❤️ MLK Day Parade

Get ready for MLK Weekend, the planetarium is nominated for a big award, and HCFC announces its pre-season plans!

Author

Andrew Smith
January 16, 2026

Happy Friday!

The long weekend is only a few hours away! I’m not sure about you, but I’m ready for it!

My wife recently tried the new Brick & Tin in Downtown Huntsville and gave it a rave review, so I had to swing by this week and pick up a gift card to give away.

I’ve got a $25 gift card to give to one of our Premium Explorers. All members are automatically entered, so if you’d like a chance to win, click here to join.

I’ll announce the winner next Friday.

Let’s get to it!

👨‍🚀 Blast Off

❤️ How to Celebrate MLK Weekend in Huntsville

Huntsville is coming together this Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend to honor Dr. King’s legacy through events focused on unity and service. Two events you'll want to put on your calendar are the annual MLK Parade and the MLK Unity Breakfast.

The parade will return to Downtown Huntsville on Saturday, January 17 at 12 PM. The theme of this year's parade is "Keeping the Dream Alive." Families are invited to line the streets and take part in one of the city’s most meaningful traditions.

The weekend continues on Monday, January 19, with the MLK Unity Breakfast at the Saturn Ballroom at 8 AM. Hosted by the Delta Theta Lambda Education Foundation, the breakfast features messages from local leaders and advocates and offers a space for neighbors to gather, reflect, and continue the work of building a stronger, more connected community.

TOGETHER WITH DUCKETT POINTE

🏡 Dreaming of Life on the Lake?

Dream of living on the lake? Well, let me tell you about Duckett Pointe, one of Lake Guntersville’s most impressive new luxury communities.

This gated lakeside neighborhood is designed for effortless living, with homes thoughtfully placed to capture water views and sunsets. It blends the beauty of lake life with the ease of resort-style amenities.

Residents enjoy a clubhouse with a restaurant, bar, pool, a private community dock with boat concierge and rentals, a fitness center with panoramic views, and a five-acre green space with stocked ponds and a pavilion. Even everyday tasks like lawn care, house cleaning, and shopping are handled for you.

Ready to discover your dream lake house? Click the button below to learn more.

🚨 Want to put your business in front of 22,000 Huntsvillians? Fill out this form!

🚀 Taking Flight

🪐 Huntsville’s Planetarium Aims for National Recognition

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Intuitive Planetarium has been nominated for Best Planetarium in the U.S. by USA Today.

Since opening in 2019, the planetarium has become a favorite local experience, known for its massive dome, 8K visuals, and immersive live shows that make you feel like you’re traveling through space. Voting is open now through February 18, with supporters able to vote once per day.

You can click here to vote. It’s a simple way to support the Space & Rocket Center and help highlight Huntsville’s role in science, education, and space exploration!

⚽️ Huntsville City FC Kicks Off 2026 With Open Tryouts

Soccer season is gearing up in Huntsville, and Huntsville City FC has released its 2026 pre-season plans.

The club will host two preseason matches at Wicks Family Field, starting with a game against UAB on February 21. A second preseason match follows on March 28, featuring a free, community-friendly matchup against UAH.

Huntsville City FC is also hosting open tryouts on January 24 for local players interested in earning a roster spot. Tryouts are open to players 18 and older.

💥 Madison City Council Approves Costco Annexation

The Costco on Highway 72 is officially being annexed into the City of Madison, bringing changes to how purchases are taxed.

Starting February 18, the current 2% development fee will be removed, and shoppers will instead pay Madison’s standard 9% sales tax. While the overall tax rate will increase slightly, city leaders say the move creates consistency across the city and keeps more tax dollars local.

The annexation also brings the property out of unincorporated Madison County and into city limits, supporting future infrastructure and economic growth.

🧩 Don’t Forget Your Puzzle

Our Big Spring Park Puzzles have arrived and they look AMAZING! I couldn’t help myself, I had to take it down to the park and get a picture of it on the red bridge.

So many of you have already sent me messages telling me how much you’ve enjoyed them and it makes me smile every time!

If you haven’t grabbed one yet, you can get it here. If you enjoy puzzles, I promise you’ll love it!

❤️ Premium Explorer Shoutout

A big shoutout to all the Premium Explorers that help make this newsletter possible!

If you’d like a chance to win the $25 Brick & Tin Gift Card, and get tons of other great perks, click here to join!

🎵 Live Music Lowdown

We are looking for a local business that’s interested in sponsoring our Live Music Lowdown section. This is a great opportunity to get your business in front of 22,000+ locals every single week!

If you’re interested, just hit reply and let’s talk!

🗓️ Explore The Rocket City

Click the image for more shows at The Orion!

Saturday, January 17

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade at Downtown Square: Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy with the annual parade!

  • Free Cooking Class at BRAVO! Italian Kitchen: Free hands-on cooking class teaching Italian dishes, techniques, and culinary tips!

  • West Coast Swing Dance Class at The Electric Belle: Free beginner-friendly swing lesson and social dancing!

  • Community Hike at Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve: Guided hike exploring the upper elevations of the preserve!

  • Operation Christmas Cleanup at John Hunt Park and Madison City Schools Stadium: Recycle live trees, cardboard, batteries, and electronics!

  • Huntsville Havoc vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at VBC Propst Arena: Cheer on the Havoc and help raise money for the Huntsville Hospital NICU!

  • Tasting Party at Harrison Brothers: Taste locally made salsas, jams, preserves and syrups!

  • Practical Beekeeping at the Botanical Garden: Learn beekeeping basics, hive management, seasonal care, and pollinator stewardship skills!

  • HobbyVerse at Jaycee Building: Browse collectibles, trading cards, comics, anime, memorabilia, autographs, and fandom merchandise!

  • Lakewood Park Cleanup Day at Lakewood Park: Volunteer for MLK Day of Service and help cleanup the park!

  • Lizzie the Musical at The Speakeasy at Straight to Ale: Immersive punk-rock retelling of Lizzie Borden’s trial!

  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall: Relive the magic of Harry Potter soaring across the big screen alongside a live symphony orchestra!

Sunday, January 18

  • Jonathan Wurst Book Signing at Blue Apple Books: Come congratulate the local author on the publication of his first novel, The Witch and the Worldbreaker!

  • Arbour Season & Logan Bowden at The Common House: A unique concert experience blending house show vibes with a listening room environment!

Monday, January 19

Tuesday, January 20

  • District 5 Town Hall at West Huntsville Recreation Center: Discuss the West Huntsville master plan, road projects, and more!

  • Book Talk: Steven Tom, The Aviator at The Snail on the Wall Bookstore: Explore WWI history through Lafayette Escadrille pilot biography and discussion!

  • Basic Skywarn Storm Spotter Class at the Space & Rocket Center: Learn storm spotting basics, severe weather identification, safety, and reporting procedures!

  • Valley Sounds Live at The Speakeasy at Straight to Ale: An intimate evening with The Shane Davis Group!

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

Thanks for making it to the end! Don’t forget to order your puzzle!

Have a great weekend!