The Athens Lions Club has decided that due to COVID-19 it is in the best interest of the community, as well as our members and other volunteers, to not open the Kiddie Carnival for the summer of 2020. Our concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, the necessary social distancing policies, sanitizing and attendance management factored into making the decision to cancel the 2020 Kiddie Carnival. Members of the Athens Lions club had a tough time making this decision because we know and appreciate what a tradition the Kiddie Carnival is for so many families.
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Lion members each summer enjoy providing the community service that the carnival has offered for years - family entertainment geared toward toddlers and young children with nostalgic smaller carnival rides, bingo and on site concessions. We realize the decision to not have a 2020 Kiddie Carnival will be very disappointing to all those who have attended the carnival before and those planning to make their first visit this summer. The members of the Athens Lions Club are sad that the current circumstances of this pandemic have dictated that in the best interest of public health and safety, including the well-being of our members, we cancel this year’s carnival.

​The City of Athens Relay for Life Team has made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament on May 9. The team had concerns for the safety of boaters, and did not want to put anyone at risk.
In addition to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, TVA has issued a River Traffic Alert for May 8-10 at River MM 297.5 due to transmission line work.
TVA asks those who do enjoy the river this week to note: Transmission and helicopter personnel will be working during daylight hours. Safety patrol boats will be present and monitoring channels 16 and 13. For safety, watercraft should avoid the area or take extra safety precautions and go slowly.