2010 Northeast Alabama State Fair

Hey Huntsville residents! The 2010 Northeast Alabama State Fair is only a week away (Sept. 2-6)! Get excited! Most state fairs are huge, and have something for everyone.

There’s lots of new events and attractions for this year’s Fair including the ALL NEW John Hunt

BBQ Festival, sponsored by the Huntsville Jaycees and Southern Crossroads. Since BBQ is a staple of the summer, it only makes sense for there to be some sort of competition at such a large summer event. This is a Shadetree BBQ competition with cash prizes awarded to the teams with the best ribs and best chicken. Do you think your BBQ is the best around? Then why don’t you enter the contest?

Another new attraction for the fair is the Star Family Circus and Thrill show. This high action show features “death defying” motorcycle acts along with several circus acts that your family is sure to enjoy, as well as keep you on the edge of your seats!

There’s karaoke, a watermelon seed spitting contest, petting zoo, different food contests and more! There are so many events going on at the fair that it’s impossible for me to name them all!

This all takes place at John Hunt Park on Jaycee Way, at different times daily. Click the hyper link above to see times and dates.

Are you going to the festival?

photo credit: Wikipedia, Bob n Renee

Rocket City Beach Bash

Hey Bridgewater! Are you looking to get in that last ‘beach bash‘ before the summer? Well, this isn’t Panama City Beach, but it’ll do. The EarlyWorks Children’s Museum announces a new family friendly event; the first Rocket City Beach Bash will be held on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, 2010.

The Beach Bash is taking place behind the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum. It’s not a beach right now, per say, but over 400 tons of sand will be trucked in and spread out on a 200 yard section of Fountain Circle. This is a very family fun centered event.  There will be beach friendly activities, wading pools, entertainment, beach umbrellas, bounce house, and much more!

While you’re partying on the ‘beach’, you’re also supporting a good cause. Proceeds from the beach bash will go to helping our Alabama beaches. Families are encouraged to bring their favorite beach toys, towels, beach chairs and come enjoy the day at the beach -in downtown Huntsville, while helping the Alabama beaches recover from the oil spill.

Tickets are only $5 for both days and are being sold in advance. So mark your calendars for July 31 and August 1st, from noon to 8 pm.

Huntsville Blues Festival at the Von Braun Center

Have you ever really sat and listened to the blues? Sure they have the soul stirring, heart wrenching, top tapping vocals and beats that we are all accustomed to, but have you ever really listened to the words? One day, I was listening to one of my father’s old blues records with him, and I was surprised by the lyrics.

One song in particular was talking about the pain he felt after his wife left and took the dog, another talking about people not appreciating your house, and yet another mad because their favorite song wasn’t played on the radio. Okay, now the last one may be a exaggerated, but only a tiny bit! I like the blues, when they actually make sense, but those songs just made me laugh.

One blues fest that I know will be pretty good is the Huntsville Blues Festival at the Von Braun Center on Saturday at 6pm. It will feature artists such as Sir Charles Jones, Mel Waiters, Latimore, Theodis Ealey, Wilson Meadows, and Ms. Jody. Reserved seating starts at $35. You can get still get tickets online at ticketmaster.com. If you like the blues or knows someone who does, be sure to spread the word!

What’s your favorite type of music?

Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll!

The skating rink was my second home when I was a kid! Now that I’m grown, I don’t do it as much, but when I get out there, there’s nothing like it. Skating to the beat of the latest song, (unless they’re doing a throwback night), buying ice pops in the summer, wearing glow sticks around your neck…those were the days!

Well, for all the skate lovers out there, there’s an Adult Night at Roller Time Skating Rink starting tonight at 8 pm and will last until 11 pm. That way, you won’t have to worry about running a little one over if you’re just getting your feet wet in the skating game.

You have to be 18 or older with ID to get in.

Are you a skater? Did you used to when you were younger?

And Just When You Thought It Was Over….

More snow! Well, at least it won’t be a much as a couple of weeks ago. The National Weather Service says snow is possible across a wide area in North Alabama starting early Tuesday.

The snowfall is expected to affect the area north of Birmingham to the Tennessee state line at first. But forecasters say it will spread to the south and east through the day on Tuesday. Luckily, they’re predicting no more than an inch.

Even that’s too much, for us winter weary people! I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait until the days of blue skies, warm weather, and the smell of charcoal from lit grills permeate the air!

Are you happy about the winter weather that we’ve had, or are you wishing for warmer days?

There’s a New Bar in Town!

Amendment 21, downtown Huntsville’s newest bar, opened last week in the former home of House of Brews, over on North Side Square. It’s a non-smoking, quiet bar that’s meant to have the feel of the big city. There isn’t a kitchen, but the drinks are made with fresh fruit grown locally. For $100 a month, patrons can recieve entry into an exclusive VIP section upstairs where you’ll be treated to a live band, and a more extensive drink collection. It’s hours are from 4pm to 2am Monday-Saturday.

I haven’t been there yet, but the idea of drinks with fresh fruit in them may be the deal breaker for me! $100 a month may be a little steep for my tastes, however, but this bar seems like a pretty good first stop for your night out on the town. As you all know, the 21st amendment was the one that ended the 18th amendment and repealed Prohibition. Such a clever name for such a quaint little bar!

It’s Pilot Season! What’s Your Top Pick?

It’s that time of year again folks! The Big Five television networks are presenting their new Fall line-up soon! And from the way things are looking, there are plenty of entertaining prospects.

I am a little sad that some of my shows are not making a comeback. For one, this is the final season of ‘Lost’. ‘Ugly Betty’ has been cancelled. And 24, my dear 24 with all of it’s Jack Bauer goodness, may be in it’s last run. Oh, how my heart hurts! Though no show will ever fill the absence of 24 (which is why DVD box collections are made), some of the listed shows for this term sound promising.

Here are a few that I found that sounds promising:

ABC Drama – “Cutthroat.” A dramedy about a single mother who operates an international drug cartel from Beverly Hills.

ABC Comedy – “Mr. Sunshine“. Matthew Perry (Friends) stars as a self-absorbed manager of a sports arena. Cast also includes Allison Janney (The West Wing) and Andrea Anders (Better Off Ted).

NBC Comedy – “Friends with Benefits“. A single-camera comedy about five friends who are on the lookout for perfect mates but willing to temporarily settle on friends with benefits. (The name was enough to catch my attention!)

And there are many more, but you have to read them for yourself to find out! What do you think you’ll watch?

Alabama Football Star, Terrance Cody Autograph Signing

Come out and get your jersey, football, or poster signed by one of Alabama’s best!

There will be a second autograph session in Huntsville with Terrence “Mount” Cody, who is a nose tackle for Alabama’s 2009 National Champion football team. He will appear at Parkway Place on Saturday from 1:30-6 p.m. The event will be on the lower level of the Parkway Place Mall, in the center aisle between Pottery Barn and Jos A Bank.