Here are a few fun events to fill your weekend. It should be a beautiful weekend and the perfect chance to get out and explore the Madison and Huntsville area. For more events, check out the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.huntsville.org. You can also check out our annual guide to finding fun and adventure, called “Explore”. Click here for a digital version of the magazine or pick up a free copy at the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

A good crowd usually enjoys the many Madison City Farmers Market’s offerings on Saturday mornings. RECORD PHOTO/JOHN FEW

Madison City Farmers Market
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon
Located at 1088 Hughes Road, next to Trinity Baptist Church, Madison City Farmers Market is a producer-only farmers market founded in 2007. Vendors provide a wide selection of the freshest local veggies, fruits, cheese, eggs, meats, milk, herbs, honey, jams, relishes, home-baked goods, plants and flowers. Come see creations from local artisans including handmade cards, soaps, lotions, candles, wood crafts, sewn items and other handmade products. It will be open this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

A Journey into Imagimation: Over 100 Years of Animation Art from Around the World
Through Sept. 29
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street
Admission Charged
www.hsvmuseum.org/a-journey-into-imagimation-100-years-of-animation-july-12-september-29-2024
A Journey into Imagimation celebrates the ongoing history of animation production since the creation of this magical art form. The exhibition presents 140 rare and recognizable objects, that includes original cels, drawings, and models that feature a full range of animation techniques from the groundbreaking traditional animation of Gertie the Dinosaur, created by Winsor McCay in 1914, to many of today’s digitally supported animations, including The Simpsons and Toy Story. This unique exhibition will explore the elaborate and demanding creative processes of many of the groundbreaking animators. It also highlights the incredible amount of work and talent that went into animated productions for over a century. Featured are the amazing creativity of animators Lotte Reiniger, George Pal, Ub Iwerks, Willis O’Brien, Chuck Jones, and Walt Disney, among others.

American Studio Glass
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street
hsvmuseum.org/american-glass-studio
While glass containers and vessels have been made for more than 2,000 years, today’s artists have taken traditional forms, like bowls and vases to a high level of individual expression. They create sculptures of intricate shapes, texture and subject matter, working glass with varied techniques and combining it with an array of other media in surprisingly new and beautiful ways.

Buccellati: A Silver Menagerie
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street
hsvmuseum.org/academy/create-at-home
The Buccellati style, which has combined Renaissance period techniques, luxury materials and the extensive use of texture engraving to create objects of great beauty.

Chrome: David Parrish
Through Sept. 8
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street
Admission Charged
hsvmuseum.org/chrome-david-parrish
The work of late Huntsville-based artist David Parrish stuns with its technical virtuosity. Over the course of his decades-long career, Parrish journeyed from a concept artist for aerospace industries to an acclaimed photorealist painter. From early experimentation to the iconic portrayal of motorcycles that brought him national acclaim, these artworks from the Huntsville Museum of Art’s permanent collection trace the evolution of Parrish’s style and allow for a rare glimpse into an artist’s journey.

City Lights & Stars Concert Series:Gwen & The Retro Cats
August 9
Starting: 7:30 p.m.
Burritt on the Mountain
3101 Burritt Drive
Admission Charged
www.burrittonthemountain.com/event/2024-city-lights-stars-gwen-the-retro-cats
City Lights & Stars Concert Series 31st season! Pack a picnic, dress casually, bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a spectacular view of the city while listening to great music. Food trucks will be onsite with food & dessert available for purchase. Beer and Wine available for purchase. Check website for additional updates.

Dare to Explore: Frontiers of Space
Recurring every week day
Times may vary. Visit website for more details.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
One Tranquility Base
Admission charged
www.rocketcenter.com/daretoexplore
Dare to Explore: Frontiers of Space is a new and evolving exhibit showcasing current and future technologies of space exploration, such as a 1/10th scale model of ULA’s Vulcan rocket, Boeing’s Starliner Pressure Capsule test vessel, a 1/0th scale model of NASA’s SLS rocket, Blue Origin’s Mannequin Skywalker, and coming soon, Chris Sembroski’s Inspiration4 SpaceX launch and entry suit. The Vulcan heavy-lift rocket is manufactured in nearby Decatur, and the pressure vessel is the skeleton of the reusable Crew Space Transportation Starliner module that will take crews to lower-Earth-orbit locations such as the International Space Station.

Doc McStuffins The Exhibit
Through Sept. 22
Exhibit open during museum hours
EarlyWorks Children’s Museum
404 Madison Street
www.earlyworks.com/stec_event/doc-mcstuffins-the-exhibit
Welcome to the exhibit of Doc McStuffins! The Doc McStuffins Show is about a character from the Disney Junior show, who is a girl that heals toys and helps her friends with their problems. This exhibit is open for a limited time.

Glass In Flight
Through Oct. 31
Recurring daily
Huntsville Botanical Garden
4747 Bob Wallace Avenue
hsvbg.org/glass-in-flight
Huntsville Botanical Garden invites you to embark on a whimsical journey through this mesmerizing exhibit, Glass in Flight. Wander among 21 breathtaking, larger-than-life glass sculptures that capture the delicate beauty and intricate details of nature’s most fascinating pollinators – from the vibrant wings of butterflies to the iridescent shimmer of dragonflies, the meticulous craftsmanship of beetles, and the gentle buzz of bees. This exhibit is more than a display; it’s an invitation to see the Garden and its inhabitants in an enchanting light. Each piece, crafted with exceptional artistry by artist Alex Heveri, tells a story of flight, transformation, and the delicate balance of nature.

Golden Hour
Through Sept. 27
Recurring weekly on Friday
5 p.m. to dusk
Huntsville Botanical Garden
4747 Bob Wallace Avenue
www.hsvbg.org/golden-hour
From April 18 through September, Garden hours on Fridays are extended to dusk. Enjoy food, drink, and entertainment in the shade of the Cedar Glade, and explore our 118 acres during the golden light of evenings at the Garden. Great for decompressing after work, enjoying a lovely date night, or simply seeing the Garden in a different light!

Rocket City Trash Pandas vs Birmingham Barons (fireworks after the game)
August 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Toyota Field
500 Trash Panda Way
Admission: Box Seats $18, GA $8, Stadium Club GA $25
www.milb.com/rocket-city/tickets/single-game-tickets
Breast Cancer Awareness Night & Friday Night Fireworks! School Supply Drive!

Shakespeare in the Garden: Romeo & Juliet and The Winter’s Tale
August 9 & 10
Enjoy 90-minute shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Huntsville Botanical Garden
4747 Bob Wallace Avenue
www.hsvbg.org/series/shakespeare-in-the-garden-romeo-juliet
Join Huntsville Shakespeare at Huntsville Botanical Garden’s outdoor Amphitheater for Shakespeare’s greatest love story on Aug. 9. This 90-minute version of Romeo and Juliet is a family-friendly way to experience the timeless tale of love and tragedy between two star-crossed lovers! For those looking for an alternative to teenage romance, a performance of The Winter’s Tale will be held Aug. 10.

The Ponchin Legacy: Two Generations of Masterful Art
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street
www.hsvmuseum.org/the-ponchin-legacy-two-generations-of-masterful-art
This exhibit from the Museum’s permanent collection pays homage to the creative work of two generations of acclaimed artists from the south of France- Antoine Ponchin (1872-1933) and his son, Jos. Henri Ponchin (1897-1981). The Ponchins were unusual among artists- a father and son who were equally well trained and critically respected in their native France. Antoine’s father, Louis Ponchin (1828-1899) was also an artist, best known as a genre painter who exhibited extensively at the Paris Salon and painted many religious murals in cathedrals throughout southern France.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Through Aug. 31
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Times may vary. Please visit website for more details.
6123 University Dr
Admission Charged
www.vangoghexpo.com/huntsville
“Become completely immersed in the works of art around you, and feel the shift in reality as you dive deep into the world created by Van Gogh’s brush strokes.” Come see Van Gogh’s art in a way never imaged before and you yourself can have the opportunity to be Van Gogh for a day! Put your artistic skills to the test where you can create your own art and you can even have your work project on the walls! Please visit website for more information.

Cigar Box Guitar Lessons
Recurring weekly on Saturday
From: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
2211 Seminole Drive
Admission not charged
Visit The Cigar Box Guitar Store Saturday from 12-2 pm for free cigar box guitar lessons, where instructor Pat Nickel can teach anyone a song in one minute. No experience required, loaner guitars available and there’s no obligation…Come learn how easy it is to make a joyful noise! Visit website for more details.

Community Fun & Wellness Festival
August 10
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dr. Richard Showers Recreation Center
4600 Blue Spring Road
Admission: Free
www.facebook.com/events/1006165571051468/?ref=newsfeed
As a collaboration between Central North Alabama Health Services Inc., HAPPI Health, and Thrive Alabama, they will be hosting their 4th Community Fun & Wellness Festival in observance of National Health Center Week.This is a family friendly event that includes health screenings, sports physicals, bounce houses inflatables, a petting zoo, free snow cones for the first 100, a DJ, giveaways, information about community resources, and more!

Huntsville City FC vs. Chattanooga FC
August 10
Starting: 7:00 PM
Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium
3125 Leeman Ferry Road
dmission Charged
www.ticketmaster.com

Outdoor Market at Lowe Mill A&E
Recurring weekly on Saturday
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
2211 Seminole Drive
Admission: $10 Parking
www.lowemill.art/event/outdoor-market-14/2024-05-18

RnBlues & BBQ Fest
August 10
2 to 8 p.m.
The Orion Amphitheater
701 Amphitheater Drive
www.theorionhuntsville.com/event/rblues-bbq-festival
The 2nd Annual RnBlues & BBQ Fest is the perfect combination of amazing food, music, and community! Celebrate this perfect blend of tasty southern BBQ & live R&B and southern blues music in Huntsville. This outdoor festival highlights local BBQ restaurants and food trucks, Rocket City’s best bands, recording artists, and DJs, and local businesses across the Tennessee Valley. This one-of-a-kind experience will not disappoint your taste buds!

Rocket City Trash Pandas vs Birmingham Barons
August 10
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Toyota Field in Madison
500 Trash Panda Way
Box Seats $18, GA $8, Stadium Club GA $25
www.milb.com/rocket-city/tickets/single-game-tickets
Space Night Specialty Jersey Auction & Fireworks!

The Heartshakers
August 10
Starting: 8 p.m.
VBC Mars Music Hall
700 Monroe Street
Admission Charged
www.vonbrauncenter.com/event/the-heartshakers/7316

The 4th Annual Rocket City Octane Auto Show
August 10
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
VBC South Hall
700 Monroe Street
Admission Charged
www.vonbrauncenter.com/event/rocket-city-octane-auto-show-2024/7165
North Alabama’s premier INDOOR auto show brings car enthusiasts from across the southeast for a family-friendly event. Trophies will be awarded, and guests can enjoy interactives for kids and adults! Admission is $10. Kids 12 and under are free. Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Rocket City Octane Auto Show! Tickets available at the VBC Box Office or at the door.

The Market at Leigh Acres
Recurring weekly on Saturday
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Leigh Acres
5655 Maysville Road
No admission charged
www.leighacres.com
Leigh Acres is approximately ten acres in New Market, Alabama. Every Saturday from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Leigh Acres has hundreds of artifacts and antiques displayed from around the world!

The Village of Providence Farmers and Artisans Market
Recurring weekly on Saturday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Village of Providence
7 Towne Center Drive, NW
Admission: FREE
www.theprovidencemarket.com
The Providence Market is situated in The Village of Providence within Town Center. This event provides a regular opportunity for the community to engage with local artisans and farmers. At the market, a diverse array of handmade items, homemade goodies and homegrown produce are showcased, offering visitors the chance to support and connect with these talented individuals.

Ladies Love Lemon Drops
August 11
The Orion Amphitheater
701 Amphitheater Drive
Advance General Admission: $25 | Day-Of General Admission: $40
theorionhuntsville.com/event/ladies-love-lemon-drops
2nd Annual Ladies Love Lemon Drops Festival at the Orion Amphitheater’s Artist Meadow. Get ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of summer, featuring sunshine, music, and an array of lemon drop cocktails. This festival-style event is crafted for those who cherish lively gatherings, delectable food, and a spirited ambiance. Whether you’re here to dance, unwind, or simply enjoy great company, you’ll find something to delight your senses. Dress Code: Embrace the theme with something yellow that brightens the day and matches the zest of our signature lemon drop flights! Highlights Include: Live DJ sets and performances throughout the day, featuring DJ Skeme, DJ Don Jr, DJ Immaculate, DJ Zach Alan and DJ KB. Indulge in diverse culinary delights from our lineup of food trucks. Savor a variety of lemon drop cocktails.

Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Birmingham Barons
August 11
500 Trash Panda Way, Madison, AL
500 Trash Panda Way
Admission: Box Seats $18, GA $8, Stadium Club GA, $25
Website: www.milb.com/rocket-city/tickets
This will be a FUN Lunaticos game featuring food trucks from local Latin-American vendors, music, specialty ballpark food and drink, and more!
The Lunaticos moniker pays tribute to North Alabama’s growing and diverse community, allowing everyone to show off their wild side at Toyota Field. Kids Run the Bases! – All kids are invited to Run the Bases on the field after the Sunday Games! – Presented by Listerhill Credit Union