Toe Tapping & Lips Smacking

The inaugural Athens Grease Festival will be September 29, 2012 in downtown Athens at 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM. The downtown area will be filled with Southern crafts, Olympic-themed activities, and a variety of food vendors who will offer at least one fried item on their menus. And in the South, fried food is not limited to vegetables and meat; desserts such as fried Oreos and fried Twinkies have become increasingly popular.

It will be a day-long event which includes a bike ride, fun run, and a children’s area. Festival goers are encouraged to wear their togas to what may turn out to be the largest toga party in North Alabama and dance to live music provided by Faron Davis, The Charles and Grant Show, Matt Prater, Richie and Deemer, Joey Thompson and Charles Williams, and The Park Band.

For more information about the Grease Festival visit www.athensgreasefestival.com.

Riders in The Sky will be headlining the 46th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention at Athens State University (ASU), performing on the Founders Hall stage at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM on Friday, October 7th. The Convention will be October 5th & 6th on the ASU campus.

For thirty years, Riders in The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing the Western musical field. Remaining true to the integrity of that genre of music, they have become modern-day icons by branding a group with their own legendary humor and wit. Riders in The Sky are the only exclusively Western artist to have won a Grammy, actually they have won two!

The convention has historically attracted more than 15,000 people for the two-day event, with more than 200 musicians participating in the musical competition. There are 18 different categories, including several fiddle and guitar categories, harmonica, mandolin, bluegrass banjo, dulcimer, old time singing, banjo, and buck dancing. The festival culminates on Saturday night with the naming of the “Fiddle Champion.” Being named Fiddle Champion is highly competitive and is a coveted prize.

Contests begin Friday, October 5th at 7:00 PM following the Riders in the Sky performance and resume on Saturday, October 6th at 8:30 AM. A total of $11,870 in prize money will be awarded. Proceeds from the convention fund student scholarships and other university projects.

Admission is $8 for Friday, $10 for Saturday and $15 for both days. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free with a parent. Advance tickets are available from the Athens State Business Office located in Founders Hall at 300 N. Beaty Street. For more information visit http://www.athens.edu/fiddlers.

For information about the above events and other Athens-Limestone County events call 256-232-5411/256-867-1438 or visit our website www.VisitAthensAL.com.