Talladega Nights

Since 1969, Talladega Superspeedway has transformed from a wide open farm field and runway to a uber-competitive speedway, one of the biggest and fastest in the world. It's also one of the most well know, after all, who's heard of Talladega Nights?
Talladega is conveniently located along the interstate, nestled in between Atlanta and Birmingham, with easy access to restaurants, hotels and conveniences.
If the fall and spring races are not for you, but you "feel the need, the need for speed," try the Racing Experience. Drive real race cars by yourself, with in car radio communications, a crew chief and a true NASCAR experience. It's a great gift for the NASCAR fans in your life!
For the family, check out the International Motorsports Hall of Fame! It's a great pit stop for the whole family, as you travel along I-20. Since 1983, this museum has been the home of historic artifacts from legends in motorsports history.

"The Greatest Game Ever Played"

"No two courses or rounds are ever so alike that you can attack them with exactly the same game plan." - Robert Trent Jones

Northeast Alabama is home to mountainsides and piedmonts, offering a variety in the styles and approaches to the game of golf. There are great wide open beginner courses as well as advanced tricky pin placements, perfect for every level of golfer.

RTJ Silver Lakes, Anniston/Gadsden

RTJ's Silver Lakes is home to 36 holes of forested foothills and sweeping landscapes decorated with streams and shimmering lakes. These water features are beautiful but create a challenge from the tee box, "Play it safe or go for it?" From the classic Heartbreaker and Backbreaker courses to the Mindbreaker and Short courses tricking us at each turn and green, offer some of the most beautiful and quick putting surfaces on the Trail, throughout Alabama.

Cider Ridge Golf Club was once the home of the Melon Apple Orchard, and now, the community golf course is set as a mountain-style challenge, from breathtaking views from mountain peaks to picturesque creekside valleys, streams and ponds. The front nine offers a great blend of terrains, and the back nine rolls along the hill tops overlooking the golf community constructed around the course. Cider Ridge was recently named one of Alabama's best courses by Golf Advisor.

Cider Ridge, Oxford, AL 

Meanwhile, Pine Hill Country Club offers a quaint course, featuring seven lakes, hillsides running along the foothills of the Appalachian, and plenty of Pine Trees to challenge the regular golfer.
across the county, Indian Oaks Country Club is another 18 hole golf course offering challenging landscapes for the everyday golf, nestled along Hwy 431. Located in the old historic Fort McClellan, Cane Creek Golf Course is a great course with a nice blend of challenging dog-legs and straight fairways, and it even has a delicious grill to enjoy after a round of golf.

Come tee up with us, in and around Calhoun County, Alabama!

Living History

Civil War reenactments basically began before the war ended as a way to honor and remember the fallen. Now, reenactments take place across the world, including Calhoun County. 

Each spring, Cheaha State Park, at Alabama's highest peak, reenact portions of the "Battle Above the Clouds," also known as the siege on Chattanooga. This year's reenactment March 17 & 18, features battles each afternoon and a ladies tea. Reenactors attempt to convey the life of the time, dressing as those did during the civil war era and camping as they did.

Each Spring, Janney Furnace also hosts a reenactment, but of a battle that occurred nearby, the Battle of Ten Islands, defending the furnace from being destroyed. This year's reenactment will take place April 1 & 2, also with battles beginning at 2 pm.

Each May, Fiddler's Green hosts a living history, featuring a reenactment, sutlers selling goods, a ladies tea, a ball and more. This year's events will take place on May 6th & 7th.

From Civil War to Civil Rights, Calhoun County is rich in history, so join us where history comes alive.

Arts & Culture

“The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.”
Alberto Giacometti

This weekend is not only full of athletic events at Choccolocco Park. It's full of arts too! 

"It's been a hard day's night," but the Fab Four, who are performing this weekend at the Oxford Performing Arts Center, will make you think you're really watch the Beatles. Note by note and through costume changes, this show portrays the evolution of the Beatles era and music, wowing audiences. Don't regret not going and wish you'd seen it "yesterday," join OPAC and sing along to all the hits you know! 

For the younger audiences this weekend, CAST Kids are presenting Disney's The Jungle Book Kids, a 30 minute production adapted from the animated classic. These performances will be on March 11th at 7:30 P.M. and March 12 at 2:30 P.M. at the Anniston Performing Arts Center. Join in the jazzy beats and sing along to your favorite songs from the movie. 

The weekend wraps up on Monday, March 13, with Once the Broadway Musical performed at the Oxford Performing Arts Center. At the 80th Academy Awards, "Falling Slowly" took the award for Best Original Song, featured in the 2007 film Once. In 2011, the musical stage adaptation premiered, winning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Listen in awe to talent musicians and ensemble telling the tale of a Dublin Street musician close to giving up when a young woman takes interest in his haunting love songs. 

For more events, browse the community calendar! 

Almost Like Home

From a long hidden tintype to recast medallions, modeled after the originals destroyed by fire, the Springwood Inn and former home of Anniston Founder Samuel Noble is full of history. Legend has it, negotiations were made on the porch to begin the local newspaper, The Anniston Star.

This home once stood on the site now occupied by Anniston High School, but in 1967, the property was seized. At that time, the Woodruff family owned the property, and decided to have the home moved, piece by piece, to be historically preserved on the outskirts of Anniston. The home stayed in the Woodruff family until 2014, when this cozy and quaint property in Booger Hollow was purchased by Bob and Carolyn Orchid.

Original moulding and accents detail the house, furnished with the Orchid's beautiful french and antique furniture, capturing the 130 years this home has seen. The front porch has a breathtaking view of the highest point in Alabama, Mount Cheaha.

Each morning, gourmet breakfasts are served to guests, and optional wine tastings are available in the evening. Movie showings are available for guests in the theatre room, featuring a stained glass window acquired by the Woodruff family from the Noble Opera House. The accommodations are beautifully surrounded by nature, ponds, streams and spring blossoms, nestled in a private and picture perfect location for weddings and events. 

Book your stay now, and find the many reading nooks or simply spots to relax and enjoy your stay in a piece of Anniston's history.