ATHENS-Fill your calendar with Athens events in April and May. The city is the site of events ranging from Saturday Walks, to Relay for Life, to rodeo, to arts and music. Here are just a few things you can find to do in Athens.
April Saturday Walks
Every Saturday in April, 10 a.m., meet at Athens-Limestone Visitors Center
Free tours hosted by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association. Residents and visitors are invited to take part in a casual stroll and choose from different tours: Houston Historic District, Beaty Historic District, Downtown Athens Historic District and Athens City Cemetery. One to two-hour walks conducted by knowledgeable guides. Participants are asked to check-in at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center at 9:45 a.m. and choose a tour at that time. Comfortable walking shoes and light jacket are suggested. For more information call 256-232-5411.
Singing in the Park
Friday, April 17, 6 p.m., Big Spring Memorial Park (near duck pond)
Free event. Bring a lawn chair and kick off Athens-Limestone County Tourism’s Singing in the Park 2015 concert season. Line-up for this month is Southern Splendor Men’s Chorus at 6 p.m. and Lillian Glanton at 7 p.m. For more information call 256-232-5411.
Paint the Town Purple Week
April 19-25
Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks has proclaimed it Paint the Town Purple week in Athens in honor of Relay for Life. Wear purple and decorate in purple all week and share your photos with the City of Athens by emailing them to hhollman@athensal.us. Week of events includes:
● Monday, Survivor Dinner, First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 6 p.m. RSVP at gina.bitetti@cancer.org
● Tuesday, Purple Day all day and Memorial Ribbon Tree Ceremony, 7 p.m., small dogwood on east side of Limestone County Courthouse. Come out and tie a purple ribbon in memory or honor of a loved one who has or is battling cancer.
● Thursday – T &C Stamping Golf Tournament at Canebrake. Call 256-233-7383 for more information.
● Friday, Paint Party, Holiday Inn Express, 7 p.m., cost is $30. Please contact Ina Holland at 256-777-5396 or by email at ina4relay@gmail.com.
High Cotton Arts Grand Opening
Thursday- Saturday, April 23-25, High Cotton Arts, 103 W. Washington St
Grand opening of the non-profit art incubator operated by Athens Arts League, a committee of Spirit of Athens. Facility is providing affordable downtown Athens studio and gallery space for artists, and art camps for children. The schedule of events is:
◦ Thursday, April 23, open house at 11:30 a.m. with complimentary barbecue lunch provided by H.C. Blake Co.
◦ Friday, April 24, opens at noon 12 for viewings. There will be an opening exhibition from 4-7 p.m. with a reception for featured guest artist, Sara Beth Fair.
◦ Saturday, April 25, open from 12-6 p.m. Please enjoy Earth Day nearby at Big Spring Memorial Park and visiting our artists.
There will also be live music each day of the open house.
After the grand opening, public hours initially will be Fridays and Saturdays from 12-6 p.m.
Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives Fish Fry
Friday, April 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church
Menu includes catfish, chicken tenders, French fries, slaw, hush puppies, drink and all the fixins’. Dessert while it lasts. Advance tickets are $10 and are available at the Alabama Veterans Museum at 100 W. Pryor Street, Athens, AL. Tickets at the door are $12. For more information call 256-771-7578.
Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Big Spring Memorial Park
Hosted by Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and Athens-Limestone Tourism Association. Fun and educational free event with exhibitors sharing an environmental message, earth-friendly products/services, and information on healthy living, recreational activities in the area, etc. Activities for children and other events. Visit High Cotton Arts, a non-profit art incubator nearby on Washington Street that is having its grand opening.
Limestone County Tornado Memorial Ceremony
Tuesday, April 28, 10 a.m., Bethel Cemetery on U.S. 72
On the one-year anniversary of the deadly April 28, 2014, tornadoes, there will be an event at the Limestone County Tornado Memorial on U.S. 72 near where Bethel Church of Christ used to be (by the cemetery). The two names of those killed in the Coxey community during last year’s EF-3 will be added.
Limestone County Relay for Life
Friday, May 1, 7 p.m., Athens Sportsplex
Teams from Limestone County will be celebrating the recent campaign year, honoring survivors, remembering loved ones, selling items such as food, crafts, artwork, etc. There are at least 28 teams from Limestone County. Teams will walk the track until 7 a.m. on Saturday.
11th annual Unsung Heroes Scholarship Banquet
Saturday, May 2, 5 p.m., Round Island Creek Mission Center, 3829 Lucas Ferry Road, Athens
Presented by Jan Matthews of MTM Corporation and the City of Athens. Scholarships of up to $500 will be provided to students nominated by local schools. These are students who need support to start their first year of college. Guest speaker will be Kimeko Farrar, an engineer, poet and founder of Smart Pretty Females. Those interested in donating to the scholarship fund can call 800-272-1MTM or email unsunghero@bellsouth.net. The website is www.mtmcorp.org.
Athens-Limestone Community Breakfast
Wednesday, May 6, 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Beasley Center
Hosted by Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough and Limestone County Schools Superintendent Tom Sisk as a fundraiser for the Arrowhead District of the Boy Scouts, which services Limestone County. Local farming groups will be honored with Heart of an Eagle Awards for their contributions to the community. To sponsor a table of 8 for $500 or to reserve a seat for $75, contact Holly Hollman at 256-262-1399 or by email at hhollman@athensal.us.
Fourth annual City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament
Saturday, May 9, safelight to 3 p.m., Ingalls Harbor, Decatur
Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and local cancer patients served by ACS. Lunch provided.
Prizes are for first through 10th place ($4,500 payout). 9) Entries mailed in must be received by May 1. Mail a signed copy of the application with a check for $100 (+$10 optional big fish pot) to City of Athens P.O. Box 1089 Athens, AL 35612. Make all checks payable to City of Athens Relay Team. Print a registration form at www.athensal.us. You can register online at Active.com. CASH ONLY if you register the day of the event. On-site registration will start at 4:30 a.m.
Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Week May 9-16
The Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo includes a variety of rodeo-related events around Athens. Here is the schedule of events. For more detailed information, go online at https://www.limestonesheriffrodeo.com/
May 9 – Rodeo Parade, 1 p.m. line-up with parade starting at 2 p.m. No entry fee. Parade route is from the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena on Alabama 99 into Athens on Market Street, around The Square and back. Includes queen contestants, cowgirls, cowboys, horses, buggies and wagons.
May 11 – Preston’s Western Wear Rodeo Kick-Off Kid’s Day, 5 p.m., near U.S. 72/I-65, free horseback rides.
May 12 – Sarrell Dental Street Dance, 6 p.m., on The Square. Features the Jeff Whitlow Country Band and a western fashion show.
May 14 – Slack, 9 a.m., Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena, $5 admission. All team roping contestants will compete during the designated slack on this date. Area elementary schools will reward their “Leader In Me” and “Reading Initiative” participants with a field day to watch Slack for free as guests of Sheriff Mike Blakely.
May 14 – IHOP Restaurant Rodeo Night, 5:30-7 p.m., IHOP near U.S. 72/I-65. Photo opportunity for kids with Miss Limestone’s Rodeo Queen Kalynn Clinard and professional rodeo clown Mike Wentworth.
May 15 – Special Needs Rodeo, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena. For special needs adults and children who pre-registered for event. Volunteers will help these cowgirls and cowboys experience rodeo events.
May 15 and 16 – 33rd annual Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo at the Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena. Gates open at 6 p.m. Opening ceremony is at 8 p.m. Competitions and acts include:
Bareback Bronc Riding – Riding Event
Calf Roping – Timed Event
Break-Away Roping- Timed Event
Steer Wrestling – Timed Event
Saddle Bronc Riding – Riding Event
Kids Calf Scramble – Entertainment for Children 10 & Under
Cowgirl’s Barrel Racing – Timed Event
Chuck Wagon Races
Bull Riding – Riding Event
Professional Rodeo Clowns & Specialty Acts
May 16 – Queens’ Luncheon at Central Church of Christ at noon. Ticket required.
Advanced rodeo tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger. Gate prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. Get advanced tickets in Athens at Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Railroad Bazaar, Jiffy No. 1 and 2, Preston’s Western Wear, and West End Chevron & Outdoors; in Ardmore at True Discount and Adams Western Wear & Feed; in Rogersville at Warren’s BP.
