Athens Grease Festival

Saturday the temperature was in the 90’s. So, what better to do than stand out in the sun, on the blacktop, and eat deep fried foods?! That’s what I did. I went to the 4^th annual Athens Grease Festival in Athens, Alabama. It is “a celebration of all things fried” (and of the Greek origins of the town’s name).

"Pericles with Fried Chicken Leg" - Awesome!

The festival takes place right on the courthouse square. It includes lots of live music (on three stages), kids’ activities, vendors, a toga contest, an eating contest, and a “most outrageous food” contest. 

There is a $5 admission fee (proceeds go to downtown revitalization efforts), but if you wear a toga you get $1 off. I was raised by a Cheap Engineer; I became a Cheap Engineer myself; and I married a Cheap Engineer – so, of course, I found a white sheet in my linen closet and wore a toga to get my $1 discount. Unfortunately, wearing a bulky toga, on top of clothing, in 90+ degree temperatures is not very comfortable! I eventually put it back in my car (nearby parking was easy to find – although I expect it is more crowded when it is not so hot out).

I took my photo while checking out the 
historic UG White store on the square.

There were a lot of simple sheet-togas like mine (and I saw one kid wearing a pillow case). There were also togas that people put a lot more work into.

I don't think this girl was enjoying the heat!

The festivities began with a small parade and then opening ceremonies with Athena-Grease Goddess and her court. Athena is chosen, by a panel of judges, from a group of women nominated for their volunteer efforts in enhancing the quality of life in Athens. The court is made up of the other nominees.

Coolbone Jazz Band led the parade.

Athena-Grease Goddess and the Mayor of Athens
"Eat responsibly the other 364 days."

Athena's court

I was not at all hungry in that heat but I was determined to try some interesting fried food. I have a very limited variety of plain foods that I like to eat, but I am happy to try something odd just so I can say I tried it (such as bird’s nest soup in Thailand – the birds stick the nest together with their spit!). I have never eaten alligator so I went straight for the alligator tail from the Big Easy food truck. The spicy breading and sauce were great. When I could actually taste a bit of the chewy alligator it tasted fishy/salty. Later, I tried fried artichoke from another vendor. I thought it was pretty good since I like artichokes.

Deep fried alligator tail

Deep fried artichoke

The historic courthouse square is full of interesting buildings and shops.

High Cotton Arts Center is a non-profit arts incubator with affordable work space for artists and educational opportunities for emerging  artists and art lovers.

More shops just off the square

My first visit to Athen's original UG White Mercantile. There is now a second location in Huntsville.

UG White with LuVici's southern food restaurant next door 

There is so much to see and do in Athens that I’ll have to devote more blog posts to it in the future. It is such a charming little town, and it’s just 40 minutes from downtown Huntsville.

“Toga, Toga, Toga!”