10 Cool Things in Huntsville/Madison

SEPTEMBER EDITION

1. Big Spring Jam

Alabama’s Big Spring Jam is one of the largest music festivals in the Southeastern United States. Since its debut in 1993, BSJ has donated almost half a million dollars to area charities, health and human services agencies and arts and entertainment organizations. The tradition continues with a slew of great acts September 25th – 27th at Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville.

2. Yard Sale at The Storage Neighbor

Alabama’s neighborhood storage source invites you to be our guest and come to our Yard Sale on Saturday, September 19th from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM off of Blake Bottom Road. It’s free to get in and there will be great items and treasures available for purchase.

3. $25 to Olde Town Brewing Co. – ID This Photo

2 tix to Olde Town Brewing Co., “Alabama’s original beer” brewed right in Huntsville, to the first person to identify this local picture – respond to this email.

4. Southern Bier Garden Festival

Beer lovers rejoice. On Saturday September 12th from 2-8 pm, the Huntsville Botanical Garden hosts the first annual Southern Bier Garden Festival. Beer lovers will be given a map as they enter and will be free to wander/sample the south’s best breweries at beer tents spread throughout the Garden. Bring your lawn chairs and drink up!

5. Huntsville Stars Last 5 Home Games

Hold off on football mania (at least for a weekend) and head over to The Joe for the last five games of the Huntsville Stars season. The team that produced two of this year’s MLB Home Run Derby finalists faces off against the Jacksonville Suns September 3-7.

6. 38th Annual Monte Sano 10K/5K/Fun Run

Spend this Saturday morning, September 5th running through this beautiful rolling, shady course on top of Monte Sano Mountain in the 38th running of Monte Sano. As if you need any more motivation, this year’s runners receive a tank or a t-shirt.

7. Theatre Huntsville’s “You Can’t Take it With You”

On September 11-19, You Can’t Take It With You, the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy takes a look inside the mad, mad world of the Sycamore family. Explosions, impromptu ballet, and income tax evaders abound! In contrast to this delightful family are the unhappy Kirbys, invited over for a cheap meal and a wedding proposal. You’ll be laughing til your stomach hurts.

8. Bridge Street Farmers Market

The Bridge Street Farmers Market takes place every Saturday (rain or shine) through September 26th in the mixed-use Bridge Street Town Centre. You’ll experience a variety of agricultural produce and flowers, homemade breads and baked goods. There will also be entertainment fit for the entire family.

9. Huntsville Museum of Art
The Huntsville Museum of Art in beautiful Big Spring International Park features pretty much something for everyone, one of the reasons it has been voted one of Alabama’s top 10 destinations. Take a stroll through the latest award-winning exhibitions, admire student artwork in the Children’s Community Gallery, or even sign up for an art class at the Museum Academy.

10. Sci-Quests’s Immersive Theater

Consistently one of the best family attractions in Huntsville, the Immersive Theater leads audiences through the formation of a thunderstorm and tornado-like conditions all in an interactive 3-D format. Shows are Tuesday – Saturday.

Neighborhood Tidbit
Five Points Historic District

Five Points is Huntsville’s latest Historic Preservation District, established in 1999. Initially part of the 1892 East Huntsville Addition, it developed slowly over the course of a century. The neighborhood’s significance lies in its mixture and evolution of middle-class housing in 20th century Huntsville. The houses include Victorian homes, Bungalows that experienced great popularity in the 1920’s and 30’s, Cape Cods, which were then succeeded by the Ranch style, which was fashionable in the 50’s and 60’s. The East Huntsville Addition was the first true suburb in Huntsville, made feasible by the construction of a streetcar line, which allowed working people to live farther from jobs and shopping without owning an automobile. The neighborhood still retains its 19th century grid layout of broad, parallel streets, narrow but deep lots, and rear service alleys, which permit pedestrian-oriented streets.