Rocket City Mom

Huntsville Halloween Events Teens Will Love

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:15:23 GMT

For a Huntsville teenager who loves Halloween, the pickings might seem slim when it comes to fun things to do in the area, especially in 2020. Older kids still like to dress up, even though most local trick-or-treating events aren’t exactly targeting kids above the age of 12. But teens can take heart – these Huntsville Halloween for teens events below are just for them. Just be sure to bring your mask and practice safe social distancing!

Zombie Paintball

October 2 – November 7 on Fridays & Saturdays| 6:30 – 10:30 PM
Cost: $25 per person
Grace Hill Farm in Athens
Costumes? No
View Website & Buy Tickets
The Zombie Apocalypse has arrived and Grace Hill Farms needs your help! Help save the family farm by joining in the zombie hunt. In this interactive thrill ride, you’ll go deep into the zombie-infested woods and test your survival skills. Climb onto one of the Zombie Assault Vehicles (ZAVs) equipped with a customized mounted weapon loaded with glow-in-the dark zombie killing serum. Humanity is counting on you! Shoot fast, shoot true and eliminate the zombies! Masks required.

Monster Movies at the Mill

Saturdays in October at 7PM
Cost: $20 per car
Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment
Costumes? YES
More Details
These drive-in style movies range from classic to contemporary; from kid-friendly to absolute blood baths. Cars will be parked six feet from each other, and a limited number of spots will be available on the lawn for front-row viewing and we will begin parking cars no earlier than 6 PM. Costumes and candy are encouraged! Masks required when exiting your vehicle.
Oct. 3 – Beetlejuice
Oct. 10 – It Follows
Oct. 17 – The Return of the Living Dead
Oct. 24 – Trick R’ Treat
Oct. 31 – Little Shop of Horrors

Nightmare On Skate Street

Thursday, October 31 from 3-5 PM
Insanity Skate Park Complex
Cost: FREE | More Info
Costumes? YES
More Details
This annual event is still happening, but social distancing style. Insanity Complex is hosting drive-thru trick or treating and encourages all guests to dress up in their best Halloween costume, and decorate their cars in the Halloween spirit for the best car costume contest for a chance to win a prize.

Local Ghost Walks

Now – October 31
Costumes? NO
If you like to hear about real ghosts that live in North Alabama, these ghost tours are for you.
Huntsville Ghost Tour
Southern Ghost Girls
Athens
Decatur

Local Haunted Houses

Now – October 31, various times
Looking for a REAL scare? These haunted houses are close to Huntsville and great for teens!
Lester Haunted Hospital (Lester)
Harvest 2020 (Scottsboro)

Do you know about a Halloween event for teens that we missed? We’d love to add it, just send us a note at info@rocketcitymom.com and be sure to include the information listed here (e.g. Date/Time, Cost, URL, Location).

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Parent Review: Go Apple Picking at Scott’s Orchard

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 19:58:41 GMT

If you don’t go apple picking, did you even have a Fall? It is a family favorite Fall activity. Thankfully, Madison County has Scott’s Orchard that offers You-Pick days for your little Johnny Appleseed or Apple Annie.

Scott’s Orchard: Getting There

Each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in October, Scott’s Orchard allows families to pick apples. Each person who is school-age and above must have a spot.

Save yourself some money and book online for $3/person, or if you make the decision the day of, it’s $5/person at the gate.

You chose between a half a peck for $5 (small basket) or a peck for $8 (large basket) both online and at the gate. At my house, we eat quite a few apples, but with only three people, half-a-peck was plenty.

*Pro-Tip: When you go to book online, it has the dollar amount as $8, but know it’s only $3 per person, and the $8 comes from the apple basket if you chose a peck.

Parent Review: What to Expect

When you arrive, someone should be able to help you with parking if the lot is crowded. Because they had people directing everyone where to go, parking was not a problem at all.

Those picking apples will get in the correct line – pay at the gate or pre-paid online – and get your sticker to allow you access to the orchard. They have wagons that you can carry apples only (no kiddos) for free to use.

We grabbed a wagon and headed to the trees! At this point, if you have a little one, you may need to set some ground rules. Example: Don’t pick apples off the ground. Don’t pick tiny ones even if they are “reallllllly cuuuuuuttttee”.

It didn’t take any time at all for our crew to fill up the baskets and look past the trees to the new additions that waited just for them.

While one parent watched the kids play and snapped photos, the other one went to the station where the workers wash the apples for you. It was easy and convenient because who doesn’t know a child who would not want to take a bite out of the fruits of their labor before leaving?

The apple washer was pretty cool!

*Pro-Tip: I think it would be difficult to have a stroller or a wheelchair in the apple orchard. The ground is flat, but if it were to rain, it would be hard to maneuver.

Pick. Play. Photos.

Scott’s Orchard has added several activities for Scott’s tots! Kids can jump on a large inflatable apple, play a Plinko-type game, ride trikes, and more. We appreciated being able to do more than pick our apples and go. It made the drive to almost the state line of Tennessee worth it to our family in Madison.

One of my favorite things about Scott’s Orchard is the number of photo opportunities. Capture all the Fall photos of your family with interactive murals and the apple orchard in the background.

Shop for Slushies and More!

The last stop for our group was in the store. You can buy apples, pick up your slushies, get ice cream, and even try some of their baked goods. They have cider for sale along with caramel apples, cookbooks, and more.

The store is not huge, so if you are not a fan being around a lot of people, send in one person while the others head back to the car. Cooling off the vehicle and getting the kids buckled up after a fun morning or afternoon of apple picking is a job to itself.

If you have questions, Scott’s Orchard Facebook page is responsive.

U-Pick Apples at Scott’s Orchard

When: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in September & October from 8AM – 4PM
Where: 2163 Scott Road, Hazel Green, AL 35750 (map)
Phone: 256-828-4563
Cost: Admission is $3-5 | Half-peck $5, Full-peck $8
View Website | Scott’s Orchard on Facebook | Instagram

The post Parent Review: Go Apple Picking at Scott’s Orchard appeared first on Rocket City Mom.

New Rocket City Christmas Spectacular at Toyota Field in 2020

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 19:45:51 GMT

What does a new minor league baseball team do when a pandemic interrupts their first season? They put on a holiday light show! Hundreds of thousands of lights will be on display for all to safely enjoy this holiday season. The Rocket City Christmas Spectacular comes to Toyota Field on Friday, November 13th and runs through Sunday, January 3rd.

A New Drive-Through Light Show

At the Rocket City Christmas Spectacular, guests can drive through the magical “Santa’s Mountain” themed light show around Toyota Field for just $25 per car. The festivities will begin at 5:00pm nightly. Visitors will be able to simply tune into their vehicle’s radio and experience a spectacular synchronization of music and lights. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or on the day of the event – credit cards and mobile pay are encouraged.

Guests can also park their car after driving through the lights and enter the winter wonderland within the stadium at no additional cost. Inside the ballpark will feature numerous holiday activities for all ages, including hot chocolate stations, cookie decorating, s’mores making, character visits, shopping, and more! The winter wonderland will be open through December 24th during all Christmas Spectacular hours, and additionally will open at 11 AM on Saturdays and Sundays.

“We want to turn Toyota Field into the best holiday destination in North Alabama for years to come,” said Trash Pandas President and CEO Ralph Nelson. “Our plan is to expand and improve our Winter Wonderland year after year.”

CDC and Madison County health guidelines will be followed at the Rocket City Christmas Spectacular.

Rocket City Christmas Spectacular Details

When: November 13 – January 3, 2020, nightly at 5:00 PM
Cost: $25 per car | Purchase in advance online
View Website | Trash Pandas on Facebook

The post New Rocket City Christmas Spectacular at Toyota Field in 2020 appeared first on Rocket City Mom.

Huntsville Weekend Roundup September 25-27

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 08:55:39 GMT

It’s officially Fall, y’all! Of course, Fall in Huntsville still means bathing suits and shorts… but you can sip a pumpkin spice iced coffee if that makes you feel better. There’s SO much happening this Fall, the hard part will be deciding where to start! Just don’t forget to bring your masks along.

For that reason, don’t miss our 2020 Fall Activity Guide! It’s got:
– Fall Break Camps
– Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes
– Fall Festivals
– Fall Concerts & Plays
– Halloween Fun (coming soon!)

Of course, you can also browse our full Event Calendar if you need even more ideas. Be sure to download the free Explore Huntsville app to get all the best RCM info on the go.

Our annual Fall Buck List is out! Click here to get it.

Huntsville Weekend Fun (at a safe distance)

Kick off the weekend at the Friday Night Art Walk downtown. Details.
Listen to socially-distant concert in your car at Lowe Mill on Friday night. Details
Take a Night Hike and visit with the HBG Scarecrows. Details
Find lots of Fall fun with your family at 4D Farm’s opening weekend. Details
Grab your gloves and help Operation Green Team Clean Up the Park at Sherwood. Details
Go on a leisurely family bike ride (with kid’s activities!) at Tour de Ville. Details
Drive through a contactless Fall CAR-nival for a great cause. Details
Pick a pumpkin and pet the farm animals at Lyon Family Farm. Details
Get vivid at the Crazy About Color Fun Day at Cook Museum of Natural Science. Details
Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night online. Details
Go apple-picking and slushie-slurpin’ at Scott’s Orchard. Details
Enjoy USSRC’s newest series, the I.D.E.A.S. Lab this weekend. Details
Shop the one-day Huntsville Anime Market on Saturday. Details
Listen to live music & binge on some ‘que at the South Huntsville BBQ & Bluegrass Festival. Details
Laugh your booty off at Turnip & Joletta’s Family Game Night. Details
Grab dinner at the Socially Distant Food Truck Rally downtown. Details
Explore the Whimsical Woods at Burritt On the Mountain. Details
Visit the Huntsville Botanical Garden for Festifall & the Scarecrow Trail! Details
Play with cool toys and then take them apart at the Earlyworks Museum. Details
Root for Rudy at the MidCity Drive In Movie on Saturday. Details
Scare your friends & explore historic places on a Huntsville Ghost Walk! Details
Grab some fresh summer produce at various weekend Farmers Markets. Details

So that’s what we know about. Did we miss something cool happening in the Huntsville area? Leave in the comments or send us a note at info@rocketcitymom.com. If you have a free/cheap family-friendly event you want added to our calendar feel free to submit anytime but keep in mind we have other jobs too so give us a few days heads up ????

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ICYMI…

DISCLAIMER: We do our best at Rocket City Mom to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from user submissions, press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. While we always try to confirm details before they are posted in the Huntsville Weekend Roundup, sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go, especially when it comes to outdoor events and weather.

The post Huntsville Weekend Roundup September 25-27 appeared first on Rocket City Mom.

20 Things to Do This Fall with Kids in Huntsville & North Alabama

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 00:05:54 GMT

Fall is in the air in Huntsville and Madison County, and if you love making lasting Fall memories with your family, this is the list for you!

So bust out the pumpkin spice, pull out your cute boots from the closet, and get the whole family ready to celebrate cooler days, football season, costume making, beautiful leaves, and one of the most exciting times to be in Alabama!

1. Slide down the Barnstormer Tube and snack on kettle corn at 4D Farm.

2. Have some Fall Break fun at Burritt On the Mountain.

3. Meet some magical scarecrows and go on a hayride at the Huntsville Botanical Garden.

4. Pick a lovely Fall bouquet with your kids at this Flower Farm.

5. Celebrate a far-out time in our country’s history at the USSRC.

6. Take a family field trip to experience a Fall weekend together.

7. Whip up some pumpkin spice cheesecake bars to share with a friend.

8. Pick a pumpkin straight from the patch at Lyon Farm & see a piggie race!

9. Have some fun at a local Fall Break Camp.

10. Enjoy “Melodies on the Mountain” with Microwave Dave at Burritt On the Mountain.

11. Hop on a train to the pumpkin patch and see Alabama fall foliage along the way.

12. Go on a night-time hike among scores of Scarecrows.

13. Jam out at the South Huntsville BBQ & Bluegrass Festival.

14. Dissect some toys at Earlyworks Children’s Museum.

15. Take a day trip for Fall Break – socially distanced, of course!

16. Go camping at Monte Sano State Park.

17. Meet Tallulah Bankhead and Howard Weeden at the History-On-a-Stick Walking Tour.

18. Play with ghosts & have a picnic at this historic playground.

19. Take a ride on the Halloween 4-Wheeler Trail in Elkmont.

20. Slurp an apple slushie and pick your own apples at Scott’s Orchard.

Even more Fall activities can be found in our 2020 Fall Activity Guide!

The post 20 Things to Do This Fall with Kids in Huntsville & North Alabama appeared first on Rocket City Mom.

Mobile Closet Program Visiting Local Schools Needs Your Help

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:24:09 GMT

Now in its sixth year, the Christmas Charities Year Round Mobile Closet program visits local schools to provide donated clothing, hygiene products, and school supplies to children of low-income families. This year, because of COVID, CCYR has adapted the program to limit physical contact by providing pre-packed, personalized bags. These visits are not open to the public – Counselors identify students to participate and parents or guardians are invited to visit the school campus during the lunch hour to collect their child’s personalized bag.

Hilary Gould, Executive Director at CCYR, says the organization has seen many more needs requests in the past few months.

Due to COVID, CCYR has received many new clients this summer. Folks who never needed assistance before, have been laid off are reaching out especially for kids clothing. Traditionally, we have ample donated clothing to stock both our Clothing Rooms at the CCYR center and the Mobile Closet. However, this year we are running short on school-age clothing, especially pants and shirts sizes 5-16. We currently have a pretty good supply of hygiene products like toothbrushes and toothpaste but, we desperately need deodorant for the middle schoolers and welcome all donations Monday through Friday 8am-4pm at the CCYR Center.

Christmas Charities Year Round’s first stop: Riverton Elementary School will welcome the Mobile Closet to their campus parking lot on Friday, September 25th. Students from Riverton Intermediate, Moores Mill Intermediate, and Mt. Carmel Elementary will also participate in this first Mobile Closet Drive-Through of the school year.

How YOU Can Help the Mobile Closet

CCYR gratefully accepts the following items year-round:

- New and gently used children’s clothing for our Mobile Closet and back to school program
- New children’s toys in working order
- Gently used unbroken and unstained furniture items – beds, mattresses, box springs, dressers
- New and gently used adult clothing, both casual and professional
- Durable medical equipment in good condition, needing minor repair. Cannot accept power items over 10 years old

CCYR is asking the community to continue to donate gently used kids clothing and hygiene items such as new deodorant. To make a financial donation text GIVE to 256-513-7710 or go to their website at www.ChristmasCharitiesYearRound.org. CCYR hopes to purchase a new trailer wrap to help promote the Mobile Closet program.

For more information contact CCYR at 256-837-2373 or email to CCYR@ChristmasCharitiesYearRound.org.

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