Family events in Decatur, AL

Rated PG, this interactive improv comedy turns a meeting of Hull-A-Baloo’s City Council into a family friendly fantasy quest inspired by the 5th edition of the world’s most popular role-playing game. Audience members step in as townspeople to raise the city’s most urgent concerns. The council then works on the spot to tackle those challenges, transforming suggestions into lively, comedic solutions right before everyone’s eyes.

Open Swim at Goldfish Swim School, Madison is open to the whole community for warm-water fun and gentle exercise in a 92° pool. Families, friends, and solo swimmers can enjoy a relaxed swim with certified lifeguards on duty. Amenities include private changing huts, showers with complimentary shampoo, and suit spinners to help keep gear from dripping on the way out. Sessions run weekly. Admission is $5 per swimmer with a $15 family maximum, and members participate for free. Spots can be reserved through Eventbrite, payment is taken in person at arrival, and tickets are not processed on Eventbrite.

The Athens State University Alumni Association hosts the annual Fiddlers 5k Race, Kids Fun Run, and Family Fun Day to support scholarships for new and current students, including the Nazaretian Scholarship in honor of Dr. Angeline Nazaretian. The USATF-certified course starts and finishes on the Athens State University campus and highlights the historic district of Athens. The Kids Fun Run also begins and ends on campus and features a visit from Hebrew the Bear. Families can enjoy a kids zone with inflatables, face painting, and hot dogs, and access to this area requires a paid race entry. Organizers aim to welcome 250 runners and create a community event that celebrates the history and beauty of Athens. This year the start and finish have been reversed from previous years, with the race beginning in front of Sandridge Hall and concluding at the sixth lamp post on Beaty Street, and the course map has been updated to reflect this change.

Set fresh race goals with PGB’s Aloha 5K at the KBR Building in Redstone Gateway. Participants receive a finisher medal and event shirt, and a free kids run invites young runners to take part. The event supports Wounded Warriors and Gold Star Families, and early bird registration is open.

MidCity Stroller Club offers a monthly community stroll on the fourth Saturday, bringing people together for fresh air, coffee, and stroller strides through MidCity. It is open to everyone, including families with kids and those walking pets, and there is no cost to participate. Meetups rotate among local spots such as The Greenroom, Starbucks, and Tous Les Jours. Participants can enjoy an easy social walk, make connections, and get some steps in while exploring the neighborhood.

The Providence Market brings a wide range of goods to The Village of Providence. Browse produce, hot sauces, jellies including pepper jelly, honey, dog treats, bath and body products, sorbet, desserts, breads, jewelry, candles, flowers, and more.

At Toyota Field, teams of ten go head to head to see who can haul a 46,000-pound fire truck 100 feet in the shortest time. This sixth annual fundraiser from Partnership for a Drug-Free Community brings fast-paced, family-friendly competition to the home field of the Trash Pandas, complete with team photos by the truck and a lively atmosphere. Trophies are on the line for the quickest pull in both first responder and community divisions, the top fundraising team, the most spirited team, and even the slowest pull. Every dollar raised supports programs across Northern Alabama, including free substance abuse assessments, youth education, and help connecting to treatment. Established in 1988, the organization continues its mission to strengthen prevention and recovery in the region. Team registration is $250 per team for up to ten people. Participants must be 16 or older, and minors require parental consent. Expect a day filled with community spirit, friendly rivalry, and meaningful impact.

Monarch butterflies make a long seasonal trek from Canada to Mexico to spend the winter in warmer conditions. They follow known migration corridors and pause briefly along the way, and from September through mid October their path includes Huntsville, Alabama. This program offers a presentation about monarchs and their migration, followed by a live release of butterflies inside the Purdy Butterfly House. Attendees can learn about the journey these insects undertake and watch the monarchs take flight within the butterfly house.

The Market at MidCity marks its eighth season with a bustling showcase of local farmers and growers, bakers and artisans, makers, and musicians. The market has moved to a new spot next to Tupelo Honey. More than 50 vendors take part each week, giving shoppers many ways to support small businesses. Alongside its acclaimed farmers market, there is live music, coffee and tea from Tour Les Jour, Perseus Sound Bar, Tupelo Honey, and Greenroom Coffee, adult beverages and the purple cup district, plenty of shopping, a wide range of cuisine, and occasional special guests who greet shoppers.

Hosted by the Friends of the Library, this weekly Tuesday book sale offers a chance to browse for new reads. It is also a convenient time to bring large donations.