Girls Getaway

With Mother's Day quickly approaching, you may be rushing to get a gift, but what's better than a Girls' Getaway weekend?

Check into one of our great local hotels, like The Victoria and many others, found at www.VisitCalhounCounty.com.

Book an appointment at the spa. Everyone needs a good massage.
Prestige Medical Spa is conveniently located in Oxford at 1419 Hamric Dr. E #102. Give them a call at (256) 241-6772. Don't forget a manicure and pedicure.

Locally, we have a great mix of national retailers, plus eclectic boutiques and antique shops around the area, and she'll find exactly what she's looking for in Calhoun County! From downtown Anniston to Oxford and Jacksonville, our one of a kind boutiques and specialty shops are unmatched.

After all the shopping, try some local fine dining at Hubbard's Off Main, in historic downtown Oxford.

Just next door, take in local cultural arts with a show at the fabulous Oxford Performing Arts Center. This great venue presents a diverse calendar of national and international touring talent, from comedians and stage productions to touring musical groups and performers. For their upcoming schedule, check out www.oxfordpac.org.

Head back to the hotel to get your beauty rest, and then, top off the weekend with Southern Cuisine at Garfrerick's Cafe. Stop in for their Sunday Brunch, featuring fresh vegetables locally grown each week and homemade desserts. They serve from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. on Sundays, but if you can't make it then, try one of Alabama's 100 Dishes to Eat Before You Die with their Pecan Encrusted Grouper, available each evening.

Regardless of what your to-do list consists of, we have invigorating outdoors, amazing cultural sights, mouth-watering food and Southern hospitality all wrapped into one amazing destination. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing Girls Getaway or an adventure, Calhoun County is the natural attraction with plenty of fun, memories waiting to be made.

Colorful Start to Spring

 With April showers, the Whirlwind of Color 5K started off with a soggy start, but we decided to make our own rainbows April 18 in the City of Jacksonville.
For 2015, the Chamber decided to celebrate the bright future of education in our community, with proceeds benefiting the Gadsden State and Jacksonville State Scholarship Foundations.
With a route beginning and ending at the Jacksonville Community Center, each half mile of the 3.1 mile course was associated with a different color station. Each participant recieve sunglasses and a nice white t-shirt with the race logo.
On the course, from more than 200 yards away you could hear the folks from the YMCA cheering on the runners as they splattered them with the Hot Pink Holi Paint at the first station. Motivational signs with encouragement or laughable sayings lined the course with more color.  "May the Color Be With You!" "You're not slow, just getting your money's worth."
At Kitty Stone Elementary JSU Volleyball Players and volunteers toseed bright orange paint at the participants, and when they rounded the corner to Mountain Street, you could see a cloud of red at the Struts intersection. Thanks to Coca-Cola United, that intersection was also a great stop for powerade or water. Upon the next turn, participants could see the coliseum, not much further to go. At the coliseum intersection, a bright blue showered each participant with a cloud. Then, the sights were set on the Ladiga Trail for the last mile. That stretch was complete with a color station of yellow at the train depot, and a color station of green at the turn back to the community center. Upon reach the finish, volunteers tossed a royal blue paint on each participant and handed them a paint pack for the color fest.
Once all the participants crossed the finish, and a countdown from 10 was completed, everyone tossed clouds of color into the air.With music blaring and smiles from ear to ear, we created our own rainbow. People were covered from head to toe in bright shades of spring.
It was yet another great community event for the whole family to enjoy. With everything from wagons to strollers, to toddlers being carried across the finish line, everyone, runners and walkers, young and old, enjoyed themselves.

Spring, Spring, Spring!

For Spring in Calhoun County, it's a time to break out the bikes and hit the trails.

Ladiga, so smooth and straight, with its meandering streams, sometimes swift with heavy rains, but peaceful enough to help you catch your breath from a sprint. Turtles, snakes, rabbits and birds, stroll along the path in their natural elements. The hills and trees are a vivid green, and the Sweet Home Alabama sky is really blue. The scattered clouds provide the occasional needed relief from sweat.
If Ladiga is not for you, we have Coldwater's trails too. Run, hike or bike, it's up to you. The full shade of the vibrant green trees is much appreciated during each complex climb, and the quick downhills provide a cool breeze each time. It's a fun and challenging adventure for the whole family. Watch out for the switchbacks and occasional crossing stream after rain. You're guaranteed to get a little mud on your tires.
Spring is Terrapin's prime-time. Great spring rain water levels allow for a steady and relaxing flow. Park the kayak or canoe for an occasional swim. Pack a lunch and enjoy it along the way. You could indeed take your time and spend all day. There are a few very picturesque spots, but make sure your camera or phone have a waterproof case.
If the fairway trails beckon to you, they've also enjoyed the rain and sunshine too. Hit them straight to avoid the hazards and high grass, forget the cart and make your own path. The cool mornings are the ideal time for nine, but play eighteen if you have more time. We've got Silver Lakes, Indian Oaks, Pine Hill, Cider Ridge, Stoney Brook, Cane Creek and the Country Club. The afternoons get crowded with everyone wanting to enjoy, but some of the courses offer specials, just before dark.
Rain calls nothing off because there's still plenty to do, from museums to restaurants and local shops, we have a lot for you. So many community events take advantage of the perfect temps and everyone getting outside. It's a Natural Attraction blooming in spring with much in store and many places and things waiting for you to explore.