Kiddie Carnival Continues 50 Year Legacy As Community Cornerstone

​Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival 50 Year Legacy Includes New Rides for New Generations - UPDATED

 For over 50 years, the Athens Lions Club has been serving the Limestone County Alabama community with their Summer seasonal attraction, the Athens-Lions Club Kiddie Carnival.   Over the span of the last 50 years, the citizens of North Alabama and Southern Tennessee have come to enjoy the myriad of miniature carnival rides, concessions, bingo and most of all, making family memories at this cornerstone of the community that is ...

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... ​an annual harbinger of Summer in the Tennessee Valley.  Many of the carnival visitors today came as children themselves and are now sharing their love of  this tiny attraction with children and grandchildren.

The Athens Lions Club have been working on a plan to replace the aging Scrambler ride since it broke down last year leaving today's generation without the joy of the ride.  However, with the final details and transportation of the replacement Scrambler ride culminating this past weekend, July 21-22 2018, when the ride began its journey to Athens on  from St. Louis, MO and the careful hands of of Lions - the new addition should be up and running for the last two weekends of the 2018 season.

The new Scrambler's delivery comes on the heels of a recent automobile accident that caused damage to the carnival ground fences and totaled another ride - the iconic Rocket Ride, that has been part of the carnival for over 50 years.  The Rocket Ride isn't anticipated to be replaced in the 2018 season but a welcome sight should greet visitors for the 2019 season when it is replaced as well.

The Athens Lions have continued to operate the Kiddie Carnival as planned following the accident that left the grounds temporarily without power and the loss of the endeared ride on Thursday, July 5th.   The beloved Roller Coaster ride that has entertained generations was also facing operational issues and has recently underwent an overhaul during the downtime between carnival weekends with new shaft and pneumatic tires installed for a smoother ride for the remaining 2018 season as well.

The Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival is open each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 6:30PM-9:30PM until Saturday, August 3rd with the help of area volunteers from various civic groups including the Sub Deb Sorority, Pi Beta Sorority, Limestone County Farmer's Federation, and the Limestone County Tech School Leo Club. Children's smiles will continue to beem as they enjoy each ride for 1 ticket and each ticket can be purchased for $0.50 the remainder of the 2018 season. Kids at heart can enjoy the concession and bingo under the pavilion. Admission to the Forrest Street carnival grounds is free.

UPDATE: With the popularity of the latest ride, The Scrambler, the Athens Lions Club has decided to extend their 2018 season for one more week.  Come make memories and try the Scrambler on Aug 9, 10 & 11, 2018 at 309 East Forrest Street (at the corner of Beaty and Forrest Street across from Athens Middle School) in Athens from 6:30-9:30PM.  Tickets are $0.50 each, 1 ticket for each ride.  Concessions available. ​