Athens Family Fun in March

Happy March, RCM readers! Are you looking for some fun activities for your kids to beat the rainy day blues? We’ve got some great events going on in Athens this month! Be sure to check out some of these great opportunities to help your kids learn and grow their sense of community. Included in this round-up are events both outdoor and indoor, uplifting and active. Many of them involve food (because who doesn’t love a good opportunity to eat?) and all of these activities are sure to bring your family closer to each other and your neighbors!
Special Athens, AL Events in March
Dr. Seuss Day and Catfish Book Festival
Saturday, March 2nd 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Athens-Limestone Public Library
The library is celebrating two events in one day! Dr. Seuss Day celebrates one of children’s favorite authors, Dr. Seuss. There will be crafts and activities focusing on some of Dr. Seuss’ most famous characters, including the Cat in the Hat and the Lorax.
The Catfish Book Festival features authors from around the Tennessee Valley. Authors will be available throughout the day for questions, book signings, writing panels, and more! This year, the festival is featuring author Robert McCammon. He is the author of nineteen best-selling novels and has twice won the best novel award from the Horror Writer’s Association.
Zumba-thon and Silent Auction
Saturday, March 2nd 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Cost: $10 admission. Get tickets
Athens Recreation Center | More Info
Come show off your dance moves and help raise money for your local theater! Footlights Community Theater is hosting this Zumba-thon to raise money so they can continue to bring great arts opportunities to Athens. Footlights Community Theater provides an outlet for everyone, young and old, to learn and grow in their love of acting, dancing, and singing. This event will feature a two hour zZumba class with complimentary snacks and a silent auction. The class will be led by local, trained instructors. All ages welcome!
You Were Born to Stand Out: An Evening for Moms & Daughters
Saturday, March 2nd, 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
Mays Memorial Baptist Church | More Info
Mays Memorial presents an evening with moms and daughters to hear Makennah Morring speak on the importance of keeping a close relationship with Jesus. Makennah is a professional dancer who has traveled the country. She has faced criticism for her faith and views on purity. She encourages young women to keep their faith at the center of their lives. The talk will be followed by food and fellowship.
Mardi Gras Parade and Block Party
Tuesday, March 5th from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Downtown Athens | More Info
Head downtown for the annual Mardi Gras parade! The theme for this year’s parade is “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” The ASU Artheads will make paper mache puppet heads for the festival. Shopping carts will be available to decorate. Spectators are encouraged to bring canned goods to fill the shopping carts during the parade. Athens State Center for Lifelong Learning on the square will have a bead stringing booth for the kids. High Cotton Arts will have children’s mask making and wagon decorating (bring your own wagon; they will provide supplies). Both of those events begin at 5:30 with the parade at 6:00.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tuesday, March 5th, 6:00-7:00 PM
Cost: $5 per person, tickets available in FUMC office
Beasley Center of Athens First United Methodist Church | More Info
Stop by for all you can eat pancakes with eggs, bacon or sausage for Shrove Tuesday! This would be a great dinner after the Mardi Gras parade!
Date Night! Poke Sallet Follies
March 7-9, 7:00 PM
Cost: $35
Athens Senior Center | More Info
This annual fundraiser for the Limestone County Foundation on Aging features dinner from 306 BBQ and an entertaining evening of skits. This year’s theme is “The Legends of Limestone: They Myths, the Magic, the Mayhem.” The meal will be served at 7:00, and the show will begin at 7:45. This 3-night event runs Thursday through Saturday, so pick a night and grab your honey for a night sure to be filled with laughs!
Super Free Play Day with Soccer Shots of North Alabama
Saturday, March 9th
Cost: Free
Athens SportsPlex Field 3A | More Info
Soccer Shots of North Alabama is offering a free preview day at the sportsplex! Times available for ages 2-8. The session will be 25 minutes long with 2 coaches. You must sign up for this event prior to attending. See the link above for more information on how to sign up.
Vietnam Veteran’s Spaghetti Lunch and Dinner
Monday, March 18th, 11 AM-1 PM and 5 PM-7 PM
Cost: $8 per plate
VVA building | More Info
Don’t like to cook on Monday? Bring the whole family for a delicious dinner of salad, spaghetti, garlic bread, and dessert! Dine-in or carry-out. Live music provided by the Shady Grady One Man Band during the dinner hours. Proceeds go to the high school scholarship provided by the VVA.
Hospice of Limestone County’s Chili Challenge
Saturday, March 23rd, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Tickets are $10, children 10 and under free
Limestone County Event Center | More Info
The annual chili challenge is a fundraiser for Hospice of Limestone County. This event is great fun for the whole family! Come sample chili from local competitors, participate in the silent auction, and let the kids explore the children’s area.
Lil Z’s Pajama Party
Tuesday, March 26th, 5:30-7:30 PM
Cost of dinner
Zaxby’s in Athens | More Info
Zaxby’s is having a pajama party with their mascot, Lil Z. Children will enjoy crafts, face painting, and more! Dine-in only.
6th Annual YEA: STEAM Conference
Friday, March 29th, 9:30 AM-1:30 PM
Cost: Free
Athens State University Gymnasium | More Info
Bring your child to the Youth Education Awareness’ STEAM conference! This is a conference specifically for children in grades K-12 that will provide educational competitions and demonstrations in the areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Presenters will offer activities that challenge the students to use their minds in new and innovative ways. This event is free, but tickets must be acquired in order to attend.
Weekly Programs at Athens Library in March
The Page Turner Program is for 6th – 9th graders who love writing and have stories to tell. There is a 10 person limit in this program due to the number of curriculum books they have. Call 256-232-1233 to register.
Baby Storytime – Wednesdays at 10:15 AM
For babies age 0-18 months. Ms. Amanda and Ms. Ambry lead stories, songs, bounces, tickles, rhymes, and fingerplays!
Toddler and Preschool Storytime – Wednesdays at 11:15 AM
For kids ages 18 mo.-5 years. It is a program focusing on developing a child’s social skills through stories, rhymes, music, felt board activities, and interactive storytelling.
Spectrum Storytime – 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 4:00 PM
This is a program for children of all ages with special needs. The class has a focus on the autism spectrum. There are sensory toys for students to use during storytime. A picture schedule is used so that the children know what to expect. Each child gets a bean bag to sit on so that they have their own special place during the class & lights are dimmed.
Teen Time – 4th Thursday of every month at 4:00- PM
With different themes and topics every month, Teen Time is a place for teens in 7th – 12th grades. Enjoy crafts, science experiments, snacks, book talk, and hanging out!
Story Lab – 1st Friday of the month at 10:15 AM
Registration required; cost is $10 per semester
Story Lab is a program for homeschooled children in kindergarten-6th grades. Students learn facts, listen to a story, and do an activity based on a chosen subject. They will also get a take-home activity so that the learning can continue after they leave the library! Call the Library to register.
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Rachel is a native of Athens, Alabama. She is a stay-at-home mom to 3 kids and wife to a guitar-playing engineer. When she’s not chasing 3 kids, she loves reading, singing, and watching reruns of The Office, Parks and Rec, and Downton Abbey. She spends as much time as she can at the gym with her CrossFit Athens family, kids in tow.