June 16, 2026
Huntsville's First Tea Festival (and a Big Weekend Ahead)
The Rocket City's first ever tea festival, a free America 250 concert, and a look ahead at the weekend.
Happy Tuesday. Thanks for letting me pop into your inbox this morning. Also, I hope you have a chance to get outside this week, because the weather is amazing. Let us get to it.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Free America 250 Concert Coming to Joe Davis Stadium
America is turning 250 this year and the city is celebrating big. DAR is teaming up with the Huntsville Madison County Public Library to throw a free America 250 concert at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium on Thursday, July 2.
The free performance will be by the 151st Alabama Army National Guard Band, and military and veteran organizations will set up displays on the concourse before the show and during intermission.
Doors open at 4:30 PM, with the concert at 6 PM. Bring a blanket for field seating or grab a stadium seat and come ready to celebrate America's 250th.
FESTIVALS
☕ Huntsville's First Tea Festival Announced for August
Tea lovers, the first ever Huntsville Tea Festival is coming to Annabella at Cedar Glen on August 15. The festival will celebrate all things tea, with tastings, a tea themed market, educational presentations, tea inspired activities, a silent auction, and more.
Whether you are a lifelong tea lover or just want to enjoy a fun afternoon, there is something for everyone.
CIVIC
📋 Downtown Library Hosts a Free 2026 Census Help Day
If you have gotten a letter or postcard from the U.S. Census Bureau lately, do not toss it. It is part of the 2026 Census Test, and the Huntsville Madison County Public Library is hosting a free help day on Friday, June 26.
A Census Bureau rep will be on site at the Downtown library from 10 AM to 2 PM to help you complete the questionnaire. Bring your letter or postcard and the unique ID inside is your ticket. Free Wi-Fi and computers are on hand, so you will be in and out in minutes. The library is at 915 Monroe St SW.
WEEKEND ROUNDUP
📆 A few things on the calendar this weekend:
🍖 Trash Pandas Bama Butts and Alabama White Sauce Weekend. June 19 to 20 at Toyota Field. Smoked BBQ, iconic Alabama White Sauce, and post game fireworks on both nights.
😺 Kittypalooza 2026. June 20, 11 AM to 2 PM at Lowe Mill Studio 1062. Free. A big day of adoptions, fundraisers, and kitty snuggles.
🐻 Camp Grizzly Bear, Dad's Day Out. June 20, 2 to 4 PM at BridgeStreet. Free. Catch and release fishing, free burgers, and a paper airplane contest.
🌞 Family Field Day. June 20, 3 to 6 PM at Huntsville Botanical Gardens. An afternoon of classic outdoor games.
🎸 Concert at Three Caves. June 20, 5:30 PM at Three Caves. A night of live music at one of North Alabama's most unique venues, benefiting the Land Trust of North Alabama.
⚡ Father's Day Laser Show. June 20, 6:30 PM at Campus 805. Hits from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Metallica.
⚽ Huntsville City FC First Responders Night. June 20, 7 PM at Wicks Family Field. Cheer on the boys as they take on Crown Legacy FC.
Content sourced from Huntsville Explorer, a free weekly newsletter covering local news, events, and development in the Rocket City. Published every Friday by Andrew Smith.