Every Saturday in April, some 25 towns throughout the state will be highlighted as part of the Alabama Department of Tourism’s April Walking Tours.

The free hour-long tours will begin at 10 a.m. on April 7, 14, 21 and 28 and will be led by community leaders through courthouse squares and historic districts.

The walking tour in Selma will start and end at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. The tour will hit downtown Selma, touching such streets as Dallas Avenue, Broad and Lauderdale streets, Alabama and Water avenues before ending at the library.

“Participants will meet at the gazebo,” said Selma Tourism director Candace Johnson. “The route is a 1-mile loop.”

Johnson said though this is not the first time for the walk, this is the first time the walk has happened in April rather than June, when it’s usually held.

In its ninth year, Johnson believes the local tour is a great way to get active.

“I think it is important for Selma to support projects that Alabama Tourism promotes as well as hosting an activity that encourages exercise,” Johnson said. “This is a great partner to the ‘Let’s Move Selma’ program that was kicked off last August in Phoenix Park.”

Alabama tour coordinator Brian Jones said Alabama is the only state to hold simultaneous walking tours statewide.

“These walking tours are a great way to get out and enjoy the spring weather and find out about the history of our state,” Jones said in a released statement. “We have done more than 1,500 walking tours since the beginning of the program nine years ago.”

Johnson hopes all can participate in the event.

“I would like to see citizens and visitors alike participate in the tours to enjoy the history we have here as well as the beautiful weather and feeling of community, joining in an activity with your neighbors.”

For more information or to get a map of the tour, call 875-7241.