Experience Lee County Year-Round

Experince Lee County Year-Round

Story By LIVE Lee Staff Photos By Robert Noles

Experince Lee County Year-Round

Rocky Top Pumpkin Patch

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Rocky Top Pumpkin Patch

Auburn, Opelika and Lee County have tons of events going on all year long. Each season brings new opportunities for connection and community in our area.

So, if you expect travelers in the area, or maybe you’re here for the first time yourself, this is what to look out for.

FALL:

Each fall, there are annual activities, from haunted tours to pumpkin patches that liven up as the weather cools down.

One of the first big activities for our area this time of year includes football games. For more on football and what the game-day experience looks like for Auburn, turn to page 10.

The Opelika Songwriters Fest: For more on this musical, annual event in Opelika, turn to page 34.

The Fall Boogie: The Fall Boogie at the Standard Deluxe is the fall’s second big music event.

The Standard Deluxe will host the ninth annual event this year on Oct. 16 at 12 p.m., but if you’re already looking to next year, expect tunes to return in October.

This year, the event will feature Maggie Rose, Blue Mountain, Lee Bains III & Gloryfires, Early James and Janet Simpson.

This three-day festival includes pre-and-post activities to the main musical event. Find more information here: www.aotourism.com/Event/41805/Fall-Boogie-9-at-Standard-Deluxe/.

On The Tracks: On the Tracks is Opelika’s food and wine event. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the

event was canceled last year but will be held on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. this year.

Find more information here: www.aotourism.com/Event/41763/On-The-Tracks/.

Tour de Fright: Opelika has found ways for children and adults to enjoy the fun of Halloween season with the Tour De Fright bike ride and walking trail. This year, the Tour de Fright will be held on Oct. 29 at the Opelika SportsPlex. More information available here: www.opelika-al.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2160&month=10&year=2021&day=17&calType=0.

Trick Or Treat: Of course, there is always trick or treat each year, though it remains to be seen what this will look like due to COVID-19. Right now, Opelika’s trick-or-treating will be Oct. 28, and in Auburn, downtown trick-or-treat will return on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. Last year, both Auburn and Opelika held drive-through trick-or-treats.

WINTER

Opelika's Christmas In A Railroad Town

WINTER:

Auburn Arts Association Holiday Art Sale: To get into the holiday spirit, make plans to attend the annual Holiday Art Sale in Auburn.

There are all kinds of fun, homemade pieces to buy for gifts, such as knit items, paintings, jewelry, soap, candles and more.

The sale will be held on Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. at the Parks and Recreation Center.

Sno*Pelika Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting:

Opelika’s first Christmas event will actually be held before December.

The Sno*Pelika event will include all kinds of activities for children — including artificial snow and a tree lighting in downtown Opelika.

The event will be held at Courthouse Square and Railroad Avenue on Nov. 30 at 4:30 p.m. www.aotourism.com/Event/41753/Snopelika-ChristmasFestival-and-Tree-Lighting-Event/.

Opelika's Snow Much Fun

Jingle Jog 5K: Want to get active and spend some time in the loveliest village on the Plains? The Jingle Jog 5K will take place from 7 to 9 a.m. on Dec. 4, in downtown Auburn. Keep an eye out for both Santa and Aubie.

Opelika Christmas Parade: What’s a holiday without a Christmas parade? Last year, parades were altered due to COVID-19, but as of now, Opelika is set for the parade on Dec. 4 at 10 a.m.

Auburn Gingerbread Village: The Auburn Gingerbread Village is an ever-growing display in the Auburn Hotel and Dixon Conference Center, set up in early December that lasts through the end of the month.

Maybe you’ll find a new building added to the village this year, but either way, come experience the magic of Auburn in gingerbread. www.aotourism.com/Event/41757/Auburn-GingerbreadVillage-Unveiling/

Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express: The Rocky Brook Reindeer Express will run for three days in December, Dec. 10 through 12.

Train rides are $2 a ride, in cash, and there will also be a Christmas Market in Monkey Park. Expect some live entertainment and performances each night as well. Santa plans to attend, too.

www.aotourism.com/Event/41820/Rocky-Brook-RocketReindeer-Express/

Victorian Front Porch Tour: The Victorian Front Porch tour is an Opelika staple — taking place each season since 1993.

Sixty Victorian homes are decked out with all kinds of decorations, making for a walking tour (or driving) on North 8th and 9th Street in Opelika.

The Front Porch Tour will begin on Dec. 10 and last through Dec. 14. www.aotourism.com/Event/41755/Victorian-Front-PorchChristmas-Tour-2021/

Christmas In A Railroad Town: Christmas In A Railroad Town is the perfect family event. With shopping for adults and all kinds of activities for children, this event will bring out all kinds of holiday cheer.

Downtown Opelika will be full of pony rides, face painting, crafts such as making gingerbread homes and reindeer food, story readings, a petting zoo and more.

Christmas In A Railroad Town will take place on Dec. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. www.aotourism.com/Event/41756/Christmas-in-aRailroad-Town/.

SPRING:

Auburn Floral Trail: The Auburn Floral Trail, part of the Alabama Floral Trail, was open from March 8 to April 16 last year, so you can expect a similar time frame in 2022.

The trail was 10.5 miles on the south trail and 3.5 on the north trail, with two other optional trails.

Opelika’s Azalea and Dogwood Trail: Opelika finds ways to highlight its floral beauty with the Opelika Azalea and Dogwood Trail, which was held from March 22 through April 5 last year.

The trail began at the corner of 8th Street and 2nd Avenue and continued for 5 miles.

Bark In The Park: Auburn’s Parks and Recreation event is not only fun for you, but your furry friend. Last year, the event was held on March 20, so expect it again in March of this year.

Empty Bowls: Empty Bowls is an annual fundraising event for the Food Bank of East Alabama. Participants pay a flat rate, pick a local, handmade bowl and fill it with soup from local restaurants. The bowls are for participants to keep.

Last year, Empty Bowls was held on March 27.

Easter On The Square: Easter On The Square will be held Easter Morning, which in 2022 will be April 17. Opelikians are invited to bring their children (second Opelika's Garden In the Park

S P R I N G

Opelika’s Azalea Trail

grade and under) for festivities, including visits from the Easter Bunny and Easter Chicken.

Lee County Relay For Life: Lee County’s annual Relay For Life event will be held on April 22 next year from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Lee County Courthouse Square.

Registration for teams has already opened and for more information on other relay events through the year, check out the website here:

www.aotourism.com/Event/41758/Lee-County-RelayFor-Life/.

Auburn CityFest: Auburn CityFest is Auburn’s biggest arts and crafts festival of the year. The event normally lasts roughly 6 hours one Saturday in the spring and features numerous vendors selling homemade wares.

Last year, CityFest was held on April 25.

SUMMER

Storybook Farm's Derby Day

SUMMER:

Derby Day: Lee County’s Storybook Farm Derby Day always coincides with the Kentucky Derby, which will be held on May 7, 2022, this upcoming year.

Dress in your best and don’t forget a hat. www.hopeonhorseback.org/derby-2021/

Garden In The Park: Garden In the Park is Opelika’s take on a handmade arts and crafts fair. However, the event is also a fundraiser for Keep Opelika Beautiful. The event is held on the first Saturday in May, which for 2022, will be May 7.

Touch and Truck and Burger Wars: Touch A Truck and Burger Wars normally coincide with one another in Opelika on the first Saturday in June.

Burger Wars is the opportunity for local restaurants to compete, placing their burgers on the judging block.

Touch A Truck often falls on the same day or weekend in Opelika and affords families the opportunity to bring their little drivers out to see different vehicles, like race cars, fire trucks, military vehicles and more.

Cheers On The Corner: This an annual Auburn tasting event each summer. Although the dates have not been announced for 2022, expect Cheers on the Corner in July. www.aotourism.com/Event/41485/Cheers-on-theCorner-2021/.

Now, To Get Away...