Tractors, Longhorns, Cars & Trumpets…

Before the kids go back to school, come out and enjoy all Limestone County has to offer.

You don’t want to miss the AL Championship Tractor & Truck Pull in Tanner on July 26th and 27th. For 35 years, the Tanner Tractor and Truck Pull has been one of the largest events in the South. Each night will include six classes sanctioned by the NTPA/Mid-South Pullers Association. Saturday night events include dual-wheel farm tractors. Concessions for food and T-shirts will be available. Proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Tanner Quarterback Club, benefit Tanner High School athletics and Tanner youth sports. Make your plans today to attend at Tanner High School. Contact: 256-497-4309, 431-1292 or 256-233-7077. For more information visit: www.tannerhigh.org.

Then the next weekend it’s the 21st Annual Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days on August 2nd and 3rd at 20147 Elkton Road, Athens, AL. Show grounds open at 9:00 AM on Friday and 7:00 AM on Saturday. Voted one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeastern Tourism Society, you will see these gasoline engines, steam engines, antique tractors, cars, trucks and horse drawn equipment in action. This year they are featuring Un-Styled John Deere Tractors and Engines. New to the event this year, on Friday Aug. 2nd, is a 20 mile tractor ride sponsored by the Limestone County Farmers Federation. Departure time is 10:00 AM with the Cattlemen’s Association serving rib-eye sandwiches at the Historic Elkmont Depot upon arrival. Events include the Parade of Power, Fast Crank Competition, Slow Races, Skillet Throw (for the ladies), Pedal Pull (for the kids) and lots of fun for the entire family. Live entertainment on Friday night will begin at 5:30 PM featuring “The Piney Creek Boys.” Admission is $5.00. Children 10 and under are admitted free. Contact David Hargrove at 256-431-6226 or Allen Dement at 256-431-0619 for more information.

After a fun day at the Farm Heritage Days, take a drive to Ardmore for the 21th Annual Ardmore Police Rodeo on August 2nd & 3rd. It’s time for bucking broncs, calf roping, barrel racing and Rodeo Queens at the Ardmore, TN John Barnes Park. Chances on Saddle are $3 per ticket. Advanced Rodeo tickets are available at Ardmore Police Department, Adams Western Wear (Ardmore), Preston Western Wear (Athens), Roy & Rogers (Fayetteville), First National Bank (Ardmore) and Peoples State Bank of Commerce (Ardmore) – $8 for ages 6-12 & $10 for ages 13 and up. RODEO QUEEN CONTEST for ages 1-21 & $25 to enter so get your form today!! NEW this year is a Kid Fun Zone with Pony Rides, Military Flight Simulators & Boys & Girls Club Face Painting. The John Barnes Park is located at 30500 Ardmore Ridge Road. Gates open at 5:00 PM; Rodeo begins at 8:00 PM. Contact ardmorepdreserves@hotmail.com or the Ardmore Police Department @ 256-423-2146 for more information.

Come to downtown Athens August 3rd, from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM for the monthly Cruise In on the Square. Bring your antique vehicle and park around the square. Join the fun and enjoy a delicious meal offered by our downtown restaurants. Come early and check out the great buys at our unique downtown businesses. Be sure and get ice cream at Limestone Drug or Kreme Delight and cupcakes at Wildwood Deli. Don’t forget to stop by the Kiddie Carnival at Forest and Beaty Streets for their last night of fun for the season.

Ardmore Quarterback Club Car Show Aug 10 from 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 are 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. Brad Stovall’s Auto Body Shop will present cash prizes of $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 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. Contact: Rodney at 205-908-2677 or Sandy at 256-656-3413.

On August 16th, the Athens State University Community Band will hold its annual ‘Concert on the Square.’ The concert will be held on the east side of the Limestone County courthouse @ 6:30 PM in historic downtown Athens, AL. The Community Band, sponsored by Athens State University, was founded in 2003 by Dan Havely. The band was created primarily as an outlet for former Athens State University students, but now has members from our community who wish to continue in their musical pursuits. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the direction of Mr. Dan Havely. The event is hosted by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association. The concert is free but donations will be appreciated.

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

CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament – Jul 20 enter your team early. About 100 teams will be competing for the championship. Contact: 256-777-1038, www.casalimestonecounty.org.

AL Championship Tractor & Truck Pull (Tanner) Jul 26 & 27 – This Tractor Truck Pull is one of the best in the nation. Make your plans today to attend at Tanner High School. Contact: 256-497-4309, 431-1292 or 256-233-7077.

Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo Aug 2 & 3 – Get your Ardmore Rodeo Advanced tickets at Ardmore Police Department, Adams Western Wear (Ardmore), Preston Western Wear (Athens), Roy & Rogers (Fayetteville), First National Bank (Ardmore) and Peoples State Bank of Commerce (Ardmore) – $8 for ages 6-12 & $10 for ages 13 and up. RODEO QUEEN CONTEST for ages 1-21 & $25 to enter. This year enjoy the Kid Fun Zone with Pony Rides, Military Flight Simulators & Boys & Girls Club Face Painting. Contact ardmorepdreserves@hotmail.com or at Ardmore Police Dept. 256-423-2146.

Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days on Aug 2 & 3 with an Antique Tractor ride on Aug 2nd on the Rails to Trails; Hays Mill to Elkmont starting at 10:00 AM.

Alabama Veterans Museum Coffee Call on 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 on Aug 3rd. The monthly Cruise In is held the 1st Saturday night of each month. Bring your antique vehicle and park around the square. Be sure and get ice cream at Limestone Drug or Kreme Delight and cupcakes at Wildwood Deli.

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. Tickets are $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 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 will be held on Aug 10th at 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. This event is one of the biggest and best car shows in Tennessee and Alabama and held at the 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. Pre-enter by August 4th for $20. Day of Show entry fee is $25. Spectator admission is $5.00 per person or $15.00 per family. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Contact: Rodney at 205-908-2677 or Sandy at 256-656-3413.

Singing on the Square sponsored by Champion Chevrolet on Aug 16 at 6:00 PM will feature Athens State Community Band of Athens, AL. Concert begins at 6PM on the East side to the Courthouse. Contact 256-232-5411 Sponsored by Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association.

For information on all the events in Athens-Limestone County call 256-232-5411/256-867-1438, email info@VisitAthensAl.com or visit our website www.VisitAthensAL.com.
By Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
Teresa@VisitAthensAl.com – www.VisitAthensAl.com