Tourism – The Bicentennial Begins 2017-2019

The Bicentennial Cemetery Stroll will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the Athens City Cemetery between Hobbs and Washington Streets. You will see the cemetery “come alive” with more than 40 period-attired personalities representing notables and direct descendants from the past 200 years during this annual historical and educational event. The history of Athens City Cemetery is also the history of the Southeast during America’s southern and westward expansion. This event is free to the public, though donations are welcome to assist in the efforts of preserving these historical markers. Event sponsors are Sons of Confederate Veterans, Athens-Limestone County Tourism and the Order of the Confederate Rose. Contact the Visitor Center at 256-232-5411, VisitAthensAL.com or on Facebook for more information.

The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association also announces its April Historic Walking Tours to be held each Saturday in April (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th). Strollers should meet at the Athens Visitors Center, 100 North Beaty Street on the corner of Beaty and Market Streets by the duck pond at 9:45 a.m. The walks will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and will last approximately one hour. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket and/or umbrella for unexpected weather. The walks are free and open to the public. For more information: 256-232-5411 or VisitAthensAL.com

Alabama is the only state in the nation to hold statewide, simultaneous walking tours. We have had over 2,500 guests since Athens started participating in the state walks in 2006, and they keep increasing in popularity every year. Strollers may choose one of 6 different walks each Saturday in April. It’s a great way for children and their parents to learn about local history. Groups are welcome.

Experience the culture and history of Athens by taking one of these walks each Saturday:

Tour 1: Historic Downtown Athens Square with Buzz Estes or William Pepper
Tour 2: Beaty Historic District, Washington Street and Old Town Cemetery with Bill Ward
Tour 3: Historic City Cemetery with Jimmy Hill or Buzz Estes
Tour 4: Houston Historic District with Rebekah Davis
Tour 5: Alabama Veterans Museum with Teddy Dutton
Tour 6: Athens State University with Anna Gibbs

These local residents serving as guides will share personal remembrances and history of their respective walk.

Other events you may want to enjoy during April include:

April 8th — Flashlight Egg Hunt with Friendship UMC on Lucas Ferry Road in Athens. There will be egg hunts for everyone, including individuals with special needs as well as youth and adults. There will be food vendors serving all your favorite fair-style foods, and your entire family will enjoy inflatables, games, and craft activities. The fun kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and the egg hunts begin at 6:00 p.m.

April 8th — 6th annual City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament at Ingalls Harbor (Decatur) beginning at 6:25 a.m. The City of Athens Relay for Life Team hosts this tournament as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and the support of local cancer patients. Each year, we hear great stories from the fishermen and their families who have a personal experience with the fight to beat cancer.

April 11th — Gettin’ Dirty at the Library: Backyard Tomatoes from 11:00 a.m. to noon. It’s time to Get Dirty at the Library! Join us at Athens-Limestone Pubic Library for monthly gardening talks presented by the Limestone County Extension Office and the Alabama Master Gardeners. April’s topic will be backyard tomatoes. Feel free to bring a sack lunch. Drinks and a light dessert will be provided. This series is free with no registration required.

April 13th — The Athens High School Jazz Band will be hosting a musical night of jazz, rock, blues, etc. to raise funds for future trips and needed equipment. Dinner will be catered by 306 Barbecue. The AHS Jazz Band, along with some guest artists, will be the entertainment for the night. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be at the Limestone County Event Center, 114 West Pryor Street in Athens. Ticket Prices: Single Ticket – $25; Couple Ticket – $45; Reserve a table of 6 for $150; Reserve a table of 8 for $200. For tickets call (256) 233-6613

April 14th — Miss Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Ages 3-18 Pageant Deadline. Contestants in this division compete to win a custom trophy saddle, a custom belt buckle, a watch, scholarship money and much more. The entry fee for this division is $100.00. Applications can be picked up at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office at 101 W. Elm St.

April 14th — 1st Annual Limestone Music Festival. The East Limestone High School Band invites you to their music festival at the Limestone County Event Center starting at 7:00 p.m. The festival features Erik Smallwood, Wild Parsley, Brent Morgan, Free Range, Hayden Scott, Elizabeth McCrary, Jay Rinkel and Lillian Glanton. Tickets are $10.00 each. Tickets go on sale March 1st at Chick-Fil-A US 72, Athens, AL; Village Pizza East Limestone Road, Athens, AL; and from any member of the East Limestone Band.

April 15th — Plant Sale at the Limestone County Farmers Market located at 409 Green Street in Athens from 8:00 a.m.-noon with plants for the home or garden grown by the Limestone County Master Gardeners.

April 15th — Easter Egg Hunt with Athens Park and Recreation at the All Kids Park at the Athens SportsPlex on US 31 in Athens. Bring the kids and their Easter baskets for activities and hunts starting at 2 p.m. with 0-4 year olds at 2:30 p.m. (one parent may assist); 5-9 year olds at 3:00 p.m. (one parent may assist); and 10-13 years olds at 3:30PM. Find a Golden Egg for a special prize!

April 20th — Yesterday’s Senior Lunch Matinee at 15631 Brownsferry Rd. April’s featured performers will be Replay with a collection of oldies. All seating is reserved – $12.00 each with groups seated together. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Events start at 11 a.m. with seating, opening announcements, blessing, and lunch; show begins around noon and lasts about 1 hour. Bus parking is available. E-mail reservations are required info@yesterdaysevents.com

April 20th — Third Thursday Book Club from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Please join us at the Athens-Limestone Public Library for coffee, baked treats, and gentle reads. This month’s book is Good Karma by Christine Kelly. Copies are available for check-out at the library.

April 22nd — The County for a Cure Relay for Life team announces their Second Annual Corn-hole for a Cure Tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society. The event will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena located on Highway 99 in Athens, Alabama. The tournament is a best two-out-of-three winner’s bracket. The loser’s bracket is one-and-done. Registration forms are available at the Limestone County Commission Office and County for a Cure Facebook Page.

April 28th — The Alabama Veterans Museum Annual Fish Fry from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1917 US 72W in Athens. Proceeds go to support the museum. Menu: Catfish, Chicken Tenders, French Fries; Slaw, Hushpuppies, Drink and Dessert. Purchase advance tickets at the AL Veterans Museum, 100 West Pryor Street in Athens, for $10.00 or at the door for $12.00. Carryout available. For more information: 256-771-7578

April 29th — Cars and Bikes on the Square in downtown Athens. Stroll among the antique automobiles, peruse the boutique-lined sidewalks, get a bite at the local eateries, or just treat yourself to some ice cream. Cars on the Square has something for the whole family! Registration for vehicles is from 8:00 a.m. to noon and is $20.00. You will only be allowed to park “on the Square” if you are a paid participant in the show. There will be two gates through which you can gain entry to park – 1st is near Green & Jefferson – 2nd is near Washington & Clinton. You must pay your registration fee to the attendant at the gate before parking your car.

April 29th — KALB 2017 Earth Day and Outdoor Expo at Friendship Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Road from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Plenty of parking, events indoors and outdoors, live animals, food, crafts, and fun for all ages!

April 29th — Heartland Anglers Bass Tournament Division 1 Wheeler/Elk River at the Lee-High Boat Ramp on US 72 west of Athens from safe light until 3:00 p.m. for amateur-based team trail for the Average Everyday Angler. Membership: $35, Tournament Fees: $50, Lunker: $10 Matt Leicher ~ 256-777-9843

For more information on the above events or other events and attractions in Athens-Limestone, visit the Athens Visitors Center located at 100 North Beaty Street or call 256-232-5411. Information is also posted on our website at www.VisitAthensAL.com.

By: Teresa Todd,TMP
President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association