Activities & Events

Programs

  • Daddy Daughter Dance - The City of Athens Parks and Recreation department holds the annual Daddy Daughter Dance at McMinn County High School cafeteria.   There are 4 dances held in two days; one Friday night at 7:30pm and then 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:30pm on Saturday.

    More Info
  • Shamrock Shuffle - The Shamrock Shuffle is a 5K and One-Mile Fun Run hosted by the City of Athens Parks and Recreation department and Starr Regional Medical Center at the Eureka Trail in March.  These races are a fundraiser to purchase and install solar safety lights along the Eureka Trail.
  • Arbor Day/Tree City USA - The City of Athens Parks and Recreation department annually celebrates receiving Tree City USA status from the National Arbor Day Foundation.  Athens City School students, Kindergarten through second grade, participate in a coloring contest while students, third through fifth grade, participate in a writing contest.  Winners of the contests are recognized during the celebration, held on the Quad at Tennessee Wesleyan University.  
  • Egg Hunt - The Athens Easter Egg Hunt is a free event the City of Athens Parks and Recreation department is happy to sponsor.  The department, with the assistance of the Athens Area Youth Council members, hide over 12,000 eggs filled with prizes and local business coupons, at the Athens Regional Park.  The egg hunt is for children ages 12 and under.
  • Free Kids Fishing Derby - The City of Athens Parks and Recreation department hosts an annual Free Kids Fishing Derby for boys and girls 12 and under.  Participants can fish for prizes, including cash prizes and a large-flat screen television, sponsored by Comcast.  Participants do not need a fishing license to participate, but must bring their own fishing pole, bait, and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The TWRA will stock the lake with over 800 rainbow trout days before the derby. Once the lake is stocked with the additional trout, the lake will be closed for public fishing until after the fishing derby.  In partnership with the Fishing Derby, Comcast has their annual “Comcast Cares Day”. Comcast and their employees invite everyone to volunteer their time and assist with the derby. 
  • Soapbox Derby - The Athens, Tennessee All-American Soap Box Derby is held annually on Keith Lane to determine the winners that will race in the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship in Akron, Ohio.  Races are held in three divisions; the Stock class, the Super Stock class and the Super Kids class.  Stock cars are the beginning division and race at 200 pounds, car and driver, Super Stock Cars are for a more advanced, larger driver and race at 240 pounds and Super Kids are double seater cars, where special needs youth are driven down the track by experienced drivers.  Stock and Super Stock will compete in a double elimination, time differential, wheel- swap race. Drivers range in age from 7 to 18 years of age and they all race together.

  • Learn to Swim- The City of Athens Parks and Recreation department holds an annual Learn to Swim program at Ingleside pool for boys and girls ages 5 and up.  The classes are 45 minutes a day, Tuesday through Friday for two weeks.  Participants must pre-register and classes are limited to the first 30.  A one-time donation of $5 per child is requested for the lessons.
  • Pumpkin Plinko - The City of Athens Parks and Recreation department, along with the Athens Area Youth Council, have a game of Pumpkin Plinko, during the annual Pumpkintown festival, held in downtown Athens.  Pumpkin Plinko is derived from the plinko games played on game shows, but consists of pumpkins and basketballs.
  • Boo & View - The Athens Movie Palace hosts an annual Halloween party that the Athens Area Youth Council participate in.  The Council members set up games and hand out candy to all of the children that come to the theater for Trick or Treating.
  • Downtown Halloween Costume Contest - The City of Athens Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Athens Kiwanis Club, host an annual costume contest at the Athens Downtown Business Association's Downtown Halloween at Market Park.  The contest is open to competitors of all ages and is judged by Kiwanis members.  Downtown Halloween provides a fun and safe atmosphere for families to trick or treat while also enjoying games and other events hosted by Tennessee Wesleyan University and local businesses.
  • Mother Son Dance - The City of Athens Parks and Recreation department holds the annual Mother Son Dance at McMinn County High School cafeteria. 
 
  • Veterans Park Brick Ceremonies - The City of Athens Parks and Recreation Department sells bricks all year long to place in the Veterans Park Walkway, honoring those who serve or served, in the United States armed forces.  The department holds a Spring ceremony and a Fall ceremony recognizing the names placed in the walkway.