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Athems Limestone
December 9, 2014
What's Happening in Athens-Limestone Alabama

Hello Everyone,
 
The Santa sightings around Athens-Limestone Alabama keep occurring and rumor has it his sleigh and mailbox will be in Ardmore starting December 10th!  

There are some great chances to hear our local school bands in concert too!  We hope you can make some time in your schedule to enjoy the Christmas music and the talent of these young Limestone countians.

There's another chance to step back in time and experience the night Christ was born with Mable Hill Baptist Church's Bethlehem Walk this weekend too.

There's even more memory making moments available too - in the upcoming events below and at our website www.VisitAthensAL.com.

Don't forget to check out our Recurring Happenings for those events that happen weekly or monthly throughout community including children's story times, community organization meetings, pickin' and grinnin', farmer markets, farm tours and more!
 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
2014 & 2015 Events - If you have an event you would like posted on our website, send information to teresa@VisitAthensAL.com or 


 
Now - Dec 16th


Nov 11th - Mar 15th, 2015 -- 101 Inventions That Changed the World  U.S. Space and Rocket Center One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL   Explore the key turning points in humankind's history defined by creation or discovery in an "unforgettable multi-sensory experience...that's like traveling the world and moving swiftly through time."  For hours, admission and more information rocketcenter.com/admission

Dec 1st - 17th -- Polar Express at Whistle Hollow Farms  Whistle Hollow Farms 701 Lofton Hall Road, Ardmore, TN   Choose from either 9:00AM or 12:00PM, Monday-Friday for an adventure on the farm.  Enjoy the Polar Express on the big screen with hot chocolates and homemade cookies.  There will be a special guest and souvenir to take home too.  School groups, day cares and parents with children at home are welcome - groups of 100-125 can be accommodated.  Cost is $6.00 per person.  Enjoy lunch for an additional $2.00 per person.  For more information or to make a reservation: 931-638-3501 or whistlehollowfarm@att.net

 

Dec 9th -- Ardmore Christmas Parade  Ardmore AL/TN   Santa is coming to Ardmore with floats, marching bands and more. This year's theme will be "Melodies of Christmas".  Line up starts at Ardmore High School at 5:00PM, parade starts at 6:30PM and marches down AL-251 to AL-53 To register your float, marching band, group or individual participants, please call 256-423-3011 or 931-427-2421.


Dec 9th -- Athens Middle School Band Concert  Athens Middle School 1916 U.S. Highway 72W, Athens, AL  Join the band from 7:00PM-8:00PM for their concert 

Dec 9th -- Downton Abby Premiere at the Space Exploration's Digital Theatre  U.S. Space and Rocket Center One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL Join the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and Alabama Public Television for special screenings of the first two episodes of "Downton Abbey" Season 5. Screenings will be at 4:00PM and 6:00PM.  Admission is free but seating is limited, so tickets are required and are available in the USSRC gift shop.  Period attire is encouraged.  There will be free scones and tea for the viewing party as well as some heartier beverages for sale.  For more information, please call 256-721-7155


Dec 10th - 24th -- Santa's Mailbox and Sleigh Visits Ardmore  Ardmore Town Hall (Bryan House)
  26494 First Street, Ardmore, AL   Grab the letters to Santa Claus and your little one's and head to Santa's Mailbox to drop them off.  Elves will check the box daily.  Be sure to bring your camera and take photos at Santa's sleigh too.

 

Dec 11th -- Tanner High School Christmas Concert   New Gym, Tanner High School 12060 Sommers Road, Tanner, AL  The public is invited to enjoy the sounds of Christmas at the annual concert at 6:00PM.

Dec 12th -- Santa Painting Class Nestle Toll House Cafe 1260 U.S. Highway 72E, Suite I, Athens, AL  Join Sasha of Artistic Discovery for this Christmas painting project from 6:45PM-8:45PM.  Students will be shown step-by-step how to paint a Santa on canvas.  For ages 7 and up.  8"x10" Canvas $25.00; 11"x14" Canvas $35.00; 16"x20" Canvas $45.00  Register Here

Dec 12th - 14th -- Bethlehem Walk  Mable Hill Baptist Church 3778 Ready Section Road, Ardmore, AL   Join Mable Hill Baptist Church as they reenact the birth of Jesus in this annual walk through production.  For more information  www.mablehillbaptist.org/bethlehem.html

Dec 12th -- The Unlikely Survivors Live  State Line Lounge  18286 Minor Hill Highway, Minor Hill, TN  MAP  Show starts at 8:00PM. For more information, 931-565-9713

Dec 13th -- Junior Class Fundraiser Christmas Extravaganza  Library and 9th Grade Hall, East Limestone High School 15641 East Limestone Road, Athens, AL   Come shop the vendors, silent auction and cake walk and let the kids enjoy pictures with Santa, face painting, ring toss and lots more from 10:00AM-2:00PM.

Dec 13th -- Ardmore High School Christmas Concert  30285 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, AL   The public is invited to come and enjoy their Christmas favorites performed by the Ardmore H.S. Band at 6:00PM

Dec 13th -- Santa's Coming to Nestle  Nestle Toll House Cafe 1260 U.S. Highway 72E, Suite 1, Athens, AL    Grab the little one and makes some memories and a tasty treat too from 10:30AM-1:30PM.  Cost is $5.00 per child and includes decorating a cookie slice, small soda, coloring contest and a free picture with Santa.  For more information, 256-232-0900

Dec 13th -- Santa's Coming to Ardmore  Ardmore Town Hall (Bryan House) 
26494 First Street, Ardmore, AL  Bring the children for a visit with Santa and get a free picture too from Noon until 3:00PM

Dec 13th -- Historic Mooresville Holiday Home Tour and Progressive Dinner  Mooresville, AL  Mooresville puts on its holiday finest and invites you to enjoy the season with them.  Bright, fresh greenery and red bows decorate the street signs, Della Robbia wreaths colorfully deck the public buildings and homes are decorated in the traditions of Christmas Past.  Reserve your space on this exclusive tour that will visit locations and homes from 2:00PM-7:00PM.   Cost is $65.00 per person.  For more information or make reservations: 

www.mooresvilleal.com/progressive-dinner/

Dec 13th -- Sippin' Cider  Downtown Athens, AL  From 5:00PM to 8:00PM, participating merchants will offer sample tastings of their favorite cider recipe. Guests will vote by ballot for their favorite and the cider receiving the most votes wins bragging rights for the year. The ballots will also serve as an entry to one of many door prizes to be given away.  Admission is free. For more information, call 256-232-9040.

Dec 13th -- 39th Annual Parade of Lights   Joe Wheeler State Park  4403 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL   Grab your space along the shore as the decorated boats cruise Wheeler Lake.  Holiday Buffet will be served at Daniella's in the Park starting at 4:00PM. Boat Parade starts at 6:00PM.  To participate in the parade, call Denita at  256-247-6971 or email JoeWheeler.Marina@dcnr.alabama.gov.  To book your meal or room call 256-247-5461


Dec 13th -- Cosmic Carols  U.S. Space and Rocket Center  One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL   Enjoy live music performances while decorating out-of-this-world cookies and creative festive holiday crafts 9:00AM-1:00PM.  Grab a hot cocoa and sit down with Mrs. Clause for a reading of "The Polar Express" or learn about the science behind snowflakes.  Event free with museum admission.  Add "The Polar Express" movie at the Digital Theatre for $5.00; showings at 11:00AM, 1:00PM, and 3:00PM.  For more information, please call 256-721-7155

Dec 14th -- 10th Annual Hunter Bauer Memorial Blood Drive   Beasley Center 200 West Bryan Street, Athens, AL   Give the gift of life at 12:00PM in this annual memorial blood drive.

Dec 14th -- Athens State University Community Band Christmas Concert   Carter Gymnasium, Pryor Street, Athens, AL   The Livingston Concert-Lecture Series presents this free Christmas Concert featuring the ASU Community Band at 3:00PM.

Dec 15th -- Clements High School Christmas Concert   Clements Baptist Church 8690 U.S. Highway 72, Athens, AL   The public is invited to enjoy the music of Christmas with the Clements High School band at 7:00PM

 
 


 

Want to see what events are coming to Athens-Limestone like Christmas Craft Workshops, Christmas Parades, or New Year's Eve Parties ?
 
Check them out at...
 

  

  


COMMUNITY NOTICES:

Threads of Honor Quilt Block available for purchase at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives on Pryor Street in Athens.  Commemorate the service of your ancestors, loved ones or friends with a block on the Threads of Honor Quilt to be hung in perpetuity at the museum.  Cost is $25.00 - $500.00, dependent on the amount of information and where it is positioned on the quilt.  For more information or to purchase a name, contact the museum at 256-771-7578 sandy6732@aol.com or Marlene Isom at 256-497-3786 or 256-232-0808.

Limestone County Historical Society Christmas Ornaments available for purchase at Osbourne Jewelers 622 South Jefferson Street in Athens.  This year's ornament reflects the Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival in 24-Carat gold-finished brass ornament for $15.00 each.  Proceeds go toward purchasing one or more books for each 4th grade class in City of Athens and Limestone County Schools.

Athens State University Christmas Ornament available for purchase at the Office of Alumni Affairs.  This blue globe ornament features the majestic Founders Hall with snow laden lawn.  Cost is $15.00 each.   Contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 256-233-8185 or alumni@athens.edu 

Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives Christmas Ornament for purchase at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives 100 West Pryor Street in Athens.   The red or green globe ornament features the classic military workhorse - the CJ-7 Jeep.  Cost is $10.00 each.  Previous year's ornaments also available.  For more information, 256-771-7578.

Athens-Limestone Public Library Closed the South Street facility on October 18, 2014 to initiate the move to the new location on Jefferson Street. Open date TBD

Boys Scout or Girl Scout Troop Needed For Community Project on the Richard Martin Rails-to-Trails.  Please contact the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center at 256-232-5411

Peace Love and Animals (PLA)  PLA is a no kill shelter in Tanner, AL that helps animals in need of homes.  They have opportunites to help including T-shirt purchase, Schwann Cares Fundraiser and Barkbox Fundraiser.  Please take a moment and visit their site to see how you can help them monetarily, volunteer opportunities, fostering animals or wish list items at  Fundraiser Page  Donation Page  Volunteer Page  Adoption Page

Annual Bethlehem Walk Shares True Christmas Spirit


 

Written by Cayce Lee, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Assn. (ALCTA)

Mable Hill Baptist Church in Ardmore, Alabama hosts this annual event that leaves guest with the true meaning of Christmas. Every year the church reenacts the birth of Christ in this highly anticipated walk-through "pilgrimage". Approximately 1,000 people flock to the Bethlehem Walk each year to be part of the experience. This year's events will be December 5-7 and 12-14 from 6:30-9:00PM on the church's campus at 3778 Ready Section Road just off AL-53 in eastern Limestone County.

This immersive experience has groups being lead through scenes of Bethlehem including encounters with tax collectors, rowdy centurions, fish mongers, potters, blacksmith, carpenters and other merchants of Bethlehem at work in their shops. Pilgrims will feel as those they have stepped back into the past as this full sensory experience of sounds, sights and scents surrounds them.

Pilgrims will witness the arrival of three regal kings to the manger, where a variety of animals look onto the new parents with swaddled child.

A pause on the lawn with a lone empty cross and a visit to the "tomb" conclude the guided walk as a reminder that story of Christ continued beyond the pilgrim's experience that eve.

 


 

Quick Links

Athens-Limestone Visitors Center
100 North Beaty Street
Athens, AL 35611
256-232-5411
Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30 pm

Find lodging, dining, attraction and event information at our website www.VisitAthensAL.com


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The information contained within this email is as accurate to the best of our knowledge.
If you notice any errors or need to add or edit information, please contact the
 author of the document,
Cayce Lee, Social Media Specialist, ALCTA. 
 
Athens-Limestone County Tourism Assn. | (256) 232-5411 | info@visitathensal.com | http://www.visitathensal.com
100 North Beaty Street
Athens, AL 35611 
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