Decatur to Host Governor's Cup and Division I and II State Soccer Tournaments in 2012

The Alabama Youth Soccer Association (AYSA) has announced that the Division I Powerade State Cup (U15-U18), Division II State Cup (U14-U18), Governor’s Cup, and Division I Powerade Final Four will return to Decatur, Alabama in 2012. The city of Decatur has hosted the tournaments since 2007.

The Division I Powerade State Cup and Division II State Cup are set for November 2-4, 2012 with the Governor’s Cup and Division I Powerade State Cup Final Four following on November 9-11, 2012 at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex. The Governor’s Cup, a recreational competition at the state level, decides which teams are Division III (recreation) state champions and has been previously featured by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel as the largest recreational tournament for 9- to 18-year olds in Alabama.
AYSA is the governing body for all soccer clubs in Alabama who qualify to participate in these events. For more information on the State Cup, Governor’s Cup, and Final Four tournaments, visit the AYSA’s website at www.alabamayouthsoccer.org.
The Jack Allen Recreation Complex contains 10 international size lighted fields with laser-graded certified sports turf and a computerized irrigation system. With the additional fields located in Point Mallard Park, Decatur has quickly become known nationally as a top rated soccer tournament location. For more information on the Jack Allen Recreation Complex, visit www.decatursports.com.

The Town of Falkville- Fall Festival

Decatur Parks and Recreation will show Monster House at Wilson Morgan Park as part of Trunk or Treat

Free MOVIE IN THE PARK to be held on Friday October 26, 2012 at 7:45

Put on your Halloween costume and join us at Decatur Park and Recreation Department’s Trunk or treat on from 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, October 26, 2012 at Wilson Morgan Park and also enjoy a free movie at 7:45 that will get you “in the spirit” for Halloween!  The 2006 animated feature Monster House (PG, 91 minutes)  features three teens who work to save their neighborhood from a living, breathing scary monster house!  Trunk or Treat will take place from 6:00-8:00 and admission to this event is 2 cans of food. Children can win great prizes and enjoy games, concessions and a costume contest!  Tickets for games are 4 for $1.  It will be a “spook-tacular” night of fun for the family! 

This movie will be shown beginning at 7:45 and guests should bring blankets and/or lawn chairs.  The free “Movie in the Park” series is sponsored by the City of Decatur Parks and Recreation Department.  Efforts are made to select family-friendly or classic movies for audience viewing, however, parents are encouraged to review movies in advance for appropriateness to age, content and interests.  As this is a Halloween-themed movie, parents are particularly encouraged to review the movie in advance. 

Additional information on the movie can be obtained by contacting 256-341-4818 or visiting http://www.decaturparks.com/account.php?accountid=71.  Information on Trunk or Treat may also be found on the website or calling Suzanne Langdon at 256-341-4950.

In case of inclement weather, cancellation information will be posted on the DPR website and on the DPR  and Decatur, Alabama Facebook pages.

2012 Cabela's BASS Federation Nation Championship to be Held on Wheeler Lake

Wheeler Lake has been selected as the site of the 2012 Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship, October 25-27. The national tournament includes the top B.A.S.S. club anglers from 47 states, seven international chapter champions and the Angler of the Year from the Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Fishing circuit. This marks the tournament’s first appearance in the River City.

“We look forward to holding the championship in Decatur and Wheeler Lake,” said Don Corkran, director of B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. “It has been a number of years since we held this event in Alabama, and it’s great to be back home.” In November, 2011, B.A.S.S. relocated its headquarters from Celebration, Fla., to Birmingham, Ala., bringing the company back to the state where it was founded over forty years ago.

“We are thrilled B.A.S.S. has selected Wheeler Lake for its 2012 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship,” said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This will be the first appearance for the Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship to be held at Ingalls Harbor, and we are anticipating an exciting three days of competition.”

Daily launches and weigh-ins for the Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship will take place at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur and are free and open to the public. Launch time is set for 6:45 a.m. and weigh-in begins at 3:15 p.m. each day of the tournament.

The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation is comprised of local clubs, which are organized in 47 states and seven countries – Canada, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Spain and Zimbabwe. The Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship overall winner also earns a place in the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series. For more information, visit www.bassmaster.com/federation-series. 

Trunk or Treat

Downtown Decatur Goes Pink for Monthly 3rd Friday Celebration

Decatur, Ala. – Downtown Decatur’s monthly block party takes to the streets in October promising an evening filled with live music, family-friendly entertainment, and special sales while sporting a pretty shade of pink. Set for October 19, 3^rd Friday Downtown Decatur announces Power of Pink as its theme for its monthly celebration in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The block party officially kicks off at 5 p.m.

Many shops will be decorated in all shades of pink to reflect the Power of Pink theme and will offer a variety of specials, sales, and giveaways. In addition to the color of pink, expect lots of orange and black and spooks and treats in anticipation of the upcoming Halloween holiday. Local merchants invite children to don their Halloween costumes for some trick or treating while participating in the many games and activities held throughout the evening.  

Blocks of both Bank Street and Second Avenue will be closed and festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy a relaxing evening in downtown Decatur. Local favorite Southern Comfort is slated to headline the Bank Street Music Stage with Biminy Road set to perform on the Casa Grande Park Music Stage. The Brick will offer live music outside on the patio and spooky decorations on the inside. On Bank Street, Laci Atchison will offer entertainment for patrons at Simp McGhee’s and Kim Stone will be performing at Memi’s and The Paper Chase.   

The Sweet Tones Dulcimer Ensemble from the Morgan County Dulcimer Association will perform in the 600 block of Bank Street, Clarence Root will entertain in the 700 block of Bank Street, and the Bank Street Antique Mall will host chair caning demonstrations.

All along Bank Street, classic cars and vintage beauties will be on display while Volkswagens can be found along Second Avenue. Both streets will also be filled with a variety of arts and crafts vendors, and many of the merchants will remain open until 8 p.m. and will offer store specials, giveaways, and discounts.

Members of the Carnegie Visual Arts Center are invited to its monthly Fri. @ 5. On display is Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His time, A Man for All Times, a national traveling exhibition organized by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Complimentary appetizers and beverages will be served. Suggested donation is $4 for members and $15 for member’s guests. Attendees should be 21 years of age or accompanied by a parent. Call 256.341.0562 to RSVP.

Participating streets in 3^rd Fridays include Second Avenue, Bank, Market, Moulton, Grant, and Johnston Streets. Admission is free. For more information, call Ashley Ashwander at 256.355.8993 or visit its Facebook page for the latest information.

Decatur to Host Governor's Cup and Division I and II State Soccer Tournaments in 2012

The Alabama Youth Soccer Association (AYSA) has announced that the Division I Powerade State Cup (U15-U18), Division II State Cup (U14-U18), Governor’s Cup, and Division I Powerade Final Four will return to Decatur, Alabama in 2012. The city of Decatur has hosted the tournaments since 2007.

The Division I Powerade State Cup and Division II State Cup are set for November 2-4, 2012 with the Governor’s Cup and Division I Powerade State Cup Final Four following on November 9-11, 2012 at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex. The Governor’s Cup, a recreational competition at the state level, decides which teams are Division III (recreation) state champions and has been previously featured by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel as the largest recreational tournament for 9- to 18-year olds in Alabama.

AYSA is the governing body for all soccer clubs in Alabama who qualify to participate in these events. For more information on the State Cup, Governor’s Cup, and Final Four tournaments, visit the AYSA’s website at www.alabamayouthsoccer.org. 

The Jack Allen Recreation Complex contains 10 international size lighted fields with laser-graded certified sports turf and a computerized irrigation system. With the additional fields located in Point Mallard Park, Decatur has quickly become known nationally as a top rated soccer tournament location. For more information on the Jack Allen Recreation Complex, visit www.decatursports.com. 

About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County.  For information on special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org. 

22nd Annual Alabama Charity Championship Horse Show Set for October 11-13 in Decatur

One of the largest Saddlebred shows in the southeastern United States is set to return to Decatur in October. The Alabama Charity Championship Horse Show attracts 700 horses from over fifteen states to the Morgan County Celebration Arena where amateurs and professionals compete for top honors and prize money while raising money for charity.

The 22^nd event is set for October 11-13, 2012. Show hours are nightly at 6 p.m. Additional shows are at 10 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday. In addition to the competition, vendors will have displays set up selling horse-related items ranging from oil paintings to clothing items. Admission is free.  

The Charity Horse Show offers open classes in which entries may be shown by juveniles, amateurs, and professionals, all competing for prize money, ribbons and trophies. Proceeds from the competition benefit the Junior League of Morgan County and the Children’s Hands On Museum at the Carnegie Visual Art Center.

Sponsorships are available for the 2012 show. The Morgan County Celebration Arena is located at 67 Horse Center Road (off Highway 67 East) in Decatur. For more information, contact Janet Byron at 256.654.0142.  For more information on the Saddlebred breed, visit the American Saddlebred Horse Association at www.asha.net.