Word on the street is, there are some awesome events coming up in downtown Huntsville. And we like it when the downtown streets get to talking!
So who is responsible for this buzz? The very buzz-worthy Downtown Huntsville, Inc., that’s who. This organization came right out of the gate with some strong and well-attended events like the recent Downtown Street Food Gathering. These new (-ish) guys in town, founded in February by partner entity Big Spring Partners, are working to bring unique events and interesting promotions to our lovely downtown. This goes hand-in-hand with its initiatives: urban environment planning with the city, downtown business development, advocacy and public policy, and philanthropy and membership.
Downtown Huntsville, Inc Events
I spoke to Downtown Huntsville, Inc. CEO Chad Emerson about the goal of these events. He said their goal is to reintroduce downtown with unique, eclectic yet approachable events that are low or no-cost and appeal to a lot of different people. Here are 3 upcoming events from Downtown Huntsville, Inc. and 2 of them are happening this week.
EVENT 1: Explore Southern Makers
Explore Southern Makers. A Gathering of Tremendous Proportions and Legendary Revelry.
This is a Southern Makers pop up event. 
- Date: November 7
- Location: Amendment XXI
- Time: 6 – 9 pm
Explore Southern Makers powered by PechaKucha taps into the best in creativity and design with artists that live and work across the Southeast by hosting intimate gatherings to share and talk about their passions. Quite simply, presenters will use the PK format to show 20 images for 20 seconds each, briefly speaking on each one as the slides advance automatically. We hope to prompt discussion and further the Southern Makers movement with these informal gatherings where creative people gather and share ideas – about anything and everything.
Chad Emerson says “this is a really cool event featuring fantastic state-wide speakers.” Don’t miss it.
EVENT 2: Pop Up Park Competition
Pop Up Park Competition. Move Out the Cars, Bring in the Humans!
- Dates:
November 7 – 9EXTENDED November 7-11 - Location: Downtown Huntsville
Participating businesses:
- Goodwyn Mills & Cawood
- Fuqua & Partners Architects
- SKT Architects
- Bostick Landscape Architects
- Land Trust of North Alabama
- Open Tech Coffee
- A Cup of Everything
- 4SITE, Inc.
- Allison Click of Averbuch Realty
- Chapman Sisson Architects
- Shea’s Express
- Matheny Goldmon Architects
Emerson tells me this competition is for real, with a special trophy and all. The winning business will get to hold the trophy for a full year. This is sure to be one talked about event in downtown Huntsville!
Read more about the Downtown Pop Up Parks Competition.
EVENT 3: Downtown Street Food Gathering-The Sequel
Downtown Street Food Gathering : The Sequel. Street food gathering with over 10 vendors. Great food, live music and craft beer!
- Date: November 15th
- Time: 6 – 9 pm
- Location: Parking lot on the corner of Holmes and Jefferson
Participating vendors:
- Dallas Mill Deli
- Food Fighters Bustaurant
- On-On Tacos
- Sugar Belle Cupcakes
- Crave Heat
- Bad Newz BBQ
- Blue Pants Food Truck
Pivoting off of the success of the first Street Food Gathering, this event will be even bigger and better, including the participation of the Huntsville Young Professionals (HYP) with a Four Square tournament.
Emerson says this Four Square tournament is actually the kick-off to several upcoming retro winter sports events planned for downtown. These future informal events will include Capture the Flag, Dodgeball and Kick the Can. Another future event that I can tease is that Downtown Huntsville, Inc. will be giving the Rocket City Bloggers something to blog about and you will want to be a part of it too. Details will be coming on all of these future events and we can’t wait!
Finally, I asked Emerson what was the most important thing for folks to know about what Downtown Huntsville, Inc. is trying to accomplish.
He said “If you’ve never been downtown before, we encourage you to come because it’s a whole new experience than what you’ve heard. If you have been downtown before, it’s a renewed experience.”
So there you go – 3 unique, and definitely eclectic, events to support downtown! Let’s make them successful and keep up the buzz. Word!
Want to learn more?
Amy Jones has been a marketing professional in Huntsville for 20 years, with experience in all aspects of marketing, pr, media relations, event management, digital content, and design. Amy is the proud and busy momma of two boys, who keep things loud and fun. For fun she skateboards, rides her scooter, and kayaks (though sadly not at the same time!).
Please check your spelling: Is it “Southern Markers,” or “Southern Makers?” I think “Makers.”(?)
Hi Lee,
Thanks for letting us know! We have it corrected. That is why we shouldn’t rely on spell check!
Thanks for catching that!
Thanks for the updates .Can’t see the times for 11-8 or 11-9 ?
The pop up parks are installed through 11-9. No times as they are out in the open. They are really cool. I hope you get to see them.