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State tourism Web Site features Fall Color Map

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian S. Jones

October 1, 2009 1-800-ALABAMA

Montgomery, AL- An interactive map on the Alabama Tourism Department’s website allows visitors to see the predicted fall color change for each weekend this fall. The map, a list of recommended viewing sites and a Circle of Color driving route are all available on the state tourism website at www.alabama.travel.

Alabama State Parks are some of the best places to enjoy the fall color change. Joe Wheeler has an excellent viewing spot next to the dam and near the cabin area on the Lawrence County side. Autumn scenery can be found at DeSoto State Park at Little River Canyon and DeSoto Falls. Monte Sano has views of the Tennessee Valley along the Warpath Ridge Trail and its overlook. Cheaha’s Bald Rock and Pulpit Rock trails both have excellent views. Cheaha is the highest point in the state at 2,407 feet above sea level.

With cooler days and lower humidity, autumn is a wonderful time to enjoy Alabama’s many fall festivals and events. Lee Sentell, director of the Alabama Tourism Department, recommends several events designed around being outdoors and enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

Outdoor events scheduled for this fall include:

Governor’s Mansion Autumn Garden Tour in Montgomery on Oct. 16-17
Kentuck Festival of the Arts in Northport on Oct. 17-18
Alabama Renaissance Faire in Florence on Oct. 24-25
National Peanut Festival in Dothan on Oct. 30-Nov. 7
Original German Sausage Festival in Elberta on Oct. 31
Harvest Celebration in Hoover on Oct. 31
Alabama Frontier Days in Wetumpka on Nov. 4-8
Pike Road Arts and Crafts Festival in Pike Road on Nov.7
Cayne Syrup Makin’ Day in Beatirce on Nov. 7
National Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham on Nov. 11

A complete list of fall events is available at www.alabama.travel.

The Science of Fall

Several different factors go into producing Alabama’s wonderful fall colors. During the summer, leaves are given their green color by the chemical chlorophyll that the tree sends its leaves in order to conduct photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which trees take in sunlight and convert it into chemical energy while releasing oxygen. The shorter days and cooler temperatures of fall reduce the amount of chlorophyll the tree sends to its leaves. Since the chlorophyll is less and less in the leaves, the leaves begin turning from green to hues of yellow and orange color.

The vibrancy and variation of leaf color is determined by how much sugar is “trapped” in the leaf. The tree produces sugar during the warm afternoon, but it becomes trapped in the leaf when the night turns cool. The more sugar a leaf has trapped in it, the brighter its color will be and the more variations you will see of reds, bright oranges, and purples. The best colors result when there are sunny fall days, cool nights, and enough rainfall to keep the leaves from falling to soon.

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