Herpetology Festival 2026
It is time to celebrate and appreciate our slimy, scaly friends! HERPFEST 2026 will be at the Anniston Museums and Gardens Longleaf Event Center with fun for the entire family on June 6th! This educational event is all about Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians!
Enjoy face painting, family-friendly crafts
and interactives, including reptile and amphibian-themed presentations, and live animals!
You can skip the line by purchasing your tickets ahead of time online at this link: https://7536.blackbaudhosting.com/7536/Herpetology-Festival
Saturday, June 6, 2026
10:00 AM- 3:00 PM CT
920 Museum Dr, Anniston, AL
⚽🏈🏐 Summer Family Sports Fest at McClellan!
☀️ The City of Anniston, Alabama, invites you to join us for Summer Family Sports Fest every #Tuesday and #Thursday from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM CT at the Anniston Soccer Complex, located at 📍 745 Summerall Gate Road, Anniston, AL 36206.
This summer program will feature sports for #Kids and #Adults:
⚽ 5v5 Soccer for all ages
🏈 Youth Touch Football
🔴 Adult Kickball
🏐 Adult Volleyball
The registration fee is $50 per person and includes a reversible jersey for game participation.
Bring the whole family out for a fun summer evening! Parents and family members can watch their children play, join in a kickball or volleyball game, enjoy music, grab food from food trucks, play games, or bring a picnic from home.
📲 #Register with the QR Code or online here: https://tinyurl.com/yj989bb8
☎️ For more information, please contact Darren Spruill at 256-820-3860.
#Anniston #AnnistonAL #TheModelCity #SummerSportsFest #McClellan #ParksAndRecreation #FamilyFun #YouthSports #CommunityEvents
65th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders
As the City of Anniston, we invite the community to join Freedom Riders National Monument, the City of Anniston, and community partners on Saturday, May 9, 2026, for a day of remembrance, reflection, and education honoring the 65th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders in Anniston, Alabama.
This commemorative event will include multiple programs throughout the day:
Historic Greyhound Bus Depot & Mural Tours
📍 Historic Greyhound Bus Depot — 1031 Gurnee Ave, Anniston
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Park rangers will provide tours and historical interpretation at the depot. Guided walks to the Trailways Mural near 9th Street and Noble Street will begin at 10:00 AM.
Bus Burning Site Program
📍 AL Hwy 202 & Old Birmingham Hwy
🕛 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
A formal program will reflect on the events of Mother’s Day, May 14, 1961, and include information on future site plans, remarks from the National Park Service Superintendent and local/state leaders, a performance by We Shall Someday, and a commemorative bell ringing honoring the Freedom Riders.
Evening Community Program at Zinn Park
📍 Zinn Park — 101 W. 14th Street, Anniston
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The evening program will include music, remarks, vendors, food trucks, remarks from Jay Wozniak of Trust for Public Land and Freedom Riders Park Board representatives, and a performance by We Shall Someday.
Street Closure Notice — Saturday, May 9, 2026
Gurnee Avenue will be closed from 10th Street to 11th Street from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM CT. Streets around Zinn Park will be closed from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please plan ahead and use caution when traveling in these areas.
Freedom Riders National Monument was established to preserve and commemorate the Freedom Riders, an interracial group who challenged segregated interstate travel in 1961. In Anniston, the riders were attacked and their bus was firebombed just outside the city.
For updates and additional information, please visit nps.gov/frri or scan the QR code on the flyer.
For questions and event information, please contact the local National Park Service team at kevin_chandler@nps.gov
Anniston Downtown Market 2026
Join us at the Anniston Downtown Market every Saturday from May 2nd through September 26, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM CT.
Located at the City Market (126 W 11th Street) in Historic Downtown Anniston, the market features a wide selection of fresh produce, honey, meats, dairy, baked goods, artisanal foods, and handmade crafts.
Each week also includes live music, cooking demonstrations, and special appearances by local chefs and artists. As a Certified Farmers Market, it offers a great opportunity to support and connect with local growers and producers.
For more information, call 256-848-1211 or email marketmanager@annistonal.gov
Interested in being a vendor? Visit: https://www.annistonmarket.com/vendors/
See you there!
Annual Anniston Police Thanksgiving Food Drive!
📣 Thanksgiving Food Drive | Anniston Police Department
The Anniston Police Department needs your help this holiday season! 🧡 Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we want to make sure every family in our community has a good meal to enjoy.
📍 Drop-off Location:
Anniston Police Department
174 W 13th St, Anniston, AL 36201
📅 Donation Deadline: November 25, 2025
We’re collecting non-perishable food items to help local families in need. A donation box will be available in the station lobby.
🍽 Examples of Items to Donate:
• Canned Goods: yams, green beans, corn, soups, gravy, pasta sauce, fruit, pie filling, etc.
• Dry Goods: beans, rice, pasta noodles, stuffing mix, cake or brownie mix, instant mashed potatoes, and more.
Every can, box, and bag makes a difference — thank you for helping make Thanksgiving brighter for others!
#AnnistonPolice #AnnistonAL #FoodDrive #Thanksgiving #CommunityFirst
2025 Fall Youth Sports Registration
City of Anniston Youth Sports Programs: Fall 2025
Get ready for another exciting season of youth sports in Anniston! From soccer to football and cheerleading, our Parks & Recreation Department is offering a wide variety of programs to keep kids active, learning, and having fun.
Registration Information
No refunds
Birth certificate required for all athletes
Register online: https://annistonal.gov/parks-recreation/pard_registration
Call for more info: 256-820-3860
For questions or more information, please contact our city athletic director at: 256-820-3860 or dspruill@annistonal.gov.
Fall 2025 Sports Programs
Cheerleading
Cost: $70 per athlete (includes t-shirt, shorts, cheer socks, and pom-poms; optional uniform fee may apply)
Schedule: Practices on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Games on Saturdays. Jamboree in August.
Youth Football
Cost: $120 per athlete (includes jersey, padded pants, helmet, and shoulder pad rental)
Schedule:
Summer training begins July 1
Practices on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Season starts in September
Jamboree in August
Games on Saturdays
Registration Deadline: June 26, 2025
T.O.T. Soccer (Ages 1–3)
Cost: $50 per player (includes t-shirt, ball, and 6 sessions)
Additional Shirts: Available for $10 each
Schedule: Meets once a week in the evenings
Youth Soccer (Ages U6, U8, U10, U12)
Cost: $85 per athlete (includes jersey, shorts, and socks; players must bring cleats and shin guards)
Schedule:
Games take place during the week
Skills Evaluation/Draft: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Fall Registration Deadline: August 22, 2025
2025 Youth Summer Sports Registration
City of Anniston Youth Sports Programs: Summer 2025
Get ready for another exciting season of youth sports in Anniston! From soccer to football and cheerleading, our Parks & Recreation Department is offering a wide variety of programs to keep kids active, learning, and having fun.
Registration Information
No refunds
Birth certificate required for all athletes
Register online: https://annistonal.gov/parks-recreation/pard_registration
Call for more info: 256-820-3860
For questions or more information, please contact our city athletic director at: 256-820-3860 or dspruill@annistonal.gov.
Summer 2025 Sports Programs
NFL Flag Football
Cost: $60 per athlete (includes a reversible NFL jersey)
Schedule: Games held Mondays and Thursdays in June & July at 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM
MLS GO Soccer
Cost: $60 per athlete (includes a reversible MLS GO jersey)
Schedule: Games held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM
Summer Registration Deadline: May 23, 2025
Old Fashion Speed Meet
Old Fashion Speed Meet Date: Saturday, May 24th Location: McClellan Sports Complex, 356 Summerall Gate Road, Anniston, AL Event Details: • Gates Open: 7:30 AM • Coaches Meeting: 8:00 AM • First Event Starts: 8:45 AM Registration Information: • Fees: $25 per athlete | $5 per relay team • Deadline: Wednesday, May 21st at Noon • Registration: Email completed forms to […]
2026 Spring Break Activities!
Spring Break is right around the corner, and the City of Anniston Recreation Centers have a week full of activities planned for youth and families from March 23 through March 27. Join us on Monday, March 23, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Carver Community Center for a day of games, crafts, and fun activities for everyone. On Tuesday, March 24, all recreation centers will offer Free Play from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, giving participants the opportunity to enjoy open gym time and recreational activities. The fun continues on Wednesday, March 25, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the South Highland Community Center with more games, crafts, and engaging activities. On Thursday, March 26, recreation centers will again host Free Play from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We will wrap up the week on Friday, March 27, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Hodges Community Center with another exciting day of games, crafts, and fun.
Additional activities will also take place at the Wiggins Community Center. On Monday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, participants can enjoy Canadian Arena Football, trivia, indoor soccer, and other recreational games. On Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wiggins will host Community Bingo, indoor soccer, and an introduction to baseball featuring wiffle ball activities.
We encourage everyone to come out, stay active, and enjoy a fun-filled Spring Break at our community centers!
Youth Summer Job Fair!
Our annual Youth Summer Job Fair will be held at the Carver Community Center (720 W. 14th St, Anniston, AL 36201) on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM CT! All youth Summer jobs will be open for applications from March 29, 2026 – April 12, 2026.
In addition to the positions below, tips on completing job applications and preparing for interviews will also be given!
The City of Anniston will be hiring youths, ages 16 and up through college, for the following summer positions:
•Day Camp Director
•Day Camp Counselor
•Lifeguard
•Turf Care Worker
•Program Aide
The pay range for all positions is between $13 – $17 an hour.
For more information, contact the City of Anniston Human Resources Department at 256-231-7712 or 256-231-7722.
Learn more here: www.annistonal.gov/events/youth-summer-job-fair
Thank you!
#Anniston #YouthJobs #YouthJobFair #SummerEmployment #CityOfAnniston