A group of city and county officials model toga fashions on the steps of the Limestone County Courthouse. Front row, 2017 Grease Festival co-chair Leah Beth McNutt and Athens Main Street Director Melanie Barksdale. Middle row, Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough, festival co-chair Lacy Beth McMunn and Athens Grease Festival publicity chair Holly Hollman. Back row, Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, City Councilman Frank Travis and Lynne Hart, executive coordinator of Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful.

Athens is home to a festival that honors a woman who enhances the city by donning her in a toga, handing her a fake torch and asking her to sit on a tacky throne.

Those are ideal gifts for Athena-Grease Goddess, the woman who kicks off the Athens Grease Festival, dubbed one of the “Oddest Festivals in Alabama.” Athens Main Street hosts the festival and uses proceeds to invest in downtown. This year’s event is Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Downtown Athens.

“Our Grease Festival is a fun event that accentuates a play on words and embraces not taking life too seriously,” said Promotions Chair Holly Hollman. “As part of the festivities to honor the Greek origin of our city’s name as well as all things fried, we created our own version of Athena to honor Limestone County women who work tirelessly in our community.”

The mythical Athena was known as a wise Greek goddess who loved and protected the City of Athens, could be a warrior, and had a creative side and interest in the arts, crafts, and agriculture. Likewise, Athena–Grease Goddess should demonstrate similar qualities through her willingness to give back to the city. She must be a Limestone County resident who works to improve the City of Athens through avenues such as volunteering with non-profits, with the arts, with youth, on a city board, or through environmental efforts. She can earn extra points for being known as a good cook.

Athena-Grease Goddess will lead the opening ceremonies for the festival and have a decorated throne of honor on the courthouse steps where she can watch the festivities and meet with event goers.

The 2016 Athena-Grease Goddess was Marlene Isom of Isom’s Orchard. Isom has overseen fundraisers for several organizations such as Athens Arts League, Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives and Athens-Limestone Hospital. When told about the honor last year, Isom said, “We could choose an Athena every week if we began looking. I can think of so many more deserving than I, and that’s a good thing for our Athens town.”

Organizers will accept applications through Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m. Applications are available online at http://athensgreasefestival.com/news/help-athens-find-her-athena. If you need to pick up an application or have one emailed to you, please contact Hollman at hhollman@athensal.us or by phone at 256-262-1399.

The Athens Grease Festival touts itself as a quirky event that honors the Greek origin of the city’s name and is a celebration of all things fried. The blend of Greek and Southern results in a toga party on the city’s historic Square with food like fried banana pudding and fried bologna sandwiches and games like a frozen turkey toss. The festival would not be complete without an Athena overseeing the event.

Athens Main Street Executive Director Melanie Newton said this year’s top festival sponsor is Region’s Bank. Bank representatives will choose Athena-Grease Goddess from among the nominations. Athens Main Street will announce the winner prior to the festival.

List of Athena-Grease Goddesses

• 2013 – Helen Carter of Elkmont;

• 2014 – Maria Taylor of Athens; and

• 2016 – Marlene Isom of Athens

Note: Athena was added to the second festival in 2013. There was not a festival in 2015.