From International Travelers To Local Annual Favorites: Athens Is The Place To Celebrate Summer

This past Friday morning (May 27, 2016), I had the honor of showing 61 international travelers from Mumbai, India our community’s most beautiful educational facility, Athens State University. Niyati (Nina) Tijoriwala, the proprietor of an India touring company called “Edu Outing Concepts,” brought the students on an amazing journey throughout the Eastern and Southeastern parts of the United States. Travelling from New York to Florida, and then to Huntsville, the group took a short trip to Athens to learn about our intuitions of higher learning at Historic Athens State University.

It was my privilege to provide the group with a special welcome from Mayor Marks, details of how our educational facilities work, and how they may be able to be a part of our educational programs. In addition, they were greeted by Dr. Robert Glenn, President of Athens State University. Afterwards, Mrs. Sara Love, ASU Archivist, gave the students a tour of the campus highlighting the University’s history, and identifying the buildings where the different curricula is taught. Nina was very pleased with the tour, and is planning to bring another tour to the States and Athens again next year. I will be looking forward to their arrival, and to assisting them with their tour again.

June 3rd — Singing on the Square. Limestone County Courthouse, Marion Street, Athens, AL. Join the Athens-Limestone County Tourism and sponsor Jimmy Smith Buick GMC for a free concert starting at 6:00PM featuring Southern Splendor Chorus and Rocket City Chorus. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs. For more information: http://www.visitathensal.com/3/singin-on-the-square.htm

June 4th — Coffee Call. Alabama Veterans’ Museum and Archives, 100 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL. All veterans and their families are invited to the museum for breakfast and a time of fellowship with fellow veterans at 8:00AM. For more information, contact 256-771-7578.

June 4th — 2nd Annual Catfish Literary Festival. Athens-Limestone Public Library, 603 South Jefferson Street, Athens, AL. Join the library for a day celebrating local authors and the art of story-craft. More details to come. For information, call 256-232-1233.

June 4th — Ardmore Quarterback Club Golf Tournament. Southern Gayles Golf Course, 22405 Mooresville Road, Athens, AL. Grab your clubs and three friends for this Four Man Scramble Tour starting at 7:00AM. Teams are $300.00 each, and proceeds go to the Ardmore Quarterback Club and their programs assisting area athletics. For more information, contact Tracy Goldsmith 236-426-9307 or Bethany Barnette 256-777-2616.

June 4th — Cruise In. Downtown Athens, AL. Bring your hot rod, motorcycle, truck, or unique vehicle and park on the square to share your love of automobiles with other enthusiasts from 3:00PM to 6:00PM. Shop the boutiques and stores, and enjoy a meal downtown at one of the restaurants.

June 10th & 11th — Elkmont Lions Club Smokin’ Railroad Street Barbecue Cook-off. Downtown Elkmont, AL. Join the Elkmont Lions Club for their newly Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned Backyard Division cook-off. Categories will be Pulled Pork, Chicken and Ribs. The public will enjoy music, sampling, and concessions. Tickets to sample for People’s Choice to be announced. Cook teams interested in participating should visit: www.elkmontlionsclub.com For more information, e-mail ldpylant25902@yahoo.com.

June 10th — Elkmont Cruise In. Gilbert Street, Downtown Elkmont, AL. First come-first serve parking 2:00PM-8:00PM. $250.00 People’s Choice Award, $50.00 Furthest Distance Traveled, and $50.00 cash Prize Drawing every 30 minutes starting at 6:00PM. For more information, contact Elkmont Town Hall 256-732-4211.

June 11th — Athens Grease Festival. Downtown Athens, AL. Enjoy a day feasting on “all things fried.” For more information, see Holly Hollman’s article on page ____, or visit www.athensgreasefestival.com.

June 11th — Spring Garden Tour. Athens, AL. Enjoy a collection of private gardens during this tour from 10:00AM-2:00PM with Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions. Advanced tickets are $15.00 from May 2nd to June 10th at the following locations: Crawford Gifts (203 West Washington Street Athens), Pimento’s (210 West Market Street Athens), Trinity’s (204 West Market Street Athens), Athens-Limestone Public Library (603 South Jefferson Street Athens), and from members of Friends of the Library. Day of Tour Tickets can only be purchased at the Athens-Limestone Public Library.

June 11th — Saturday Supper with Belle Chevre. Belle Chevre Cheese Shop and Tasting Room, 18849 Upper Fort Hampton Road, Elkmont, AL. Back by popular demand, Belle Chevre is again offering their Saturday Suppers cooked by our award-winning Chief Cheese Tasia Malakasis and Chef de Cuisine Rick Vonk. Saturday Suppers are inspired by fresh, local ingredients, including Belle Chevre’s fine artisanal goat cheeses made in Alabama. Southern-made 5-course meals that reflect Southern heritage and our passion for spreading love around meals. Two seating options are available: 5:30PM and 7:30PM. $75/person. To view menu or make a reservation, visit http://www.bellechevre.com/creamery-tours-events/saturday-suppers-2/.

June 11th — Singer-Songwriters Night. The Red Caboose, 25483 Railroad Street, Elkmont, AL. Join The Red Caboose for an evening of live music. Doors open at 6:00PM, show starts at 7:00PM. Admission is $25.00 and includes snacks. Children age 12 and under are free. For more information, list of performers, and directions, visit TheRedCaboose.net.

June 17th-18th — Ardmore Lions Club Tractor and Truck Pull. John Barns Park, Ardmore Ridge Road Ardmore, TN. The engines will rev and the dirt will fly as the tractors and trucks pull the grounds of John Barnes Park starting at 7:00PM. Classes: Light Super Stock Tractors, Heavy Super Stock Tractors, Limited Pro Stock Tractors, 6200 TWD Trucks, 9300 Super Farm Tractors, P4=PSFWD Trucks. Admission is $10.00 each night, with children age 6 & Under FREE. No Rain Checks, No Refunds For more information, please visit http://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/ardmoretn/projects.php.

June 17th — Singing on the Square. Limestone County Courthouse, Marion Street Athens, AL. Join Athens-Limestone County Tourism and sponsor Jimmy Smith Buick GMC for a free concert featuring Just Down the Road at 6:00PM. Be sure to bring your lawn chair. For more information, visit http://www.visitathensal.com/3/singin-on-the-square.htm.

June 18th — Bluegrass at Whistle Hollow Farm. Whistle Hollow Farm Wedding & Event Venue, 701 Lofton Hall Road, Ardmore, TN. Solid Blue will be performing starting at 5:00PM. Come early and enjoy. Concessions will open at 4:30PM. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair, and settle in for an evening of bluegrass music. Space is limited. General admission is $10.00, and general admission with a meal ticket $17.00. Visit www.whistlehollow.com for more information and purchase your tickets at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/bluegrass-night-at-whistle-hollow-tickets-24636357007.

June 20th– Vietnam Veterans Spaghetti Lunch/Dinner. Vietnam Veterans Chapter 511 Post, 17915 West Elm Street Athens, AL. Join the VVA Chapter 511 for an all-you-can-eat spaghetti meal including salad, garlic bread, dessert, and beverage for $7.00. Options are lunch from 11:00AM-1:00PM or dinner from 5:00PM-7:00PM or both!

June 24th — Basic Digital Photography with Olivia Reed. 1818 Farms, 24889 Lauderdale Street, Mooresville, AL. Join Olivia Reed for an afternoon of fun at 1818 Farms as she presents her Basic Digital Photography Class from 3:00PM to 6:00PM, with the focus on the botanicals. Olivia will go over camera basics, shooting in manual, selecting the right lenses to maximize quality, composition, memory cards, computer programs and more. Bring your digital SLR camera and lenses for a hands on experience in manual mode. Once the basics are covered, step outside on the farm for an outdoor shooting experience. Price is $150 per class. The following supplies are Included: handouts on all topics covered and a box supper. For more information, please visit https://store.1818farms.com/collections/classes/products/basic-digital-photography-with-olivia-reed.

June 24th– Senior Lunch Matinee Show. Yesterday’s Event Center. 15631 Brownsferry Road Athens, AL. Join Yesterday’s for a complete lunch including drink and dessert for $11.00, and entertainment featuring a special performance. Celebrate American Veterans with singer/impressionist Kevin Adams. Also included is a trip to the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens. Doors open 10:30AM, event begins 11:00AM with show time at 12:00PM. The show will last approximately 60-75 minutes. Groups of all size welcome. Bus parking available. Cancellation fees may apply. Pre-reservation is required, so send your reservation email to Info@YesterdaysEvents.com.

June 23rd, 24th & 25th — Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival. 309 East Forrest Street Athens, AL. Join the Athens Lions Club Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6:30PM-9:30PM for 10 rides including a small Ferris wheel, rocket ships, swings, carousel, train, roller coaster, parachute rides, bigger swings, and the scrambler. Also, we have bingo. and delicious concessions are available. We will serve sandwiches, French fries, popcorn, sno cones, funnel cakes, and drinks. Tokens to ride are just $0.50 each, and all monies go to local charities.

June 24th – 28th — Cal Pipkin State Baseball Tournament. Athens SportsPlex, U.S. Highway 31 Athens, AL. Approximately 30 teams from all over Alabama will compete during the Cal Ripkin State Baseball Tournament.

June 25th — Saturday Supper with Belle Chevre. Belle Chevre Cheese Shop and Tasting Room, 18849 Upper Fort Hampton Road, Elkmont, AL. Back by popular demand, Belle Chevre is again offering their Saturday Suppers cooked by our award-winning Chief Cheese Tasia Malakasis and Chef de Cuisine Rick Vonk. Saturday Suppers are inspired by fresh, local ingredients, including Belle Chevre’s fine artisanal goat cheeses made in Alabama. Southern-made 5-course meals that reflect Southern heritage and our passion for spreading love around meals. Two seating options are available: 5:30PM and 7:30PM. $75/person. To view menu or make a reservation, visit http://www.bellechevre.com/creamery-tours-events/saturday-suppers-2/.

June 25th — Singer-Songwriters Night. The Red Caboose, 25483 Railroad Street Elkmont, AL. Join The Red Caboose for an evening of live music. Doors open at 6:00PM, show starts at 7:00PM. Admission is $25.00 and includes snacks. Children age 12 and under are free. For more information, performers and directions, visit TheRedCaboose.net.

June 26th – 30th — SonWest Roundup VBS. Mays Memorial Baptist Church, 23636 AL-251, Toney, AL. Join the fun of Vacation Bible School and be part of the fun from 6:00PM-8:00PM. For more information, visit maysmemorial.org.

June 30th, July 1st & 2nd — Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival. 309 East Forrest Street Athens, AL. Join the Athens Lions Club Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6:30PM-9:30PM for 10 rides including a small Ferris wheel, rocket ships, swings, carousel, train, roller coaster, parachute rides, bigger swings, and the scrambler. Also, we have bingo. and delicious concessions are available. We will serve sandwiches, French fries, popcorn, sno cones, funnel cakes, and drinks. Tokens to ride are just $0.50 each, and all monies go to local charities.
By: Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association