Four days of fun to celebrate 25th annual Azalea Trail Run

Mar 17th, 2002

Everything from dance to hockey will be available for weekend visitors

By CASANDRA ANDREWS
Staff Reporter

Beginning Thursday, opportunities to drench your senses abound in Mobile, starting with the Festival of Flowers and the opera "The Barber of Seville."


Then, there'll be art and hockey, dance and theater, plus a gangster movie and Celtic music included in the city's Azalea Trail Run Festival.

The four-day celebration is centered around the 25th annual Azalea Trail Run scheduled for Saturday, organizers said.

Ann Rambeau, a special events coordinator with the city, said the festival gives visitors an opportunity to sample some of Mobile's finest artistic offerings.

"We decided that so many people were coming in from out of town -- more than 40 states -- and we wanted them to have a reason to stay more than one day," she said.

"People who run long distances tend to be well educated and in upper income levels, and that's the types of things they like to do," Rambeau said of the lineup. "We've seen a lot of Azalea Trail run shirts at the Festival of Flowers."

Those wearing a run number from the race Saturday will get discounts at area merchants, including the flower show.

The city's premier garden exhibition, featuring over 100,000 square feet of displays, runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 24 on the campus of Spring Hill College.

Other events planned for the four-day fest are:

Health & Fitness Expo , includes live music and entertainment at the post-race party, Mobile Convention Center, from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Medical experts will be on hand to answer health questions.

Kids Day in the Convention Cen ter, from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, and until noon Saturday, includes face-painting, clowns, a spacewalk and more. Free for registered runners.

"The Hot L Baltimore ," at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 N. Lafayette St. For info, call 433-7513.

"The Barber of Seville," 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Mobile Opera. For reservations or info, call 476-7372.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Fac tory ," 7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Mobile Playhouse in the Park on Museum Drive. Reservations, 602-0630.

Very Special Arts , Easter festival and juried art show, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Fred Delchamps Center, 2401 Gordon Smith Drive. Features arts and crafts made by people with disabilities. Info, 343-0958.

"Southern Comfort: A Celebration of Mobile's Heritage ," by Alabama Contemporary Dance Co., 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saenger Theater. Info, 208-5600

Mobile Mysticks vs. Macon Whoo pie , 7:30 p.m. Friday, hockey game at the Mobile Civic Center. Tickets, 208-7825.

Celtic Celebration, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oakleigh House Museum, presented by Mobile Preservation Society's Music in the Parlor. Info, 432-1281.

Once Upon a Time in America : 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Expo Hall at the Mobile Civic Center. A gangster film presented by the Mobile Museum of Art. Info, 208-5200.