Here comes the sun

Written by Rishon Hanners
Photos by Doug Lighton

The Tennessee River Valley comes alive during the summer months. You could fill every weekend with a different festival, market, or other activity that takes you outdoors and in the enjoyment of sun and blue skies. Here are some events to add to your calendars for May and June.

MAY

2023 North Alabama Airfest
Pryor Field Regional Airport (DCU), Tanner;
June 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The inaugural North Alabama Airfest, with more than two hours of 昀ying activities that the entire family will enjoy. Visit northalabamaairfest.昀ydcu.com for more information.

2023 Trash Pandas Beer & Wine Festival
Toyota Field, Madison;
Saturday, June 17 from 2 – 6 pm

Enjoy more than 65 varieties of beer, wine, and champagne. This is a 21 and up event so have the babysitter lined up! A live band will perform throughout. Visit milb.com/rocket-city/news/2023-trash-pandas-beer-and-wine-festival for more information.

HydroFest
Sunset Drive, Lake Guntersville,
June 24 and 25
Hydro

Fest is the extreme event of the summer and a tradition that dates back to the 1940s. Located on beautiful Lake Guntersville, Hydrofest is like the F-1 racing of power boats racing four or 昀ve boats wide on a rectangle course at speeds of over 200 mph. Visit explorelakeguntersville.com/the-lake/hydrofest/ for more information.

1-31 Huntsville Vegan Challenge
Multiple locations across Huntsville

During this time, restaurants throughout the area will feature special vegan menu items. Diners have the opportunity to go out, enjoy meals, vote, comment, and post photos of the delicious vegan meals they have ordered.

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Trivia Tuesday
Presented by Pourhouse
Stovehouse, 3414 Governors Dr SW 6 – 8 p.m.

Hosted by Trivia Masters, Trivia Tuesdays invite you to show off your smarts for fun and prizes while enjoying premium wines, beer, and cocktails along with dinner and desserts from campus restaurants. Visit stovehouse.com for more information.

3 Spring Hat LuncheonHuntsville
Botanical Garden, Isenberg Grand Hall 11:30 – 1:30

Brush off those fabulous fascinators, breathtaking bonnets, and luscious lids because the Huntsville Botanical Garden’s 9th Annual Spring Hat Lucheon is back! Visit hsvbg.org for tickets and information.

4, 18 R&B Vibes Live at the Camp5909
University Drive, Huntsville, AL 35806

Kick -off the weekend with R&B Night at The Camp. No cover charge. Bring lawn chairs. Pet friendly. Sponsor or Vendor, visit randbvibeslive.com for more information.

5 The Beasley Brothers-Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

5-7 Die FledermasFaith Presbyterian Church
Whitesburg Drive SE

Opera Huntsville presents a staged production of Johann Strauss Jr’s comedic opera Die Fledermaus. With the combined forces of Huntsville Master Chorale and Huntsville Ballroom, Opera Huntsville offers an immersive dessert theater experience. Guests are encouraged to purchase a mask from the Opera Huntsville website and come dressed in their evening 昀nery. The opera will be performed in English with supertitles. Visit operahuntsville.org for tickets and information.

6 Kentucky Derby Watch Party
Stella’s Elixir Lounge
127 Holmes Ave N. Downtown Huntsville from 1 – 3 p.m.

Stella’s Third Annual Kentucky Derby Watch Party features live music, bourbon, bowties and big hats as guests wait to see the most exciting two minutes in sports. Visit stellashsv.com for more information.

6 Hunnivega – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

7, 14, 21, 28 Market at MidCity
5909 University Drive, Huntsville, AL 35806
Sundays March 12 – November 12 from 12 – 4

The 5th season of The Market at MidCity, Huntsville’s Market for Farmers, Artisans, Makers, Growers, Musicians, and more. Each week The Camp hosts nearly 50 local farmers, growers, bakers, and makers. Visit explorethecamp.com/market for more information.

JUNE

11 The Cure Bash
The Stovehouse (Royal Room)
3414 Governor’s Drive from 6 – 10 p.m.

This is the inaugural event for The Cure Bash for Cure Diabetes, Inc. The event features a healthy dinner, dancing to the music of JED Eye and an exhibition from Fred Astaire Dance Studio. The goal is to raise funds for a mobile education van to deliver diabetes prevention and education programs in Madison, Morgan, Limestone, DeKalb, Marshall and Jackson Counties. The evening will honor the life and work of its founder, Dr. Robert H. Creech, an endocrinologist that passed away suddenly in April of 2021. Mayor Tommy Battle will present a proclamation on behalf of the city. Visit curediabetesinc.org for more information.

12 3Way Handshake – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

13 April Pendergrass Band – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

18 Voices of Our Times with Elizabeth Locke
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street SW
1 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The popular series, Voices of Our Times presents jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke. Elizabeth Locke draws on a lifelong fascination with the antique jewelry of the Etruscans, Greeks and Romans as she creates her own neo-classical hand-made 19k gold jewelry. The event features a luncheon, presentation and book signing. Visit hsvmuseum.org/elizabeth-locke for more information.

19 Bad Camaro – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

19-21 Master Artist Workshop with Ann Moeller Steverson
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street SW

Want to paint more vibrant portraits? Ann Moeller Steverson will teach you how to create beautiful soft skin tones with a rainbow of natural colors. Visit hsvmuseum.org for more information.

20 Huntsville Classic
Orion Amphitheater

The 2022 Huntsville Classic made history as the first event in the Orion Amphitheater. Every dollar raised will benefit the top priority needs of the community not-for-profit hospitals. Artist to be announced soon. Visit huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org for more information.

20 Hard on the Chickens – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

26 Shane Davis Group – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

28 Betsy & Peter Lowe Community Free Day
Huntsville Museum of Art
300 Church Street SW

The Museum looks forward to welcoming guests and their families during the Memorial Day weekend with free admission from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit hsvmuseum.org for more information.

1 R&B Live at the Camp

2 Fly2K – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

6, 13, 20, 27 Trivia Tuesday
Presented by PourhouseStovehouse,
3414 Governors Dr SW

Hosted by Trivia Masters, Trivia Tuesdays invite you to show off your smarts for fun and prizes while enjoying premium wines, beer, and cocktails along with dinner and desserts from campus restaurants. Visit stovehouse.com for more information.

4 Huntsville Botanical Garden Wedding Expo
12 – 4 p.m.

Discover everything for your wedding, all in one place, up close and in person. Chat with the area’s most talented wedding professionals as you taste delicious cakes, see beautiful 昀owers, 昀nd amazing decor, and discover solutions for all of your planning details. Bring your entire entourage or bring your one special someone to help you make decisions. Visit hsvbg.org for more information.

4, 11, 18, 25 Market at MidCity

9 The Beasley Brothers – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

16 The Silver Silos – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

17 Juneteenth at the Camp

Family and pet friendly. No cover charge. Visit explorethecamp.com for more information.

23 Matt Prater Band – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

30 Bad Camaro – Live at Stovehouse
7 – 10 p.m.

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