Huntsville dives in for big 250th celebration
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The committee has been at work since last August. Photo: Courtesy of the city of Huntsville
America's got a big birthday coming up.
Why it matters: Huntsville's going all out for the occasion, with events lined up over the next couple of months, culminating in a major July 4 celebration at Big Spring Park.
Catch up quick: The city announced its yearlong celebration of America's 250th anniversary in February, and the forming of the Huntsville Salutes America's 250th committee led by chair Sally Warden.
- The 20-member committee includes representatives from a diverse group of Huntsville organizations, from the city and the Chamber of Commerce to historical organizations and the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama.
- The official website allows other organizations to get involved and post their events to the calendar.
Zoom in: "Our main goal was to create an event on July 4 in downtown Huntsville, and because it's on a Saturday, obviously we need to do something big," Warden told Axios.
- Festivities will start with vendors, reenactments and more in the early afternoon, then a parade at 5pm, live music in Big Spring Park at 6pm, and fireworks at 8:45pm.
- The 50 or so entrants will fit the parade's theme: "American Eras," from before the Revolution to a futuristic view of the next 250 years, Warden said.
Yes but: Promoting other community events is also a priority, Warden noted, and those events will lead up to July 4, including fireworks at Ditto Landing the week before.
- A few other highlights are Burritt on the Mountain's British Invasion Tribute and Pub Dinner May 1, and the Rocket City Celebrates America 250, a free concert at Joe Davis Stadium.
- Downtown businesses will also participate in a Downtown Huntsville Inc.-sponsored door decorating contest that will create a festive atmosphere weeks before the big show, Warden said.
"Alabama really got on board," she added, crediting state Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), who is chairing the statewide committee on the 250th.
- Part of the state committee's work is the more than 500 pages of K–12 educational resources now being used by 20 other states, Warden said.
By the numbers: The all-volunteer effort came up with a roughly $75,000 price tag for celebration, she said. Meta signed on as the exclusive sponsor, providing those funds to cover the whole day.
The bottom line: Warden hopes to see tens of thousands attend the celebration.
