WHAT: Juneteenth Celebration

WHEN: Sunday, June 19, 2022, from 1– 8 pm.

WHERE: Lewis Field, 1050 Pruitt Street, Florence

The event will celebrate freedom, heritage, and community. Those who attend will learn more about local organizations and businesses and enjoy free food, live music, spoken word poetry readings, face painting, and more.

"The Juneteenth Celebration, the first co-sponsored by the University of North Alabama and the City of Florence, is an opportunity to share in the rich cultural meaning behind the day, how it originated, and how it resonates in the African American community, the Shoals and, of course, throughout the country. We look forward to making this an annual tradition," said Dr. Ron Patterson, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of North Alabama.

Bank Independent is handing out $75,000 in community grants! Applications open TODAY and close on July 8. The grant winners will be announced at a press conference on August 4. For more information...

Nashville, TN – The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) congratulates Pope's Tavern for receiving an Award of Excellence for its "Slavery in the Shoals Exhibit." The Award of Excellence is part of the AASLH Leadership in History Awards, the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation of state and local history.

The "Slavery in the Shoals" exhibit, located in a small building on the grounds of historic Pope's Tavern, is the first permanent exhibit to explore the institution of slavery in North Alabama, combining historical research, first-hand accounts, artifacts, biographical information, and tactile components. Continue reading the press release below...

The ancient Greeks would create crowns or wreaths made of laurel branches and award them in elaborate ceremonies to high achievers. Great Britain adopted that symbol and instituted the formal position of Poet Laureate in the 17th century. Three centuries later, America followed suit in 1936, six years after Alabama’s first Poet Laureate was named in 1930. Florence’s own Morton D. Prouty was awarded this distinguished honor in 1988. To receive this great distinction, the honoree must be a recognized poet and must have been a resident of the state for at least 15 years. He or she remains in that position four years. Attached to this week’s column is an image of the cover of a small volume of poems selected from Mr. Prouty’s previous published collections (e.g., Sparks on the Wind, To a Young Mariner) especially for the Peacemaking Program in 1991 sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Florence where he was serving as an Elder at the time. The City of Florence is pleased that one of its leading citizens brought statewide recognition to the town – yet another reason that Florence is such a great place to live.

--Billy Warren, City Historian

Join us on Saturday, June 18, between 10 am-2 pm for our Hot Diggity Dawg wash. The UNA Women's Superstar Basketball Team members will be soaping up the pups in the parking lot of the Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services (FLAS) building, located at 3240 Roberson Road in Florence. For just $15, you can Sponsor a Shelter dog and/or bring your dog for a wash! All proceeds benefit Chloe's Fund for Medical Needs of Florence Shelter Animals.

Saturday, June 25 at 10 am

The Florence Indian Mound Museum is hosting a series of children's programs where students can explore the early history of the Shoals through hands-on learning exercises. The programs will cover a wide range of Native American history and culture topics and are aimed at an elementary-level age group. Each program will have a creative component with hands-on learning; all events are free. To register and more information...

The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

4:00 p.m. Work Session

5:00 p.m. Council Meeting

City Auditorium

103 South Pine Street