By: Tina Morrison
Established in 2011, Eli’s Block Party, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) established by Kristie Williams, hosted North Alabama’s first Superhero Day at her son Eli’s school. The first public event the next year attracted 2500 people. From 2013-2022, Eli’s Block Party raised almost $160,000 which was donated for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research. After a decade, Kristie Williams and her family are passing the “red phone” and entrusting the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association with this tenured SUPERHERO DAY event. “We are thrilled to announce that Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association is taking ownership of SUPERHERO DAY and will continue to grow it in a direction that blesses the community,” said Kristie Williams. “Athens-Limestone Tourism has the experience and resources to take the event to the next level and really grow it.”
On Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Athens Big Spring Memorial Park at 100 N. Beaty St. (aka The Duck Pond) will be bursting at the seams like the Incredible Hulk, with SUPERHEROES large and small. Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association states SUPERHERO DAY is right in line with their mission to provide a free, fun, family-friendly event which will draw thousands of visitors and residents to our destination, during a typically slow shoulder season. We will promote overnight stays and also honor Eli and his family by raising funds and encouraging donations to Eli’s Block Party 501(c)(3) for Childhood Cancer.
Tina Morrison, Event Coordinator with Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association says, “The goal for SUPERHERO DAY is to honor this decade-long annual event by preserving it and continuing it. This kids’ event, one of its kind in North Alabama, makes a positive change for children by providing a fun, free environment for all kids of all economic backgrounds. While having fun, they will also learn the importance of serving in their community, the importance of saving and donating money, and the opportunity to inquire with caring, professional adults about becoming community leaders when they grow up.”
The day kicks off at 10 a.m. with the arrival of the SUPERHERO PARADE to Big Spring Park. Immediately following will be a combined Walking Parade of SUPERHEROES and Community Heroes. There will be carnival rides, bouncy houses, giant inflatable slides, and lots of fun games and activities. Thanks to generous sponsorships from The Dekko Foundation, WestRock, Senator Tim Melson and State Representative Ben Harrison, First National Bank, and Adtran, no purchased wristbands will be required. Available for purchase will be face painting by Let’s Face It, and the Food Court will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with premium coffee drinks and food by Park & Perk, Ramona J’s, Frosty Pop, SnoBiz, and The Optimist Club. Parking available at Athens State University. For more information, please contact Tina Morrison Tina@VisitAthensAL.com or (256) 232-5411 or check out the SUPERHERO DAY page on our website www.VisitAthensAL.com or the Facebook event page: https://rb.gy/tcmap
By: Tina Morrison
November 14, 2024
