Cemetery Stroll

Harken the Calls of History April 23rd at Athens Cemetery Stroll

 
If you crest the hill of Athens City Cemetery on April 23rd you’ll step into a world of wonder as the spirits come alive with tales of history, heritage, family and community.  Nearly 40 actors in period dress, many of them descendants of the very people they are portraying, will either stand beside “their” headstones or wander between the headstones as visiting spirits of people not buried there that have contributed to Limestone’s history, heritage and culture.
 
The day’s storytelling and history begins at 2:00 p.m. with tales woven from family history and speckled with tales of the community, work, Civil War and more.  Each actor has painstakingly made efforts to research their “spirit” and may even entertain a question or two from the public about life in the “olden days”.  This public and free event will run until 5:00 p.m.

The Athens Cemetery Stroll is a bicentennial event celebrating 200 years of Alabama and Limestone County.  Over the next three years – 2017-2019 – the State of Alabama, Limestone County, Mooresville, Athens as well as all of our communities will mark their anniversaries of incorporation, moments in history and citizens’ contributions.  In 2017, we celebrate our places.  In 2018, we honor our people.  In 2019, we share our stories. The Athens Cemetery Stroll does all of these simultaneously – and will each year as part of the bicentennial activities.

Many locally, well-known faces will be partaking in the storytelling during the day’s event including Billy Ward, Dr. Robert Glenn, Karen Middleton, Rebekah Davis, Deborah Kohlase, Glenn Hall, Peggy Allen Towns, Frank Travis and many more.  Citizens throughout north Alabama have answered the call to bring Limestone County’s history to life.

The event is presented by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism, Order of the Confederate Rose and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.  Historical prints of the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association depicting moments in history, Battle of Athens; Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle; Fort Hampton; Hobbs Farewell; and the picturesque Richard Martin Rails to Trails will be under the Order of the Confederate Rose refreshment tent during the daylong event for purchase.  Soft Dulcimer music will waif through the air as the Athens Dulcimers strum a variety of songs to add to the antiquity of the day.

For more information, contact the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, or by phone 256-232-5411