Happy Birthday America!

Here's to fireworks, cookouts, pool time and maybe even a slice of watermelon. It is one of everyone's favorite holidays, it's the Fourth of July, Independence Day, America's Birthday! This week the City of Auburn and Opelika are gearing up for a fun weekend to celebrate the birth of our nation. Below are some ideas to get you red, white and blue ready.

Firework Celebrations:

AUBURN
The City of Auburn will host their Annual Fourth of July Celebration on July 4 at Duck Samford Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. with live music beginning at 7 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and the whole family and enjoy delicious food from local vendors, door prizes and giveaways. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. The celebration is free to the public and is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton.

Parking will be available at the lot off of E. University Drive, next to the Old Duck Fields. The parking lot off of Airport Road, between Bo Cavin Fields and the New Duck Fields, will be closed to the public to accommodate the fireworks shoot site. For more information, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/parks.

OPELIKA
The City of Opelika will host their 63rd Annual Freedom Celebration on July 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Opelika High School track. There will be inflatable games, hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn, activities for the whole family and entertainment by Route 66. The free event is sponsored by The Orthopedic Clinic and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.opelika.org/opr.

 

Buy Fruits & Veggies:

 

Don't forget to stock up on your fresh fruits and veggies, especially the watermelon, at your local farmer's market!

 

Opelika Mainstreet Farmer's Market- The market begins at 3 p.m. every Tuesday at the Opelika Courthouse Square. Come walk around the square and find fresh, local produce ranging from heirloom tomatoes to collard greens. You may even find some fresh bread, homemade ice cream or local honey. Depending on the year's crop, the market may continue through September or until produce is depleted. Check www.opelikamainstreet.org for further updates about the end date.

 

 

The Market at Ag Heritage Park- The market is an open-air farmers' market held each Thursday from 3-6 p.m. during the spring and summer growing season at Ag Heritage Park on the Auburn University Campus. The market offers locally produced fruits, vegetables, honey, ornamental plants, herbs, cut flowers, stone-ground grains, eggs, goat cheeses, goat milk soaps, baked and canned goods, and Alabama-roasted coffee. In addition, it often features the work of local artisans, educational booths, and musical entertainment. It's open to the public and will run through August 27.

 

 





 



Don't have plans for the Fourth? There is still plenty to do in Auburn and Opelika during a holiday weekend. Be sure to check out our website, www.aotourism.com, for a complete list of events, restaurants, music and nightlife options and of course shopping. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July!

This week in Auburn/Opelika:

June 30: Opelika Mainstreet Farmers Market at 3 p.m.
June 30: Summer Swing Concert Series at the Municipal Park at 7 p.m.
July 2: The Market at Ag Heritage Park from 3-6 p.m.
July 3-8: USTA National Intersectional Team Tennis
July 3: 63rd Annual Opelika Freedom Celebration at 6:30 p.m.
July 3: First Fridays "Shop Late, Eat Local" in downtown Opelika.
July 4: Auburn's Fourth of July Celebration at 6 p.m. at Duck Samford Stadium

What to do when there is nothing to do...

School is out, work is slow and everyone is itching for something exciting to do. Sometimes in our small, but always growing city, it might seem like there is nothing to do during these summer months. Below is some inspiration for your next week day or weekend adventure for families, couples and even some personal time!

Family Time

Float-N-Movies: The City of Auburn is excited to bring you a movie series that combines some pool time and a family friendly movie all in one awesome night! Bring a pool float and find the perfect spot to enjoy a movie. Admission is $2 per person or FREE with a 2015 Splash Pass. Join them at Samford Pool on June 11 for A Lego Movie, July 9 for Paddington and August 13 for Muppets Most Wanted. All movies begin at 8:30 p.m.

Summer Swing Concert Series: The City of Opelika is bringing you the sounds of summer with their popular concert series at the Municipal Park in Opelika. The concert is held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. now through August 4. The concert series features a wide variety of musical entertainment including Gospel, Jazz, R&B, Praise and Worship, Oldies, Country, Big Band Swing, Folk and Community Band music. With concessions by the Opelika Band Boosters, complimentary lemonade from CharterBank and the Kona Ice Truck, you are sure to have some family fun that promises to be memorable.

Don't forget activities that are available at all times of the year, but are great summertime activities:

• Carmike Tiger 13 and Carmike 14
• Cyberzone/Bouncezone (www.cyberzone334.com)
• The City of Auburn community pools (www.auburnalabama.org/pools)
• Municipal Park in Opelika
• Hickory Dickory Park in Auburn
• Auburn Lanes Bowling Alley (www.amf.com/auburnlanesal)
• Chewacla State Park
• Scutter Putters Miniature golf (call 334-745-9393)
• Spirited Art Auburn (www.spiritedart.com)

For the Couple

Whether you have kids or you don't, every couple needs some time to yourselves. Below are some ideas for dates during the day and night!

Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art: Spend the afternoon exploring your artistic side! Start out at the museum's cafe. The cafe serves lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and features light, freshly prepared salads, Italian Panini sandwiches and seasonal soups and entrees. After lunch, explore the wonderful exhibitions featured in the museum. For more information on exhibitions and collections, please visit www.jcsm.auburn.edu!

Wine Sampling at The Overall Company: The Overall Company would like you and your significant other to come enjoy a free wine sampling on Saturday, June 6 from 7:30-10 p.m. Head to downtown Opelika and have dinner at one of the fabulous restaurants in the heart of downtown before you head to sample wines from The Overall Company's wine list. For more information, please visit www.overallco.com.

A Downtown Auburn Night: Don't let a little construction steer you away from a magical night in Downtown Auburn. With dining to satisfy any taste bud, and after dinner treats for any mood, you are sure to be on cloud nine. For a more romantic setting, head to Hamilton's, Amsterdam, Ariccia or Acre to give your taste buds a thrill, and then head to Piccolo or Avondale for a few drinks to top off the night. If casual is more your style, try Cheeburger Cheebuger or Moe's BBQ for a laid back dinner, and then head to Steel City Pops for a refreshing treat to satisfy that sweet tooth.

First Fridays in Downtown Opelika: On the First Friday of each month, downtown Opelika shops will stay open until 8 p.m. to give you time to grab dinner and do some shopping afterwards. With music and entertainment on the street corners, this is a great way to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

In need of some "YOU" time:

Sometimes all you need is some peace and quiet and time to yourself. Here are a few ideas to give you that much needed life break!

Walking Trails at Kiesel Park: Sometimes the best way to clear your mind is to take a walk and breathe in the fresh air. Kiesel Park offers a 2 1/4 mile walking trail and is dog friendly, so feel free to take your four-legged friend along to listen to you.

Farmer's Markets: If you are like me, sometimes the best therapy is retail therapy, and what better to shop for than fresh produce. Luckily, both Auburn and Opelika have fabulous Farmer's Markets during the summer. The Opelika Main Street Farmer's Market is held at the Courthouse Square in Opelika every Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. going on now through August 25. The Market at Ag Heritage Park is held every Thursday from 3-6 p.m at Ag Heritage Park on the campus of Auburn University going on now through August 27.

Perch Bead Studio: Head to Perch for a relaxing afternoon of Jewelry making to express your creativity and style in a fun and affordable way. Come learn wire wrapping, hand stamping, and other jewelry making techniques and leave with a custom designed piece. For more information, please visit www.perchjewelrystudio.com.

Coffee at the Overall Company: Come have a date with you, yourself and I at The Overall Company. With a wide variety of espressos and coffee that consists of single-origin coffees, microlots and handcrafted blends, you are sure to find the perfect brew to give you a little peace and quiet. Don't forget to grab a handmade popsicle from the popular Pop Factory. For more information, please visit www.overallco.com.

These are just a few suggestions of things to do, but the calendar is constantly growing with new and exciting things to do this summer! For more information, please visit www.aotourism.com or give us a call at (334) 887-8747, we will be happy to give you suggestions!

 

This week in Auburn-Opelika:

June 1-5: Summer Ecology Camp, Young Naturalist I at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center
June 4-5: Camp War Eagle at Auburn University
June 5: First Fridays in Downtown Opelika until 8 p.m.
June 6: Science on Saturdays at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center beginning at 10 a.m.

Tiger Trek 2015

 

Auburn is everywhere. Whether you are catching a flight to Europe or in the grocery store in your hometown, chances are you have had a "War Eagle" moment, but sometimes those little glimpses of the Auburn family just aren't enough. The Auburn Alumni Association has a cure, Tiger Trek 2015. Before we dive into the excitement that is Auburn football, the Auburn Alumni Association offers fans, alumni and those that need to be swayed a chance to have a night out with the Auburn family and some of its favorite members.

Emerald Coast Auburn Club Tiger Trek 2015

 

 

Who are these people?

Auburn Clubs are the heart and soul of the Auburn Alumni Association. They play a very important role in Auburn's presence throughout the United States. There are currently 90 active Auburn Clubs all over the country, stretching as far west as California and as far east as the Carolinas, and everywhere in between. These clubs work tirelessly throughout the year to bring Auburn Football watch parties, Freshman Send Offs, Annual Meetings, community service projects and student scholarships to communities everywhere. For more information on Auburn Clubs, visit www.auburnclubs.org.

Emerald Coast Auburn Club participates in Auburn Alumni in Action at a beach clean up event.

 

 

What should I expect?

Every Tiger Trek is a little different, but all of them have one thing, or person in common, Auburn Head Football Coach Gus Malzahn. Of course Aubie makes an appearance as well, what Auburn event is complete without him? On a serious note, these special events serve as a fundraiser for student scholarships that are given by the Auburn Clubs. On top of the great food and fun for all ages, the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau will be there to provide information on everything from hotel accommodations for football season, dining options in our beautiful city and shopping to golf information and even a few giveaways and chances to win fabulous prizes. Be sure to stop by and see us, or as always, visit www.aotourism.com.

 

 

Sign me up! When, where and how?

There are seven different opportunities and places to attend a Tiger Trek. Be sure to visit www.aualum.org/clubs to find out more information on each event and to register!

 

May 4: Wiregrass Regional Tiger Trek

Host City: Eufaula, AL

 

May 5: West Georgia Tiger Trek

Host City: Lagrange, GA

 

May 6: Atlanta Area Tiger Trek

Host City: Atlanta, GA

 

May 7: Alabama Gulf Coast Tiger Trek

Host City: Orange Beach, AL

 

May 11: Shoals Area Tiger Trek

Host City: Florence, AL

 

May 12: North Alabama Regional Tiger Trek

Host City: Decatur, AL

 

July 13: Greater Birmingham Tiger Trek

Host City: Birmingham, AL

Gus Malzahn speaks to the Greater Birmingham Tiger Trek.

Too far away? Many Auburn Clubs have annual meetings that feature other head coaches, assistant coaches, former players and other guests from Auburn University. For a complete calendar of events, visit www.auburnclubs.org.

This week in Auburn-Opelika:

April 24-27: ICYHOT Southern Tennis Tournament
April 29: Auburn Baseball vs. Kennesaw State at 6 p.m.
April 30: 10th Annual Mayors Jeans & Jackets Ball at 6 p.m.
May 1: First Fridays "Shop Late, Eat Local" in Downtown Opelika
May2: Bo Bikes Bama
May 2: Color My College 5K from 10 a.m.- noon