HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — WhistleStop BBQ Festival is returning for its 23rd year, this time in a new location at Huntsville's Mid City District in Oct. 20-21. The festival has raised funds and allowed EarlyWorks Childrens Museum to expand its offerings and better serve the community since 2001.
You can enjoy barbecue, food trucks, cocktail and mocktail drinks, and a tailgate zone with a jumbo LED screen for football fans. Live music will have Carver Commodore headlining Friday night, and JJ Grey and Mofro headlining Saturday night. Fifty BBQ teams from all over the south will also compete for the best chicken and best ribs. The grand champion BBQ team will receive $2,000 and a trophy with cash awards to the top 5 teams in each category. A complete entertainment listing and schedule for the event, plus ticket information, can be found here.
According to a news release, funds raised at WhistleStop will help EarlyWorks as it seeks to create a science and museum based experience to provide hands-on STEAM experiences for the youngest learners in the North Alabama community. "We Imagine an EarlyWorks where children are busy in a lab-like setting, tinkering and creating. Professionals guide the children as they interact with high-tech tools, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics, and open-ended imagining, testing, and problem-solving are at the core of the children's efforts”, said EarlyWorks Executive Director, Bart Williams. The i3 CEO Rich Kretzschmar goes on to say, “We are excited to contribute to the continued investment in growing our future generations’ curiosity in STEAM.”
The festival gates will start at 4PM and go until 11PM on Friday. On Saturday, the festival will run from 11AM-11PM. Children 12 years old and younger are free when accompanied by an adult.