z P.E.O. is a Philanthropic Education Organization which provides scholarships, grants and low interest loans for women’s education. We are having a fundraiser Tea and Fashion Show on Sunday, August 25 from 2-4 pm at the historic Creekside Plantation in Mooresville, AL. The Sub Deb sorority at Athens High School will be assisting as servers for a service project. We would love to have you attend and wear your favorite Hat! The tickets are $20 each. Call Holly Carpenter 256-479-1429

Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival – Aug 31 – It’s time for arts and crafts, delicious festival food and live entertainment. The festival is held at the Ardmore, TN John Barnes Park located on Ardmore Ridge Road. Contact: Linda at 256-423-8252, ardmorealtnchamber.org. Free admission.
By: Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association