Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan Brakes for Athens’ Eateries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Cayce Lee

Social Media Specialist

Athens-Limestone Co Tourism Assn.

Cayce@VisitAthensAL.com

_________________________________






Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan
Brakes for Athens’ Eateries 

 

Athens, AL – Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan of shining, pristine Corvettes are not a stranger to Athens. However, you may not recognized them since the last time they rolled up Interstate 65 five years ago in 2009 with only 75 cars lined up. This group of enthusiast makes the long haul from all over the Gulf – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida – for the pilgrimage starting in Mobile, Alabama to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY.

This time is a little different though. Caravan organizer, Glen Johnson, made a dry run up Interstate 65 looking for a place to accommodate the over 200 Corvettes for a lunch break in their tight itinerary. Athens’ EXIT 351 won the considerations after he discovered the Athens-Limestone Boulevard area with Ruby Tuesday’s, Logan’s Roadhouse, Applebee’s, IHOP and many other eateries..

Glen Johnson offers these words of appreciation and invitation to the Athens-Limestone community, “The 2014 Gulf States Region Corvette Caravan will consist of over 260 Corvette caravanning to Bowling Green, KY to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the opening of the National Corvette Museum. We are thrilled that Athens has invited us to stop and have lunch in a City that has always supported Corvette enthusiast. We invite everyone to come out and see the Corvettes and talk to the owners about the car they dearly love. We thank the City of Athens, AL for being so gracious in allowing us to stop in the city, and we thank the Athens Police Department for escorting the caravan into and out of the city in a safe manner ensuring the safety of our caravaner’s and the citizens of Athens. Thank you all so very much and we look forward to spending time with you.”

If you would to see the over 260 Corvette’s roll into Athens, they estimate their arrival at EXIT 351 at 10:45a.m this Wednesday, August 27. Their plans are to park and dine in the Athens-Limestone Boulevard area and adjacent properties. They will then be departing for points north at 12:00p.m. To learn more about the Corvette Caravan: www.nationalcorvettecaravan.com. For more information about the museum and events: www.corvettemuseum.org
 

# # #

Guided Walking Tours of Athens Historic Districts Offered Each Saturday in April

Guided Walking Tours of Athens Historic Districts Offered Each Saturday in April

The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association announces the return of free, guided walking tours each Saturday in the month of April. Residents and visitors are invited to take part in a casual stroll through the 'Beaty' and 'Houston' Historic District and learn about the architecture and history of these charming neighborhoods.

Scheduled for April 5, 12, 19, and 26, the one-hour walking tour begins at 10 a.m. at the meeting room of the Athens Visitor Center at Big Springs Memorial Park. Knowledgeable guides will escort participants through one of four tours each Saturday. Enjoy each tour by selecting a different tour every week. The tour areas are the Old Athens City Cemetery, the Historic Neighborhoods of the Beaty District or the Houston District or the Historic Downtown Square. The guides will share the history of the local businesses, the architectural styles of the homes of which some date back to the late 1800s, and acrimonious accounts of the Sacking of Athens by Col. Turchin during the Civil War. Reservations are not required and tours are free and held rain or shine. The tour features four routes, themes, and tour guides each Saturday.

Experience the culture and history of Athens by taking one of these walks each week.
Tour 1: The Historic Downtown Athens Square led by Tour Guide Buzz Estes
Tour 2: Beaty Historic District, Washington Street and Old Town Cemetery led by Tour Guide Bill Ward
Tour 3 – City Cemetery led by tour guide Jimmy Hill
Tour 4 – Houston Historic District led by tour guide Jerry Daniel
Richard Martin and William Pepper who are also experienced and knowledgeable tour guides will fill in for our regular guides when necessary.

The Athens’ guided walking tours are part of the “April Walking Tours” coordinated by the Alabama Tourism Department. Athens is one of 33 towns across the state participating in the annual event. Alabama is the only state in the nation to hold statewide, simultaneous walking tours. These walking tours are a great way to get out and enjoy the spring weather and find out the history of our state and communities. “We have held more than 1,800 walking tours since the beginning of the program and they keep increasing in popularity every year,” said Teresa Todd, President of the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association. Walkers may choose one of 4 different walks each Saturday and groups are welcomed. The local residents serving as guides will also share personal remembrances and tall tales from the old days as well as the history of their respective walk.

As these walking tours end, Athens will celebrate 2014 as being the “Year of Alabama Parks.” This Alabama Tourism Department celebration will extend state wide throughout the 2014 year. It also serves as the kick-off for National Travel and Tourism Month, which gets underway May 1. Stop in the Ardmore Welcome Center as we will celebrate Tourism Day on Friday May 30^th with an all-day reception for south bound travelers on I-65.


Teresa A. Todd, President
Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
100 N. Beaty Street
Athens, Alabama 35611
Teresa@VisitAthensAl.com
256-232-5411
www.VisitAthensAL.com
April 1^st 2014

LawLers Hwy 72 Wins North Alabama Regional BBQ Sauce Contest

For Further Information
Jeanette Jones

jeanette@visitathensal.com

For immediate release
May 23, 2013
www.visitathensal.com

LawLers Hwy 72 Wins North Alabama Regional BBQ Sauce Contest

Athens, AL - LawLers Hwy 72 store Athens did not win the state championship but they were chosen as the North Alabama regional winner by judges Bobby Shuttleworth of WAFF-48, Evan Carden of Decatur Life magazine and Melinda Dunn of the Decatur/Morgan Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Decatur/Morgan County Farmer’s Market was the host site for the regional contest.

“We are so proud of LawLers and appreciate their participation in the BBQ sauce contest”, said Jeanette Jones, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Co-President.  “We worked really hard getting the word out to our BBQ restaurants to enter the competition.  There will be more contests during the Year of Alabama Food.  We hope other restaurants participate in upcoming contest.”

BBQ sauce championship generates wide press coverage.  Celebrity judges picked the sauce from Phil’s barbecue restaurant in Eufaula as the state “BBQ Sauce-Off

The Central Alabama regional winner was Costas from Birmingham.   Phil’s BBQ from Eufaula was chosen as the Southern Alabama regional winner.

“The Alabama Tourism Department designed the BBQ Sauce-Off as a way of promoting the state’s barbecue restaurants and independent sauce producers,” said contest coordinator Brian Jones. “The regional contests got great coverage and our championship in Birmingham was covered by channel 48 in Huntsville, channel 6 in Birmingham, channel 12 in Montgomery and AL.com. It was also featured in USA TODAY, on public radio and was picked up by the Associated Press,” he said.

Thirty-four sauces were gathered from restaurants and grocery stores across the state for the BBQ Sauce-Off.  Sauces in the contest included: Bailey’s, Baumhower’s, Berdeaux’s, BBQ Shack, Big Bob Gibson, Bishop’s, Bob Sykes, Bryant, Carlile’s, Costas, Crusty Butts & Bones, Dale’s BBQ, Demetri’s, Dreamland, Fat Boy’s, Full Moon, Golden Rule, Jim ‘N Nick’s, Johnny’s BBQ, LawLers, Mike & Ed’s, Mike Elliott’s, Moon Hollow, Noodie’s, Ollie’s, Perfect Bite BBQ, Phil’s, Rob’s, Saban Sauce, Saw’s, Saucy Q, Slaphappy BBQ, Thomas Rib Shack and Viper.  Learn more about Alabama food products, chefs, culinary destinations and events at Facebook.com/AlabamaFood and at www.yearofalabamafood.com.

The sign up process is now open for restaurants to become a part of Alabama Restaurant Week. The process is quick and easy. Any Alabama restaurant that qualifies (and most quality if they are not part of a national chain) only has to entry their basic information at this time.  You have until July 15 to enter your exact fix-priced meal offering Sign up at www.alabamarestaurantweek.com.  See the ABOUT section for a summary of the rules of the promotion.

Alabama Restaurant Week is an August 16-August 25, 2013 promotion and is part of the Year of Alabama Food state tourism campaign.  For more on Year of Alabama Food, contact Brian Jones Brian.jones@tourism.alabama.gov.   For more on Alabama Restaurant Week, contact Grey Brennan grey.brennan@tourism.alabama.gov.

For information and assistance in entering your restaurant, call the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association office at 256-232-5411 or email info@VisitAthensAL.com.

###

Tourism Reaches Out and Hoteliers Answer

For Further Information
Cayce Lee
Cayce@visitathensal.com

For immediate release
May 23, 2013
www.visitathensal.com

Tourism Reaches Out and Hoteliers Answer

With modern media resources access to real time events have become exceptionally easy especially to anyone with internet access.  One of the duties in the Social Media Department of the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association is to keep a finger on the pulse on the community from events to races, road closures to emergencies and share that information on its many services.  It’s times when disaster strikes that the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association (ALCTA) switches gears and provide information not only about blocked roads and power outages but how people can help, needs list, and community response efforts.

On Friday, May 17^th, the eyes of ALCTA turned local as the Limestone community was caught unaware of the spinning storm that would touch down across the county – delaying school children, impacting businesses and delaying community events.  The goal that day was to provide as much accurate information to help the followers of our Facebook and Twitter accounts stay safe and informed.  The day ended with sharing pictures and recounts of the damage as they were flowing over internet.

It was on Monday, May 20^th that ALCTA’s social media eyes turned westward.  Real time feeds were watched and devastation reaped upon the landscape of Oklahoma City and City of Moore rapt our attention.  The raw images spread across the internet, fanning already frayed nerves in the valley.  The pangs of sympathy and sorrow set the wheels in motion with searching solutions to share with the public.

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Social Media Specialist, Cayce Lee, put out the call to area hotels and Best Western manager, Lynn Horn, answered.  Lynn put the wheels in motion at the corporate level to get gift cards shipped into her hotel on U.S. 72, so anyone interested in purchasing them for the Gift Card Rally at the Athens Police Department on Saturday, May 25^th could just visit her location. 

“We want to be part of our community and to help and give back,” said Lynn about adding this new service program to her hotel.

“It’s great to see the response Lynn and the Best Western staff are making.  They’re sensitive to this situation, knowing the pain people experienced following our tornadoes of April 27^th 2011. How our displaced homeowners had to turn to the local hotels for somewhere to live after their homes were destroyed and their lives devastated,” said Teresa Todd, Co-Tourism Director.

 Cayce again reached out to Marriott’s Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel and Spa who recently made headlines for not only hosting the National Tornado Summit but helping convert the Summit’s Marriott Rewards points into rooms for the American Red Cross with enough points to provide 13 nights.  Tracy Swibold, Director of Sales and Marketing of the Renaissance location, responded rapidly to the request, providing information for donating Marriott Rewards points to the American Red Cross.

“We have so many people who travel in the Athens area and Marriott is a well-known chain that offers points for staying at any of their tiers and for partner services.  Someone may not have the ability to offer money right now but they can donate their points to help.  It’s fairly simple, anyone with Marriott Rewards can donate points to the American Red Cross by visiting https://mr.userewards.com/charity/index.jsp, signing in with their Marriott Rewards Number and search American Red Cross and donate,” said Cayce.

Other hoteliers in the area said that gift cards could be purchased at their corporate websites. 

Choice Hotels … www.choicehotels.com
Hilton/Hampton Hotels … www.hhonors3.hilton.com/en/gift-card/index.html
Best Western … www.travelcard.bestwestern.com
Holiday Inn/Intercontinental Hotel Group … http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/global/offers/giftcard

Jeanette Jones, Co-President said, “We encourage other hotels to get involved and help us help others.  We’re here to help spread the word not only for fun but also disasters.” 

Jennifer Adair said, “If you can’t make it out to the event on Saturday, you can send gift cards directly to Journey Church in Norman, Oklahoma.  So if you send them directly, please let Holly Hollman with the City of Athens know so we can add your amount to our goal.”  Mrs. Hollman can be contacted via email at HHollman@athensal.us with your amounts.  To mail your cards directly to the church helping in the distribution, Journey Church P.O. Box 722764, Norman, OK 73070.

###

Singing on the Square Opens 2013 with Ashlyn Maine and The Valley Roots

For Immediate Release

April 1, 2013

Jeanette Dunnavant Jones

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association, Inc.

256-232-5411

jeanette@visitathensal.com   

Singing on the Square Opens 2013 with Ashlyn Maine and The Valley Roots

Athens, AL – The Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association is excited to bring two groups from North Alabama to kick off Singing on the Square on April 19^th.  Ashlyn Maine will perform at 6:00 PM followed by The Valley Roots at 7:00 PM.  The younger generation should really enjoy these two bands.  The Valley Roots style is very similar to Alabama Shakes.

Ashlyn Maine is an Indie Folk band born out of the backwoods of Madison County, Alabama in a sleepy and small community known as Harvest.  Influenced by bands such as City and Colour, Brand New, and Mumford and Sons, Ashlyn Maine has slowly and steadily been making a name for themselves in the North Alabama area. 

Formed in mid 2011, Ashlyn Maine has been touring extensively in the North Alabama area and recording in both home-grown and professional studios.  The band has also made a name for themselves by having their debut LP titled “Cigar Clouds” chart in the top 40 on the Amazon.com folk category.  Their hit songs “The Weather on Fridays” and “Ben City” have also been featured on WTAK 106.1 FM in Huntsville, Alabama, as well as WFMH Big 95.5 FM in Russellville, Alabama.

Born out of both Modern Rock and Southern Soul, The Valley Roots are leading the way in the new revitalization of the Muscle Shoals Sound.  Hailing from Florence, Alabama, The Valley Roots combine the best of the old school and the new in a unique sound that's equally down home southern Rock and Roll as it is Alabama rhythm. 

The Valley Roots are known locally for their raucous live shows which usually include dancing not only from the crowds enjoying them, but from band members joining in on the fun too.  Songs from The Valley Roots come at the audience in not only a fast paced rock show, but also in a soulful groove perfect for a summertime slow dance with a sweetheart.

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the free concert on the east side of the courthouse in historic downtown Athens, AL.  For a complete list of all the 2013 Singing on the Square entertainers, visit our website, www.VisitAthensAL.com.  In case of rain, the event will be moved inside.  Please call 256-232-5411 or 256-867-1438 to get the rain location.  Visit the Athens Visitors Center located at 100 Beaty Street North for information on this event and other events and attractions in Athens-Limestone County.

###

Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Welcome Teresa Todd to President's Job Share Position

Athens, AL – Teresa Todd has been selected to job share the President’s position with Jeanette Jones at the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association effective February 1, 2013.  Teresa will share Jeanette’s office at the Athens Visitors Center located at 100 Beaty Street North.  She can be reached at Teresa@visitathensal.com, telephone 256-232-5411 or fax 256-867-1438.

“Teresa is a member of the Tourism Board of Directors and will be a valuable asset to our tourism team,” stated Jeanette Jones.  “She has worked at various local events, attended tourism trade shows & meetings and is very familiar with the tourism program.” “We are very excited to have her as part of the tourism team.”   “Come by the Visitors Center and welcome her to our staff.”

Teresa is from Nashville, Tennessee. She and husband, Don, have two sons, Matt and Evan.  Teresa comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience.  She has an extensive background in the banking industry, real estate market, and as a buyer for a Fortune 500 company.   

She serves on several local boards including Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association, Spirit of Athens and the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives. She also received the Ambassador of the Year award for 2012 from the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce. 

Teresa and husband, Don, own and operate AthensPlus.com since 2002. 

Todd said, “I am honored to be working with the Athens-Limestone Tourism Association. I’ve enjoyed working with Jeanette and Cayce for the past several years helping at events, trade shows, and as a board member. I believe by sharing my enthusiasm for all Athens has to offer, I can encourage others to visit and who knows, maybe make Athens their home.” 

jeanette@visitathensal.com
256-232-5411
January 21, 2013
 

Athens-Limestone County
Tourism Association, Inc.
100 Beaty Street North ~ Athens, AL  35611
256-232-5411    ~    256-867-1438
www.visitathensal.com 

Championship Posters Available

Championship Posters Available

A mini-poster of a car tag celebrating the state’s four straight national collegiate football championships will be available Thursday at tourism offices and welcome centers, Alabama tourism director Lee Sentell says.

The 17- by 8-inch enlargement of the Sweet Home Alabama license plate bears the personalization “4NAROW” with decals in the four corners indicating by color which years the Crimson Tide won titles and the year that the Auburn Tigers won. Three red squares have the dates 2012, 2011 and 2009 reversed in white to represent the years the Tide won. The fourth square that is orange and blue for Auburn has the date 2010 in white. The design is similar to expiration decals on plates issued by the Alabama Department of Revenue.

“The four championships are a great source of pride for our entire state. Like Gov. Robert Bentley says, the victories have united us all,” Sentell said.

Posters are available free at tourism offices, state welcome centers and Raycom television stations WSFA in Montgomery, WBRC in Birmingham and WAFF in Huntsville, while supply lasts.

WSFA 12 News graphics designer John Shryock created the poster last week while watching Alabama’s blowout victory over Notre Dame. Tourism department art director Tommy Cauthen got permission to adapt it and fashioned the date decals.

Cauthen said several fans on Facebook and Twitter correctly pointed out that the original line of “4INAROW” could be misread as “41 in a row” so the text was shortened by dropping the capital letter ‘I’.

The poster contains elements of the state’s official car tag that has been in use for five years. The tourism department originally created the Gulf Coast beach design for the 2009 tag with the phrase Sweet Home Alabama.

On the back side of the poster, a 1,000-word description of a Bowl Championship Series “road trip” directs fans to the Paul Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa and the Auburn University Arena, where the trophies are displayed, and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in Birmingham, which honors many of the state’s outstanding athletes.

The American Football Coaches Association gave permission through their licensing agent, John Lisk of Championship Licensing, to use images of the eight-pound Waterford crystal footballs, which sit atop the Coaches’ Trophy that symbolizes the national collegiate football championship, said Sentell. “The Waterford crystal Coaches’ Trophy is so iconic. The ones on display in Tuscaloosa and Auburn are probably the most photographed images in each museum.”

The tourism department began writing and numbering what is projected to be 100 road trips that cover the state. “The championship road trip created a year ago after the Crimson Tide’s victory over LSU gave the state three titles in three years was updated last week. It is appropriate that the football road trip is literally No. 1,” he said. The road trips descriptions are available at the website www.alabama.travel. Some 43 Raycom Media television stations air commercials that promote the tourism agency’s various road trips.

Posters are free at local tourism offices that are members of the Alabama Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus. Posters can be picked up in Anniston, 1330 Quintard Ave.; Athens, 100 N. Beaty St.; Auburn, 714 E. Glenn Ave.; Bessemer, 321 N. 184th St.; Birmingham, 2200 9th Ave. N.; Daphne, 29750 Larry Dee Cawyer Dr.; Decatur, 719 6th Ave. SE; Dothan, 3311 Ross Clark Cir. NW; Eufaula, 333 E. Broad St.; Florence, One Hightower Pl.; Foley, 109 W. Laurel Ave.; Fort Payne, 1503 Glenn Blvd. SW; Gadsden, 90 Walnut St.; Guntersville, 200 Gunter Ave.; Huntsville, 500 Church St.; Mobile, One S. Water St.; Montgomery, 300 Water St.; Orange Beach, 2385 Perdido Beach Blvd.; Scottsboro, 407 E. Willow St.; Selma, 912 Selma Ave.; Tuscaloosa, 1900 Jack Warner Pkwy.; Tuscumbia, 719 U.S. Hwy 72 W.; and Wetumpka, 110 E. Bridge St..

Media contact Edith Parten at 334-242-4537

###

Posters are first come, first serve and limit of 1 per household at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in downtown Athens, AL.  

Quantities Limited.