Athens Throws Birthday Bash Nov 17th November 17, 2018 is a grand day for the City of Athens Alabama as the community marks 200 years of history, heritage, tradition, people, and places. Being the second oldest town (November 19, 1818), just one day behind the Town of Mooresville (November 18, 1818) and over a full year before Alabama (December 14, 1819) was granted existence as a statehood, Athens' celebration is burgeoning with civic pride and plans. A full array of bicentennial events are planned ... ... in coordination with the Christmas Open House (details here) held annually the weekend before Thanksgiving. Not only will there be a variety of Christmas activities and merchant specials on the Square, but also a chance for everyone to join the celebration of Athens' and the State of Alabama's Bicentennial -- even abroad in the the town's sister-city, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. For those looking to participate locally, below are some highlighted events for the Bash... Schedule of Events for Bicentennial Events 10 a.m. - Athens High School Historic Scavenger Hunt; meet at the mural on corner of Market and Marion Street. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Athens Quilt Celebration display at Presbyterian Church on Jefferson (more details below) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Houston Memorial Library Open House 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Enter Trivia Contest for the Dealers Auto Auction Car; the first 200 who register will receive bicentennial shopping totes sponsored by WOW! (more details below) 12 p.m. - Kick off ceremonies with Scouts and Athens High School Marching Band and the National Anthem by Johana Slinkard and remarks by Mayor Marks. Band will then play Happy Birthday. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Donnell House Festival of Trees ($5 fee) 1:30 p.m. - Best Beard for Men and Best Hat for Ladies Awards 2 p.m. - Trade Day photo (more details below) 3 p.m. - Trivia Contest for Dealers Auto Auction Car 3-5 p.m. - Art As Our Narrative bicentennial exhibit reception at High Cotton Arts Athen's Quilt CelebrationFor the first time, all three quilt guilds in Athens have joined together to celebrate quilting. The celebration will feature a display of quilts in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Street. Baked goods and hand crafted items will be available in the Rogers Center. Please drop by and learn more about who we are and what we do. A special display of vintage quilts will be featured from local Athens quilters. There is no charge. Starts Friday, 4 - 7 p.m. and continues Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Trade Day Photo & Trivia Car Giveaway Athens Main Street Trivia Contest for Car Giveaway – This year marks the 32nd year of the Athens Christmas Open House. Each year, Christmas Open House kicks off the holiday shopping season. In addition to traditional Christmas Open House activities, there will be a number of Bicentennial celebrations also taking place during the weekend. Athens turns 200 years old! One such activity will be the recreation of the historic Trade Day photo from the 1900’s. The large crowd captured in this photo was assembled for a car give-a-way. On Saturday at 2pm, a photographer will take a photo of the crowd on Marion Street to recreate this historic photo. With the help of a generous donation from Dealers Auto Auction of a gently used Kia Rio to be given away by Athens Main Street, the crowd promises to rival the historic photo!  For a donation of $5/1 ticket or $10/3 tickets to Athens Main Street, adults age 19 and older will be entered for a chance to participate in the Bicentennial Trivia Contest. The trivia contest will take place on Saturday at 3pm at the Courthouse Steps (Marion Street). Five tickets will be drawn to participate in the trivia contest. The winner of the trivia contest wins the car. Donation tickets can be purchased at Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning Friday evening, November 16th from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday morning November 17th from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. of Christmas Open House.
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