May Tourism Highlights

May is not nearly as busy as April in terms of events; however, we still have hundreds of tourists coming to Selma to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and visit our many historic sites.  It is also the beginning of the summer family reunion season and wedding season, so we are constantly fulfilling information requests.

We had our first planning meeting for the Selma Museum Tours and it is going to be an even better event than last year.  Last year, we partnered with our local museums to offer visitors the opportunity to tour 7 sites for only 7 dollars!  This year, we have 10 sites for 10 dollars.  More information will be released as plans are finalized, but go ahead and save the date for the Selma Museum Tours on August 7 and 8, 2015.

In a previous blog post, I encouraged readers to vote for the Edmund Pettus Bridge for Best Historic Southern Attraction.  This national landmark was nominated by USA Today for this 10Best Readers' Choice Award.  Voting closed on May 25 and winners were announced at the end of the week - the Edmund Pettus Bridge was ranked 4th!  Out of the 20 nominations, only the top 10 are chosen for this recognition and we came in 4th, which isn't too bad when you think of how many historic attractions there are in all of the southern states.  We are proud to have been nominated and thrilled to be listed in the top 10!

A large portion of my time this month was devoted to finalizing our Audio Tour project.  After coordinating with each site and placing flags in all 75 locations for the posts to be installed, I then had to give all of the signs to Public Works for them to drill holes in each sign.  After the holes are finished, we will begin installing posts at all 75 sites and we will have an unveiling to officially announce the completion of the project.  Stay tuned for a blog post later this month about the Audio Tours!

Edmund Pettus Bridge - USA Today Nomination

We have great news!

Photo from the Alabama Tourism Department

The Edmund Pettus Bridge has been nominated for Best Historic Southern Attraction by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.  It is truly an honor just to be nominated.  Think about it.  Out of all of the Southern states, only 20 attractions were nominated for this title.  Out of the 20 nominations, only three attractions were chosen from Alabama.  All three attractions are civil rights sites, but only one has become a symbol of the bravery and sacrifice of the foot soldiers.  Don't get me wrong, each of these sites are significant historic attractions.  But were any others just visited by the President of the United States and his family, former President and First Lady, and over 100,000 other people?  Were any of the other sites broadcast GLOBALLY?

The Edmund Pettus Bridge will be 75 years old this year and the opening celebration was May 24-26, 1940.  The last day to vote for this category is May 25 - coincidence?

Our most famous Selma attraction should no doubt win the title of Best Historic Southern Attraction, but we need YOUR help!  Please follow this link and vote everyday until May 25.  Share with your family, friends, and the media.  We need you!

April Tourism Highlights

April is probably one of the busiest months for tourism in Selma because there are so many events during the week and multiple events on the weekends.  We won't complain about having too many things to do though!  Here are a few of the highlights from April:

150th Anniversary Observance for the Battle of Selma

The April 1865 Society held the 150th Battle of Selma Official Observance and Unveiling on April 2 to commemorate the Battle of Selma.  Nearly 100 people gathered at ArtsRevive to learn about the Battle of Selma and the new series of historic markers.  The seventh in a series of historic markers was unveiled near ArtsRevive and a Brooke Cannon was fired to conclude the commemoration.

Alabama River Chili Cook-off

Over a thousand people sampled all kinds of chili at the annual Alabama River Chili Cook-off.  Proceeds from the event were donated to SABRA Sanctuary in the amount of $12,500!

April 1865 Society Historic Marker Unveilings

A total of 10 historic markers were unveiled before the 150th Battle of Selma Re-enactment this year.  Each historic marker is complete with a map and a QR Code on the back.  The April 1865 Society has plans to install an additional 10 historic markers in the coming months.  Contact us at tourism@selmaalabama.com if you would like a complete list of the locations of the first 10 historic markers.

Central Alabama Crawfish Festival

The Selma Lions Club held its first annual Central Alabama Crawfish Festival this year.  It was a huge success with nearly 1,000 people in attendance for this first-time event.  We are already looking forward to next year!

Alabama Legislative Tourism Bash

I attended the Alabama Legislative Tourism Bash in Montgomery for the second year in a row and enjoyed meeting with other tourism professionals from across the state.  Also, there was a giant astronaut at the event.

Low Country Boil at the Old Depot Museum

The Old Depot Museum held its annual Low Country Boil to raise money for the museum.  Hundreds of people attended the event to eat delicious crawfish and to support the Old Depot.

ArtsRevive Roots and Wings Art Show

The annual ArtsRevive Roots and Wings Art Show features work from artists throughout Alabama.  Every space imaginable in the ArtsRevive building had a piece of art either for sale or for show.

Battle of Selma Living History Tours

Over 1,000 students from all over Alabama, and even a group from California, visited Selma to attend the Battle of Selma Living History Tours.  The students had the opportunity to see firsthand how soldiers fought, dressed, and lived during the Civil War.

April Walking Tours

Each year, the Alabama Tourism Department organizes the April Walking Tours in cities throughout the state so that visitors can learn more about Alabama and the various cities.  The tours last approximately one hour each Saturday in April.  On our last walking tour this year, we had 13 visitors (some not pictured) that toured our historic downtown and learned a small portion of Selma's history.

Rock N Ribs Benefit

Blackbelt Benefit Group held another incredible Rock N Ribs Benefit with all-you-can-eat ribs and hors d'oeuvres, as well as live music throughout the day.

Battle of Selma Grand Military Ball

One of the favorite events during the Battle of Selma Re-enactment weekend each year is the Grand Military Ball.  Guests are required to dress in period costumes and have the opportunity to dance the night away with dances from the 1800s.  Visit www.battleofselma.com for information about next year's Re-enactment and Grand Military Ball.

Battle of Selma Re-enactment

Over 1,500 re-enactors from across the United States came to Selma to participate in the 150th Battle of Selma Re-enactment.  An estimated 5,000 spectators were in attendance for the battles on Saturday and Sunday.

Mayor George Evans also surprised the Re-enactors one evening by providing boxed dinners and distributing 150th Anniversary coins.

And it wouldn't be tourism season without at least one interview in an antebellum dress and an interview at 6:00 AM, but it is always worth it!

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

Alabama Tale Tellin' Festival Ticket Giveaway

Enter for your chance to win a FREE ticket to the Alabama Tale Tellin' Festival!

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Congratulations, Jacque Johnson! You were randomly selected as the winner of the Alabama Tale Tellin' Festival ticket giveaway! Please call 334-875-7241 to claim your ticket.

The giveaway question was "Including this year, how many years has the Alabama Tale Tellin' Festival been held?" Jacque correctly answered 36 years!

For everyone else, another giveaway will be posted momentarily so don't miss another opportunity to win a free ticket!

Battle of Selma Re-enactment Hat Giveaway!

Enter for your chance to win a FREE Battle of Selma Re-enactment Hat!

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Battle of Selma Re-enactment T-shirt Giveaway!

Enter for your chance to win a FREE Battle of Selma Re-enactment T-shirt

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Cahaba Center Special Olympics

The 35th Annual Cahaba Center Special Olympics was held April 1st at Memorial Stadium.  This event gives people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to compete in athletic events.  

"Let me win.  But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."