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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and Youth Participation Day!
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.
Holiday Disposal Days!
The holiday season always sees an uptick in household garbage! The City of Anniston is here to help you declutter before the new year begins!
One roll-off dumpster will be located at each of the four locations listed below from Tuesday, December 26, 2023 through Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 8:00 AM CST until 5:00 PM CST each day. During these holiday disposal days, citizens may freely dispose of their items. Please note, some items are not accepted and those items are listed at the bottom of this communication.
WARD 1 – Pelham Park Parking Lot
Address: 349 Cave Road, Anniston, AL 36206
Directions: https://bit.ly/3wvZDEh
WARD 2 – Carver Community Center Parking Lot
Address: 720 W. 14th St, Anniston, AL 36201
Directions: https://bit.ly/3543I7g
WARD 3 – South Highland Community Center Parking Lot
Address: 229 Allen Ave, Anniston, AL 36207
Directions: https://bit.ly/36DTsDd
WARD 4 – Norwood Hodges Community Center Parking Lot
Address: 3125 Spring Valley Rd, Anniston, AL 36207
Directions: https://bit.ly/3qunznw
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!
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 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
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!
2023 Downtown Christmas Parade! (12/05/23)
Join the City of Anniston and Main Street Anniston on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 6:30 PM CT for the annual Downtown Anniston Christmas Parade!
This year’s theme is Christmas Around the World.
To participate in the parade, please read and complete the application linked here:: https://tinyurl.com/2tcna6cm
For questions or event information, please contact the Main Street Administrative Assistant, Kristin Smith at (256)231-7633.
2023 Free Disposal Day!
In 2023, the City of Anniston will be offering free disposal days 8 months out of the year! During the disposal periods, one roll-off dumpster will be placed in each of Anniston’s four (4) wards, so citizens may dispose of their items free of charge! To see our free disposal day dates, please view the list below:
Feb.17th & 18th | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days
March 17th & 18th | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days
May 19th & 20th | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days
June 16th & 17th | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days
Aug. 18th & 19th | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days
Sept. 15th & 16th | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days
Nov. 17th & 18th | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days
Dec. 15th & 16th | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days
During each of these disposal periods, we will provide one roll-off dumpster at each of the following locations (4 rolloffs in total during each disposal day):
WARD 1 – Pelham Park Parking Lot
Address: 349 Cave Road, Anniston, AL 36206
Directions: https://bit.ly/3wvZDEh
WARD 2 – Carver Community Center Parking Lot
Address: 720 W. 14th St, Anniston, AL 36201
Directions: https://bit.ly/3543I7g
WARD 3 – South Highland Community Center Parking Lot
Address: 229 Allen Ave, Anniston, AL 36207
Directions: https://bit.ly/36DTsDd
WARD 4 – Norwood Hodges Community Center Parking Lot
Address: 3125 Spring Valley Rd, Anniston, AL 36207
Directions: https://bit.ly/3qunznw
Please note, the following items will NOT be accepted:
Hazardous Waste of any kind (i.e. batteries, corrosives)
Paint
Electronics
Tires
Freon Appliances (i.e. refrigerators, freezers)
For questions and/or more information, on the City of Anniston’s Disposal Days, please contact our Public Works Department at: 256-231-7742, ext. 272. You may also learn more about our debris policies by visiting: www.annistonal.gov/public-works.
