The jolly giant elf is coming to Big Spring Memorial Park (also known as the Duck Pond) on Friday, December 16th from 5:00PM-7:00PM as part of the Athens North Pole Stroll activities.

Bring the family and the camera and gather around Santa as he reads T'was the Night Before Christmas.  He will then spend a little time with the children before rushing back to his workshop at the real North Pole.

Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful will be selling hot cocoa.  Be sure to ask them about their Paws for a Cause 2017 calendars when you stop by their table for a tasty sip.

The Athens Optimist Club will be on hand with a collection of larger faire to choose from to take care of those last-minute hungers.

Stroll the decorated trees that wrap around the Big Spring Pond.   Signs will help you identify the sponsors and decorators of the trees at this annual event.   Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful's "Tired Snowmen" will be there for you to see as they wait for Santa to come down their chimney.  Of course, the ducks of Big Spring Park may come to see you as your snap photos and stroll the trees -- they're quite the camera hams.

To enjoy this event, please come to the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens, Alabama and enter the park at southside of the visitors center via Market Street.   Parking is available in the park as well as the rear of the Bank Independent at the corner of Clinton and Market Street.  Some parking is available on East Street near the pavilion. The North Pole Stroll trail is handicap accessible as it lines the sidewalks of the park.

For more information, please contact the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center by calling 256-232-5411 or dropping by at 100 North Beaty Street in Athens.

The MLK Jr. Essay Contest Challenges Students to Find Ways to Promote Freedom and Justice. Students can share their ideas for promoting freedom and justice as part of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Essay Contest.

The contest is held in conjunction with the Limestone County NAACP, City of Athens and Limestone County Commission and is for students in Athens and Limestone County. There are cash prizes for first, second and third place in three age categories. Winners will read their essays at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Program on Jan. 16 at 9:30 a.m. at the Limestone County Event Center.

The age groups and their themes are as follows:

● Ages 6 - 12
Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a historic speech titled "I have a Dream." What was his dream for freedom and justice? What progress has been made toward the dream? What can you do to promote freedom and justice in your home, school and community?

● Ages 13 - 15
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Why is it important for each individual to promote justice in order to advance the dream?

● Ages 16 - 18
Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a letter titled "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." In this letter he said, "It is wrong to use immoral means to attain moral ends. It is just as wrong...to use moral means to preserve immoral ends." How does this quote relate to advancing the dream of freedom and justice in America?

Here are the requirements for essay submissions:
● Must be a student attending a school in Athens or Limestone County.
● No more than one page in length and typed or written legibly.
● The student must write the essay. Counselors and parents may assist but the essay should be the words and thoughts of the student.
● Include the student’s name, age and a phone number on the upper right corner of the essay.
● The essay will be judged on clarity, content, grammar and how well the theme is developed based on age
of the writer.
● The winners in each category will read their essays during the MLK program on Jan. 16, 2017, 9:30 a.m.
at the Limestone County Event Center.
● The first, second and third place winners in each age group will receive a cash award.

If you have any questions contact Benard Simelton at 256-426-6406 or 256-444-1300.

Deadline for submissions is Jan. 9. Please email essays to MLK Essay Contest, P.O. Box 1071, Athens, AL 35612 or hand deliver to Vicky Dowd at City Hall in the Mayor’s Office.

Downtown Athens is hosting a holiday trio that hits the right notes for the Christmas season: cider, Santa and seasonal sales.

The annual Spirit of Athens Sippin’ Cider event is Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5-8 p.m. at participating merchants. Spirit of Athens is a Main Street organization that works to enhance Downtown Athens, and this event encourages shoppers to support downtown merchants and enjoy family-friendly activities.

“Sippin’ Cider offers families a fun way to shop,” said Spirit of Athens Promotions Committee member Holly Hollman. “There will be seasonal sales to help you finish your Christmas shopping as well as free crafts and activities for the children and music for all ages to enjoy.”

The participating merchants will compete for the coveted Cider Cup and offer free samples of nice and in some cases naughty cider. The public votes for its favorite cider, and those who visit the required number of merchants can submit their judging sheets for a door prize drawing.

High Cotton Arts will start the festivities early with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be in an art studio decorated especially for photo sessions with Santa. Parents can bring a camera and make photos while children make sure their Christmas wishes are known. Santa later will walk around Downtown Athens visiting merchants and shoppers.

“I love visiting Athens and meeting with all the boys and girls who are out enjoying the festive events your city offers for the holidays,” said Santa, who has ordered a new suit to ensure he looks spiffy for his Athens appearances. “It also gives me an opportunity to remind them to continue to be good.”

The Lions Club Kiddie Carnival Train will offer free rides for children, and there will be a fire pit on The Square on the Courthouse side of Washington and Marion street for marshmallow roasting and S’mores. There will be music provided by Athens High School Choir and Tom Newton.

Here is a list of participating merchants, craft stations and musical entertainment locations:

Athens Arts League at High Cotton Arts
   Register for in-store ceramic Christmas item giveaway
   Make a snowman ornament
   Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 3-5 p.m.
   Our Little Kitchen Food Truck

CEI Books
  Free gift wrap on $20 or more in purchases
  15% off children's materials
  Register to win a hymnal $15 value and book $45 value
  Athens High School Choir will perform from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
 
Crawford’s Gifts
  Buy one get one 1/2 off Christmas soy candles
  Ornaments 20% off
  Register for in store giveaway - $50 in Christmas decorations

Epiphany Boutiques
  20% off store wide
  Register for in store giveaway - $25 gift card

Gray and Holt, Inc.
  Register for in store giveaway - $50 gift certificate

Hendricks-Patton-Rancl, Inc.
  Free plastic sled with purchase of Flexible Flyer Sled
  Register in store to win a Snow Saucer Sled
  Football on TV for the big kids

House of Holland
  25% off all clothing
  50% off all home goods
  Register for in store giveaway - $50 gift certificate
  Live music by Tom Newton

LuVici's
  Register to win one free lunch with beverage - $15 value

Pimentos
  20% off storewide from 5-8
  Register for in store giveaway - $60 value
 
Snapdragon Kids
  20% off all clothes and shoes
  30% off Christmas
  Register to win in store giveaway - Christmas toy basket ($50 Value)
  Face painting for kids

Square Clock Coffee
  Register to win in store giveaway - $10 gift card
  Make a reindeer ornament

The Right Dress Boutique
  20% off storewide (excludes sale items)
  50% off Lovelee Soaps
  Game day dresses $20 and under
  Register to win in store giveaway - String Theory Bracelet - $45 Value
  Cookie decorating

Trinity's
  Register to win in store giveaway - $50 gift certificate

U.G. White Mercantile
  Register to win in store giveaway - ENO Hammock

Village Pizza
  Register to win in restaurant giveaway - $20 gift card

Wildwood Deli
  Register to win free lunch giveaway - $10 value
  Enjoy a fresh baked sweet with your cider

ATHENS, Ala. - Senator Arthur Orr, Speaker Mac McCutcheon, Senator Tim Melson, and Representative Danny Crawford, members of the Limestone County Legislative Delegation, have established a scholarship to honor the memory of Representative Dan Williams at Athens State University.  The Representative Dan Williams Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be available to students beginning with the fall 2017 semester.

 The scholarship, which will be administered by the Athens State University Foundation, was endowed with an initial donation of $15,000 from the legislators, but additional gifts to the scholarship fund from friends and family members of Williams will be added to the endowment.

The scholarship is limited to incoming or current Athens State students who are Limestone County residents. Priority will be given to a student majoring in Political Science with an interest in interning at the Limestone County Delegation office.

 The scholarship was announced at the Limestone County Legislative Delegation Forum held Tuesday at the Athens-Limestone Public Library Community Room.  Kay Williams and her family were on hand to be a part of the scholarship announcement.

 Those interested in contributing to The Representative Dan Williams Memorial Endowed Scholarship may contact the Athens State University Foundation at 256-233-8215.

ATHENS, Ala. - The Athens State University Community Band, under the direction of Roy Adams, is gearing up for its annual Christmas Concert.  The Community Band and is made up of volunteer musicians from a six county area who rehearse on a weekly basis throughout the year.

 Adams, who also serves as the Director of the Athens Middle School Band, was recently tapped to lead the Community Band following the retirement of Dan Havely who had directed the group since 2003. This year’s concert honors Havely and his years of service to the organization.
​
 The concert is scheduled for Sunday, December 11 at 3 p.m. in the Carter Gymnasium of Athens State University. The concert is free and open to the public.
 A reception hosted by the Athens State University Alumni Association will be held following the performance in the Carter Gymnasium.  The reception will include a visit from Santa. Parents are encouraged to bring their children and cameras to make their own photos.