Jack Allen Recration Complex to Host Inaugural Fall Classic

Jack Allen Recreation Complex to Host Inaugural Fall Classic

 

The city of Decatur has been selected to hold the inaugural Fall Classic, an Alabama Youth Soccer Association and United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) sanctioned tournament hosted by the North Alabama Soccer League. Set for September 21-23, 2012, organizers are expecting approximately 60 teams (U9-U18) from across the Southeast bringing together some of the best youth soccer players to the fields of the Jack Allen Recreation Complex.

The three day tournament offers USYSA affiliated Challenge, Classic, and Academy level U9-U18 girls’ and boys’ competitive soccer opportunities. Medals will be awarded to the championship and runner-up teams in each age division.

For complete registration information on the tournament, visit www.nasoccerleague.org.

For more information on the Jack Allen Recreation Complex, visit www.decatursports.com. 

 

DECATUR’S RIVERFEST NAMED AN ALABAMA TOP 25 FOOD EVENT

Decatur, Ala. – The Alabama Tourism Department has named Riverfest one of 25 top food events in celebration of the 2012 Year of Alabama Food. The list is compiled in conjunction with the year-long promotion designed to attract tourists to Alabama to experience the rich cultural flavors of the South.

Riverfest joins top events such as the Orange Beach Seafood Festival, Chilton County Peach Festival in Clanton, Oktoberfest in Cullman, and Alabama Pecan Festival in Mobile. A complete list of the top 25 food festivals and events can be found in the Sweet Home Alabama 2012 Calendar of Events published by the Alabama Tourism Department. A copy may be requested at www.alabama.travel. The 2012 Year of Alabama Food is the ninth in a series of marketing campaigns produced by the Alabama Tourism Department. For more information, visit www.yearofalabamafood.com.

 Hosted by the Decatur Jaycees, Riverfest offers fun for the entire family with music and lip-smacking barbeque along the banks of the Tennessee River. The 18^th annual event is set for September 14-15, 2012 at Ingalls Harbor. Riverfest is recognized by the State of Alabama as an official State Barbeque Championship competition and is sanctioned by, and conducted under, the rules of the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Competing for prize money and trophies totaling $20,000, the BBQ cook-off is open to professional and amateur teams. The Grand Champion winner of Riverfest automatically qualifies for the American Royal World Championship Barbecue Cook-off in Kansas City, Mo., and is entered into the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational drawing.

 Live music featuring popular local and regional bands entertains the crowd on both Friday and Saturday evenings. Country music singer-songwriter Lee Brice will headline this year’s event. Slated to perform on Friday are Moulton-based Southern Comfort, Southern rock band Doubleshot, Nashville singer-songwriter Brent Cobb, and Brice. Saturday’s lineup includes Gadsden native Albert Simpson, the Decatur band Wheelers, Newgrass band Rollin’ in the Hay, and Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Tuesday’s Gone.

 Along with the BBQ cook-off and music, there are food vendors offering barbeque from mild to fiery and other traditional festival food and a free children's area.

 For more information on Riverfest, visit www.decaturjaycees.com.

Ingalls Harbor to Host FLW Tour Open

FLW Outdoors will bring its Walmart FLW Tour Open to Ingalls Harbor in Decatur September 20-23, 2012. The tournament will feature 150-boat fields where pro anglers will compete for a top award of up to $100,000 and co-anglers will vie for a top prize of up to $20,000. Spectators are invited to join in on the fun of competitive fishing by attending the weigh-ins and a free outdoors expo.

Daily launches and weigh-ins are free and open to the public. Launch time at Ingalls Harbor is set for 6:30 a.m. daily Ingalls Harbor is located at 802 Wilson Street NW. On the first and second days of the tournament, weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. and will take place at Ingalls Harbor. Weigh-ins on days three and four are set for 4 p.m. at Walmart located at 2800 Spring Avenue SW in Decatur.

A free Outdoors Expo is set for September 22^nd and 23^rd from noon to 4 p.m. at Walmart. The Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers and learn more about the sport of fishing, and interactive games, activities, and giveaways provided by sponsors. All activities are free and open to the public.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest tournament-fishing organization in the world, offering anglers the chance to win millions through 191 tournaments in 2011. For more information, visit www.flwoutdoors.com and click on Walmart FLW Tour found under the Tournaments tab or call 270.252.1000.   

Youth Invited to Fish for Fun and Prizes

Decatur, Ala. – Decatur Parks and Recreation will host a fishing event for youth at Ingalls Harbor on September 8, 2012. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., children between the ages of five and twelve years old are invited to participate in the Young Angler’s Fishing Event and spend the day trying to reel in the big one while also learning why Decatur is known as the “River City.”

Ingalls Harbor will be separated from the Tennessee River by netting and stocked with 500 pounds of channel catfish, with some tagged for prizes. There will be five rounds of fishing for 30-45 minutes with a maximum of forty children per round rolling the harbor. When not fishing, children can check out the various booths displaying the products and services of area businesses, corporations and industries who utilize the Tennessee River in the Ingalls Harbor Pavilion.

According to Decatur Parks and Recreation, the overall goal of the event is to raise awareness and appreciation of the Tennessee River which has been central to the establishment, growth and vitality of Decatur and Morgan County as well as North Alabama. Children will learn responsibility for our natural resources, how the Tennessee River is so important as a water source, how it is unique in providing for goods and services and extending the manufacturing complex of the area to other parts of the country and world.

The event fee is $20 per person and the first 200 to pre-register receive a t-shirt, fishing pole and tackle. Parents and volunteers will offer assistance throughout the event and there will be instructors available to teach the basics of preparing tackle and fishing.

For more information, call Decatur Parks and Recreation at 256.341.4930

Reist Appointed to Scenic Byways Program Advisory Council

Governor Robert Bentley has appointed Tami Reist, president of the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, to the Scenic Byway Program Advisory Council, effective immediately. Her term of service will run concurrently with Governor Bentley’s term of office.

Patterned after the National Scenic Byway Program, the Alabama Scenic Byway Program seeks to identify, preserve, protect and enhance scenic, historic, natural, recreational, cultural and archaeological resources; enhance recreation; and, promote economic development through tourism and education in the history, culture and natural beauty of Alabama. 

A Scenic Byway is a stretch of roadway that provides an exceptional travel experience through the State of Alabama. The following are state designated byways: Appalachian Highlands Scenic Byway, Barbour County Governor’s Trail, Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail, Black Warrior River Scenic Byway, Leeds Stagecoach Route, and Lookout Mountain Parkway. The Natchez Trace, Selma to Montgomery All American Road, Talladega Scenic Byway and Alabama’s Coastal Connection are nationally designated byways. For more information, visit www.alabamabyways.com.

A Soulful Night on the River

Reginald Jackson and Friends will perform at the

 final concert of the 2012 Concerts by the River season

Enjoy a soulful night of music as the City of Decatur Parks and Recreation Department
welcomes  Reginald Jackson and Friends as the final performer in the 2012  Concerts by the River season on Monday, August 27, 2012.  The free concert will take place from 6:00-8:00 PM at Rhodes Ferry Park.  For updated schedule information, please call 256-341-4818 or visit www.decaturparks.com.  In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be announced after 4:00 PM on the DPR website and will also be posted on the DPR and Decatur, Alabama Facebook pages.

A dynamic performer on the saxophone, keyboard and other instruments, Reginald Jackson is a true “musician’s musician.”  His soulful style combines elements of contemporary jazz, blues and gospel to produce a sound that is uniquely “Reginald.”  A Decatur native, Jackson has a Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University, and travels the world conducting workshops, keyboard seminars and performing on the piano, saxophone and organ.  Jackson has traveled the world participating in Gospel music workshops in diverse places such as Incirlik, Turkey.  He has published several books on learning to play the piano and keyboard by ear, and serves as Minister of Music at St. Stephens Baptist Church, the Pentecostal House of Prayer and El Shaddi Ministries.  Jackson has also recorded six CD’s, including Walking in My Destiny and I’m Still Here.  Jackson will be joined in this concert by some of his most talented students for a night not to be missed!  For more information on Reginald Jackson, please visit www.jrjmusic.org.

Civil War Reenactment Set September 1-2

The 14^th Alabama Cavalry, the 3^rd Tennessee Cavalry, and Camp 580 Sons of Confederate Veterans will host the Battle for Decatur Civil War Reenactment September 1-2, 2012 at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Ala. The annual event commemorates the four day battle which took place in October 1864, telling the story of Decatur’s small, but significant role in the War Between the States. More than 200 reenactors representing both northern and southern forces will transform the 500-acre municipal park into a weekend encampment complete with mock battles.  

On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m., the Civil War camp featuring displays of authentic equipment, dress, and drills is open to the public with maneuvers and battles taking place at 2 p.m. The Union troops will win the day during one battle reenactment while the Confederates will capture the contested ground during the next day’s skirmish.  

Other activities include a living history of daily camp life where spectators are encouraged to visit with soldiers, Civil War relic displays, drill and firing of mid-19th century muskets mounted cavalry patrols and Civil War related items for sale by sutlers. Everyone is invited to a ladies’ tea at 9:30 a.m. and to the Military Ball at 7 p.m. Both events are held on Saturday at The Chapel in Point Mallard Park.

The historical reenactment is held in honor of General Joe Wheeler and Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan, who both resided in North Alabama at some point during their military careers. The City of Decatur was an important transportation site for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War due to the Memphis and Charleston’s railroad bridge crossing the Tennessee River. During the 1864 battle at Decatur, Confederate General Hood attempted to break Union supply lines at the crucial railroad crossing at Decatur. He was not successful and had to cross the river at Florence. Decatur’s involvement in this campaign and the fierce four day battle caused General Hood to refer to the city as “a hard nut to crack.”  

The two-day event is held at Point Mallard Park and admission is free. For more information on the Battle for Decatur reenactment, call the Decatur-Morgan County CVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028.