Marshall County Bound

A free quarterly email of what’s happening in Marshall County, Alabama

Home of Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Grant and Lake Guntersville

 April, May and June 2008

Lake Guntersville State Park - Now Open!

Alabama's First Lady Patsy Riley, center, prepares to cut the ribbon at our grand opening ceremony that took place February 8, 2008. Looking on is Marshall County Commissioner Doug Fleming, Guntersville Mayor Bob Hembree, Convention Sales Director Patty Tucker, State Tourism Director Lee Sentell, Lodge Manager Joe Evelsizer, Representative Frank McDaniel, Senator Hinton Mitchem, & Park Superintendent Talmadge Butler. Visit www.alapark.com for more information.

AFT National Championship Announced……
Lake Guntersville!

 
Guntersville Lake will be the site of the 2008 American Fishing Tour National Championship and be hosted by the Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau out of Guntersville State Park on October 25 through November 1, 2008. Weekend Anglers from across the US will compete for their share of over $100,000 in cash, prizes and bonus money in a no entry fee 4 day championship with first place worth over $50,000. The public is invited to come watch the weigh-ins daily at 3pm Wednesday through Saturday.

“Lake Guntersville consistently ranks as one of the top 5 lakes in the country. The American Fishing Tour has the best weekend anglers in the country and they will enjoy testing their skills on this lake”, said ABA President, Morris Sheehan. “For many years our members have requested going to Lake Guntersville, and this year everything came together to make it happen.”

"We are thrilled to be hosting the American Fishing Tour Championship on Lake Guntersville this year”, stated Lisa Socha, Executive Director of the Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau, “Not only is there great fishing, but the citizens of Guntersville welcome anglers with open arms to come and experience their marine rich waters as well as our Southern hospitality. And, while here, you may even catch a glimpse of our national jewel- the bald eagle. It should be an exciting event for all."

The first place winner of the event will receive a TR21X2 Triton with a 225hp Mercury Motor package valued at over $50,000 plus Triton Gold Bonus of $10,000 is up for grabs if qualifications are met. The champion of the event will receive a guaranteed entry into the 2009 Grand Slam Series.

Guntersville Lake is the largest lake in Alabama with 69,100 surface acres and is 75 miles long. Located in northeast Alabama, the lake is on Tennessee River between Nickajack and Wheeler Lake. The lake has vast expanses of milfoil which provide a perfect habitat to grow huge largemouth bass and is well known as one of the top bass fishing destinations in the country. The lake known for its big bass and large numbers which can be attributed to the presence of milfoil and the 15inch size limit. For more information on Guntersville visit www.outdooralabama.com

A “BACK WHEN” DAY
ARAB CITY PARK, APRIL 19, 2008
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 

Admission Free - Spend a day visiting the eight buildings in the Arab Historical Village. Take a glimpse backwards into what life was like around Arab, Alabama during the 1920’s through the 1940’s. Members of the Arab Historical Society will be available to serve as your tour guides.

See the art of quilting being demonstrated in the Ruth Homemakers Clubhouse, corn being ground in the gristmill, logs being cut on a transportable sawmill and then visit the blacksmith shop. You may wish to attend an old time singing in the Rice Church and then stay to hear some dulcimer clubs perform. Stop and visit Smith's Country Store for an ice cold drink while the children get treated to some penny candy.

Experience first hand a typical washday at the Boyd House. Help wash and hang clothes, churn milk and more. You’ll love the trip down memory lane as you walk through the 1890 home looking at the furnishings and items on display there.

Visit the Elvin Light Museum to see history come alive in the many displays offered there. See how children used to play and how several early businesses might have looked. See collections of Indian artifacts, old tools and military items along with histories of schools, families, clubs and businesses.

The young and “young-in-heart” are invited to listen to Madeline Jackson and Lou Hays tell “might-have-been” history stories.

After finding out what school might have been like in the 30's and 40's in the Hunt School, stay and have lunch. Homemade soup and chili, desserts and drinks will be on sale there.

Those that like bargains are invited to browse through the Historical Society’s version of a "Starving Artist Sale." Featured will be some old picture frames and some framed pictures from Lola Boyd’s and Louise Powell’s Estates.

As an added attraction, the “Customs and Classic Antique Car Club” will be sponsoring an “Antique Car Swap Meet" in the park near the new pavilion. Come enjoy both events.

Neighborhood Photos Needed

This is the time to use that new digital camera and shoot fresh photos of your landmarks for next year's Alabama Vacation Guide, the Year of Alabama History and the Year of Small Towns and Downtowns. With the arrival of spring, the fresh green leaves on trees make your photos look the best that they will all year.

MOST BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOODS: The Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel will do a brochure tentatively labeled "Alabama's Most Beautiful Neighborhoods" focusing on historic districts. Take advantage of the spring flowers and take photos of at least two houses in the same photo to represent your historic district. You are welcome to submit several photos. Please send these to: ABT&T, Attn: Peggy Collins, P.O. Box 4927, Montgomery, AL 36103-4927 before MAY 16th.

2008 Alabama Tourism Awards

The 2008 Alabama Tourism Awards nomination form is now on-line on the Alabama Tourism Department website. Twelve different categories comprise the Alabama Tourism Awards. These awards, first presented in 1998, annually honor outstanding achievements in Alabama’s tourism industry. Click here to visit the website.

Sweepstakes Celebrates Year of Alabama Sports

Montgomery, AL- Sports enthusiasts have a chance to win tickets and a number of other great prizes as part of Alabama Tourism’s Year of Alabama Sports sweepstakes, which will run from
March 4, 2008 through May 6, 2008.

The Year of Alabama Sports Sweepstakes is open to all legal residents of the United States who are at or over the age of majority in their state of residence. Participants may enter the sweepstakes by visiting the website:
www.yearofalabamasports.com
and submitting an entry form in accordance with official rule.
Drawings will be held March 26, April 16 and May 7
 

APRIL

4th–5th     20th Annual AHS Softball Tournament, Albertville, for more information contact (256)891-8240.

19th     History Revisited, Arab Historic Village, 9am—3pm, free, for more information contact (256)586-7195

19th & 20th     Annual Art on the Lake, Guntersville Rec. Center, for more information contact (256)582-4378. Adult admission Charged. Arts, crafts, food and more!

21st—28th     Alabama PALS, annual cleanup of roadsides, neighborhoods, etc., contact (256) 571-9968.

26th     1st Annual Spring Bash Air, Car and Bike Show, Albertville Municipal Airport, M.C. Hospice Fundraiser features an air, motorcycle & car show. (256) 582-5100

26th     Wild About Wetlands, Lake Guntersville State Park, Learn about the wetlands of Lake Guntersville on this guided interpretive program, 2pm, (256) 571-5440

MAY

TBA     Marshall County VFW Spring Carnival, Boaz Fairgrounds, for more information contact (256) 593-2494

1st-4th, 8th-10th     "USO– The American Spirit", Whole Backstage Theatre, Guntersville, call ahead for tickets & times, for more information contact (256)582-SHOW.

2nd-3rd     Jane Kohl School of Dance Performance, Admission $5, for more information visit www.janekohldance.com or call 256-582-5639.

2nd-3rd     Annual Poke Salat Festival, Arab Main Street, (256)586-3138. Cook-off, arts, crafts, and more!

16th-17th     Red Hot Rodeo, King Street in Boaz, Professional Cowboy Assoc. Rodeo, 8pm—until, $8-$12, for more information contact (256)593-8154.

17th     Wildflower Saturday Hike, Lake Guntersville State Park, 2pm, contact (256) 571-5440

JUNE

5th - 8th     The 2008 Gerhart Chamber Music Festival, Snead State Community College, Boaz, Homecoming Concert, Children's Concert and more! For more information contact Melinda Brooks at (256) 593-5120

5th-8th     Will Rogers Heritage Festival, Guntersville, visit their website at www.willrogersheritagefestival.com, (256)582-3612.

5th-8th     "Will Rogers Follies", Whole Backstage Theatre, Guntersville, for tickets & times call (256)582-SHOW

7th-8th     Will Rogers Exhibit, Arts & Crafts Show & Music presented by the Mountain Valley Arts Council, for more information contact (256)582-1454.

13th–15th     2008 Invitational Youth Baseball Tournament, Albertville Rec. Dept., contact (256)891-8240.

13th-15th     MOVA Songwriters Event, Guntersville Civitan Park, Mountain Valley Arts Council, (256)582-1454.

16th-19th     Mtn. Valley Arts Councils Teen Art Workshops, Guntersville, Fee Charged, (256)582-1454

21st     Trail of Trees, tree identification hike, Lake Guntersville State Park, 2pm, contact (256) 571-5440

21st-22nd     Spring 2 Summer Run, Wakeboard Tournament, Lake Guntersville, Cash Prizes, www.wakefactory.net

28th     Boaz Fireworks & Concert, Billy Dyar Blvd., contact (256)593-8105. Live entertainment

 

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Newsletter brought to you by:  

Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Post Office Box 711 ~ 200 Gunter Avenue

Guntersville, Alabama 35976

Ph.  (256) 582-7015 ~ (800) 582-6282

Fax (256) 582-3682

www.marshallcountycvb.com  

marshallcountycvb@charterinternet.com

Lisa Socha, Executive Director

Beth Kennedy, Administrative Assistant

  Newsletter design and layout by Beth Kennedy

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