The downtown Huntsville BIA has some fun new initiatives still to come this summer, says executive director Helena Renwick.
This Friday, July 15, is the 38th annual Midnight Madness. To put that in perspective, the BIA posted some prices from way back in 1978: a pound of bacon was $1.20, a litre of gas was 16 cents, a dozen eggs was 48 cents, an 8-track player cost $169 (try explaining to an 8-year-old what that was!), and a pair of ladies corduroy overalls were just $22. You won’t find prices like that – or an 8-track player – on Main Street now but there are still some sweet deals to be had from local merchants and tons of fun, too. From 6pm until midnight, look for music from Paul Lagendyk, Clayton Earl, Big East, Jamie Bestwick and Tobin Spring, dance troupes, an arm wrestling booth, a drumming circle on the street and a lemonade stand.
How about some cinema under the stars? Thursdays in August will feature Celestial Cinema at the bandshell in River Mill Park. The BIA will play free family-friendly movies in partnership with Reel Alternatives, the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce and the Edge of the Woods youth technical theatre training camp.
The Sidewalk Sale returns on Saturday, August 20 from 9-5 with a twist: a section of Main Street –between West and King Streets – will be covered with 7,000 square feet of sod. “It’s a Come Alive Outside initiative to encourage people to get outside and play,” says Renwick. “They provide the sod, we provide the volunteers, and after the event the sod will be donated to Habitat for Humanity for two of their local builds.” Lots of volunteers will be needed to lay the sod in the morning and pick it up at the end of the day – contact the BIA if you can help.
And that evening, the BIA may play a simulcast of The Tragically Hip’s final concert at a big screen in the bandshell in River Mill Park. “We’re working on the details for that now and hope to make it happen,” says Renwick.
Throughout the summer, when rain clouds open up look for the BIA’s orange umbrellas in Main Street storefronts. “We started the program four years ago and some of the umbrellas didn’t come back,” laughs Renwick. “It’s great advertising and other BIAs have begun doing the same thing.” The BIA will be providing 200 more and are looking for sponsors to offset the cost.
Looking ahead, September isn’t too far off and plans are in the works for an event honouring the Strano macaroni factory which once called Huntsville home. (Shhh…it’s a secret.)
For more information on BIA events in downtown Huntsville visit huntsvilleadventures.com. And don’t forget to regularly check the Doppler events calendar to see what’s happening all over town.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here.