The 10: Major fun ahead of ASU's homecoming, plus it's time for Alabama National Fair
You want fall fairs? You want football? You want to rock, party and shop just because you can? Wow, have we got a week ahead for you in The 10 for Oct. 3-9:
Alabama State ready to party for homecoming week
Alabama State University has a whole week of partying lined up starting Monday, as the campus counts down the days until Saturday's homecoming football between ASU Hornets and Jackson State. Some events require tickets, which are available now:
Monday: Cigar lounge and party at The Nest (the new venue at ASU Stadium, on Harris Way above the Ticket Office) from 7-9 p.m.
Tuesday: Miss ASU coronation at Dunn-Oliver Acadome 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday: Community fair: Rides, games, food and more. Open to the public at the ASU Stadium parking lot.
Wednesday: Wine Down Wednesday Sip and Chill at The Nest, 6-9 p.m.
Thursday: Step show at Dunn-Oliver Acadome from 7-10 p.m.
Friday: Rize & Shine Hornet Nation Breakfast in the Shuttlesworth Dining Hall from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Friday: Bama State Rally at Dunn-Oliver Acadome from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Friday: Off the Record Day Party sponsored by Bama State Society at amphitheater from 3-8 p.m.
Friday: Student concert at Dunn-Oliver Acadome with Bleu, Key Glock, Big Yavo and more. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $40. They also have premium tickets for $65 and VIP floor standing room only for $85. Tickets available online at https://varietyent.net/ or at the ASU Stadium box office. Student discount tickets available at box office only.
Saturday: Homecoming parade at ASU campus from 9-10 a.m. There will be candy tossed as a diverse range of ASU's clubs and organizations march, along with Miss ASU and court, the SGA, ASU cheerleaders and the Mighty Marching Hornets Band. The parade will begin at Pineleaf Street by The ASU Stadium parking lot, and will then proceed through campus. The parade will end at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome's front steps.
Saturday: Pre-Game Block Party and Student Tailgate on Harris Way from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Hornet Walk on Harris Way at 11:45 a.m.
Saturday: ASU vs. JSU at ASU Stadium from 2-5 p.m.
See the full schedule and learn more about ticket options online at alasu.edu/bama-state-homecoming.
Alabama National Fair kicks off Friday in Montgomery
It's known as the 10 best days of fall. Starting Friday and going through Oct. 16, the magic of the fairway rides, amazing treats, animal exhibits, music by John Anderson, Toia Jones, Tony! Toni! Tone!, a choral showcase, JJ Weeks, Steel CuZ'n, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Hotel California on the outdoor stage, and the chance to win some big bucks in the Blizzard of Dollars machine, and more, all at the grounds around Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. The fun includes attractions like the Swifty Swine, The Puppetone Rockers, K9s in Flight, a live shark encounter, and the Zerbini Family Circus. They'll have special themed nights, with discounts and wristband offers. Get the full schedule and pricing info online at alnationalfair.org.
Shopper's paradise: 34th annual Holiday Market
Wednesday through Saturday, the Junior League of Montgomery is back at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl with a ton of holiday shopping options — clothing, jewelry, gifts, children's items, art, and much, much more. It starts Wednesday with a special preview party from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. where guests can be the first to shop at the vendors. Preview party tickets are $40. Thursday is Girls Night, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday is Teachers Appreciation Day — teachers get in for $5 with school ID. Saturday, the market is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. A normal one day pass is $10, but they're available in advance for $5. If you need more than one day to shop, a multi-day pass is $15. Military and senior citizens get in for $5. Tickets are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-market-2022-tickets-410445041167 Children 10 and under are free. Parking is free.
Brother Cane is back and in concert Friday at MPAC
After reuniting in April, Brother Cane is in concert Friday 7:30 p.m. at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. The Birmingham band was formed in 1991 by singer and guitarist Damon Johnson and bass player Glenn Massey. They broke up in the late '90s. Along with Johnson and Massey, the current line up has drummer Jarred Pope and keyboardist Buck Johnson. Tickets range from $12 to $32, and are available at mpaconline.org or by calling the MPAC box office at 334-481-5100.
Halloween fun with paintball guns
The're handing out some paintball "treats" every Friday and Saturday in October at Paintball on 111, 8449 Holtville Road, Wetumpka. The fun starts this week with haunted paintball hayrides (shoot at monsters, zombies and clowns while riding through the darkness) and target shooting to brush up on your skills starting at 7 p.m. and going until the line slows down. A hayride with paintball guns is $15. (They have live actors. You won't be shot with paintballs.) Target shooting is $10. They'll also have a harvest festival with fun for ages 2 and up from 6-8 p.m. Pass for the harvest festival is $10.
29th annual Alabama Cotton Festival
Welcome to the town of Eclectic in Elmore County, where Main Street is being transformed into the 2022 Alabama Cotton Festival. They always hold this on the second Saturday in October. They'll have more than 150 vendors, plus events and contests — the 4th annual Chicken Race, Art & Potato Contest, dog show, classic car show, and an all free kids zone. If you want to find out more, call 256-794-0379 or 334-541-3581.
Step into a cause: The 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer's - River Region
The fight to end Alzheimer's on Saturday at Montgomery's Riverwalk Amphitheater. Enter the park through the tunnel on Commerce Street. Registration is at 9 a.m., with the opening ceremony and walk starting at 10 a.m. Funds go to support the Alzheimer's Association, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. For more information, contact Kay Powell at 205-835-8981.
Conservation Car Wash and Tailgate Party at zoo
It's Saturday and the big games are just ahead. You want to party, but your car needs a good washing. Why choose when you can do both at the community center next to the Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Parkway. They're hosting a Conservation Car Wash and Tailgate Party from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Bring the whole family out to get your vehicle washed, play some games, and visit with some of the zoo's Education Ambassador animals. Minimum donation of $10 for a wash. Funds go to the Montgomery Zoo Conservation Endowment Fund, which helps animals here and around the world.
It's a full day of rock at The Sanctuary
The day starts with a one-stop shop to get people ready to vote, and listen to music on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. during Rock the Vote at The Sanctuary, 432 S. Goldthwaite St., Montgomery. Along with the music and food, guests can have a voter photo ID made on site, register to vote, and speak with the people from Rolling to the Polls Voting Initiative about getting a ride to vote on election day. There will be no candidate or party endorsements. It's just about getting people eligible to vote and getting them to the polls. In a separate event at 8 p.m., The Sanctuary will have Terrible Lovers, Pleasant Valley, and Psilocybin Messiahs in concert, with a $10 entry fee.
Swag Tribe Music & Arts II Fall Festival
It's a day full of music acts, artists, food and more on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. at The Sanctuary, 432 Goldthwaite St., Montgomery. It's featuring Zoo, Magnasana, Honor Flight, and Daisy, with support from Sunny x Jabril, Parott, Carlisle Jones & Saygo, CartierPerk, K-So/Tsunami, Hase of Spades, Fairfield, Ty Moore, Sky Re Vera, and Clemanzo. Vendors include Sol Restaurante, artbyjoshvines, wandrwallart, LunaWraps, and The Painting Prophecy. Tickets are $20 at the door.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: The 10: ASU's homecoming, plus it's time for Alabama National Fair
