Weekend Roundup April 17-19

I can’t believe how much there is to do this weekend in Huntsville! Everything we’ve listed below is family-friendly and free or cheap, so take your pick.

I know it sounds crazy, but there’s even MORE activities on our full Event Calendar. I know, right???

Without further ado…

Concerts on the Dock

Friday from 6-9 PM
Cost: FREE, $2 to park
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment (map)

Lowe Mill has outdone itself with this week’s Concert On the Dock! The Dawn Drapes, Jordan Hull, and Up The Chain are three great acts that will take the stage. It’s a family and pet friendly event so bring your kids, dogs on leashes, lawn chairs, picnics, dancing shoes and hula hoops.

Deals for a Cause

Saturday, all day
Cost: FREE to participate
Details below

• 3rd Annual Super Saturday Rummage, Market & Old-Fashioned Fair from 7AM – 3PM: Artist, boutique, craft, small business and consultant booths. There will also be rummage sale tables. Games for the kids and a corn hole tournament for the big kids. Concessions will be available. Outdoor event.
• Free Yard Sale from 8AM – 1PM: Southside Baptist Church will be this rummage for the community, giving away items for people that need them. They are collecting clothes, household items, etc. for this event. If you have items to donate, contact Steve Bauer or call the Church Office. Details at 256-539-0621.

Cullman’s Bloomin’ Festival

Saturday from 9AM – 5PM
Cost: $5, kids 5 and under free
St. Bernard Abbey (map)

The Bloomin’ Festival is a two-day juried arts festival attracting thousands of visitors to the beautiful campus of St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School. Located adjacent to the school is the world famous Ave Maria Grotto. The picturesque landscape of stone cut buildings on the grounds of Alabama’s only Abbey provides a backdrop for the out-of-doors show. More than 140 booths are filled with artists demonstrating and exhibiting their work. Rain or shine!

March for Babies

Saturday from 9-11 AM
Cost: FREE to walk
HudsonAlpha McMillan Park (map)

We’re getting ready to walk in March for Babies! It promises to be a fun day out with people who share the passion for improving the health of babies. There’ll be family teams, company teams and people walking with friends – it’s a great feeling knowing it’s all helping real families. Registration begins at 8am.

Earth Day Events for Kids

Saturday & Saturday
Cost: FREE
Details below

• Earth Crafts at the Library: Make a recycled tote Saturday from noon – 1:00 PM at the Triana Public Library. Putting it to good use is a convenient way to reduce, reuse, and recycle every day, not just Earth Day!
• Hays Nature Preserve: Operation Green Team invites you to celebrate the 45th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Hays Nature Preserve Saturday from 10am-2pm. More than 70 exhibits will have activities for children to enjoy as they learn about our environment. Meet animals that soar, slither, or crawl & bees that buzz. View a mass butterfly release and learn more about these beautiful pollinators. Nab a free tomato plant and cucumber plant to the first 1,000 families, while supplies last.
• Earth Day at Monte Sano: This Sunday event takes place from 1-5 PM and will include an Earth Day farmer’s market, eco-friendly vendors and exhibitors, guided hikes with state park employees, EarthCaching, Von Braun Astronomical Society Planetarium shows, forestry and water-conservation demonstrations, rehabilitated wildlife and musical groups. Parking is $5.

Discover Downtown Madison

Saturday from 10AM – 3PM
Cost: FREE
Main Street, Madison (map)

• Art 4 Paws: The Madison Arts Council (MAC) kicks off spring with the 4th annual Art 4 Paws Festival, on Saturday. The 10am – 3pm event will feature artists, craftsmen, and businesses that cater to pet owners. Fido will enjoy trying the beginner agility course something and the twelve and under crew will find something fun in the Children’s Area. In addition to the dog show, the festival features arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and food vendors.
• Guided Spring Walking Tour: Did you know that the Madison Historic District is home to the jail-turned-restaurant Main Street Café? The Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsors free guided tours that take place every Saturday in the month of April at 10 AM. You won’t want to miss exploring the beauty and history of Madison’s storied past. Stroller-friendly. Wear comfortable shoes & dress according to the weather forecast – walk is rain or shine as long as it isn’t stormy.

Free Painting Class

Saturday at 11:00 AM
Cost: FREE
Bessie K. Russell Library (map)

Create a sunburst piece of art – this family-friendly activity will make your day a sunny one, even if rain is in the forecast. Call 256-859-9050 to reserve your canvas.

2nd Annual STEAM FEST

Saturday from Noon – 4PM
Cost: FREE, donations accepted
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment (map)

A 3-story pinewood derby track? Art drones? Jet engines in suitcases? This all-ages event celebrating the STEM education curriculum with an emphasis on how those subjects are used in visual, creative, and performing arts. The event will take place outdoors in the Lowe Mill water tower parking lot as well in the individual studios of artists throughout the building. In case of rain all outdoor activities will be moved into the first floor connector. Read more about this uniquely Huntsville kid’s event.

Spring Festivals in County Parks

Saturday from 2-4 PM and 6-10 PM
Cost: FREE

• Harvest Family Fun Fest: The Harvest Community Storm Shelter will provide the people of Harvest and the surrounding area with a much-needed safe haven during severe weather. This family-friendly event from 2-4 PM supports that effort and includes: a kids “truck touch,” featuring an ambulance, police car, fire truck, and helicopter (which will take off at 4pm), face painting, live music, food, and beverages.
• Monrovia Parks & Rec Opening Day: Monrovia Parks & Recreation Association Opening Day. Friends, Fun, Food, and Fireworks. Come enjoy a fun night of games and music with fireworks at 8pm.

Go See a Show!

All Weekend
One of my favorite things to do, especially when it’s a rainy weekend, is go watch some local theatre. There’s no shortage of family-friendly choices this weekend!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Theatre Randolph
The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Fantasy Playhouse
High School Musical by Hazel Green High Drama
Once Upon a Mattress by Huntsville High Theatre
[box style=”lavender rounded” ]DISCLAIMER: We do our best at Rocket City Mom to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from user submissions, press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. While we always try to confirm details before they are posted here, sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go, especially when it comes to outdoor events and weather. [/box]