Something for Everyone

Where can you go to walk beside peaceful waters and be surrounded by mountain views and soak up sunshine and

clear blue skies?

Choccolocco Park is a great recreational facility for all ages and interest. With trails ranging from  one mile to 5K and with very little elevation change, it’s perfect for an afternoon outdoors and for learning, with panels telling the region’s history stretching back thousands of years including the  spiritual heritage of the park where a thriving Native American town once was.

Now, the park is also home to more than 300 acres of baseball, softball, track & field, and soccer amenities too. With more than 10 baseball and softball fields, the park is also home to a complete track and field facility, featuring an eight-lane rubberized track built to NCAA regulations, locker rooms, grandstands, restrooms, storage facility, and sports medicine room, capable of hosting events like the hammer throw, steeplechase. javelin, pole vault, long-jump, triple long-jump, high jump, discos throw, shot put, and more.Currently, the park also features four AHSAA and NCAA regulated soccer fields.

Choccolocco Park also features two great playgrounds including a fully accessible Boundless Playground, built for  people of all ages, abilities, and disabilities.

This weekend, see the Gamecocks Baseball team in action at Choccolocco Park! #ExploreMore

Dixie Youth Little League World Series

Come scout and discover future baseball stars during the Dixie Youth Little League World Series August 4 through 10 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford. 
August 4th, 36 teams will participate in skills competitions and the World Series Opening Ceremonies. Tournament play will begin August 5th. 
Choccolocco Park is an outdoor sports complex with state-of-the-art amenities for baseball, softball, track and field, and soccer. The park also has three walking paths that go around the historic Indian mound, a 30-acre lake, and plenty of green space in between, that connect for a total of 2.7 miles.
With amenities for every person in your family, including a Boundless Playground to include children of all abilities, Choccolocco Park welcomes you to come and enjoy our facilities to their fullest extent. 
Located just off Leon Smith Parkway near the Oxford Exchange and Commons, the park trails feature interpretive plaques capturing the history of the 19th century Muscogee (Creek) Nation that called Choccolocco home. 
Come discover this diamond of Calhoun County and all of its treasures. From delicious food to outdoor and cultural adventures, we've got it all and more! Check out VisitCalhounCounty.com! Adventure Awaits! 

June Brides

Wedding season is upon us, which means many couples in Calhoun County are looking for the perfect place to say “I do.” The scenic views surrounding Calhoun County give couples a beautiful backdrop for their special day. We spoke with garden enthusiast turned wedding floral designer Kathryn Bowen of Kathryn Anne Weddings to find her picks for the best scenic wedding venues in the county.

Long Leaf Botanical Gardens & Event Center 

Tucked away behind the Berman Museum and the Anniston Museum of Natural History, The Long Leaf Botanical Gardens & Event Center offers a space for couples wanting a quiet and intimate wedding venue. 

There are options for either an outside ceremony, surrounded by a beautiful garden, or an indoor ceremony using the elegant event center. The gardens are still in progress, so this venue will only become more beautiful as time goes on. To get information on this venue, contact Gina Morey at (256) 237-6261 x325 or email gmorey@annistonmuseum.org. 

The Michael Wedding Barn

Formerly The Foundation Ranch, The Michael Wedding Barn is a beautiful venue for couples who want to be surrounded by the beautiful scenery Calhoun County has to offer. This 100 acre farm on Choccolocco Rd in Anniston, AL has many different locations for a ceremony, indoors and outdoors. The newly built, elegant barn holds up to 500 guests, perfect for any unexpected weather situations. For more information on this venue, email themichaelbarn@aol.com or visit their Facebook page.

SouthWind Plantation

Right off HWY 431 in Wellington, AL, the SouthWind Plantation is an elegant venue with stunning views anywhere you look. The 6,000 sq. ft. event barn was built from timber milled from trees that fell during the April 27, 2011 tornadoes that struck the area. This unique barn has two floors and can be used for both ceremonies and receptions. For couples wanting an outside affair, the area by a serene creek and large arbor would be a great option. Email southernladyenterprises@gmail.com for more information or call (256) 453-6323. 

Fiddler’s Green

This beautiful property in Jacksonville, AL is perfect for a classic outdoor affair. With several different areas for both the ceremony and reception, there is an option for everyone. The Main House, The Chapel, and the Cabin serve as a wonderful backdrop for a ceremony. A reception could be held in The Garden, the General Store, or The Cabin. Fiddler’s Green can accommodate up to 250 guests outside and 65 guests inside the chapel. For those interested, couples are welcome to use several antique decorations at no extra cost. To get more information on this unique venue visit www.fiddlersgreenalabama.com/weddings-receptions/.

Cider Ridge Golf Club

Located in Oxford, AL, this is an ideal venue for those wanting an intimate wedding. The newly renovated clubhouse can seat up to 60 guests inside and up to 80 guests outside. The 2 adjoining rooms and outdoor patio overlook the 18th hole and give guests the ultimate view of the mountains. The Cider Ridge Golf Club offers on-site catering, custom menu and wine selections, and bridal and groomsmen party gold packages. For more information, visit www.ciderridgegolf.com/weddings/ or call (256) 861-7222.

Wanting to bring the outdoors inside? Kathryn uses local greenery and flowers to incorporate the lush Alabama scenery into her designs, often times using flowers out of her own garden. Whether the bride is looking for more of a rustic look using wood and ferns, or a more elegant look with local flowers, any theme can use what Alabama has to offer. To get more information on Kathryn Anne Weddings, visit her website: http://kathrynanneweddings.com/ or check out her work on Instagram and Facebook

While summertime in Calhoun County is beautiful, the weather can be unpredictable. While speaking with Kathryn, she mentioned the importance of having a “Plan B” ahead of time. If couples are planning on an outdoor wedding, it is important to also plan for an inside affair either by renting a tent for guests, or checking with the venue to see what options are available. This should be done well in advance in order to avoid stress during the special day.

For more event venues, check out www.visitcalhouncounty.com/events/event-venues. 

Blog by: Mackenzie Corbin

Perfect for Pickers

Calhoun County is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and a haven for history buffs and "American Pickers" fans.
From antique shops to markets, Calhoun County has everything you could want, as well as things you like and didn't know you needed.

Anniston Galleries has general line of antiques from the 18th and 19th century.
906 Noble Street, Anniston, AL 36201 - (256) 236-3741

Auction Treasures has antiques, glassware, clothes, furniture, re-purposed & handcrafted furniture, tools, jewelry, housewares & home décor.
1005 Gurnee Ave, Anniston, Alabama 36201 - (256) 294-1764

Calhoun Pickers is a 36,000 square foot Antique Mall  and Indoor Market with more than 180 vendors selling a combination of Antiques, Crafts, Art, Jewelry, and Furniture.
801 Wilmer Ave, Anniston, AL 36201 - (256) 403-6865

Apple Barrel Antiques is a huge two story log building, housing any antique treasure you can imagine. They also buy gold and silver. 

1906 US Highway 78 E, Oxford, Alabama 36203 - (256) 835-1937

Birds of a Feather Vintage Antiques & Restorations is filled with wonderful, unique and vintage items,furniture, jewelry, gifts, architectural, and art.

502 Main St, Oxford, Alabama 36203 - (256) 403-2991

Cotton Antiques and Collectibles has a little bit of everything and something for everyone. Located in downtown historic Oxford, this building dates back to the late 1800s. 

518 Main St, Oxford, Alabama 36203 - (256) 835-6000

Timeless Treasures Antique Mall is a multi dealer mall, carrying a range of antique furniture, from French and European to early American, a large variety of glassware and more collectibles.
230 Davis Loop, Oxford, Alabama 36203 - (256) 832-0500

Crows Nest Antiques and More has antiques with an array of items to choose from. This Store is very unusual and has a lot to choose from !

2631 US Highway 431, Anniston, Alabama 36206 - (256) 343-8822

Olde South Antique Mall has everything from Antiques, collectibles, books, coins, currency, jewelry, advertising, furniture, knives, primitives, tools, military, records and vintage clothing.

405 Pelham Rd N, Jacksonville, Alabama 36265 - (256) 435-7670

Antique Corner has beautiful and eclectic items from yesterday and today. They have antique dishes, furniture, art, cooking utensils, holiday items...the list is endless.

101 N Center Ave, Piedmont, Alabama 36272 - (256) 283-4943

Valley Antiques & Collectibles has about two dozen dealers in 4,500 square feet of shopping space, with everything from vintage textiles and glassware to antique furniture and niche collectibles. 

6312 US Highway 431, Alexandria, Alabama 36250 - (256) 820-0025

Tail Feathers sells home decor pieces, local art and painted furniture. 

101 Clinton St SE, Jacksonville, Alabama 36265 - (256) 283-5075

Puttin' On the Ritz has jewelry, clothes, games, and more collectibles. 

2255 Pelham Road S, Jacksonville, AL 36265 - (256) 435-1999

Dishman Antiques is a 27,000 square foot mall of fine antiques and collectibles located between Anniston and Gadsden. 

10770 U.S. Hwy 431 N, Wellington, AL 36279 - (256) 892-2424