Alabama 200: Your Guide to Celebrating the Bicentennial

In case you haven’t heard by now, Alabama is having a birthday; she’s the big 200!
(Personally, I don’t think she looks a day over 195)

 

 

As you might imagine, with such a milestone comes an equally gargantuan celebration. Trying to relay the absolute magnitude of ways you can celebrate would be like drinking from a firehose.

So recently, I sat down with Sally Warden, Executive Director of the Alabama 200 Huntsville/Madison County Bicentennial Committee, to ask her how in the world anyone could possibly participate in every activity associated with celebrating the bicentennial?

The answer is easy, they can’t! There is simply too much going on.

Instead, her hope is “people will simply integrate a piece of Alabama 200 into their everyday lives.” With this thought in mind, I’ve put together a few highlights to help you accomplish just this mission.

Alabama 200: Your Guide to Celebrating the Bicentennial

A day out with the kiddos

• A free and fun way to explore the local history of Huntsville/Madison County is by way of something that’s been right there in front of you this whole time, our historic markers! Set out on an adventure to visit any one or all seven trails featuring Madison County’s 125+ historical markers.

• With its live performances, extensive artist market, yummy festival food and so much more, Panoply Arts Festival is a Huntsville staple. What could be better? How ‘bout a Panoply/Bicentennial mash-up! Panoply Arts Festival will be held April 26-28 in Huntsville’s Big Spring Park as usual, but what’s not so usual – Bicentennial Village. It will feature all of Panoply’s beloved interactive art activities with a special Huntsville history twist. Activities include:
  • Lily Flagg Moo Masks
  • Historic Downtown Mini City
  • Big Spring Boats
  • and more (stay tuned!)
• The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is an official partner of the Alabama 200 Bicentennial and it’s a job they are taking very seriously. Curating a year’s worth of activities; from history-themed months to a speaker series featuring local authors and historians, exhibits, special collections, reading list selections and so much more, you’re bound to find something fascinating! Visit: https://hmcpl.org/bicentennial

When the grown-ups leave the house…finally!

• With Susanna Sings Strauss, two of Huntsville’s most accomplished musical talents, soprano Susanna Phillips and bassoonist Matthew McDonald, will return home to help the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra celebrate Alabama’s bicentennial year in style! In part, performing the music of Carl Maria von Weber, a popular composer at the time Alabama achieved statehood in 1819. Saturday, May 4, 7:30 pm at Mark C. Smith Concert Hall.
• Things get hot, hot, hot in August when the Huntsville Pilgrimage Association introduces you to the Wild, Wonderful Women: The Bad Girls of Madison County! Meet Tallulah Bankhead, The Black Widow of Hazel Green, Madam Mollie Teal, The Gypsy Queen and Annie Mertz. Much to Tallulah’s dismay I’m sure, this will be a “clean” show (so, unclutch those pearls). This event will be held at the Art Room at Straight to Ale, Campus 805, 6 pm-10 pm on Thursday, August 29. Tickets go on sale later this year; more info.
• Toast Huntsvillians past with this creation from Huntsvillians present, Yellowhammer Brewing. It’s 1819, a Belgian Dubbel, released to commemorate the year Alabama became a state. Cheers!

Need a weekend getaway?

There’s no rule that says you must do all your Bicentennial(ing) in Huntsville/Madison County. If you’re looking for one unbelievable weekend getaway, boy has Tuscaloosa got something for you!

The City of Tuscaloosa Bicentennial Bash will be held at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on Saturday, March 30! This is your totally FREE opportunity to get your absolute fill of Alabama music awesomeness all in one place, featuring Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Commodores, Moon Taxi and Blind Boys of Alabama. Woah!

More info: Tuscaloosa Bicentennial

Once in every 200 years experiences!

• We the People: Alabama’s Defining Documents at Huntsville Museum of Art – 06/30/2019 – 08/11/2019

“In the summer of 1819, forty-four delegates met in Huntsville to draft Alabama’s first constitution, the defining document that provided the framework for the state’s government. Two-hundred years later, the Constitution of 1819 is returning to the city as part of a special exhibition curated by the Alabama Department of Archives and History.”

• Did you know, President James Monroe took Huntsville by surprise with a visit in the summer of 1819? Following free family-friendly activities earlier in the day, and in the flourish you would expect from the creative minds of Huntsville, a reenactment of this event will take place on June 1 where, “President Monroe” will ride in on horseback to a welcome reception hosted at Constitution Hall Park. Dinner attendees will proceed to EarlyWorks Museum for a toasting dinner held in honor of the man himself, complete with reciting of actual toasts made in 1819. Location: 109 Gates Avenue, more info: (256) 564-8122, time: 6 pm to 9 pm, admission charged, reservations required.

BONUS:

This year’s Mother’s Day will be one for the history books! An architectural walking tour and a scavenger hunt with your Mom? Aww. It’s all part of the launch of Finding Huntsville: A Kid-Friendly Field Guide to Huntsville History. You can also make a Mother’s Day card for mom, featuring artwork from Color Me Huntsville, a keepsake coloring book celebrating Huntsville history all brought to you by the fine folks at Historic Huntsville Foundation. This event is free! May 11, 10 am-2 pm, outside Harrison Brothers Hardware. 

 

This is just a tiny little tip of the Bicentennial iceberg!

For more resources to create your own unforgettable experiences, check Our Valley Events calendar (obviously), visit Huntsville.org for a listing of Madison County events and Alabama 200 for even more across the state.

Check back often, new events are being added all the time!