FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381

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Spirit of Athens Flavors the Holiday with First Annual Sippin’ Cider

Decatur, Ala. – Hot cider is a must have for the holiday season, and to celebrate this wintertime favorite, the Spirit of Athens is hosting its first annual Sippin’ Cider, December 10, 2011, an evening where downtown merchants will offer their own special cider recipe for sampling. Along with free hot cider, the holiday event also features entertainment, lots of door prizes, and other family friendly activities throughout downtown Athens, Ala.

From 5 to 8 p.m., participating merchants will offer sample tastings of their favorite cider recipe. Guests will vote by ballot for their favorite, and the cider receiving the most votes wins a trophy and bragging rights for the year. The ballots will also serve as an entry to one of many door prizes to be given away. While sipping on cider, guests can tackle their Christmas shopping and browse for unique holiday decorations. Children are invited to decorate gingerbread man cookies, and no holiday affair would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus who is coming to town for a special appearance.

Along with hot cider, the Kiwanis club will have hot chocolate and Village Pizza, Wingzilla, and Luvicis will offer dinner specials throughout the evening. To help spread holiday cheer, the Clements Baptist Church choir will be singing Christmas carols on the Courthouse stairs, and the merchants of downtown Athens will be serving up plenty of gift ideas and special sales.

Admission is free. For more information, call 256.278.6436.

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)

AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available from the AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting their web site at www.NorthAlabama.org.

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