Eventful Weekend: Sunny King Crit to Janney Furnace

 Each year, visitors come from all over the south east and cyclists come from all over the world, to see and compete in the Sunny King Criterium. No crit is complete without a festival. The Sunny King Crit is accompanied annually by the Noble Street Festival, complete with a KidZone of rides and activity, a Music Cafe, and Taste of Noble selection of regional restaurants.
For 2015, we also showcased local artists at a "Pop Up" show along Noble Street, displaying pieces from Metalworks to Paintings, Graphic Design and more. This year was a bit cold and breezy, but that didn't stop locals from exploring the vendors and cheering on the events.

The weather also didn't stop local cyclists from taking on their own challenge with the Iron Mountain Challenge. Formerly the Woodland-Calhoun County Challenge, this route of various lengths, 25 to 100 miles, Cyclists begin at the Anniston Aquatics Center and take routes along 431 and 204 or along the Ladiga Trail. Those who choose the 100 mile route, take in beautiful landscapes of Dugger Mountain and Bains Gap for memorable sights and climbs.

Then on Sunday, racers took to Bains Gap for the Fort McClellan Road Race. The Men's Pro took to the 20 loop over Bains Gap four times, and you can ask any local cyclists, it's not an easy climb just once.


The weekend didn't stop there! Each Spring Janney Furnace Park hosts a reenactment on both Saturday and Sunday. The day is filled with music, food, vendors and a reenactment battle. Although Janney Furnace never went into production producing pig iron, during the Civil War, the union soldiers burned the shacks, and the brick chimney still stands today.
Near the H. Neely Henry Dam on the Coosa in Ohatchee, there still stands a marker remembering the Battle of "Ten Islands." On July 14, 1864, a Confederate Calvary was overwhelmed by Union Calvary Force while attempting to protect Janney Iron Works. After the Union destroyed the Iron Works, they proceeded south to Talladega.

East Alabama Regional Attractions

Desoto Caverns Park

Childersburg

Retrace Hernando DeSoto’s expedition through the south over 450 years ago. Explore the caverns, the Lost Maze, and pan for gold and gemstones. The park features a picnic area, camping, hiking, and activities for the whole family. For more information, visit www.desotocavernspark.com.

Floating Fun

Alabama’s ‘Premier Tube Trip’ with many tubes in stock, offers a floating fun trip down Choccolocco Creek, with a variety of rapids and a steady current to enjoy. For more information, visit www.floatingfun.net.

Talladega Superspeedway 

and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame

Live life in the fast lane! Visit the fastest closed track in the world with records exceeding 200 miles per hour. This track hosts two major stock car races annually.

The museum, adjacent to the track, showcases vehicles that have set world records, antique automobiles, speed boats, planes, and more. They are open daily from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. For more information, visit www.motorsportshalloffame.com.

Noccalula Falls

Gadsden

Gaze upon this beautiful waterfall that plunges 90 feet into a rock gorge. This landmark is named after Noccalula, the legendary Indian Princess, who leaped to her death into the waters below. Other features include the Pioneer Village, a train ride, campgrounds, and picnic areas.

Cherokee Rock Village

Leesburg

Marvel atop the Lookout Mountain Ridge, and you won’t forget the breathtaking views of Weiss Lake. This 200+ acre park has boulders as large as 200 feet tall, dating back 300 million years to the Pennsylvanian Period. With one natural arch, eight mountain springs, miles of trail and rock climbing, it is truly an adventure. This site was also used in the 2006 film Failure to Launch with Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Weiss Lake

Centre

This 30,200 acre impoundment of the Coosa, Chattoga and Little Rivers offers 447 miles of shoreline. The popularity of this location is reflected in the fact that more out-of-state fishing licenses are issued here than any other location in Alabama.

Little River Canyon

Located near Fort Payne, the Little River flows, for most of its length, atop Lookout Mountain in Northeast Alabama. These spectacular river and canyon systems are surrounded by Appalachian Plateau, forested uplands, waterfalls, streams, pools, boulders and sandstone cliffs. As the deepest canyon in Alabama, the setting provides a variety of recreational activities.

JSU Field Schools

Now in its seventeenth year, the field schools offer many programs to explore the Mountain Longleaf Region of Northeast Alabama. Visit the Little River Canyon Center, the Planetarium at JSU, the Choccolocco Frog Pond, or join a hike on one of the many area trails. For more information, visit www.jsu.edu/epic/field_schools.

Loyd Owens Canoe Trail

Cleburne County

This trail meanders along the Tallapoosa River from the Georgia line to Highway 431.

Lake Wedowee

Randolph County

The Harris Reservoir, a 11,000 acre Alabama Power Lake with 270 miles of shoreline, is formed by the convergence of the Little and Big Tallapoosa Rivers between Wedowee and Lineville. The Flat Rock Park, a partially submerged granite outcrop that forms a natural beach, is home to bald eagles.

Lake Chinnabee

Clay County

Built in the late 1930s, Lake Chinnabee is home to the Chinnabee Silent Trail, a six mile, one way hiking trail that runs into the Pinhoti Trail. Nearby waterfalls include Devils Den, High Falls, and Cheaha Falls.

Pinhoti Hiking Trail

Talladega, Cleburne and Calhoun Counties

Alabama’s premiere long distance recreation trail spans 110 miles as it traverses the ridges and crests of the Talladega Mountains. Starting in the northern end of the Talladega National Forest and extend through the Georgia Line to the Appalachian Trail.

Talladega National Forest and Scenic Drive

Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians, this national forest offers numerous recreational opportunities including, campgrounds, mountain lakes, the Talladega Scenic Byway and the Pinhoti Trail. The 26 mile Talladega Scenic Drive provides a drive to travel the backbone of the Horseblock, Cheaha and Adam’s Gap Mountains. There are several overlooks, trails and points of interest along the way. 

A Natural Attraction

With each morning’s sunrise over the mountains, whether in a car, on foot or pedaling away, the natural beauty of Calhoun County shines through. A cloudlike mist rises from the mountains, and a chill in the air greets the new day.

Calhoun County is rich in natural beauty, with stretches of forest and mountainous landscapes creating a picturesque surrounding to the historical architecture of our downtown municipalities.

Calhoun County is abundant in Native American history as well. From Chief Ladiga, to Ohatchee and the Creek and Indian War, artifacts have been unearthed, some of which are displayed at the Janney Furnace Museum.  

Calhoun County has many locations of historical significance and architecture. From the Freedom Rider Murals to the Church of St. Michaels and All Angels and The Victoria, the historic driving tour alone is worth a trip. Many of our attractions center around nature, from Terrapin Creek to Cheaha State Park, to trails like Coldwater and the Pinhoti.

Many area restaurants are featured in Alabama’s 100 Dishes to Eat Before You Die, and they too are a must during each stay. Places like Classic on Noble, Cooter Brown’s, and Garfrerick’s serve up delectable  dishes like Shrimp and Grits, Pecan Encrusted Grouper and Dry Rub Ribs better than you find in Memphis.

It’s no wonder that authors like Beth Duke and Pulitzer Prize winning Rick Bragg felt drawn to capture the settings, history and stories of this region in their work. Make your own memories and stories to share. Visit Northeast Alabama where adventures are abound. It’s just natural to relax and enjoy the scenery, the food, and the people. 

www.VisitCalhounCounty.com

Along the Tracks

Anniston AmTrack

Located on West 4^th Street in Anniston, the Cresent passenger train runs between New York and New Orleans and stops daily in Anniston. “We can serve our citizens and travelers with a 50 mile radius on a daily basis. We are now beginning to see cyclists using the rails to some and ride our Chief Ladiga Trail and Coldwater Mountain Bike Trails. This station in Anniston has appeal for those looking for work or play,” says Anniston City Planner Toby Bennington. “Trains are a great way to travel for people looking for comfort, convenience and great pricing. As gasoline becomes more expensive, more people are choosing trains. It’s much cheaper and railroads are a great way to see the landscape, relax and maybe catch up on some work.”

As one of the three stations in Alabama, with Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, the multi-modal facility also serves as the staging point for area bus activity.  “Once the trailhead nearby is done, bicyclists can end at the Chief Ladiga Trail and change to a mountain bike and ride Coldwater Mountain,” says Anniston’s City Manager Brian Johnson. Johnson also expounded upon that by saying, “One can ride into Anniston by train, ride our world class trails here and stay the night. The next day, they can ride their bike on Ladiga to the Silver Comet Trail to Smyrna, just outside Atlanta.”

The historically rich train station, built in 1925, is perfect to accommodate any weekend getaway. Follow the tracks! 

Noble Street Festival Weekend

March 28 is going to a busy day for the City of Anniston and Calhoun County.
To kick off the weekend's festivities, the Iron Mountain Challenge, formerly the Woodland, welcomes riders from across the southeast to a non-competitive bike ride, with varying lengths from 25-100 miles, along the Ladiga Trail and through the Talladega National Forest and Mountain Long Leaf Wildlife Refuge.
The 22nd annual ride is for the beginner to the most experienced riders, beginning at 7:30 A.M. on March 28 at the Anniston Aquatics and Fitness Center at McClellan. Riders will travel everything from Hwy 21, Hwy 431, through Pleasant Valley, Piedmont, White Plains, and back to Anniston. Share the Road.

For more information, including online registration, visit www.ironmountainchallenge.com.
The cyclists descend on Noble Street for the Sunny King Criterium and Noble Street Festival. With our annual Festival, including vendors, restaurants, kids' activities, live music and more, it's a great event for the whole family.
The Criterium brings cyclists from across the Globe to race, both amateurs and professionals, along a .7 mile course in Historic Downtown Anniston. The races begin at 10:00 A.M. and come to a close with professional riders after 8:00 P.M. Watch in awe and cheer on these great athletes all day on March 28.

The cycling weekend wouldn't be complete without the Fort McClellan Road Race on March 29. These elite riders will take to the road at 9:00 A.M. for a twenty mile loop on some of Anniston's most scenic roads and challenging climbs, like Bains Gap. Come catch the racing action with this 80 mile distance race.
For more information on the Crit, Festival and Road Race, check out www.annistoncycling.com.

We Love Calhoun County

The word is out, and people are coming from across the southeast, United States and around the

world to find adventure in Calhoun County. Whether interested in arts, outdoor activity like kayaking or biking, history and more, Calhoun County has it all. Accessible train, I-20, major highways, a greyhound station and bike trails, it’s a short trip from everywhere. Calhoun County is an escape into nature with the mountains, rocks, trails and streams, but it also has conveniences with growing modern, metropolitan municipalities, rich with culture, restaurants, activity and attractions. Calhoun County, is not only a place for visitors. We have great businesses,
diverse industries, cutting edge educational opportunities, and a region of progressive communities with strong economies that still retain their small town Southern charm and friendliness. Such appeal makes Calhoun County, Alabama a place one enjoys calling home. The county offers an abundance of cultural and recreational opportunities for people of all ages – museums, theater, symphony, opera, ballet, fishing, golfing, relaxing at the parks, and much more. We love Calhoun County! We’re proud to call it home!

It's A Short Drive from Everywhere

Situated along I-20, nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian, Calhoun County is near perfect. If one were to throw a dart to choose a destination for natural attractions and historical significance, Calhoun County would be a bull’s eye every time. Almost halfway between Atlanta and Birmingham, Calhoun County isn’t far from Tennessee, Georgia, Florida or Mississippi. The Southern Hospitality here is unmatched, and the setting seems ideal.

Upcoming Events

Iron Mountain Challenge

The 22nd annual Iron Mountain Challenge, previously the Woodland-Calhoun Century Challenge, is a non-competitive bike ride along Northeast Alabama’s historic Ladiga Trail and through the climbs of the Talladega National Forest and Long Leaf National Wildlife Refuge. Ride lengths range from 25 to 100 miles depending on rider preference and skill level. The ride starts March 28, 2015 at 7:30 a.m. at the Anniston Aquatics & Fitness Center. Registration is available online or day-of at 6:30 a.m.

Noble Street Festival & Sunny King Criterium

On March 28, come enjoy the Noble Street Festival and the Sunny King Criterium, free to the public, thanks to the generous support of the sponsors.  Watch the pro bike races, enjoy the live music, browse the local arts, participate in the kid’s bike safety clinic, and generally “hang out” all day beginning at noon. You will get hungry, and that’s when you’ll want to visit one or more of our area’s favorite restaurants that will be stationed under tents on Noble Street. For more information, visit www.annistoncycling.com.

Cheaha Challenge

On May 17, the 2015 Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo Century & ULTRA rides uphold the tradition of excellence established 23 years ago, "the toughest ride in the South." Beginning in Jacksonville, the Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo Century & ULTRA provide a variety of distance choices - 24, 44, 62, 84, 100 and the ULTRA - 124 miles (200K). The century ride includes 9,714 feet of climbing including the top of Alabama, and the ULTRA, for experienced riders only, encompasses all major climbs in our area, for a total of 11,733 feet of climbing. For more information, visit www.cheahachallenge.com.

Knox Concert Series

As one of Alabama’s premiere presenting organizations, this annual concert series brings world renowned artists to the Anniston Performs Arts Center Stage between September and April. Previous performers include Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Marvin Hamlisch, Chicago and more! For more information, visit www.knoxconcertseries.org.

Oxford Performing Arts Center presents The Glenn Miller Orchestra

This February 6^th show features over 40 hit songs from four decades of jukebox chart toppers! “Tuxedo Junction,” “In The Mood,” “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Moonlight Serenade” were all major hit records. Miller played to sell out crowds, and his music constantly dominated the airwaves from 1938-1942. Other upcoming shows include: A Rockin’ Valentine’s Tribute to the King, Buddy- The Hit Broadway Musical- The Buddy Holly Story, The Vienna Boys Choir, James Gregory- The Funniest Man in America, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Menopause the Musical, and the Issacs.

Cast presents The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

February 12^th  through 22^nd, the Community Actors Studio Theatre presents C. S. Lewis’ the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Other performances scheduled include: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare- Abridged, Oklahoma, and Seussical Jr. For more information, visit www.castalabama.com.

JSU Drama Presents A Year with Frog and Toad

Based on the books by Arnold Lobel and nominated for 3 Tony® awards, this show follows two great friends through all four seasons as they learn what it means to be best friends. For more information, visit www.jsu.edu. 

For more information, check out www.VisitCalhounCounty.com!

Weaver, small town life at its best....

Weaver is a very good example of small town life at its best. The City of Weaver is a growing community, with The Chief Ladiga Trail running through the city alongside Elwell Park and on throughout the county, north, towards Jacksonville. 

There is an Easter Egg Hunt in the spring, an annual Christmas Parade in December, and the annual Weaver Station Heritage Day Celebration held in the Fall. 

Come to Weaver and see for yourself that there is a jewel lying at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and you too will fall in love with the little town that’s a big city at heart. For more information, visit www.weaver-alabama.org.

The Chief Ladiga Trail

The Chief Ladiga Trail currently runs 32.5 miles from the Alabama/Georgia line into the City of Weaver. As Alabama’s first Rails to Trails project, this paved recreational trail follows the former Seaboard/CSX Railroad and connects to Georgia’s 63 mile Silver Comet Trail, making Ladiga part of the longest paved rail trail in the U.S. This recreational opportunity can be enjoyed by walkers, bikers, skaters, strollers and more. Beautiful sights like area forests, farmlands, streams and mountains provide picturesque scenery for each and every visit. For more information, visit www.chiefladigatrail.com.

Weaver Skate Park

With modular ramps and lighting, this skate park is perfect for all ages and experience levels.

Weaver BMX Track

500 Anniston Street, Weaver

This public track hosts races throughout the year and welcomes all ages and experience levels to come enjoy this facility with jumps and turns! For more information, visit www.weaverbmx.com.

Classic at Buckhorn

Located just off the Alexandria/Jacksonville Highway, this casual dining venue brings everything from traditional American burgers to southern seafood to the table. With events scheduled regularly, it's a great spot for the whole family or even great for a dinner for two. 

City of Weaver

500 Anniston Street, Weaver, AL 36277

(256) 820-1121