Victory Ball Coming To The Shoals

TUSCUMBIA-Annie Perry, recently elected Chair Person of the Alabama Chapter of the Natchez Trace Parkway Association (NTPA) is announcing an opportunity for Shoals citizens to celebrate the Bicentennial of the January 8, 2015 Battle of New Orleans…where America defeated England in the War of 1812.  There will be five Victory Balls up the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway. All are in 2015 so this notice is to give citizens time to get ready. Tuscumbia is No. 4 on June 12th.  New Orleans – January 11, Natchez – April 24th, Jackson – May 8, and Nashville – July 3 of 2015.

NTPA is setting sights on a venue large enough for 150 participants in a Shoals location yet to be announced. The Caller Marty Aubuchon of St. Louis, Mo. and the band Booneslick Strings are experienced in 1812 dances.  The dances will be public events in 1812 Period clothing if possible, That means all Shoals women – highschool, UNA, others can begin choosing a partner & dress.  Choose: one or five Victory Balls and mark your calendars.

New Alabama Chapter officers:  Chair Annie Perry, Vice-Chair Angela Broyles, Secretary Carole Driskoll.  The new officers will be focusing on: History, Recreation, Nature/Trails, and Education. See application to

join: www.natcheztrace.org.  Dues are $25/yr. for an individual or family.  The Alabama, Tennessee & Mississippi chapters gather for the annual NTPA meeting in Nashville at Bellevue Hampton Inns on Sept 25 – 28. At the same time, NTPA will sponsor a 40-mile bike ride, 1812 re-enactments and educate the public on Saturday Sept. 28.  Ann and Robert Perry will be educating about Chickasaw Indians of the era.

August 26th, the Alabama Chapter dedicated a new Welcome Center at Colberts Ferry on the Natchez Trace.  Park Superintendant Mary Risser told the audience there will be four new signs that interpret the contributions of Chickasaw Chief George Colbert who lived and operated an early ferry across the Tennessee River.