As children, our parents would send us outside to play and not come back inside until we were called for supper. Today, children are texting, watching TV or playing handheld games. What a waste! There is so much to do outside; and so much beauty to enjoy in our community.
We just added two trails to our Trails Brochure including the African-American Heritage Trail and the Athens-Limestone County Antique Shopping Trail. All of the trails are free. Brochures are available at our office. We have 17 walking, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, bird watching and horseback riding trails. Take your family and enjoy one of these trails.
On May 17th, everyone should bring their lawn chairs or blankets downtown and enjoy a 2-hour concert featuring “Just Down the Road” bluegrass band at Singing on the Square. It’s a great family event. Come to downtown early and enjoy a delicious meal at one of the restaurants. Casa Blanca is now open on the square. Village Pizza and LuVici’s are still open on the square and just across the railroad tracks you find Washington Street Diner and Inez’s Soul Food on Washington Street. On the south-west side of the square you can still get your ice cream at Kreme Delight. If you come early, you can get hand dipped ice cream and floats at the Limestone Drug located on the north side of the square.
Friday and Saturday night (May 17th & 18th) features one of our largest events – Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo. Bring the family and enjoy all the rodeo events – bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, saddle Bronc riding, cowgirl’s barrel racing, and bull riding. Of course, the smaller kids love the rodeo clowns, chuck wagon races, and the kids’ calf scramble.
On May 18th you can enjoy the movie, Eating Alabama, at the Farmers Market at dark sponsored by Spirit of Athens (the Athens Main Street Organization).
May 31st is National Tourism Day at the Ardmore Welcome Center. Everyone is invited to come to the Welcome Center and help celebrate. It will be a day of fun for everyone. Visitors will be given free ice cream, Pepsi products, and various give away items from local tourist organizations. You will also be able to pick up information about our respective events and attractions. Over 2 million visitors sign the register annually and that is considered to be only a quarter of those who stopped. We are fortunate to have the Ardmore Welcome Center in our county.
Visit the Athens Visitors Center located at 100 Beaty Street North for information on the above events and other events and attractions in Athens-Limestone County or call 256-232-5411 or 256-867-1438. Check out our website (www.VisitAthensAL.com) for information.
By: Jeanette Dunnavant Jones, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
