💝 A big announcement

Happy Friday!

Thanks for letting me drop into your inbox today! If you missed the Tuesday newsletter, you can drop your suggestions for the puzzle location into this form. More info to come on that!

I’ve got a bit of a special announcement below, so let’s get to it!

👨‍🚀 Blast Off

💝 Our Biggest Giveaway Ever

Want a chance to win over $750 in prizes and support a good cause? Well, I’ve got some good news for you.

I’m incredibly excited to share that I’ve been asked to be a Leader of Impact for our local chapter of the American Heart Association. As a leader, I’m trying to help raise awareness for heart health and heart disease, which is the #1 killer in the United States.

From today through November 5, I’ll be raising money for our local chapter to help improve heart health education in North Alabama. And to kick things off, Huntsville Explorer has donated $500!

But here’s the exciting part: Over the next 7 weeks, I’ll be giving away over $750 in prizes to those who donate.

Every $10 donation = 1 giveaway entry. So the more you donate, the better chance you have to win.

And I’ve collected some pretty good prizes (over $750 worth). I don’t wanna spoil all the fun, but here are a few:

• $100 Gift Card to Amerigo

• $100 Gift Card to Char

• $250 in Gift Cards to Field Day

• $170 in Gift Cards to Float Huntsville

And a whole lot more! The first giveaway is happening next week…and it’s going to be a good one!

So if you’d like to support my efforts, win awesome prizes, and help raise awareness for heart disease, you can click here to donate.

Whether it’s $10 or $100, it could help save a life!

THIS EMAIL IS PRESENTED BY THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER

🦴 Leading the Future in Orthopaedic Care

TOC is leading the way in robotic orthopedic surgery, using cutting-edge computer-assisted technology to improve outcomes for spine, hip, and knee procedures.

Their team of skilled orthopedic surgeons, including recent additions Dr. Wesley Honeycutt, Dr. Cody Russell, and Dr. John David Murphy, combines years of experience with the latest tools to deliver precise, personalized care. Whether you're recovering from injury or planning a joint replacement, TOC helps you move forward with confidence.

Learn more about how robotic surgery at TOC is changing the future of orthopedic care by clicking the button below.

Want to partner with Huntsville Explorer and reach 18,000+ locals? Fill out this form!

🚀 Taking Flight

🎨 Huntsville’s New Art Cafe

A brand-new Art Cafe opens inside Lowe Mill this Saturday at Huntsville Art Supplies at 2 PM!

It’s a hands-on space where you can draw, paint, collage, or try something new—no supplies or cleanup needed. Kids can dive into pastels and pencils while adults relax and create.

Enjoy snacks while you work, enter to win door prizes, and browse original artwork for sale. Come spark your creativity in a cozy, welcoming studio!

💰️ Toyota Invests $4.2 Million into City Schools

Toyota is giving Huntsville classrooms a big helping hand with a $4.2 million donation to STEM programs across Huntsville City Schools.

The grant will add STEM coaches to schools, create a districtwide coordinator, and fund hands-on projects to build stronger skills and clearer career paths.

It also supports Care Closets for students in need and programs to help parents stay involved. Toyota’s total giving now nears $11 million!

🐔 New Chick-fil-A Breaking Ground

Fast food fans get excited—a brand-new Chick-fil-A is officially coming to East Huntsville.

Construction has already started on Highway 72 at the Moores Mill intersection, right next to the new Food City. Whether you’re craving a classic chicken sandwich or planning to grab some nuggets on the go, this new spot will make it even easier for you to get your Chick-fil-A fix on the east side of town.

You can expect the drive-through line to be wrapped around the building when it opens next Summer.

❤️ Premium Explorer Shoutout

Thanks to all of our Premium Explorers for making Huntsville Explorer possible! Want to support what we are doing? Click here to join!

THIS EMAIL IS PRESENTED BY HIDDEN RIVER FARMS

🍂 Fall Fun on the Farm

Fall has arrived, and Hidden Rivers Farm is inviting visitors to its Opening Weekend kickoff this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

Tickets start at $8 and there will be plenty to do... Apple cannons, zip lines, pumpkin patch, farm animals, gem mining, and a maze, just to name a few.

Even better, save the picture above and show it at the farm, and you'll get a free lemonade!

Go ahead and text your spouse right now and make plans to head to the farm this weekend! Hidden Rivers Farm is located in Hartselle at 169 Goose Pond Road!

🎵 Live Music Lowdown

Thank you to St. Stephens Music Hall for sponsoring this section!

🗓️ Explore The Rocket City

Saturday, September 20

• Monte Sano Art Festival at Monte Sano State Park: Outdoor art festival with national artists, live music, food trucks, and creativity!

• Oktoberfest at the Redstone Arsenal Activity Field: Enjoy German food, live music, carnival rides, games, and plenty of beer!

• 10th Anniversary Festival at Campus 805: Celebrate 10 years with outdoor inflatables and games for kids, and live music!

• 2nd Annual Crusin’ For Cancer Car Show at Wicks Family Field: A free day of horsepower and heart!

• Tinkerfest 2025 at EarlyWorks: Celebrate all things STEAM with over 25 local vendors, hands-on activities, and demonstrations!

• Fly-In at the Moontown Airport: Enjoy food vendors, static aircraft displays, special guest exhibitors, and free airplane rides for kids!

• Moon Dance at Three Caves: Fundraising dinner with live music, dancing, and a silent auction under the stars.

• Snap On Tap at The Nook: Help rescue homeless pets and enjoy great music, a silent auction, tasty treats, and prizes!

• Don't @ Me at Shenanigans Comedy Theatre: Interactive improv comedy show creating spontaneous scenes inspired by audience social media!

• Community Workout at Midcity District: Free community workout featuring warmups, strength training, conditioning, and instructor-led exercises!

• National Cleanup Day Event at Hillendale Park: Join the community to help clean up Hillendale Park and the Holmes Avenue area!

• Fall Pop-Up Market at Bailey Cove Farmers Market: Fall pop-up farmers markets featuring local vendors and seasonal goods!

• Rocket City Fit Fest at John Hunt Park: Fitness classes, games, vendors, and live music!

• Movies on the Boulevard: Frozen at Fantasy Playhouse: Bring the whole crew for a showing of Frozen 2 with costumes, surprises, and family fun!

• The Black Jacket Symphony Presents: The Era of Yacht Rock at VBC Concert Hall: Enjoy classic yacht rock hits from a nostalgic musical era!

• Melissa Etheridge & Indigo Girls at The Orion Amphitheater: Enjoy an evening of Melissa’s confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals!

• Lily Rose: I Know What I Want Tour at VBC Mars Music Hall: Lily’s bringing her country sound and authentic storytelling to Huntsville!

• Cutworms at Tangled String Studios: Intimate concert featuring dreamy, vintage-inspired rock with nostalgic, atmospheric sounds!

Sunday, September 21

• CulturA Festival at The Orion Amphitheater: Family-friendly festival with Latin music, food, local vendors, wellness, and cultural celebrations!

• AlaBad-Tea Brunch at Catch 25: An elegant Tea Party Brunch designed exclusively for beautiful women who love style, class, and connection!

• Jazz in the Park at Big Spring: Enjoy live performances from Element XI, Gino Rosaria, and Pamela Williams!

• A Shoals Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival at The Camp: A special tribute performance with Jordan Allen Dean and Friends!

• Working Class Blues Festival at The Electric Belle: Blues festival showcasing soulful performances, southern grit, and support for public arts!

Monday, September 22

• HSV Startup Pitch Event at Invention to Innovation Center: Startup pitch event featuring live founder presentations, networking, and potential venture funding!

• blink-182: Missionary Impossible Tour at The Orion Amphitheater: High-energy punk rock concert featuring iconic hits!

Tuesday, September 23

• Parent and Me Baking Class at Itty Bitty Bakers: Parent-child baking class with storytime, crafting, and warm apple cider donuts!

• Sing Along Brunch at BarVista: Sing your heart out while enjoying brunch and $3 cocktail specials!

• Grand Opening at Tazikis (Owens Cross Roads): Celebrate the grand opening with $7 Grilled Chicken Basil-Pesto Pitas at all Taziki’s locations!

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show at VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall: Cult classic film screening celebrating 50 years with interactive fun!

• Science on the Moon at InnerSpace Brewing Company: Listen to a panel discussion by NASA MSFC's Mike Selby and Stacy Cook about science on the moon!

Want to see more upcoming events or add an event to the calendar? Click here.

Thanks for making it to the end!

Have a great weekend!