Weekend Roundup August 14-16

Wow…

There are so many great things to do this weekend in Huntsville, and lots of them are free or cheap to attend! This is great news for your wallet, but even better news for your family – they have a variety of ways to spend some time together and do something fun.

We just couldn’t resist putting together another MEGA EDITION of the Huntsville Weekend Roundup just for all you busy moms & dads. Enjoy!

Eat Something Fresh

Friday & Saturday
Cost: FREE to attend
Locations vary, see below

This is a great time of year to visit a Farmer’s Market in Madison County – lucky for you there are FOUR going on over the weekend. Ripe peaches, tomatoes, homemade jellies, bread, fresh eggs & meat – the list is lengthy and delicious. Friday also kicks off Huntsville Restaurant Week, a celebration of local food & delicious specials through August 23rd. We details all about how to enjoy it with your whole family here. (If you want to have a Date Night without the kids, there are a couple of Parent’s Night Out programs to choose from this weekend at Sci-Quest and The Little Gym!)

Movies In Parks

Friday at 6PM & 7:30PM
Cost: FREE
Big Spring Park (map) | Providence Park (map)

The Historic Huntsville Foundation will be showing Despicable Me as their last outdoor movie of the summer, and you don’t want to miss it. Pack a picnic, grab your lawn chairs, and enjoy the beautiful evening with your kiddos and the Minions. On the other side of town, the Village of Providence is planning to have a SUPER ending to their summer series. The Avengers will debut on the Providence Park outdoor screen. No picnics allowed at this one, but there is plenty of eats available from the several restaurants bordering the park.

Live Concert Band

Friday at 6:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Athens State, Founders Hall lawn (map)

Grab your family and join other music lovers on the lawn of Founders Hall for live music from the Athens State University Band. Music featured from James Bond, Disney, The Wizard of Oz, Star Trek, The Pink Panther, Danny Elfman, and John Williams. Bring a lawn chair or blanket!

Rockin’ the River

Friday & Saturday
Cost: Free – $5
Joe Wheeler State park (map)

Rockin’ the Park is being co-hosted by Joe Wheeler State Park and the Rogersville Chamber of Commerce. This family fun-filled weekend starts with a movie at dark on Friday evening. The event is free to the public with access to the Family Fun area armbands for $5 each. Activities include: Giant Blow Up Slide, Bouncy House, The Sci-Quest Slime Making Machine, Rise Raptors Project Educational Tent, Sidewalk Chalk, and Face Painting. Saturday features a morning fishing rodeo, live music, twilight golf, and more kids activities. Call 256-627-9897 for details or get more info on their Facebook Page.

Herp Show in Decatur

Saturday at 11AM and 1PM
Cost: FREE
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge (map)

Meet Alabama’s native reptiles and amphibians! The Alabama 4-H Center will be bringing in several species of snakes, turtles, frogs and even an alligator for a hands-on exciting educational learning experience. Better yet? You have TWO shows to choose from! More info here.

 

Create a Fantastical Creature

Saturday from 11AM – 1PM
Cost: FREE
Huntsville Museum of Art (map)

Create an animal-themed artwork using wiggly eyes and collage pieces of art foam and paper as seen in the works in the Connections: Diane Fox|Beauvais Lyons exhibition. Families and children are invited to participate in a range of programs especially designed with younger visitors in mind. The Drop-In & CREATE Saturdays offer fun, interactive art making activities for families with children ages 3 and up that will sure to spark one’s creativity! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Get HAPPI!

Saturday from Noon-3PM
Cost: FREE
HAPPI, Inc. (map)

Come to HAPPI’s Back to School Carnival! This is a great event for the whole family with popcorn, cotton candy, bounce house, a dunk tank and more! They will even be raffling off backpacks filled with back to school supplies as well.

Star Gaze in Huntsville

Saturday from 7:30 – 9PM
Cost: $3 – $5
VBAS Planetarium (map)

What causes eclipses and why? How often do eclipses happen and when is the next eclipse of the Moon or the Sun? You’ll learn the answers to these questions and investigate those rare occasions when the Moon, Earth and the Sun are all lined up just right. This VBAS program will be led by Gena Crook – weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to look at some of the wonders of the universe via telescopes following the planetarium program with the help of experienced and knowledgeable observing crew. Read our review! 

 

After Hours Sensory Night

Sunday from 3:30 – 7PM
Cost: $5-$16
U.S. Space & Rocket Center (map)

U.S. Space & Rocket Center in partnership with Making Connections is offering special sensory-friendly family activities for those affected by autism or other sensory issues. Families can explore the museum or enjoy a movie in the theatre with dimmed lights and lowered volumes. See the movie schedule and get more details here.

[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]