by Holly Hollman
Grease is turning the lights back on for The Square.
The Spirit of Athens Board has voted to use money raised at the festival to install LED lights on store fronts on The Square. The board’s long-range plan is to install LED lights to outline the top of all buildings on The Square and leading up to The Square to create a city skyline. The entire project is estimated to cost $30,000.
This board voted to spend up to $7,000 on this first phase.
“We hope to have the lights installed in time for the holidays,” said Spirit of Athens Director Trisha Black. “We all remember how The Square used to look lit up for Christmas, but then those lights wore out, and we’ve been working to replace them with more energy efficient lights that have a longer lifespan.”
Board President Derrick Young said he would like to see the downtown area lit up not only at Christmas time.
“I say use them all the time because that makes downtown look lively,” Young said.
The Athens Grease Festival was held the last Saturday in September and drew an estimated 4,500 people to The Square. That’s based on tickets sold to adults, an estimate on the number of children who attended and the number of vendors. After expenses, the festival generated $9,500.
“The first year you do a festival like this, you are usually lucky if you break even or if you don’t lose money,” Young said. “We made nearly $10,000. That’s amazing, especially since the work on the festival really was done in a short amount of time.”
Plans for the festival to celebrate all things fried and the Greek origin of the city’s name began in April. The plan was the result of a city branding campaign when the branding consultants fell in love with the city’s Greek Revival architecture and food and submitted an Athens Grease Festival logo.
The festival drew the attention of Alabama Public Radio, which led to a visit by University of Alabama at Birmingham assistant professor of nutrition sciences, Beth Kitchin. She has a blog called “The Kitchin sink,” and APR wanted to interview her about Alabama’s obesity rate.
“But this was no typical media request on the rising obesity rate. This was a story on the inaugural Athens Grease Festival in Athens,” Kitchin wrote in her blog. “The festival has much going for it: a clever geographic play on words, a charming Mayberry-like downtown square with plenty of municipal buildings sporting Greek columns in ode to its ancient Mediterranean namesake, Alabama “Athenians” dressed in togas, and of course, lots of fried foods. Who could resist?”
Kitchin particularly enjoyed the fried green tomatoes and wrote that eating healthy doesn’t mean avoiding those foods you love. She recommends the 80/20 rule of eating healthy food 80 percent of the time.
Black said based on public’s response to the festival and the money generated, SOA volunteers have decided to hold it again in 2013 on the last Saturday in September.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Tasting Contest Winners
Judges tasted fried cuisine on Saturday. See winners below:
"Best Fried Vegetable" Sweet potato fries by the Optimist Club of Athens
"Best Fried Meat" BBQ fries by Shermies
"Best Fried Dessert" Fried Peach Pie by Mrs. Martha - U.G. White Mercantile
"Most Outrageous" Funnel cake sandwich by Lebanon Community Church
Each winner won $50 and a big ole' ribbon.
"Best Fried Vegetable" Sweet potato fries by the Optimist Club of Athens
"Best Fried Meat" BBQ fries by Shermies
"Best Fried Dessert" Fried Peach Pie by Mrs. Martha - U.G. White Mercantile
"Most Outrageous" Funnel cake sandwich by Lebanon Community Church
Each winner won $50 and a big ole' ribbon.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
DIPPED, BATTERED & FRIED
ATHENS GREASE FESTIVAL – A CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS
By Alabama Mountain Lakes, August 23, 2012
Decatur, Ala. – The city of Athens is embracing its love of deep-fried foods and is set to serve up one day dedicated to all things dipped, battered and fried. The inaugural Athens Grease Festival is set for September 29, 2012 in downtown Athens, and along with celebrating the South’s love of fried food, the one day event also pays tribute to the Greek origination of the town’s name.
The downtown area will be filled with Southern crafts, Olympic-themed activities, and a variety of food vendors who will offer at least one fried item on their menus. And in the South, fried food is not limited to vegetables and meat; desserts such as fried Oreos and fried Twinkies have become increasingly popular. Organizers are not worried about encouraging others to indulge as long as everyone eats responsibly the other 364 days of the year. No fried food festival would be complete without a contest to see can best dip, batter, and fry. Food vendors and downtown restaurants are challenged with to see who can come up with the best fried vegetable, best fried meat, best fried dessert, and most outrageous.
Other activities planned for the day-long event include a bike ride, fun run, and a children’s area. Festival goers are encouraged to wear their togas to what may turn out to be the largest toga party in North Alabama and dance to live music provided by Faron Davis, The Charles and Grant Show, Matt Prater, Richie and Deemer, Joey Thompson and Charles Williams, and The Park Band.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and admission is $5 or $4 for toga wearers. Children 12 years and under get in free. The Athens Grease Festival is organized and hosted by Spirit of Athens, a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Athens. Proceeds from the festival will benefit Spirit of Athens and downtown restoration and renovation projects. For more information, visit www.athensgreasefestival.com or call 256.232.9040.
By Alabama Mountain Lakes, August 23, 2012
Decatur, Ala. – The city of Athens is embracing its love of deep-fried foods and is set to serve up one day dedicated to all things dipped, battered and fried. The inaugural Athens Grease Festival is set for September 29, 2012 in downtown Athens, and along with celebrating the South’s love of fried food, the one day event also pays tribute to the Greek origination of the town’s name.
The downtown area will be filled with Southern crafts, Olympic-themed activities, and a variety of food vendors who will offer at least one fried item on their menus. And in the South, fried food is not limited to vegetables and meat; desserts such as fried Oreos and fried Twinkies have become increasingly popular. Organizers are not worried about encouraging others to indulge as long as everyone eats responsibly the other 364 days of the year. No fried food festival would be complete without a contest to see can best dip, batter, and fry. Food vendors and downtown restaurants are challenged with to see who can come up with the best fried vegetable, best fried meat, best fried dessert, and most outrageous.
Other activities planned for the day-long event include a bike ride, fun run, and a children’s area. Festival goers are encouraged to wear their togas to what may turn out to be the largest toga party in North Alabama and dance to live music provided by Faron Davis, The Charles and Grant Show, Matt Prater, Richie and Deemer, Joey Thompson and Charles Williams, and The Park Band.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and admission is $5 or $4 for toga wearers. Children 12 years and under get in free. The Athens Grease Festival is organized and hosted by Spirit of Athens, a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Athens. Proceeds from the festival will benefit Spirit of Athens and downtown restoration and renovation projects. For more information, visit www.athensgreasefestival.com or call 256.232.9040.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Frying up a batch of musical entertainment at the Grease Festival
by Holly Hollman, Athens Grease Festival Publicity Chair
ATHENS – Come to downtown Athens in a toga, buy a fried bologna sandwich and enjoy an afternoon of musical entertainment at the inaugural Athens Grease Festival on Sept. 29.
The quirky festival is a celebration of all things fried and the Greek origin of the city’s name. There will be an Olympic-themed opening ceremony and games, fried food vendors who will sell items and compete in fried food contests, Southern craft vendors, children’s activities and six musical performances.
The music will start early afternoon. The performers are:
● Faron Davis
● The Charles and Grant Show
● Matt Prater
● Richie and Deemer
● Joey Thompson and Charles Williams
● The Park Band
The headliner group, The Park Band, plays across the Southeast. The group describes its sound as not fitting in any musical genre although listeners will hear Southern rock mixed with a little jam blues in between. The group’s debut album “Peace of Mind” was released in September 2009.
Grease Festival Chairwoman Christy Hubbard said the good food, good fun and good music should attract not only locals but visitors who are coming to the city early for the annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention at Athens State University.
“The Grease Festival is the weekend before Fiddlers, and we know many visitors come to Athens early to camp and have jam sessions prior to Fiddlers,” Hubbard said. “This will give them a day to enjoy music, food and crafts on The Square.”
The Spirit of Athens is sponsoring the Grease Festival as a fundraiser for downtown revitalization efforts.
“We are excited so many local and area performers are joining us for this event,” said SOA Director Trisha Black. “Our goal is to keep our historic downtown a vibrant attraction, and it is a beautiful location to come and enjoy a festival concert.”
Grease Bites
What: The inaugural Athens Grease Festival
When: Sept. 29 from 11 a.m.to 10 p.m.
Where: Downtown Athens
Cost: $5 or $4 for toga wearers; children 12 and under free.
Vendors: Various food and Southern craft vendors.
Activities: Quirky Olympic-themed opening ceremony and games; music; children’s events; and contest among vendors/downtown restaurants for best fried meat, fried vegetable, fried dessert and most outrageous.
Recycling: Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and the Athens Water/Wastewater Department are kicking off the citywide grease recycling program where residents can get containers to collect cooking grease and return it for recycling. Local farmers will buy the recycled grease to use as biodiesel fuel for their farm equipment. KALB will collect vendors’ cooking grease as well.
Online: Athensgreasefestival.com
ATHENS – Come to downtown Athens in a toga, buy a fried bologna sandwich and enjoy an afternoon of musical entertainment at the inaugural Athens Grease Festival on Sept. 29.
The quirky festival is a celebration of all things fried and the Greek origin of the city’s name. There will be an Olympic-themed opening ceremony and games, fried food vendors who will sell items and compete in fried food contests, Southern craft vendors, children’s activities and six musical performances.
The music will start early afternoon. The performers are:
● Faron Davis
● The Charles and Grant Show
● Matt Prater
● Richie and Deemer
● Joey Thompson and Charles Williams
● The Park Band
The headliner group, The Park Band, plays across the Southeast. The group describes its sound as not fitting in any musical genre although listeners will hear Southern rock mixed with a little jam blues in between. The group’s debut album “Peace of Mind” was released in September 2009.
Grease Festival Chairwoman Christy Hubbard said the good food, good fun and good music should attract not only locals but visitors who are coming to the city early for the annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention at Athens State University.
“The Grease Festival is the weekend before Fiddlers, and we know many visitors come to Athens early to camp and have jam sessions prior to Fiddlers,” Hubbard said. “This will give them a day to enjoy music, food and crafts on The Square.”
The Spirit of Athens is sponsoring the Grease Festival as a fundraiser for downtown revitalization efforts.
“We are excited so many local and area performers are joining us for this event,” said SOA Director Trisha Black. “Our goal is to keep our historic downtown a vibrant attraction, and it is a beautiful location to come and enjoy a festival concert.”
Grease Bites
What: The inaugural Athens Grease Festival
When: Sept. 29 from 11 a.m.to 10 p.m.
Where: Downtown Athens
Cost: $5 or $4 for toga wearers; children 12 and under free.
Vendors: Various food and Southern craft vendors.
Activities: Quirky Olympic-themed opening ceremony and games; music; children’s events; and contest among vendors/downtown restaurants for best fried meat, fried vegetable, fried dessert and most outrageous.
Recycling: Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and the Athens Water/Wastewater Department are kicking off the citywide grease recycling program where residents can get containers to collect cooking grease and return it for recycling. Local farmers will buy the recycled grease to use as biodiesel fuel for their farm equipment. KALB will collect vendors’ cooking grease as well.
Online: Athensgreasefestival.com
It's time to Pre-Register for Special Activities during the Athens Grease Festival. We will be updating the sign up as events are finalized. Right now, you can sign up for the Toga Run, Toga Contest, and VIP Experience.
Soon to be added...Eating contest and Olympic Style Games (adult and children).
Simply Click Here to be redirected to Sign Up
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
TOGA BOOGIE AT THE ATHENS GREASE FESTIVAL
Want to be in a FLASH MOB DANCE? No dance experience necessary- all you need is enthusiasm and a fun-loving attitude! Join our TOGA BOOGIE at the upcoming Athens Grease Festival on Sept 29th and you can work off what you eat! We will teach you all the moves. 1st rehearsal Sunday, Sept 9th, 3pm at the Beasley Center. Call Pam for more info at 729-1160 or just email to retrobics@yahoo.com.
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| Flash mob at Art on the Square 2011 |
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