Posted in Alabama
September 17, 2016
10 Unique Fall Festivals In Alabama You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
In Alabama, one of the best things about the fall season is the variety of festivals held throughout the state. After all, where else will you find delicious food, live music, amazing art and fun events all in one place? So far, a few festivals have already taken place. However, there are many more festivals to check out this fall season, and we’ve listed our 10 favorites below.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
The Homestead Hollow Arts & Crafts Festival features unique one-of-a-kind arts and crafts. In addition to these wonderful arts and crafts, attendees will also enjoy the pioneer demonstrations, which include soap making, wood stove cooking, wood carving and so much more. Attendees will also be able to tour original cabins that were built by the town's early settlers. A few of the children's activities include wagon rides, a moonwalk and face painting.
The 25th annual Irondale Whistle Stop Festival will be held in Irondale's historic downtown district and offer a variety of events and activities, including carnival games, arts and crafts, vintage fire engines, live music, food vendors and more. A spectacular fireworks show will be the festival's closing event. Irondale Cafe will be open during the Irondale Whistle Stop Festival, so be sure to stop by and try their famous fried green tomatoes. They're delicious!
The Madison Street Festival is Madison's largest event and one of the top 20 fall festivals in Alabama. It features entertainment, arts and crafts, a car show, a wonderful children's area, fantastic food and more.
This fall, Cullman will celebrate its 35th annual Oktoberfest. Several unique events and activities during Cullman's Oktoberfest include the following: a bratwurst eating contest, a car show, weiner dog races and the 10K, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. The festival's closing event will be the Burgermeister Ball.
In less than a month, the National Shrimp Festival will celebrate its 45th year, and approximately 250,000 people are expected to attend. This famous festival features fresh-from-the-gulf seafood, including 200 pounds of shrimp each day that are prepared by upscale chefs and passed out to attendees for sampling. In addition to delicious seafood, the National Shrimp Festival also offers a variety of events and activities such as the Children's Activity Village, 80 hours of musical entertainment, arts and crafts, a sand sculpture contest and so much more.
Each year, the Covered Bridge Festival is held in Blount County - the "Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama." This popular festival, which will celebrate its 33rd year this fall, includes a variety of events and activities such as arts and crafts, a car show, a pancake breakfast and great entertainment.
Since 1987, the Alabama Renaissance Faire has been celebrating the Renaissance period at Wilson Park, in downtown Florence, Alabama. An average of 30,000-40,000 people attend this special festival each year, and activities include historical event reenactments, live musical acts, arts and crafts, etc. All attendees are encouraged to wear Renaissance attire.
This fall, the city of Warrior will celebrate the 128th anniversary of its first Warrior Day, which took place in 1888. At this year's festival, attendees can expect a variety of arts and crafts, delicious food, an antique car show and local/regional musical acts. Be sure to bring your children along. They'll love the rides and inflatables area.
Alabama Frontier Days will be held at Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park. This unique festival features historians dressed in period costumes as they demonstrate what life was like in the Southeast during 1700-1820.
The National Peanut Festival is held in the "Peanut Capital of the World" and is the nation's largest peanut festival. Its primary purpose is to honor local peanut farmers, while also celebrating the harvest season. The National Peanut Festival offers events and activities for all ages, including animal attractions, amusement rides, delicious food, a parade, etc. Approximately 150,000 people are expected to attend this year's festival.
Do you have a favorite festival you enjoy attending each fall?
For more fun places to visit this fall, check out the following article: “You Absolutely Must Visit These 10 Awesome Places In Alabama This Fall Season.”
