By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
On May 2, a brand-new, full-on family festival called Connect Athens is going to be “born” at Athens Middle School, and YOU are invited to this birthday party! After a hiatus of a few years, the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce was able to put on a successful Home & Garden Show at the same location, and it was thought that the event could be expanded to include more—more vendors, food trucks, inflatables, activities for everyone, and combine it with the Color Run. It is being sponsored by Impact Roofing, and the inaugural opportunity to “Connect” is sure to do an even lovelier job of framing a gorgeous spring season in Athens-Limestone County for you and your family.
Pammie Jimmar and her hard-working crew at the Chamber have been putting in the hours to make this “baby” beautiful, and recently I caught up with her to find out more about Connect. I asked her to tell me some of “whys” behind what inspired this “prize,” and here is what she told me:
While the Home & Garden Show has been very successful, we began hearing from small businesses that they were looking for more opportunities to connect directly with the community, especially with the many new residents moving into our area who are actively seeking local services.
Connect Athens was created to meet that need by bringing businesses together under one roof while also creating a fun, family-friendly environment.
By incorporating kid-focused activities, a community Color Run, a dedicated sensory-friendly area for children, and a large ribbon cutting with all participating vendors to kick off the event, we’re not only supporting our business community but also creating a meaningful, inclusive experience that brings people together.
Let’s talk about the “biz buzz” as it pertains to vendors and the vision the Chamber has for having the equivalent of a two-day market to showcase local wares and services. As a vendor in the business expo component of Connect Athens, you will have the perfect opportunity to:
- Expand Your Customer Base: Meet hundreds of potential customers from the Athens-Limestone County area and beyond.
- Showcase Your Products and Services: Display your latest innovations to a targeted audience looking to support local business.
- Network with Industry Professionals: Connect with like-minded professionals and businesses within multiple sectors.
- Gain Exposure: As a featured vendor, your business will be promoted through event marketing efforts, including social media, signage, and event guides.
All are welcome to apply, but we will be prioritizing vendors based on the following criteria:
Chamber members
Businesses who are based in or do regular business in Athens and Limestone County, AL
If you do not fall under these criteria, you are still welcome to apply, but we only have 50 booths available, and they will go quickly. Apply today at https://forms.gle/PLCsh5oQdXddSx3e9
Here is the itinerary for Connect Athens:
Saturday, May 2 – Ribbon Cutting and 1-Mile Color Run at 7 a.m. – free to all
Saturday and Sunday Sensory-Friendly Hours:
May 2 | 8–9 a.m.
May 3 | Noon–1 p.m.
These special times are designed to make the event accessible to those who need a suitably-designed sensory experience.
General Hours:
Saturday, May 2 | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 3 | Noon – 4 p.m.
Location: Athens Middle School, Intersection of W. Hobbs & US Hwy 31, Athens, AL
I asked Pammie what her “dream outcome” for Connect Athens is, and here is her vision:
Our goal with Connect Athens is to strengthen the connection between our businesses and our community. When local businesses gain visibility and build relationships with residents, especially those new to our area, it creates lasting economic impact. At the same time, we’re creating an event where families feel welcomed, engaged, and proud to be part of Athens. She said further, Athens Connect is where local comes to life.
Last of all, here’s a sneak peak of one more thing to do at Athens Connect: Touch-A-Truck—where you do NOT have to be a kid to go see, touch, and sit in all manner of commercial vehicles. And, of course there will be professional supervision of you and your kiddos by the professionals who drive them! So far, there will be a firetruck, a tow-truck, and a police car. See you there!
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
