11th Polar Plunge Huge Success

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the 2023 Polar Plunge. Samford Pool was packed with those who were willing to take the freezing plunge. After a few words from Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, the first wave of plungers dove in! This year's Polar Plunge raised $7,414! 100% of these earnings are going to the Lee County Special Olympians.

We would like to extend an extra special thank you to the City of Auburn Public Safety, VCOM, Auburn City Schools, The Boys’ and Girls’ soccer teams, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and Auburn City Council Members who took the plunge!

Thank you to our sponsors, South State Bank, River Bank and Trust, Ace Hardware, MidSouth Bank, Mellow Mushroom and Wilson Investment Group, as well as those who contributed prizes and donations including Chick Fil A Auburn, Tanology, Ace Hardware, Niffer’s Auburn and Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers,.

Empty Bowls Tickets on Sale Feb. 6

Empty Bowls tickets will be available starting on Feb. 6th for the 10th annual Auburn-Opelika Empty Bowls. You can purchase tickets at auburnalabama.org/parks/register for $20. All of the proceeds from this year’s event is going to the East Alabama Food Bank.

Empty Bowls is taking place on Thursday, March 25th at Kiesel Park. Everyone in attendance will choose a handmade bowl as well as some soup. Each bowl is created by local artists and the soup is donated from local restaurants. There will also be live music, a short presentation and an opportunity to win fun and unique prizes!

Sponsorship Applications are Open for Easter Events

Sponsorship registration for the 2023 Auburn Easter events is now open! Businesses have the opportunity to sponsor either the 43rd annual Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast with the Bunny. The event sponsorship fee for Breakfast with the Bunny is $1,500 while the fee for the Easter Egg Hunt is $2,000. Both of these fees will allow the business to have their name and logo on the event entrance banner, the City of Auburn website, registration site and all other promotional materials such as posters and social media posts. The sponsors will also be given the chance to set up a tent at the event!

Breakfast with the Bunny is taking place on April 1st from 8-11 a.m and the Easter Egg Hunt will be on April 8th from 10 a.m.- noon. Businesses can apply by visiting https://www.auburnalabama.org/easter-egg-hunt/. The deadline for applications is March 17th.

Auburn CityFest vendor applications now available

The Auburn CityFest Committee is accepting applications for arts & crafts, nonprofit and food vendors for the 2023 Auburn CityFest. This year's event will be held April 29 at Kiesel Park from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The theme will be "Jurassic Journey."

Auburn CityFest is Auburn's largest FREE outdoor festival and is a great opportunity for arts & crafts, nonprofit and food vendors to gain exposure in the Southeast. Food vendor applications are due March 3, nonprofit applications are due March 10 and arts & crafts applications are due April 7. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors are encouraged to apply as soon as possible due to limited space.

Vendors may register online. For more information about Auburn CityFest, visit auburncityfest.com.

Frank Brown & Boykin Community Center Fitness Membership increases

Our fitness center and non-resident basketball memberships at Frank Brown Recreation Center and Boykin Community Center will be $30 starting on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Already have a membership? Make sure it's transferred to our new system! At this time there is not a deadline to transfer existing memberships. If you didn't receive a promo code via email, please call 334-501-2930.

2023 Spring Program Registration Starts Feb. 6

Pick up your copy of the 2023 Auburn Parks and Recreation Spring Brochure at any Auburn Parks and Rec. facility, the Auburn Library or Auburn City Hall. Register for spring programs Mon. Feb. 6 online only. Visit auburnal.myrec.com/info/ to set up an online account and review 2023 events and programs.

Bark in the Park and Tails and Trails application now open

Registration for Tails & Trails begins Mon. Jan. 2nd ?! Join Active Auburn as we kick off the 11th annual Bark in the Park with a 3K for you and your furriest friends. Grab your running shoes and your running “pawtner” for a dog gone good time! The 3rd annual Tails and Trails 3K will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 18th, at Kiesel Park followed by Bark in the Park at 9 a.m. Visit auburnal.myrec.com/info/ to create an account and register!

Daddy Daughter Date Night Tickets on sale now

The 33rd-annual Daddy Daughter Date Night is quickly approaching, and tickets are on sale now.  This year's event will be held at the Auburn Junior High School Fieldhouse Gym (new gym).

Daddy Daughter Date Night will be held Friday, Feb. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 11, from 6:30-9 p.m. each night Sat., Feb. 11 is currently sold out.  This year’s theme is “Magic In The Air” and will feature a teal and gold color scheme with peacock feather and glitter accents — think Cirque du Soleil-esque. Enjoy food, music and dancing, have your photo taken and visit with special guests.

Saturday, Feb. 11 is currently sold out and on a waitlist. There is still availability on Fri., Feb. 10. Please note, because of the swap to the MyRec online registration system, attendees must purchase a “father” ticket for each father figure attending and a separate “daughter” ticket for each daughter attending. Customers will receive scannable codes in their email and must present these on their purchased night to enter the dance. Tickets are only valid for the night they were purchased. Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be resold or given to another family. All ticket sales for the event are final. Visit auburnal.myrec.com to purchase tickets.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Kaufman at 334-501-2939.

CityMarket vendor applications now open

Are you a local grower or artisan wanting to share your products with those in the community? Apply to be a vendor at Auburn Parks and Recreations 2023 City Market! City Market vendor applications will open Monday, November 14th, City Market will be held Saturdays from May 20th to August 26th at Town Creek Park, from 8 – 11am, with vendor set-up beginning at 7am.

Farmers, growers, and artists who are interested in participating in the City Market must fill out an online application or apply in person at the Harris Center (425 Perry Street).

For more information, link to vendor applications and City Market handbook please visit www.auburnalabama.org/citymarket or contact Sarah Cook, Market Coordinator, at [email protected].

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 $25.00 fee. A membership must be acquired for free play basketball and racquetball regardless of age. Replacement cards will cost $25.00 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

Check out the Spring 2022 Auburn Parks and Recreation's Fall brochure for information about tennis clinics.  Auburn Parks and Recreation offers tennis clinics for children and adults. For more information visit www.auburnalabma.org/parks to view the brochure online or contact Sarah Hill at [email protected] if you have additional questions.