2024 Redistricting

Day Hiking at Lake Yahou with Lunch to follow at the Cane Creek Grill

Beginning and ending at Lake Yahou, this will be about a 2.83 loop hike using the UXO trail (1- mile),
the Golden Buck Trail (.94 miles), and the Oscar Trail (.89 miles). There is an optional .79-mile path
around the lake for those desiring a shorter hike. Participants should pack snacks and water and
dress appropriately for the forecasted weather conditions. An optional stop at the nearby Cane Creek
Grill is planned for lunch. The Grill has a variety of great sandwiches and burgers. The meeting time
and location for this outing will be 9:00 am at Lake Yahou. Directions to the lake from Exit 188 on
I-20 are as follows: Go north on US 431 (also known as Golden Springs Road and Anniston’s Eastern
By-Pass) for about 4 miles, turn right on Iron Mountain Road, take an immediate left on Lake Yahou
Road, and follow the road to the lake. Click this link for Google Map directions: Lake Yahou Park Trail
Head. Please contact Keith Hudson by emailing him at anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com, or by
calling or texting him at 256-453-9527, to register for this outing. The registration deadline for this
trip is Thursday, January 25.

Loop Hike in the Dugger Mountain Wilderness

This will be a loop hike beginning and ending at the Burn’s trailhead located on Cleburne County
Road 55 (also known as the Rabbittown Road). Google directions are: Burns Trailhead. From the
trailhead, the hike will proceed up the access trail to the Pinhoti and will travel about 3 miles on the
trail before intersecting with the Jones Branch Road. The hike will then follow the road for another 3
miles before returning to the trailhead. Jones Branch Road offers several tranquil views of Jones
Branch and the surrounding valley. Pending group interest, there may also be a short side hike to the
“Indian Cave” a large rock overhang that archeological evidence suggests was used by aboriginal
cultures for several years. Participants should pack a lunch with something to drink and dress
appropriately for the forecasted weather conditions for the day. The meeting time for this hike will
be 9:00 am at the Burns Trailhead. To register for this hike, please call or text Keith Hudson at
256-453-9527, or email him at anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com. The registration deadline for this
trip is Thursday, January 11.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and Youth Participation Day!

22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast & Youth Participation Day_1.15.24

The City of Anniston “Good Choices” Program cordially invites the community to our 22d Annual “Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and Youth Participation Day” on Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Anniston City Meeting (1615 Noble St, Anniston, AL 36201) commencing at 9:00 AM CST. 

An award will be given to the class with the largest participation! All City and County Schools are invited to participate. Participating students can sign in on-site the day of the event, or by visiting: www.annistonal.gov/mlk-sign-in 

About this Event: 

The breakfast is an annual event sponsored by the City of Anniston Good Choices Program. Its purpose is to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King while imparting to our youth the importance of perpetuating his vision of a united and non-violent society. The program showcases local youth engaging in dance or showcasing their poetic excellence through diction and more! Recognized as Youth Participation Day, all schools, both city and county, are strongly encouraged to participate!

Sponsors: 

Thank you to the following entities for their continued support and sponsorship of this wonderful event: Calhoun County Commission (Commissioner Fred Wilson), State Representative Barbara A. Boyd, Pandoras Art & Social Club, Iota Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Pan Hellenic Council of Calhoun County, & the Zeta Mu Sigma (Alumni) Chapter Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. 

For additional information and event questions, please contact Carver Center Director, Patricia Pickens, at: 256-231-7630.

The 8th Annual Judkins Family Christmas BBQ

The Annual Judkins Family Christmas #BBQ will take place on December 25, from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the Carver Community Center (720 W. 14th Street, Anniston, AL 36201)! There will be free food, fellowship, and music from acts such as N2 Christ & Mary Culpepper Community Choir! If you are interested in performing at this event, or would like to offer your support, please contact Ms. Jackie Judkins at: 256-591-5194!

Fire VS Police Chili Cook-Off! (12/08/23)

chili cook off 2023

Main Street Anniston has partnered The Anniston Police Department to bring you the 2nd annual Chili Cook-off benefiting the annual APD Toy Drive!!!
On Friday, December 8th our local officers and community teams will go head to head as competitors seeking the title of Anniston’s Best Bowl of Chili!
Admission is $10 at the door OR a new, unwrapped toy! Admission includes 5 sampling tickets, drinks, and condiments. Also included is a voting ticket for People’s Choice – Best Chili.
Once you’ve found the chili you enjoy the most, guests may purchase a bowl of that chili for an additional $5 (while supplies last).
Mark your calendars and join us as we support the Anniston Police Department and their annual Toy Drive for Christmas in our community.
This year’s chili cook-off will be held at the NEABA Headquarters, 26 West 10th Street.
Interested in competing? Contact us at mainstreet@annistonal.gov

Anniston Outdoor Association Cheaha State Park Hike on the Pinhoti & Bald Rock Connector Trail

This will be a moderately rated, 4-mile hike in Cheaha State Park beginning at the State Park Tailhead and ending at the Bald Rock Lodge Parking Lot. From the state park trailhead, the hike will begin at the Pinhoti/Hwy 281 crossing and will pass by the headwaters of Hillabee Creek and the Blue Mountain Trail Shelter before reaching the Bald Rock connector trail. Once on the connector trail, there will be a steep ascent to Bald Rock and then a level walk to the lodge using the boardwalk or the adjoining woods trail. Participants should meet by 9:00 am at the State Park trailhead located on Hwy 281 (scenic parkway) just before the park entrance. An adequate number of cars will be placed at the lodge parking lot to shuttle participants back to the trailhead. Please contact Keith Hudson by Thursday, December 14th to register for this hike. Keith may be reached by email at anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com, or by phone/text at 256-453-9527.

Anniston Outdoor Association Christmas Party

Our annual Christmas Party will be held at 6:30 pm at the Tucker Park Lodge. The lodge is located at 6514 Weaver Road in Anniston. The AOA will provide a ham and participants are asked to bring a side item. This party will include a meal, a short program to recognize our 2023 outing leaders, and a slide show highlighting pictures from our outings over the past year. It would be helpful to have some volunteers to assist with decorating the lodge beforehand and to help with the meal organization and preparation on the day of the party. If you plan to attend this party and/or would like to assist with it, please contact Keith Hudson by Monday, December 11th. Keith may be phone at 256-453-9527 or by email at anniston.outdoor.assn@gmail.com.

Anniston Outdoor Association Loop Hike in the Dugger Mountain Wilderness with Wild Alabama

This will be a 7-mile loop hike in the Dugger Mountain Wilderness Area beginning and ending on FS 500. From the Pinhoti Trail crossing at FS 500, plans are to hike up the trail for about 2.5 miles before traveling a short distance cross country to the old fire tower site. From this point, plans include traveling 3.5 miles down the old fire tower road (FS 539) back to FS 500 and then an additional 1-mile walk back down the road to the trail crossing where our cars will be parked. FS 539 offers splendid views of the countryside surrounding Piedmont. There is an option to shorten this hike by 1-mile by placing cars at both FS 500 and FS 539 (Tower Road). Participants should bring a lunch with something to drink and dress appropriately for the forecasted weather conditions. The departure time and location for this outing is 8:00 am from the Johnson’s Giant Foods parking lot located at 815 Pelham Road South (AL Hwy 21) in Jacksonville. Please register for this hike through Wild Alabama’s website once the event is published. In the meantime, you may contact Jonathan Kelly at Jonathan@wildal.org for additional details concerning this hike

The Anniston Police Department Annual Christmas Toy Drive!

The Anniston Police Department is excited to announce the kickoff of its annual Christmas Toy Drive!
We hope you can help us make some little ones smile this holiday season by dropping off toy donations at the Anniston Police Department (174 W 13th St, Anniston, AL 36201).
We will be accepting donations from November 17, 2023 until Friday, Dec. 19th! Afterwards, we will host the Toy Drive give-away at the Station near Christmas time!
Any one with questions may feel free to contact us anytime at: (256) 238-1800. Thank you!

2023 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony!

You’re Invited to The City of Anniston, Alabama and Main Street Anniston’s 2023 Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 1st at 5pm at 12th and Noble Street!

The Tree Lighting Ceremony will conclude with hot cocoa, coffee, and cookies (while supplies last) hosted by Main Street Anniston Board of Directors.

For more information, contact the Main Street office, at: 256-231-7633!