February Tourism Highlights

I hear a lot of people say there is nothing to do in Selma.  I have to laugh at them because there is ALWAYS something going on here!  Just in February, we have had events going on each week and hundreds (possibly even thousands) of visitors in our city.  Here are just a few of the great things happening with Selma and Dallas County Tourism: 

At the beginning of the month, we went to Orange Beach, Alabama to participate in the Alabama Lifestyles Expo and to encourage thousands of snowbirds to visit Selma.  Most of the attendees were from the northern states or from Canada and would be driving back home within a few weeks - with a good bit of them planning on stopping in Selma!

Selma held its first Mardi Gras parade on February 7.  I grew up in Mobile, so it was especially exciting for me to see another Alabama city celebrating Mardi Gras. Selma was first recorded on a map in the 1700s as Écor Bienville and I think it's wonderful to celebrate this part of Selma's history. There were hundreds of people out there - a great turnout for this to be the first Mardi Gras parade in Selma.

ArtsRevive held its opening of "The Spider Martin Restrospective" exhibt on February 7 and continues to show the exhibit throughout the month of March.  Spider Martin was an Alabama photojournalist that covered many of the tragic events of the Voting Rights Movement, including "Bloody Sunday."  Be sure to visit the exhibit to walk through history through Spider's eyes. Visit www.artsrevive.com for more information.

The City of Selma held its annual Black Heritage Field Trips in which elementary school students visit some of the museums and churches with history of the Voting Rights Movement.  Some of the locations they visit are First Baptist Church, Brown Chapel AME Church, Old Depot Museum, Selma Interpretive Center, and the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute.

The April 1865 Society and Mayor George Evans unveiled the fourth in a series of historic markers on February 26. Along with being one of the most advanced historic markers complete with a map and QR code on the back, this marker is especially significant as it is located on the actual battle site. This marker is located near CVS on Summerfield Road and Highland Avenue.  A total of 10 markers are set to be unveiled before this year's Battle of Selma Re-enactment the last weekend in April.

On February 27, the City of Selma held a Youth Explosion Talent Show with over 20 acts from local students and a performance by Jamarcus Legg, a talented artist and the emcee for the show.  Trophies and gift cards were awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.  

Pictured (L-R): Sonya McCall, Performer Jamarcus Legg, Mayor George Evans, Councilwoman Angela Benjamin, Ashley Mason, and Saprina Simmons.

Selma's faith community came together as one for a unity walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 1. An estimated 2,000 people attended the event and prayed for our city.

The next few months will no doubt be the busiest months of the year, but great things are on the horizon for Selma!  Be sure to check www.selma50.com and www.selma50iwasthere.com for 50th anniversary commemoration events and www.SelmaAlabama.com for other upcoming events.

Ashley S. Mason
Tourism Director