Can’t Miss Alabama has you covered with the Sun Festival, African Heritage Festival and Vulcan’s birthday bash
The Alexander City week-long Sun Festival is underway through June 12. (contributed)
Stay tuned for more exciting events all summer long!
Alexander City Sun Festival
Enjoy the annual Sun Festival June 3-12 in Alexander City. The family-friendly event will offer a variety of entertainment including live music, food, tournaments and KidsFest. The nine-day festival will wrap up with the Alexander City Jazz Festival in Strand Park. For more information, call 256-234-3461. The detailed event schedule is here. Follow along on Facebook.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Join Bellingrath in June and July for Wonderful Wednesdays, a fun, informative series on gardening and history. Unless otherwise noted, all sessions will begin in the Magnolia Café. Times vary. Visit bellingrath.com for the complete weekly series.
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons battle the Tennessee Smokies through Sunday, June 6 at Regions Field. Follow this link to stay updated on promotions and giveaways. Tickets are available online.
Alabama Adventure and Splash Adventure
Alabama Adventure and Splash Adventure west of Birmingham has reopened for the 2021 season. New additions include the Rocket Racer, the largest water slide in Alabama. Tickets and season passes available at alabamaadventure.com. All sales are final, with no refunds or rain checks. Email info@alabamaadventure.com or call 205-481-4750 for general inquiries.
North Alabama African Heritage Festival
Celebrate the 20th annual African Heritage Festival June 4-5 at the Willie Green Center in Tuscumbia. The two-day event will showcase African art, fashion, crafts and more. Follow this link to learn more or call 256-366-3844. Admission is free. The venue is at 609 South East St.
Sparks After Dark
The Sparks After Dark fireworks show will flash to life again this summer at The Wharf in Orange Beach. You’ll have a weekly chance to catch the high-flying flickers in action. Dance to the rhythm of the beat with DJ Silky, play games and win prizes while enjoying the snap, crackle and pop of color all summer long. Come early and stay late for the Spectra Laser Light Experience as the palm trees come to life at 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. For viewing locations, check out the map at The Wharf on Main Street on Mondays through Aug. 2. Fireworks start at 8:45 p.m. DJ Silky will perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free. Follow the event on Facebook.
Birmingham Legion
The next home soccer match at BBVA Field is Sunday, June 6, at 4 p.m. Birmingham Legion FC will face Tulsa FC. Tickets are available at bhmlegion.com. Call 205-791-7145 for more information.
Hank Williams Festival
The 42nd annual salute to the country music legend will be June 4-5 at Hank Williams Music Park in Georgiana and feature a record number of entertainers. On Friday, T.G. Sheppard is the featured artist plus performances by Ben Norris, Mary McDonald, Colin Leatherwood, Flashback and others. Gates open at 2 p.m. Music starts at 3 p.m. Admission is $20. On Saturday, Mark Willis is the featured artist with performances by Ricky Fitzgerald, Luke Erwin, Morgan Brown, Gerry Ward, Pat Rance, Terry Smith, Mary McDonald, Colin Leatherwood, Jessie Lynn and others. Gates open at 8 a.m. Music starts at 10 a.m. Admission is $30. The Shane Harrell Band will close the festival. The Hank Williams Festival is an outdoor event. There is no reserved seating. Bring your lawn chairs. No lounge chairs, coolers, food, drinks or pets can be brought into the park. Visit the website for the complete lineup and ticket information. For details, call Gerald Hodges at 251-626-4086 or email hodges@race500.com. A ticket for either day of the festival provides free admission to the museum. To reach the festival, take Interstate 65 to Exit 114 and travel east for one mile.
Vulcan Park and Museum
Celebrate Vulcan’s 117th Birthday Bash at Birmingham’s Vulcan Park and Museum on Sunday, June 6. Enjoy the afternoon with music by JAMM Entertainment, a bounce house, Blue Bell Ice Cream and cookies. The ever-popular trackless train will return along with special guest appearances from Moana, Princess Tiana, Spider-Man and “the Big Guy” himself. Clog Wild Cloggers and Corazon de Alabama will perform. Game Stop is returning, and The World Games 2022 will join in the festivities. There will be more than 15 vendors with activities for kids of all ages to enjoy, including art projects. This year, beer and wine will be available and Redmont Distilling will be on-site with a special birthday cocktail. The first 500 kids will receive a Vulcan swag bag, including a $10 Top Golf game play card and Bud’s Best Cookies. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 5-12 and free for children ages 4 and younger. Advanced tickets are encouraged; masks and social distancing are required for those who are unvaccinated. Special guests include Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and Miss Alabama Teen 2021. On-site parking is limited. Free shuttles will be available from the parking lot at the Jefferson County Board of Education across Valley Avenue. No pets are allowed during special events. Purchase tickets and see the schedule of events at visitvulcan.com/events.
Camp St. Bernard
Camp St. Bernard will be in full swing this June with traditional camp programs for children ages 8-12 and 10-14. Held on the campus of St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman, the camp offers a wide range of activities including archery, arts and crafts, basketball, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, low ropes, swimming and tennis. Camp St. Bernard strives to help each individual camper attain skills that will enable each one to achieve a strong sense of self-value and self-responsibility in a safe setting. Campers will have access to an on-campus registered nurse. Each camp session begins on Sunday and ends on Friday with a maximum of 104 campers. The weeks of June 6-11 and June 13-18 have been set aside for children ages 8 through 12; June 20-25 and June 27-July 2 have been reserved for children ages 10 to 14. The cost is $500 per session. Siblings and repeat campers receive a $50 discount. To register, visit campstbernard.com.
Prattville Farmers Market
The Prattville Farmers Market will open Saturday, June 5, and run every Saturday through Aug. 28. The market is open from 7 a.m. until noon and features locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as honey, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods and handmade bath and body products. There will be free, reusable Prattville Farmers Market tote bags and coloring books while supplies last and a live remote with Bama Country Radio. The Market is on Doster Road just a few blocks off Main Street in the grove across from Pratt Park, which makes it ideal for a family outing. For more information, call 334-595-0850 or visit the website at prattvilleal.gov.
Alabama Ballet
Performances of “Ovation” will be June 4-6 at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, 800 19th St. North in Birmingham, with a mixed repertory that highlights the Alabama Ballet dancers’ versatility, strength and artistry. Alabama Ballet will present two pieces: George Balanchine’s “Serenade” and Agnes de Mille’s “Rodeo.” Tickets can be purchased at alabamaballet.org.
Highland Park Golf Course
Unwind at the Highland Park Golf Course in Birmingham from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Golfers are welcome to walk along the cart path. Book your tee time at highlandparkgolf.com or call 205-322-1902. Link here to learn more.
Pride Bowling at Bowlero
Come out to the lanes at Bowlero Wednesday, June 9. Enjoy $15 of unlimited play from 9 p.m. to midnight. A portion of the proceeds will support Central Alabama Pride. The venue is at 2908 Riverview Road in Birmingham.
Pride Fest
Get live with pride at the Avondale Entertainment District on Saturday, June 12 from noon to 7 p.m. with live entertainment, drag and food vendors. Follow the event on Facebook.
Loud and Proud: Pride Drag Show
Celebrate Pride Month with two drag shows hosted by Kharris on Saturday, June 12 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Entertainment includes Safaree, Campbell Starr, Rummorah Lee Campbell and Paris Campbell at Saturn Birmingham. Tickets are $15. Proceeds will go to The Way Station to aid the needs of the homeless, runaways and at-risk youths.
