Press Release
Editorial
May 5, 2006
There is a lot of fun on the agenda this weekend, and most of it is built around the love of bicycles. There's the killer Cheaha Challenge Century, in which the brave and strong journey to the top of Mount Cheaha, and the speedy as all-get-out Sunny King Criterium in downtown Anniston, where the Noble Street Festival will be running full tilt.
The latter, in particular, is a big event in the cycling world. Top names and teams are coming out, and some people are going to land some major cash prizes. The cycling world is abuzz about it.
What's more, the region is going to be a winner. The restaurant owners will show off their food on Noble Street, and that is sure to boost sales. Local motels and other businesses should be busy, too.
Some very worthy causes are set to benefit as well, including the Calhoun County Relay for Life (a fund-raiser of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society) and the Chief Ladiga Trail.
If all goes according to plan, Relay for Life could receive in excess of $10,000.
And the trail could be a winner, too. In the past, the Cheaha Challenge Century has raked in more than $16,000 for the trail.
The Ladiga trail runs from Anniston to suburban Atlanta. It is hard to think of a more promising ecotourism project for our area. Once the last few miles are completed through Cleburne County (work should begin in mid-summer, officials tell The Star), the trail is open for Georgians to come to the area, have fun, eat and stay overnight. That means money for our region.
So make sure you take in some of the weekend's festivities. Have a good time and contribute to a good cause.