2023 Madison Street Festival Guide

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – On Oct. 7, find your niche for thrills, laughter, local musicians, visual artists, craftsmanship and entrepreneurs at Madison Street Festival (MSF).

This year marks the festival’s 41st anniversary. Many people define the day as a street party, a shopping venue for one-of-akind designs, or a homecoming for family and friends.

The MSF Steering Committee has worked “the last eight months with over 40 volunteers. The MSF 501(c)3 organization has been working diligently and passionately behind the scenes to create another magical festival for the community to enjoy on Oct. 7, opening at 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” MSF President Crystal McBrayer said.

The 2023 festival is attracting more participants than ever before. Madison Street Festival attracts children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens to Madison’s historic downtown streets for the community’s largest signature event. In recent years, the Madison Police Department has estimated the crowd at 40,000. The festival has even claimed distinction as one of Alabama’s top 20 fall festivals.

It all starts with a parade (see page 2B) at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday in October.

From that moment until the fun ends at 4 p.m., it is a loaded array of fun and excitement. Throughout the downtown streets lies an assortment of attractions from Artist Alley and Crafter’s Cove to some of the area’s top entertainers performing and fun activities for the whole family.

Of course, what would a festival be without mouth-watering food? Well, the Madison Street Festival has just about any kind of delicious delight you could want at a

festival. The best part about the Madison Street Festival is that it is free to attend. Businesses that sponsor the festival each year make

it possible for the festival organizers not to charge admission.

“The MSF organization is beyond grateful for the support that our community has shown for our 41st festival. We cannot wait to see everyone enjoying all that we have planned for the day,” McBrayer said.

Over the next few pages, you will find information about what is being offered at this year’s Madison Street Festival and how to experience the fun. For more information, check out the MSF’s website at www.madisonstreetfeatival.org.

Also, check out the MSF map on page 2B and be sure to scan in the QR code at the bottom of page 4B to pull an interactive app for the festival.

Most of all, make plans to be in downtown Madison on Oct. 7 to attend one of the best festivals in Alabama and the Tennessee Valley, and have yourself a blast!

History of the Madison Street Festival

The first festival was held in 1976 to help celebrate the nation’s 200th birthday

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – The Madison Street Festival has a rich history, spanning over four decades. This year the festival will celebrate its 41st anniversary.

The premiere of the Madison Street Festival (MSF) was in 1976. Area municipalities and Huntsville Museum of Art were looking for ways to celebrate the country’s bicentennial all across Madison County. The City of Madison partnered with the art museum, and the first Madison Street Festival was held on Saturday, Oct. 17, 1976.

“That first festival saw a juried art show and a tour of Madison’s historic homes. Chaired by Mrs. Gary (Joyce) Griffin, a tradition was born!” Debbie Overcash said. Overcash served as MSF President in 2012 and 2013. Griffin was honored to return as Grand Marshal of the MSF Parade in 2013.

“A group of people decided to create a fun, free festival to bring people

together. Showcase some vendors, have arts and crafts, fun for the kiddos, and enjoy beautiful downtown Madison,” 2023 MSF President Crystal McBrayer said.

“The festival in the past also has been hosted in the spring, but we have landed in the fall for many years. Unfortunately, we have had a few years, like 2020 and 2021 with COVID-19, that we have not been able to host a festival,” McBrayer said.

In recent years, the festival’s footprint expanded to include streets and lots north of Main Street. Vendors and civic groups moved their booths along Church Street, northward to Maple Street. Both Madison United Methodist Church and Fellowship of Faith Church generously have allowed use on their parking lots and contributed in-kind in other outreach.

“And the best part of the festival – it’s free,” McBrayer said. Corporate sponsors and hometown

See MSF HISTORY Page 7B

It all starts with a parade!

The Madison Street Festival parade kicks off the fun at 9 a.m.

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – The Madison Street Festival parade is a not-to-miss tradition for many festivalgoers. The community parade shows off youngsters in sports, music and civic-minded groups. City politicians wave to constituents. First-responders march. Small businesses advertise their wares and services. An assortment of fun parade entries, will make their way through the cheering crowds from Mill Road to Front Street.

The parade will start on Skate Park Drive at 9 a.m. and proceed down Mill Road and Church, Front and Sullivan streets. Parade units will disperse at Madison Elementary School.

Grab a seat to view from any of these roads to see the many participants from dancers to school bands, cheerleaders, mascots, and more!

Don’t miss the MSF Opening Ceremonies at the Church Street Stage immediately following the Parade.

Greetings from the Madison Street Festival Committee

FFor over 40 years, Madison Street Festival has set out to create a festival that unites the community with a collection of arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s activities, vendor booths, festival food, a parade and other activities that makes a day out with family and friends so special.

For our 41st festival, The MSF committee has worked tirelessly and passionately to create an event that makes the day magical! Whether this is your first Madison Street Festival or your 20th, we are excited to welcome you on October 7th to Historic Downtown Madison. We can’t wait to see you enjoying all we have planned.

The parade features several entries each year, making it the largest annual parade in Madison. Kids love to line the parade route, catching candy being thrown and passed out as the parade makes it way through downtown Madison.

The Madison Street Festival Committee is comprised of several volunteers who work year-around to ensure each festival is the best. Photo by Captured by Cristie Clark (Cristie Media Company)

One of the entries in the 1980 Madison Street Festival parade and was also on display on Main Street.

Entertainment will be rocking during the street festival

Four bands will fill the festival with plenty of music

By JOHN FEW john@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - This year’s Madison Street Festival (MSF) will include a performance stage that will showcase some of the top local music entertainers. It will be situated along Church Street in the United Methodist Church parking lot.

“We are proud to showcase some of the best talent in the Tennessee Valley. Singers, dancers, musicians, and other performers – we’ve got it all, right here in downtown Madison,” said MSF President McBrayer. “Be prepared to put your hands together, stomp your feet, or just sit back and hum along to your favorite songs. We’ve got something for the whole family.”

The Band Silhouette

Following the opening ceremony at 10 a.m., “The Band Silhouette” will take the stage as the festival’s first performer. No stranger to the Huntsville and Madison area, the band hails from Auburn and consists of Will Scarpa, James Berryhill, Brenner Oakes, and Dylan Deal. They describe themselves as a funky, poppy, alt-rock band.

“The Band Silhouette” will perform from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Flying on Instruments

Next up will be a group of people brought together by their love of music the thrill of performing again, specifi-

cally jazz. Most members of “Flying on Instruments” work in the aerospace industry and hail from diverse areas of the country. Most have jazz experience from high school, college or jazz ensembles, bassist Dave Bradford of Madison said.

“These guys and gals are a great bunch of people. Most are not only working (in the STEM/space industry) but are also working on master’s degrees,” Bradford said. “Somehow, they manage to get together twice a week to play jazz.” Band members work as scientists, software analysts, electrical engineers, physicists and in electronics.

In July 2020, Trace Hill of Madison organized the band, which “started gigging publicly” in May 2022. “Flying with Instruments” will perform from 12 to 1 p.m.

The Zooks

“The Zooks” are an area favorite, performing throughout north Alabama. Known for its dance music from the heydays of the 1960s through 1980s, “The Zooks” perform classic rock anthems, Motown tunes and rhythm and blues standards. The band members believe that their music will please any crowd.

The band’s interesting back story dates to 2000 when the group first organized thousands of miles away on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. The men forming the band

knew each other from their jobs with a contractor for the U.S. Army. When they returned to the United States, the band members often got together over the years for jam sessions. Today, they play at numerous venues across the Tennessee Valley.

“The Zooks” will perform from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Zoe Imperium Rounding up this year’s mu-

sic performers will be “Zoe Imperium”. This group is a hard hitting alternative rock band mixed with elements of hiphop. Comprised of four siblings who moved from Oregon to Tennessee to find success with their music, they are aiming to bring awareness to teen suicide and depression through music that speaks life. Their latest track “GO” is a rap/rock anthem about pushing limits and overcoming obstacles. Think Beast-

ie Boys meets Linkin Park for the Super Bowl halftime show! “Zoe Imperium” will perform from 3 to 4 p.m.

2023 Entertainment Schedule

The Band Silhouette

10:30-11:30

Flying on Instruments 12:00-1:00

The Zooks 1:30-2:30 Zoe Imperium 3:00-4:00

The Band Silhouette Flying on Instruments

The Zooks Zoe Imperium

JED Eye is shown performing on the Madison Street Festival stage in 2022.

For the love of art...

Informal artisans, budding artists and purveyors of fine art all have a place at Madison Street Festival with Artist Alley, Crafters Cove and the Student Art Tent

Crafter’s Cove offers a wealth of treasures

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Crafter’s Cove, east of Madison United Methodist Church, has experienced artisans who create handsome arts-and-crafts pieces.

Crafter’s Cove will offer an acre full of treasures and handmade crafts. The MSF has one of the best arts and crafts shows in the Tennessee Valley.

“Our artisans come from all over the South to share their original, beautifully handcrafted items,” said MSF President McBrayer. “Past artisans have come from Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and of course ‘Sweet Home’ Alabama.”

Crafter’s Cove show-

cases unique handmade items that embody the creativity and skill of the craftsperson. “Our only requirement is that the items be handmade by the artisan or craftsman,’ McBrayer said.

Crafter’s Cove has everything including but not limited to hair bows, clothing for children, dolls, and women, wreaths, jewelry, items made from wooden pallets, yard art, ceramics, cigar box guitars, dog clothing and collars, candles, wooden toys, up-cycled items, knitted and crocheted items.

Susan Baily is chairing Crafter’s Cove this year with her husband, Dave. For a list of vendors, go to www.madisonstreetfestival.org/crafters-cove.

Artist Alley showcases the area’s finest artists and their creations

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Artist Alley is a juried art event that celebrates and showcases some of Tennessee Valley’s and the surrounding area’s best artists. Stroll through an amazing display of high-quality, award-winning original works of art. Take time to talk with the artists and find that perfect work of art to take home.

Amber Keyes, who is chairing Artist Alley, first attended the festival in 2016. “My family and I really enjoyed the festival and decided to make it an annual event for us,” Keyes said.

The festival in 2019 was her first time volunteering for the MSF committee. “I had never volunteered before but thought, ‘Why not give it a try?’” Keyes said.

A crafter, Keyes enjoys crocheting, sewing, painting and other pursuits. Also an artist, Keyes’ daughter loves to draw.

Keyes is co-chairing Artist Alley with someone who has many years of experience with the Madison Street Festival, former MSF president Debbie Overcash.

Artist Alley is focused primarily on the fine arts. Past vendors have created pottery, raku, photography, glass, woodworking, literature, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and metal smith. The artist must make all displayed artwork.

MSF will award the Joyce & Dennis Vaughn Best in Show, Madison Street Festival Merit

Award presented by Madison Art Alliance, and Madison Street Festival Committee Award.

The Joyce & Dennis Vaughn Best in Show Award

Presented for the first time in 2023, this award has been created in memory of Joyce Vaughn and in honor of Dennis Vaughn. If it weren’t for the continued support of the Vaughn family, we wouldn’t be able to showcase our outstanding artists every year in such a beautiful setting. This award recognizes one artist’s extraordinary quality, craftsmanship, creativity, and outstanding work in their chosen medium.

MSF Merit Award presented by Madison Art Alliance Award

Presented for the first time in 2023 by Madison Art Alliance.

The Madison Arts Alliance is a non-profit organization that seeks to foster and promote the arts in

Madison County by encouraging community engagement and developing opportunities for artistic expression. This award represents the importance of championing and cultivating the arts in our community. It will be bestowed upon one artist to recognize the countless hours and dedication to their art form.

MSF Committee Award

The recipient of this award is selected by members of the Madison Street Festival Committee, it recognizes one artist for dedication and excellence in their chosen medium. This award is a significant honor since it represents the collective opinion of the committee members who work yearround to organize and ensure the continued quality and success of the Madison Street Festival.

For a list of this year’s participant artists, go to www.madisonstreetfestival.org/artist-alley.

Amazing artwork from local students is shown in the MSF Student Art Tent

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - Located in the Artist Alley area off of Church Street, the Student Art Tent contains submissions from students in Madison City Schools.

After her first visit to Madison Street Festival in 2015, Deborah Burke was impressed with the mix of different areas – events, food, entertainment and vendors.

“It was ‘an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.’ Of course, I had no idea of the hours and hours of coordination, number of volunteers and dedication to make that ‘enjoyable way to spend the afternoon’ actually happen,” Burke said.

In 2019, Burke again visited MSF with encouragement from friend Beth Mumaw, who described both how much fun and work the one-day event involved. On her second visit, Burke visited MSF for hours, fully immersed

in the festival – roundtrip on the shuttle, tasting at food trunks and buying vendors’ merchandise.

She walked away with awareness that MSF required tremendous work for ‘an enjoyable way to spend the day.’

An advocate for giving back to the community, Burke decided to volunteer with MSF for the first time last year. Burke is chairing the art tent.

“I’m excited to learn

the ropes and make fun changes in the future to the Student Art Tent,” Burke said. Art teachers at each MCS campus – elementary through high school – were invited to display their students’ artwork. “It’s the sole discretion of the art teacher as to what art is selected to display.”

To respect teacher requests, students’ artwork will not be judged or awarded with ribbons.

You can stroll through an amazing display of high-quality, award-winning original works of art, meet the artists and take home your favorite pieces.

news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – For a glimpse of smalltown life at its finest, stop by the Community Showcase at Madison Street Festival.

“Our Community Showcase stage will be located on Main Street,” Community Showcase Chair Cheri Volkin said. “We have some really fun performing-arts peeps lined up on Oct. 7.”

This stage will include dancing groups, people showing off their belly dancing and twirling skills, musical ensembles and even a balloon performance. “It is going to be one fun stage. Make sure to head up to Main Street, grab lunch, sit down and enjoy these performances,” Volkin said.

The number of Community Showcase acts has doubled since last year. It will start at 10 a.m. with BalloonMasterz Entertainment Inc., followed by students from Adoni School of Ballet at 10:30 a.m. Rocket City Twirlers will command the stage at 11 a.m. Huntsville Community Drumline will rock the stage at 11:30 a.m. and the Southern Irish Dance Ten-

nessee team will be next at noon. Huntsville Belly Dance Company will take the stage at 12:30 p.m., followed by Rocket City HEMA at 1 p.m.

To round up the community performances, “Every Body Dance Crew” is set for 1:30 p.m., Rocket City Chorus at 2 p.m., Madison Clarinet Choir at 2:30 p.m. and Tiger Rock Martial Arts at 3 p.m.

A natural to help with Community Showcase, Volkin was a self-described ‘Band Mom.’ Her daughter played saxophone in Bob Jones High School Band and Madison City Community Orchestra.

“We have so many different types of performances that all ages will enjoy,”Volkin said. “I’m really excited about the variety we will have this year.”

“With so many artists of all sorts, as well as food vendors and local businesses, it will be a full day of activities and entertainment. This is such a wonderful way for our neighbors to get together and celebrate all that this community has to offer,” Volkin said.

For more, go to www.madisonstreetfestival.org/exhibit-and-demonstration-area.

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – An impressive number of food vendors will serve some of the South’s best choices. Barbecue, Greek, hot dogs, hamburgers, comfort food, tamales, tacos, funnel cakes, ice cream, shaved ice, Philly cheese steak, vegan options, popcorn, cookies and cakes, specialty coffee and lemonade . . . the Madison Street Festival has your taste buds covered.

leave happy,” said MSF President McBrayer 2023 Food & Beverage Vendors

Brawner’s Concessions Brown Sugar Baking Capital Cookie Co, LLC Dan’s Ole Fashion Concessions

The American Legion Post 229 will have a display this year in Veteran’s Park, which is located in the center of the festival.

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – In addition to the many attractions already mentioned, here are a few more that you may want to check out.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 229 will again have displays in VETERANS PARK, right on the corner of Church Street and Front Street. The helicopter will be back again this year along with displays of military gear that you can pick up and try on! There will be members there who will be able to tell festivalgoers about Veterans Park and the Medal of Honor recipient

placards. Don’t miss the flag-raising ceremony in the park that will take place right after our opening ceremonies. MADISON STATION QUILT GUILD will be at the festival again this year in the ROUND HOUSE next to Veterans Park.

The Madison Station Quilters originated in 2009 and have blessed the Madison Street Festival with their beautiful display of quilts under the Round House. Members will be there working on quilts so that you can see them in action and learn about all the guild has to offer. You can also tour the upstairs of the Round

Community Showcase

10:00

Balloonmasterz

10:30

Adonai School of Ballet

11:00

Rocket City Twirlers

11:30

Community Drumline 12:00 Southern Irish Dance 12:30 Huntsville Belly Dance Community 1:00 Rocket City HEMA 1:30 Every Body Dance Crew 2:00 Rocket City Chorus 2:30 Madison Clarinet Choir 3:00 Tiger Rock Martial Arts

Looking for information on businesses or city services? MSF has what you seek

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

information,

the Madison

are looking for.

businesses and services

The BUSINESS SHOWCASE down Front Street assembles companies and organizations (for-profit and non-profit) to show what they’re all about, MSF President McBrayer said.

“This area helps businesses and organizations explain their diverse products and services. From health and wellness, insurance, pet services, performing arts, civic and community groups, nature and wildlife . . . to name a few.”

MIDTOWN MADISON

will be the destination to

visit with Madison’s Mayor, council members, public works employees or city engineers, along with police officers and firefighters. Don’t miss their booths at Church and Front streets’ intersection. Ask questions, and check out their materials. The coordinator for this area are Gina Romine. If you need specific information about the Madison Street Festival, there is a place for that too. Stop by the MSF INFORMATION trailer in the parking lot for Animal Trax/The Glass Company. MSF President McBrayer said an MSF volunteer can answer questions about the festival, charge a cell phone or find a location within the festival. Of course, a great source of information is the Madison Street Festival website at www.madisonstreetfestival.org.

LifeSouth will attend for the second annual ELBERT BALCH MEMORIAL BLOOD DRIVE. Balch was a longtime MSF supporter, and blood donations will respect his memory. Bloodmobiles will park at Animal Trax on Church Street.

INTERACT ZONE features everything for children and teens. Off Maple Street by Fellowship of Faith Church, the zone is crammed full of interactive booths. The Children’s Area provides free arts, crafts, games and entertainment. The Teen Area hosts interactive stations visual and hands-on, ‘easy’ exhibits to learn to play chess, check out robotics, try STEM activities and more. Coordinators are Hallie Kenny-Children’s Area. Melissa Cainl and Melissa Patch –Teen Area.

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Exciting exhibits included in the Madison Street Festival

Behind the Scenes

A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to pull off the successful festival each year

By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – If you have lived in Madison or North Alabama for any amount of time you probably know the Madison Street Festival quite well, but do you know the people behind the festival?

The festival has made a name for itself as a premier fall event in the South, and a committee of dozens of hard-working volunteers has made that possible for over forty years.

Crystal McBrayer, the president of the Madison Street Festival, heads a committee of forty-three volunteers that work year-round to put the festival together and execute its charitable mission.

“We start meeting at the beginning of the year, and we work twelve months out of the year on different aspects of the organization,” McBrayer says. “So, when we take a little break around the holiday time, we come back at the beginning of the year and we focus on distributing the grants that we were able to award from the last festival. So then, that works and from that point on it’s the behind-the-scenes kind of thing, making sure our registration procedures and policies are in place.”

As McBrayer described, planning for the next year begins almost as soon as the festival ends. The army of volunteers hit the ground running in January with plans for that year’s festival. The first months of the year are filled with acquiring sponsorships and setting up vendor registration. The last two months before the festival are dedicated to mapping out the more than ten different sections and the vendor lineup and working out the logistics of transportation and supplies ahead of time.

Things start picking up even more the week of the festival as volunteers sometimes pull off thirteen or fourteen hour days to coordinate the process and traffic of set-up and loading of supplies in downtown.

A generous, local sponsor cares for the hard-working volunteers and

vendors the week of by supplying food, and the Madison City Public Works and Police Departments pitch in, as well, to support traffic and logistics for a smooth and safe festival day for volunteers, vendors, and attendees alike.

All in all, the festival requires the generosity, enthusiasm, and time of so many people, or as McBrayer put it, “It’s really quite a juggernaut with a lot of puzzle pieces but when the puzzle pieces are put together, it really is quite beautiful.”

This year is the festival’s forty-first year. It is the second festival since coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s expected to be bigger and better than ever.

“We’ve got a strong committee this year. This festival this year probably has ten to fifteen percent more participants than we’ve ever had. It will be the biggest festival we’ve ever had,” McBrayer predicted, and based on the vendor registration filling up forty percent of each section’s capacity within only the first week of registration, her prediction is looking spot on.

The festival has twenty-eight sponsors this year and two-hundred eighty-six participating vendors. All the hard work of the volunteers and vendors ultimately benefits Madison education programs. The non-profit aspect of the festival was founded specifically to raise money for Madison City Schools. Today, it continues to benefit Madison City Schools but has expanded to include a variety of educational programs throughout the city.

“The reason the non-profit even was brought for the Madison Street Festival and implemented within the organization was to support Madison City Schools. That was the only reason and that was the goal twenty years ago was to create a non-profit where we could give grant money back to Madison City Schools. Now, here we are fast forward to 2023, and our main focus still is a big part of the Madison school system. Fourteen out of the sixteen grants we gave away last year went to Madison City Schools

but we have expanded our reach to the community. So, we have opened it up to other educational programs,” McBrayer explains. “Then we sit down and we read every one of the applications and we see where we can make the biggest impact with the money that we have.”

The festival committee accepts grant applications from qualifying groups from September 1 until October 31. Last year, the committee was able to donate $9,000 to sixteen different programs. The committee spends November reviewing the grant applications and then officially presents the awardees with their grants at a city council meeting in January.

In recent years, the festival has gone even beyond grants to incorporate the local schools and offer students opportunities to grow and use their skills. For example, the festival hosted a photography club for student photographers to practice their photo-snapping skills as official press during the event. It also invited the James Clemens lacrosse team to host a water fundraiser, established a student

art tent to display the work of local students, and welcomes groups from Madison schools every year to march in the parade.

“We’re always trying to find ways to engage and whether in its education, [like] photography, or fundraising, which is what the festival really is and also with the water fundraising or art and showcasing students,” McBrayer stated.

October, November, and December are also filled with reviews of that year’s festival, highlighting the aspects that went well and looking for ways to improve.

McBrayer calls the whole festival experience “a full-circle kind of thing.”

“It’s really cool because it really is a full-circle kind of thing,” she says. “The community rallies for us every year and supports us and pours into us whether it’s through sponsorship or vendors or participants that are spending thousands of dollars in activities to do over in the children’s area. They’re supporting us and they’re loving us and then we’re able to create this event for people to come and experience all of that.”

The festival is a year-round commitment for committee volunteers, but the joy and passion they have for the festival and its charitable mission makes it all worthwhile.

“They are the ones that are creating the magic.” McBrayer says of the forty-three committee volunteers. “They are the ones that are really making it amazing and they work so hard and so passionately and they give so much of their time.”

McBrayer herself has dedicated time and energy in some way to the Madison Street Festival for a total of fifteen years, first as a vendor, later as a committee volunteer, and today as president.

McBrayer described the dedication and generosity of the volunteers, “The community just can’t grasp what they give to make this happen every year, and I’m so proud to be associated with them and to be surrounded by them and to do work with them because they’re just amazing.”

You can follow along with the festival at madisonstreetfestival. org and on Facebook and Instagram @madisonstreetfestival.

The Madison Street Festival Board of Directors include: Crystal McBrayer, President; Tommy Overcash, Logistics Director; Kathy Morris, Treasurer, and Amber Keyes, Secretary. Photos by Captured by Cristie Media Company Volunteer Team Charity Stratton, Cathy Larsen, Sarah Potter

Beth Mumaw, Faye Wishik (not pictured Tuyet Clark)

The following are MSF committee members and

2023 Shuttle Schedule

MADISON CITY STADIUM

(211 Celtic Drive)

Shuttle #1 (School Bus)

Starts at 5:45am

Shuttle #2 (MARS Bus)

Starts at 7:00am

CROSSPOINTE CHURCH (78 Hughes Rd)

Shuttle #3 (School Bus)

Starts at 5:45am

Shuttle #4 (MARS Bus)

Starts at 7:00am

ROUTE during parade/street shutdown (8:45am to 10): CrossPointe route will be redirected to the Wise St. drop-off during the parade.

Please remember to pick up your shuttle to CrossPointe Church at the Fellowship of Faith Church on Maple after you have enjoyed the Madison Street Festival.

The MARS Buses are handicap accessible.

HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL MOBILE UNIT will be parked in the drive-thru area of North Alabama Gas on Church St. If you are a pregnant mom who needs a break from the festivities, or you need to feed your little one, don’t miss this facility that Huntsville Hospital has provided for our festivalgoers again this year. Just watch out for dinosaurs.

Exhibits

Continued from page 5B

Madison Station Quilt Guild will return to host their exhibit.

House and view many historic items courtesy of the Madison Historical Society.

MADISON ARTS ALLIANCE will be joining us this year in our Artist Alley Area. They will give festival-

History

goers an opportunity to get their hands dirty with a creative interactive art exhibit. There will be large wooden letters that spell out Madison to paint. Don’t miss this first for the festival!

Continued from page 2B

businesses have contributed and kept the festival free from admission.

In affiliation with the street festival in 1986, volunteers used original drawings from the 19th century to build a replica of the Roundhouse on Front Street. The replica stands at the site of the railroad depot in Madison. The original Roundhouse was built in 1896 on the south side of the railroad tracks and just east of today’s Main Street Cafe.

“In early years, MSF became a 501(c)4 and became incorporated as the festival began to grow.

The mission behind being a non-profit has always been to create a fun, free event to bring our community together. Then, take all profits after hosting the event and give back to our community’s educational programs through grants,” McBrayer said. “We are proud to say that 20 years later, we accomplished a major

(feat) by being approved to move from a 501(c)4 to a full 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We’re looking forward to continuing the legacy of what so many before us wanted: host a great event that is essentially a fundraiser, and then give back to our community’s educational programs through grants,” McBrayer said.

“That is our mission. It takes so many amazing committee members planning all year long to make that happen. Our committee members are the heartbeat and the true hero’s continuing on the legacy of those that came before us,” McBrayer said.

“Every single year since the festival began, we have grown. We are proud of who we are in 2023, and we are passionate about securing our legacy to continue another 41 years,” McBrayer said.

For more, visit madisonstreetfestival.org.

Alison James earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism at Auburn University, graduating in 2012. She began her career in community journalism in Alexander City and Dadeville, followed by a stop in Opelika before landing in north Alabama. She loves sharing the stories – and correcting the grammar of those stories – of the people and places that make north Alabama such a special place.

John Few, contributing writer

John Few has been in the field of newspaper journalism and production for nearly 25 years. John has served as a staff writer for The Demopolis Times, the daily newspaper in West Alabama, and editor for the weekly newspaper the Black Belt Gazette. He was transferred in 2009 to begin his coverage of Madison. In covering the City of Madison the past 10 years, John has reported on several key events, such as construction of the Hogan Family YMCA and James Clemens High School. Over the years, as Madison has grown, John has been there to cover the news that has made Madison home. Together John and his wife, Lori, have seven children, ranging from 15-23 years old.

Bob

College Football Picks of the Week

contributing writer

Bob Labbe is a lifelong resident of the Huntsville community. He has been in the local news media for 48 years, a multi-award-winning journalist in television, radio and print media. He is a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and has been nominated for both the Alabama Press Association and Alabama Music halls of fame. Bob has hosted a radio program, Reelin’ in The Years, for 29 years on WLRH-FM Public Radio. He has also been a local high school basketball referee for 28 years and was a high school football referee for 15 years. Bob is an avid sports fan and collector of 45 rpm records. He once boxed Muhammad Ali and was the reporter who asked the famed Paul Bear Bryant his last question as coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Gregg Parker, contributing writer

A graduate of Mississippi State University, Gregg Parker relocated to Madison with Intergraph Corporation in 1990 with wife Brenda and son Andy. For 15 years Gregg wrote for “Madison Spirit” and “Limestone Spirit” sections in “The Huntsville Times.” His articles have been published in numerous chamber of commerce publications, “Southern Family Magazine” and “Life on the Water.” Gregg considers it a privilege to document Madison’s coming of age in his hundreds of articles for “The Madison Record” and “Madison Living” magazine. Gregg enjoys spoiling his rescue dachshund, Francis Underwood Parker; binge-watching Netflix series; and visiting Andy and wife Saadia, both physicians, in Nashville, Tenn.

Erin Coggins, contributing writer

Erin Coggins is a scholastic journalism adviser and history teacher at Sparkman High School. She is also a freelance writer and public relations consultant. Her writing muse is World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle, whom she fell in love with while a student studying communications at the University of Alabama. Erin and her husband Jamie reside in Madison.

Joshua Berry, photographer

Joshua Berry has a degree in biology and works full time as an aquatic instructor for the City of Huntsville. He is also an avid runner, ranging from short to long distances. When he’s not spending time with his wife and daughter, he enjoys trying to capture the perfect moment on his camera. As the owner of Everlong Photography, his advice for beautiful pictures is that nothing looks better than being confident in oneself.

Labbe,

Alison James, copy editor

Labbe John Few Caleb Odom

Janssen, M.D. SportsMED