Saturday Shred Day not canceled

Published 6:00 am Friday, November 9, 2018

Despite a scheduling and location overlap with a Veterans Day parade, organizers behind Saturday’s Shred Day and Drug Takeback event want the public to know the event has not been canceled.

The event, hosted by the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama and the Athens chapter of the American Association of Retired People, will run from 9 a.m.-noon at 100 U.S. 31 in Athens. The specific location is the parking lot closest to Athens Stadium at the former Athens High School, which is now Athens Middle School.

Also happening in the same vicinity is the lineup for the Veterans Day parade, which will occur between 9-10 a.m. in the parking lot of the middle school.

Tricia Pruitt, regional vice president for the BBB of North Alabama, said she was disappointed to find out the events would be happening simultaneously, but encouraged residents to, “bring their Shred Day items early and then go support our wonderful veterans at the parade.”

Police Chief Floyd Johnson said traffic in the area shouldn’t be a major concern because Shred Day would be on one side of the middle school and the parade lineup would occur on the opposite side. He explained the intersection of Hobbs Street and U.S. 31 would only be blocked as the parade route moves from the middle school to Hobbs. Roads and intersections will reopen as the procession moves toward The Square.