🎉 Downtown Huntsville’s Mardi Gras Celebration

Happy Friday!

I don’t know about you, but I have no idea how it’s already the end of February. Where did the time go?

But we’ve got to keep moving forward because there’s a lot of fun stuff happening in March!

I’ve been busy putting together a March event calendar for our Premium Explorers, and there’s a lot of fun stuff coming up.

• Rocket City Junk Fest

• Bingo Loco

• The Huntsville Flea

Just to name a few.

I’ll be sending the calendar to our Premium Explorers later today. It’s a great way to plan ahead.

If you want to get it, make sure you become a Premium Explorer!

Alrighty, let’s get to it!

THIS EMAIL IS PRESENTED BY THE ORION

🚨 Old Dominion Is Coming to Huntsville

Old Dominion is bringing their signature sound to The Orion Amphitheater on June 26 for their How Good Is That Tour.

Known for their chart-topping hits and high-energy performances, the seven-time CMA and ACM Group of the Year is ready to deliver an unforgettable night under the stars.

With special guests ERNEST and Redferrin, this show is set to be one of The Orion’s biggest country events of the summer.

Tickets go on sale today, February 28, at 10 AM. Bookmark this page, set an alarm, and be ready to grab yours before they’re gone!

_{Interested in featuring your business in our next ad spot? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM!}

👨‍🚀 Blast Off

🎉 Downtown Huntsville’s Mardi Gras Celebration

If you’re looking for some ways to celebrate Mardi Gras this weekend, Downtown Huntsville has you covered!

Things will kick off with the Mardi Gras Grand Parade at 3:30 PM. There will be colorful floats, live music, and plenty of beads!

Street closures will begin at 2:30 PM. The parade route includes Meridian Street, Monroe Street, Washington Street, East Side Square, Eustis Avenue, and Greene Street. It will conclude at the Lumberyard parking lot.

After the parade, head over to Holmes Avenue to Let the Good Times Roll at 4:30 PM.

Keep the party going with exclusive specials, music, and fun at local businesses. Participating businesses include Moe’s BBQ, Stella’s Elixir Lounge, Melt, La Esquina Cocina, and more.

During the celebration, be sure to stop by the Greene Street Parking Garage for the Vintage Market from 11 AM–4 PM. Shop Huntsville’s premier vintage market, featuring unique clothing, collectibles, and live DJs. Local food trucks will be onsite too!

Spend the day downtown and enjoy a perfect mix of shopping, parades, food, and community fun!

🚀 Taking Flight

🐐 Meet Huntsville City FC’s New Mascot

Huntsville City FC just announced their new mascot, Marshall the Goat! With big personality and hometown pride, Marshall is ready to bring even more fun to the team.

Named after the Marshall Space Flight Center, he sports a spacesuit and an adventurous spirit. Fans can meet Marshall at home games and community events, where he’s sure to bring tons of energy.

HCFC has even playfully declared Marshall the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). You can meet him at the first home game on March 28!

👨‍🍳 Huntsville’s Top Culinary Competition

Get ready for a night of tasty competition! Rocket Chef will host their 10th-anniversary competition on March 3 at 7 PM at the Von Braun Center Mars Music Hall. 

Four local chefs will face off in a fast-paced cooking challenge using surprise ingredients. A panel of expert judges will decide the winner.

The real treat is for the audience — you’ll get to sample some amazing dishes! Proceeds from the event support Merrimack Hall’s arts education programs, so you can enjoy great food for a great cause. Tickets start at $35 and are available here.

🎡 Rocket City Fair Canceled

Officials have announced that the Rocket City Fair has been canceled due to bad ground conditions caused by heavy rain. The fairgrounds’ poor drainage made the area unsafe for visitors and vendors.

Organizers considered waiting for drier weather but said the risk of more damage was too high. All tickets will be refunded, with online refunds already in progress.

🛍️ Rocket City Junk Fest

Calling all vintage lovers and treasure hunters! The Rocket City Junk Fest is coming to University Pickers (3405 Triana Blvd SW) on March 8 from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Explore a huge variety of vintage goods, upcycled creations, and quirky handmade collectibles. With food trucks and sweet treats on-site, you can shop and snack all day long.

This one-of-a-kind market is a perfect chance to find unique pieces and support local crafters and vendors.

❤️ Premium Explorer Shoutout

Thank you to our Premium Explorers for making Huntsville Explorer possible!

🏡 Home Explorer

If you’re looking for a new home, I’ve got a great one for you today. I love this house for a few different reasons:

• Luxury custom home in The Preserve on Green Mountain

• Stunning views and access to the Madison County Nature Trail

• Spacious, wooded backyard area

We are looking for a realtor who is interested in sponsoring this section. If that’s you, fill out this form!

🗓️ Explore The Rocket City

Got a fun event coming up? Let us know about it!

Saturday, March 1

• Spring Open House at University Pickers: Get ready for spring and shop from over 150 local vendors selling unique items under one roof!

• Let the Good Times Roll at Holmes Street: A festive celebration featuring exclusive specials, great vibes, and plenty of fun!

• How Not to Commit a Murder Part 2 at Shenanigans: Laugh along as you learn all about the most inept, incompetent criminal "mastermind" of them all!

• Fire on the Mountain at Burritt: A day of open heart cooking, blacksmithing, and fires burning throughout the historic park!

• Downtown Vintage Market at Greene Street Parking Garage: Shop thousands of vintage gems and collectibles spanning from the 50s to the 2000s!

• Community Kite Festival at John Hunt: Come fly kites, try food trucks, and participate in fun activities!

• Pink, White, and Blue Children’s Ball at the Botanical Gardens: An evening of dinner and dancing to raise money for the Greater Huntsville Chapter of Jack and Jill of America!

• Cocktail Party and Silent Auction Gala at the Museum of Art: Meet artists and help raise money for the museum!

• February Sale at Sophisticated Salvage: Find deals on lots of new furniture and home goods!

• Princess Pancakes at Fantasy Playhouse: A delicious pancake breakfast to help raise money for the theatre!

• Huntsville Havoc Home Game at the VBC: Cheer on the Havoc as they take on the Birmingham Bulls!

• The Flip Tradeshow at the VBC: A family-friendly atmosphere to buy, sell, and trade collectibles!

• Ready, Set, Kindergarten at Downtown Huntsville Library: There will be crafts, activities, and a storytime all about kindergarten readiness!

• Craft Swap at South Huntsville Library: Join your fellow crafters, artists, and hobbyists for a craft supply swap!

• Soft Opening at Rocket City Honky Tonk: Enjoy live music and discounted food and drinks and celebrate the opening of Huntsville’s first Honky Tonk!

• TV Tunes Music Bingo at Yellowhammer: Grab your crew and test your TV tune knowledge!

• Laser Elton John Show at Campus 805: Experience some of Elton John’s greatest hits like never before!

• Live Music at The Camp: Bone Yard of Brass will perform live!

• Live Music at St. Stephens: Doc Dailey and Magnolia Devil will perform live!

• Live Music at Stovehouse: Emma Klein will perform live!

• Live Music at Mad Malts: Left Lane Cruiser will perform live!

• Live Music at Voodoo: Astronomical Blues Society will perform live!

Sunday, March 2

• Mardi Gras Paw Parade at MidCity: Bring a chair, pick a spot along the route, watch the fun, and enjoy all the Mardi Gras Magic and canine cuteness!

• In Conversation with Bob Fuerst at Downtown Huntsville Library: Hear important and impactful stories of our fallen heroes!

• Winter Concert at Trinity United Methodist: A free concert by the Huntsville Youth Orchestra!

• Live Music at The Camp: Joe Canada will perform live!

Monday, March 3

• Rocket City Chef at Mars Music Hall: A high-stakes Chopped-style culinary battle that raises money for Merrimack Hall!

Tuesday, March 4

• DreamX Day at The Orion: An immersive, hands-on experience where you’ll work with industry-level production gear!

• Mardi Gras Celebration at Prohibition: Don your best mask, grab a cocktail, and get ready to celebrate Mardi Gras in true NOLA style!

• Mardi Gras Concert at Trinity United Methodist: A free concert hosted by the Huntsville Concert Band!

• Fantasy Flight Book Club at Das Stahl: Drop in and talk about your latest read and meet other fantasy book lovers!

• Live Music at St. Stephens: Charlie Howell will perform live!

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Have a great weekend!