Alabama is home to nearly five million people and is bursting with recreational activities including beaches, museums, zoos and shopping. The state holds a variety of fairs and festivals throughout the year, many of which have been held every year for several decades. Alabama fairs and festivals include competitions, pageants, fireworks and activities for the whole family.
The annual WhistleStop Festival occurs in late spring and is held in historic downtown Huntsville. This festival admits children ages 9 and younger for free and is packed with kid-friendly activities. The star of the festival; however, is the barbecue competition. This professional competition, sponsored by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, awards a grand prize of $3,000 and includes categories such as beef brisket, pork ribs, chicken and dessert. The ShadeTree competition is ideal for amateur barbecue enthusiasts.
The festival features a variety of food, alcohol and other beverages. There is entertainment from headliners such as Rodney Atkins and local talent such as Kozmic Mama, Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band, Grateful Life Band and Liquid Caravan.
WhistleStop Festival
404 Madison St.
Huntsville, AL 35801
256-564-8100
rocketcitybbq.com
The North Alabama State Fair takes place annually in late September at the North Alabama State Fairgrounds in Muscle Shoals. The fair has been an annual event since 1935 and is one of the largest such events in the region. The fair includes family-friendly events such as the Little Red Wagon contest, a lawn mower parade, beauty pageant, greased pig competition and cheerleading contest. The fair features thousands of exhibits, food vendors , and cash awards for competitions.
North Alabama State Fair
65 SportsPlex Drive
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
256-383-3247
northalabamastatefair.org
Alabama's annual Butterbean Festival began in 2006 and occurs in early September. This two-day festival in downtown Pinson features activities, entertainment and vendors which will appeal to visitors young and old. Activities include the Tail Waggin' Dog Pageant, an antique car show, the Butter Beans and Cornbread Cooking contest, Little Caesar's Pizza Eating contest, a 5K race and the Mr. and Miss Butterbean pageant. Past entertainers have included Austin Hanks, Cool Reign, Gate 29 and Act of Congress. There are arts-and-crafts vendors, food vendors and kids' activities. Parking and admission to the Butterbean Festival are free.
Alabama Butterbean Festival
PO Box 777
Pinson, AL 35126
877-691-6088
albutterbeanfestival.com
The Panoply Arts Festival, sponsored by Huntsville, Alabama's Arts Council, occurs every spring, usually in late April/early May. The annual festival began in 1982 and is held for three days in Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville. Panoply exhibits local talent and holds competitions such as the Fiddling Championship, MOVA Songwriter's Competition, Homegrown Talent, Art Marketplace and Ten Minute Playwright. There are activities for children, including art workshops, face-painting and cultural arts. Additional attractions include live entertainment, a variety of food and beverages and a nightly fireworks display.
Panoply Arts Festival
The Arts Council
700 Monroe St. S.W., Suite 2
Huntsville, AL 35801
256-519-2787
panoply.org
