LeisureLink
LeisureLink: The City of Auburn's Parks and Recreation Weekly Newsletter
April 15-21, 2024
Lee County Special Olympics Track Meet Tues., April 16
Lee County Special Olympics will hold a track meet Tues., April 16 in Smith Station. Opening Ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. This year there opening ceremonies will include a torch run with athletes and Auburn Police Department representatives. There will be a welcome from the Smiths Station Junior High Principal, Rick Harris. The Exceptional Foundation of East Alabama athletes will sing the the national anthem. For more information on Special Olympics of Lee County contact Elizabeth Kaufman at [email protected].
Lee County Special Olympics Cops on Top Friday, April 19 at area Kroger Stores
Local law enforcement agencies are on a mission to raise funds for the Alabama Special Olympics with the 2024 Cops on Top event. This year, the Auburn Police Department will be raising money at the Kroger on Dean Road, Friday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the Opelika Police Department will be fundraising at the Tiger Town Kroger at the same time with the added help of Lee County Sherriff’s Department.
The Cops on Top event is a regional effort to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics organization which sponsors competitive events each year for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Some officers will be on the roof at the Kroger locations while other officers will be available outside the store to accept donations alongside Special Olympics athletes.
A variety of local agencies from the Lee County area participated in 2023 and multiple officers from each station stood on the roof for the Special Olympic athletes. Lunch will be served at both locations from 11:30am-1pm and will cost $5 for chips, a drink, and a hot dog.
Come out on April 19 any time from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and help local law enforcement raise money for a wonderful organization! For more information on Special Olympics or the Cops on Top event, please contact Elizabeth Kaufman at (334) 501-2939 or email at ekaufman@auburnalabama.
Weekend Events at Auburn Parks and Recreation Facilities April 20-21
MVP Sports will hold a girls fast pitch softball tournament Saturday, April 20 at the Auburn Softball Complex. Auburn Showdown, a girls and boy basketball tournament, will be held at Wire Road Soccer Complex indoor building, Frank Brown Recreation Center and Boykin Community Center on April 20 and 21.
23rd Auburn CityFest Space Adventures Sat., April 27
The 23rd-annual Auburn CityFest will take place Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kiesel Park. All ages are invited to spend the day shopping from over 100 arts and crafts, food and nonprofit vendors. Enjoy live music and participate in a variety of interactive events.
This year’s theme is Space Adventures with headlining entertainment from The Space Adventures Show. The highlight of the show will be a never-before-seen act on the Galaxy Globe, a motorcycle globe with a track on the outside. Motorcyclists will drive around the inside and outside of the globe while an aerialist flies around it.
The Children’s Imagination Station will feature stilt walker Todd Key, the Bama Air Dogs, the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, the Auburn University Raptor Center, KoreaFest and the Taiwan Center. Kids can enjoy crafts at Auburn Parks and Recreation's ArtFest tent. Auburn University College of Nursing will provide its Sensory Inclusion Vehicle to assist families if a child or adult becomes overstimulated. The College of Nursing will also provide its Tiger Babies Breastfeeding Support Tent to help provide mothers with a clean and private place to nurse their babies. Aubie will also make an appearance.
CityFest attendees will have the pleasure of enjoying music from several artists throughout the day at the pavilion. Outside The Inside, a three-piece band, will play original rock/pop songs along with space-themed cover tunes by artists like David Bowie and more. Tyler Peek, a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Birmingham, will be perform alternative rock. Attendees will also hear space-themed orchestral favorites from Auburn Community Orchestra.
The Auburn CityFest Committee is grateful to the following sponsors for making this year’s event possible:
Community Sponsor: Max Credit Union
Media Sponsor: Opelika-Auburn News
Official Sponsors: LeafFilter, Mathnaisiam, Point Broadband, AFS Foundation and Waterproofing, WSFA News, Dixie Electric, Auburn-Opelika Tourism, Alabama Power Foundation, UrgenCare, Chick-fil-a, Praise 88.7, ShirtWorks, Auburn Arts Association, Kate 99.9 FM, iHeartRadio, Auburn Network, Wings 94.3 FM, Auburn University College of Nursing, Grab-a-Cart, Scott Party Rentals, JLD Enterprises and 6 Dollar Cafe.
The Auburn CityFest Committee also thanks Auburn VCOM for sponsoring the official First Aid Tent.
Auburn CityFest is free to the public and is a rain or shine event. For more information, visit auburncityfest.org.
Auburn CityFest 2024 looking for volunteers
We want YOU!
Auburn’s largest, free outdoor festival is just around the corner and volunteers are needed! Auburn CityFest will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Kiesel Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Auburn CityFest fills a spring weekend with live music, arts and crafts, art exhibitors, children activities and much more.
CityFest has thrived for the past 21 years because of the Auburn community’s willingness to make the festival truly special for the thousands of guests. Volunteers can do so much to help, including setting up tents and tables for vendors, attending the children’s stations, managing crowds and many other ways you can help CityFest run smoothly. Volunteering earns community service hours, along with lunch and a free t-shirt!
The Auburn CityFest Committee is recruiting energetic individuals, organizations and service groups to help make CityFest great. This is a unique and fun-filled opportunity to help the Auburn community. We want CityFest 2024 to be a memorable, wonderful experience for not only the attendees but for our volunteers as well. CityFest will be held rain or shine.
Volunteer Shifts:
Early Morning: 7 - 11 a.m.
Morning/Afternoon: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Afternoon: 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
We have a new online system to apply to be a Auburn CityFest Volunteer! Click on the following link to register: Apply to be a Volunteer Here.
Registration has begun for the 30th Annual Fishing Rodeo
Cast into summer with the 30th-annual Fishing Rodeo sponsored by Evans Realty! Join Auburn Parks and Recreation at the lake at Auburn Technology Park South on Saturday, May 11, from 7-11 a.m. Registration will opened Monday, April 1, for Auburn residents. Anyone outside of Auburn can begin registering on April 15. Register at auburnal.myrec.om. Every participant must be pre-registered — there will be no registration the day of the event. The cost is $5 per child. This event is for children 14 years of age and younger.
There are no longer any free rods or reels available but you can still register. Auburn Parks and Recreation will supply the bait. Each child will be permitted to bring home five fish and must be accompanied by an adult. If you plan to take home fish, please bring a bucket. Door prizes will be given out to lucky participants and prizes will be awarded to the biggest and smallest fish caught in each age category and the most fish caught overall. This event is a great chance to bring kids and their parents together for one of America's favorite pastime.
For more information, contact Sarah Cook at [email protected] or call Auburn Parks and Recreation at 334-501-2930.
The 2024 Auburn Parks and Recreation Summer Brochure now available
The 2024 Auburn Parks and Recreation Summer Brochure is now available. Visit auburnalabama.org/parks to view the brochure online. Printed brochures are available at Parks and Recreation facilities, the Auburn Public Library and Auburn City Hall.
Online registration for 2024 summer programs will begin Monday, May 6. To set up an account and register, visit auburnal.myrec.com.
Auburn CityFest Juried Art Show call for entries
The 19th annual Juried Art Show and Preview Reception is coming up soon, and we want to see your amazing work! Held in collaboration with Auburn CityFest 2024, the CityFest Juried Art Show and Preview Reception, sponsored by the Auburn Arts Association, will be held on Thursday, April 25th at the Historic Nunn-Winston House at Kiesel Park from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Artists ages 18 and older from Alabama or adjacent states may enter one work in their chosen medium. Application registration through auburnalabama.org/parks/register The deadline for entry forms and fees is Monday, April 22nd. The piece of work to be entered is also due by Monday, April 22nd.
Auburn Parks and Recreation accepting reservation request online
Auburn Parks and Recreation is now accepting facility and park reservation requests online. Those who wish to reserve a facility, athletic facility, or park pavilion can complete their application for request using their online account at auburnal.myrec.com.
Please make all requests at least two weeks prior to the desired reservation date in order to leave time for the approval process. Requests must be reviewed and approved by the facility director and department director. Once approved, payments can be made online using a credit card or by cash or check in-person at the Harris Center.
Frank Brown Recreation Center Membership Card Required to play racquetball and free basketball
Auburn Parks and Recreation now requires membership cards for free play basketball and racquetball.
Free play basketball and racquetball at Frank Brown Recreation Center are open free of charge to citizens who live, work or attend school within the city limits of Auburn, AL and to non-citizens for a one-time $30.00 fee. A membership must be acquired for free play basketball and racquetball regardless of age. Replacement cards will cost $30.00 regardless of residency. The membership card is non-transferable and can only be used by the card holder. You must be at least 13 years of age to participate in free play basketball and 15 years of age to participate in racquetball. Children ages 13-18 must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian at the time of application.
Memberships can be obtained at the Harris Center Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. To view a membership application, including a list of acceptable proof of residency documents, visit auburnalabama.org/parks.
Frank Brown Recreation Center is open Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and Sun. 1-5 p.m. The Frank Brown Recreation Center is located at 235 Opelika Road. For more information call 334-501-2962.
Frank Brown Membership Application
Yarbrough Tennis Center Updates
Visit YTC News for the latest at the Yarbrough Tennis Center