This weekend in Madison, AL

The Athens State University Alumni Association is hosting the annual Fiddlers 5k Race, Kids Fun Run, and Family Fun Day, bringing together fitness, family activities, and scholarship support. Proceeds benefit scholarships for new and current students, including the Nazaretian Scholarship in honor of Dr. Angeline Nazaretian. The USATF-certified course starts and finishes at Athens State University and highlights the historic district of Athens. The Kids Fun Run begins and ends on campus and features an appearance by Hebrew the Bear. A kids fun zone will offer inflatables, face painting, and hot dogs, and access to the fun zone requires a paid race entry. The goal is to welcome 250 runners, celebrate the history and beauty of Athens, and offer a family friendly experience for all ages. Please note that the start and finish have been reversed from previous years. The race will begin in front of Sandridge Hall and conclude along Beaty Street, and the course map has been updated.

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.

Work on your own sewing projects in person or online. The in person gathering takes place in Meeting Room 133 at the Huntsville Public Library, North Huntsville Branch. Enter through the west entrance, pass the quilt display on the right, go through the right hand doorway, continue down the hallway, then look for the meeting room on the left across from the restrooms. Bring a sewing machine and any personal projects you would like to tackle. Pack a lunch or bring funds to order food, and note that a fridge and microwave are not available. Vending machines and a water bottle filling station are located inside the library. An online option is also offered via Zoom.

Crochet Club offers a welcoming space for beginners and experienced makers alike. Those new to the craft can get started with free basic lessons, which are generally most suitable for ages 10 and up, while participants of all ages are welcome. Despite the name, the gathering is open to a range of portable projects, so knitters, cross stitchers, quilters, and other crafters can bring their work and enjoy time creating together.

At Toyota Field, the 6th annual Pulln' For Recovery Truck Pull brings a high energy, family friendly contest to the Trash Pandas' home turf. Presented by Partnership for a Drug-Free Community, teams of up to 10 test their strength by hauling a 46,000 pound fire truck 100 feet as fast as possible. Multiple team categories keep the action moving, and groups can take team photos with the truck. Trophies will recognize standout efforts, including Fastest Pull for First Responder and Community divisions, Top Fundraising Team, Most Enthusiastic Team, and Slowest Pull. All proceeds support Partnership programs across Northern Alabama, helping fund free substance use assessments, youth education, and connections to treatment. Team registration is $250 per team with a maximum of 10 participants. Ages 16 and older are welcome, with parental consent required for minors. Online registration is available. Since 1988, Partnership for a Drug-Free Community has supported prevention and recovery in Northern Alabama, and this event brings the community together for competition and hope.

A guided Forest Therapy walk invites participants to slow down, tune into their senses, and build a deeper connection with the natural world in support of both physical and mental health. This mindful, science-based practice encourages presence and calm, with benefits that can include reduced stress and support for the immune system. Across a two hour experience, the guide offers gentle invitations that help participants engage with their surroundings and notice how nature can restore and refresh. The class is held in person at Huntsville Botanical Garden, beginning indoors before moving out into the Garden. The walk is led by Josh Harris, a mental health counselor and Certified Forest Therapy Guide based in Huntsville, whose background in mindfulness therapy and training in Forest Therapy shape the experience and foster a welcoming, comfortable environment.

Design a custom resin sun catcher inspired by autumn colors, perfect for catching the season’s light. This off site event takes place at The Bomb Nutrition rather than at the studio.

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.

Discuss your latest pick for the 2026 Read with Eustace Challenge from The Bookwyrm in a book club conversation. An overview of the challenge and its prompts is available on Storygraph. Participants are welcome to bring their book and a snack. The monthly themes span the year, including March’s The Cover Drew Me In, April’s It Was a Gift, May’s Loved in Elementary School, June’s Hated in High School, July’s Born in the USA, August’s Sail the World, September’s They Made a Movie, October’s Totale Finsternis, November’s It’s All About the Food, and December’s Get Your Hygge On.

Make a funky Halloween mask with David in a spirited, hands-on clay workshop. Working from sturdy slabs of clay, you will stretch, stamp, pinch, and carve to shape a bold, one-of-a-kind design that can be odd, whimsical, or delightfully spooky. The pace is playful and loose, with a freeform approach that suits beginners and anyone eager to relax into the process. Every participant leaves with a textured mask full of personality. The cost is $95 per person. All materials are provided, and you should bring an apron, a towel, and your imagination.

A One Piece themed event features a $5 entry fee, and attendees receive a pack for participants. The invitation welcomes participants to be part of the crew.

This weekly league has a $7 entry fee. Loaner decks are available for anyone interested in trying the format. Participants earn League Points for entering as well as for wins.

Lumberyard Huntsville hosts a fall dance night that is part of a seasonal residency created for music lovers, beginners, social dancers, and anyone curious to try something new. The evening features a line dance lesson followed by an introduction to Two-Step, then the floor remains open for social dancing. It works well for date nights and group outings. Admission is $10 online or $15 at the door, and kids 12 and under are free.

Entry is five dollars. Earn one pack for each win in your pod.

Gather with other Yu-Gi-Oh! fans for a weekly dueling session, usually held in the Lucky Dice Loft.

A welcoming Magic: The Gathering Commander night created for girls, with a focus on community and a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Admission is free. Participants may bring a bracket 3 Commander deck, and while female commanders fit the theme, they are not required. Crafts will also be available for anyone who prefers to hang out instead of playing.

Enjoy a full dinner while unraveling a comedic true crime at The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show. The investigation unfolds in the present, with scenes happening moment by moment as performers blend into the audience to keep the culprit hidden. Anyone in the room could suddenly be labeled a top suspect, so stay sharp as the mystery deepens. This interactive, social night is intended for adult attendees and has been presented across the country since 2004. The result is an evening filled with intrigue, laughter, and spontaneous surprises.

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.

Harvest Tea welcomes the season at Huntsville Botanical Garden with an afternoon of autumn flavors. Enjoy Piper & Leaf artisan teas alongside seasonal bites from Fern & Feast Bistro, plus petit fours and cookies from Peggy Ann Bakery. Capture the moment at a floral photo vignette inspired by the colors of fall. Garden party attire is encouraged, with warm tones such as orange, green, and tan. This experience is part of FestiFall, presented by First Horizon Bank, the Garden’s annual celebration of autumn that brings festive displays, favorite traditions, unique events, and fresh reasons to explore all season.

This Caller's Choice dart tournament has an entry fee of $10, with registration completed prior to the start of play.

Explore an accessible path into meditation with the Max Meditation System, a method that blends time honored yoga practices with contemporary psychology and Neuro Linguistic Programming. This session is designed to help participants reach deeper states of meditation, supporting both newcomers and experienced practitioners. Created by Gudni Gudnason, founder of the Modern Mystery School, the system draws on training he received from prominent teachers in India and Tibet, his degrees in NLP and psychology in Europe, and 35 years of worldwide study of the mind and human behavior. This class is suited for anyone who wants to learn, has struggled to meditate, or is curious to try new techniques. The exchange is $10, and registration is required.

The Huntsville Sacred Chorale presents a free choral concert featuring Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, a program that blends ancient psalm texts with soaring melodies and rhythmic vitality, all shaped by the composer’s distinctive style. The performance takes place at Huntsville First United Methodist Church. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.