This Month's Top 10 Events in Alabama

Participate in one of Alabama's top 10 events of February. You may also click here to see a listing of every event Alabama has to offer this month. Order a 2008 Alabama Calendar of Events African-American Leadership Conference Troy; Feb. 1-2 Celebrate Black History Month with various local and national speakers, breakout sessions for students and adults, and more. 16th Annual Locust Fork Invitational Canoe & Kayak Race Cleveland; Feb. 2 The Alabama Cup is awarded to canoeists and kayakers who have the fastest total score in a series of three races: The Locust Fork Invitational held the first weekend in February; The Mulberry Fork Races held the first weekend in March; and The Locust Fork Whitewater Classic held the last weekend in March. Located at the bridge at King's Bend, north of Cleveland at the Hwy 231/79 split. Parking - $2, Camping - $5. Enjoy a day of family fun with a bonfire too. Food vendor is present. Lifestyles Expo Orange Beach; Feb. 7 The EXPO offers something of interest for all ages. Alabama, Florida and Mississippi residents and winter visitors can learn about “Living in Alabama Communities,” as well as places to see and things to do. The EXPO will provide upbeat information and products that promote healthy living and quality of life for people 50+, their families and grandchildren. An extensive range of services will be offered as well as free health screenings. This is a one-stop to meet exhibitors who provide products and services that will improve your quality of life. Alabama All-State Orchestra Festival Tuscaloosa; Feb. 7-10 Hosted by the Alabama Orchestra Association (of the Alabama Music Educators Association), elementary through high school music students from the state of Alabama compete to be placed in an orchestra conducted by guest conductors from around the country for a weekend of advanced orchestral music playing and performing. Mercedes Marathon & Half-marathon Weekend Birmingham; Feb. 8-10 Celebrate outdoor Alabama during this marathon weekend for runners, walkers and fun-seekers of all ages and skill levels. Race distances include: 5k (3.1 miles), one-mile kids marathon, 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, and a five-person marathon relay. Other features include a two-day race expo, and award parties from start to finish. Join us in Birmingham to experience a fun-filled athletic weekend of thrilling competition and the pleasurable charm of Southern hospitality from the people who created it, and maybe you will drive home in our Grand Prize, a new Mercedes-Benz going to some lucky qualifier! WLIA Spring Crappie Rodeo Centre; Feb. 15-May 15 Tagged fish tournament offering more than $10,000 in cash and prizes. Sponsored by Weiss Lake Improvement Association and local businesses. Must purchase a "Crappie Rodeo Badge" to receive prizes. Black Heritage Festival Anniston; Feb. 16 Anniston Museum proudly presents the 28th annual Black Heritage Festival, organized by Georgia Calhoun. Students from local schools will compete for cash prizes in the oratory competitions. Vocal and musical performances and a keynote speaker are featured in the event. Vendors with wares and gift items of all types will be present, offering their merchandise for purchase. Mobile Boat Show Mobile; Feb. 21-24 The largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, featuring hundreds of boats and marine accessories – inside, outside and in the water. Also, ski show, fishing and educational seminars. Alabama Music Hall of Fame's Induction Banquet/Awards Show Montgomery; Feb. 22 Induction and awards banquet honoring talented Alabama music achievers, the state of Alabama's Grammy Awards. Performances by music stars from Alabama. Inductions for those whose life work has left a mark on America's music. Contemporary awards given to other talented Alabamians. Black-tie event with dinner and awards/music show. Longhorn World Championship Rodeo Huntsville; Feb. 29-Mar. 2 Colorful opening pageantry that includes a tribute to the American cowboy, both ranch and rodeo, with more than 275 professional cowboys and cowgirls competing in bareback and saddle bronco riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, calf roping and bonus bull riding.

OUR BODY: The Universe Within exclusive invitation to Media

This Month's Top 10 Events in Alabama

Participate in one of Alabama's top 10 events of January. You may also click here to see a listing of every event Alabama has to offer this month. Order a 2008 Alabama Calendar of Events Sam Phillips Commemoration Week Florence; Jan. 2-5 Enjoy a weeklong music fest in memory of Sam Phillips, a native of Florence and the discoverer of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and countless other musicians. GMAC Bowl Mobile; Jan. 6 A college football bowl game featuring Bowling Green State University vs. University of Tulsa. The game will be televised on ESPN. Grace Unlimited Radio will also broadcast the game. Eagle Awareness Weekend Guntersville; Jan. 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 One of America's greatest symbols, the American Bald Eagle is the focus of this interpretive program. Enjoy fireside chats, guided interpretive programs at various Bald Eagle nesting sites and knowledgable guest speakers. Each program is followed by scrumptious meals at our park's dining room. All activities take place at Guntersville State Park. Our Body: The Universe Within, Actual Human Bodies Mobile; Jan. 11-May 11 Our Body: The Universe Within will include approximately 12 full bodies and 75 other anatomical displays. This is the Gulf Coast debut of this exhibit and the only equivalent human body exhibit to open within 300 miles. Anniston Runners Club Half Naked Marathon Anniston; Jan. 12 The unique Anniston Runners Club Half Naked Marathon will be held on Saturday, January 12 at 8:00 a.m. at Fort McClellan. Named Half "naked" because there are no awards and no live support on the 13.1-mile course, this training run has quickly become a favorite in the area for its great course and questionable shirts! Alabama Dance Festival Birmingham; Jan. 17-20 At the Alabama Dance Festival, everyone can dance! The only dance event of its kind in Alabama, the Alabama Dance Festival attracts over 400 performers, teachers, students and dance enthusiasts from across the state and over 2,000 people who enjoy the numerous performances presented during the festival weekend. Performances will feature Bridgman Packer Dance, a Birmingham Dance Showcase and an Alabama Dance Showcase. Dance class opportunities will include Dance Across Brimingham (free beginning dance classes for the entire family), Pre-Professional Dance Classes for ages 11-18 and Professional Artist Workshops for ages 18 and up. Reflect & Rejoice: A Community Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birmingham; Jan. 20 The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Alys Stephens Center unite to present a program of celebration in honor of the work of Martin Luther King Jr. "Reflect & Rejoice" has become a tradition, bringing the community together in a joyous program of music to remember the past and imagine the future. Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival Brundidge, Troy; Jan. 25-26 Ticket go on sale Jan. 1. For tickets, call 334-735-3125. Reserved seating only. Enjoy supper and storytelling featuring nationally acclaimed storytellers Donald Davis, Andy Offutt Irwin, Sheila K. Adams and Kathryn Tucker Windham. 2008 Senior Bowl Mobile; Jan. 26 The 2008 Senior Bowl, presented by Food World, is the nation's unique football game and football’s premier pre-draft event, annually featuring the country’s best senior collegiate football stars and top NFL draft prospects on teams representing the North and South which are coached by the entire coaching staffs from two National Football League teams. Kickoff is 3pm. Contest will be nationally televised by NFL networks. Opening Gala for the Davidson Saturn V Center Huntsville; Jan. 31 Celebrate 50 years of space exploration at the grand opening for the Davidson Saturn V Center, home of the Saturn V 500D/F that is the National Historic Landmark housed at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.

Christmas Events Throughout Alabama!

Christmas at Arlington

Birmingham; Dec. 1
Celebrate with Arlington's staff as they commemorate the mansion's 52nd anniversary as Birmingham's historic house museum. See local floral designers transform the interior into replications of Christmas past.

Candlelight Christmas at Oakleigh
Mobile; Dec. 1-2
Step back into a festive 19th-century holiday celebration at Oakleigh Historic Complex. Daily activities, 10-4, will feature seasonal music, horse-drawn carriage rides, guided tours, Victorian Santa, exhibitors and refreshments. Tours by candlelight are 6:30-8:00. Day admission $5 members, $10 nonmembers. Evening admission $7 members, $12 nonmembers, $5 children.

American Streamlined Designs: The World of Tomorrow
Montgomery; Dec. 1-Mar. 2
A fresh appraisal of the aesthetic of streamlined design, placing the achievements of its best-known exponents — among them Norman Bel Geddes, Henry Dreyfuss, Raymond Loewy and Walter Dorwin Teague — squarely alongside the contributions of other lesser-known but significant designers such as Lurelle Guild, Clifford Brooks Stevens and Harold Van Doren.

West Alabama Christmas Parade
Tuscaloosa; Dec. 3
The 32nd West Alabama Christmas Parde is Alabama's largest Christmas parade with more than 200 entrants spreading holiday cheer. The 2007 Grand Marshals are Harry Lee and Doug Phillips.

Dickens Downtown Celebration
Northport; Dec. 4
The streets and shops of historic downtown Northport will come alive with Victorian music, crafts and family activities. Visitors can enjoy the sounds of the holidays with live music, a visit with Father Christmas, carolers, a winter wonderland and much more. The shops and galleries of downtown Northport will be open and decorated for the holidays, and merchants will be in traditional Victorian costume.

Holiday Gallery Tour
Huntsville; Dec. 6
Meridian Arts, along with other local galleries and the Huntsville Museum of Art, offers a holiday open house. This informal event showcases artists whose talents include painting, pottery, glass, sculpture, jewelry, photography and woodworking.

Governor's Mansion Candlelight Open House
Montgomery; Dec. 7-21
Tour the public rooms of the state's executive residence while it's decorated in all its holiday grandeur. The 1907 Governor's Mansion will be aglow with lights and filled with the spirit of the season.

Victorian Christmas
Dothan; Dec. 9
Warm up to some holiday hospitality during an afternoon centered on the pleasures of Christmases past. Visitors are invited to sample turn-of-the-century desserts and sip hot chocolate or mulled cider while children try their hand at making traditional Christmas decorations. A circuit-riding preacher will arrive by horse and carriage to deliver a Christmas message at the church.

Holiday Music Extravaganza
Fort Payne; Dec. 30
Wind up the holiday season with this concert featuring the local talent of Steven Kean, FAA Quartet from Plainview School, Naomi ("NIB") McKinney and The George Boys.

City of Fairhope New Year's Eve Celebration
Fairhope; Dec. 31
Residents and visitors are invited to bring their family and friends downtown and ring in the New Year dancing in the streets to live entertainment. The band will begin playing at 8:30 p.m. at the corner of Section Street and Church Street. Other entertainment includes karaoke, face painting, magic shows, fireworks at midnight, free party favors and a ball drop at midnight.

Events around the state of Alabama

National Peanut Festival
Dothan; Nov. 2-10
Farmers, agriculture and agribusiness honored. Livestock exhibits, competitions, crafts, food preservation, recipe contests, entertainment, carnival rides, pageants and a parade where the street is covered with peanuts.

41st Annual Pike Road Arts & Crafts Fair
Pike Road; Nov. 3
A fun day in the country with more than 300 arts and crafts vendors, homemade sweets and treats, plenty of barbecue, other food and shopping opportunities.

Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, 23rd Annual
Orange Beach; Nov. 8-18
Musicians from all over the world bring magical music to the Gulf Coast area in November. Music of all genres will be performed throughout the festival, which serves as a time for hit writers, aspiring newcomers and an audience that appreciates great music to come together.

National Veterans Day Parade
Birmingham; Nov. 11
Each year, National Veterans Day in Birmingham salutes those men and women who have served their country as members of the armed services and those today who proudly wear the uniform of the active, reserve and national guard forces.

Annual Veterans Day events include the largest and oldest Veterans Day parade in the U.S., a dinner honoring the National Veterans Award recipient, a World Peace Luncheon, ROTC/JROTC Drill Competition and a Memorial Service.

Quilt Challenge '07
Florence; Nov. 14-Dec. 19
The Shoals Piecemakers Quilt Guild "challenges" members to create innovative quilts following a new set of rules each year. Subject matter and the use of a specific material are part of the requirements. The exhibit includes amazingly creative and varied works of fiber art.

Mobile International Festival
Mobile; Nov. 17
Travel around the world in a day and experience the wonders of the cultures of more than 70 countries. Visit, explore, shop and taste the delicious fanfare presented. Artists, entertainment, food and more.

Alabama's Finest Artists Showcase
Gadsden; Nov. 18-Jan. 18
This show selects some of Alabama's finest emerging artists and showcases their talents in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional work. The 2005 exhibit featured canvas artist T.S. Carson of Birmingham and stoneware vessels by Larry Allen of Leeds.

Galaxy of Lights Driving Tours
Huntsville; Nov. 22-Dec. 31
A magnificent holiday light extravaganza over a two-mile route through the garden. Animated displays of holiday scenes, nature, nursery rhymes and much more.

Magic Christmas in Lights, 12th Annual
Mobile; Nov. 23-Dec. 31
Stroll through over 3 million twinkling lights and hundreds of animated displays during the annual celebration of Magic Christmas in Lights. Tour the Bellingrath Home, decorated in its holiday finery and enjoy the sounds of nightly performances on the South Terrace of the Bellingrath Home. Have your photo taken with Santa and enjoy supper in the Magnolia Cafe. Finish your shopping in the Bellingrath Gift Shop and experience the wonders of the holiday season.

Christmas on the River Week
Demopolis; Nov. 25-Dec. 1
River festival featuring the Alabama State Championship BBQ Cook-off, musical and theatrical holiday performances, a community-wide church service, live nativity, a fair on the square, Christmas in the canebrake, a day parade and the famous nautical light parade and fireworks.