5 Things to Know Before You Head to the Madison Street Festival on October 7th

The Madison Street Festival is our city’s flagship annual festival that draws tens of thousands of visitors to downtown Madison each October. This article showcases the areas to explore, where to park, and how to make the most of this free, community event. Enjoy!

Explore, Fun, Visit

September 28, 2023

The 41st Madison Street Festival is situated to have another incredibly strong year with more vendors, food, and fun at every turn. Every area of the festival has been combed through to ensure that this year’s festival exceeds expectations. You don’t want to miss it!

Here are five things to know about the Madison Street Festival before you head to Historic Downtown Madison on Saturday, October 7th.

1. Don’t stress about parking.

Parking has never been more simple than it will be this year. Plan to park at either CROSSEPOINT CHURCH on Hughes Road or MADISON CITY STADIUM. Both locations will have non-stop shuttle service all day long, including handicap buses as well.

MADISON CITY STADIUM (211 Celtic Drive)

Shuttle #1 (School Bus) – Starts at 5:45am
Shuttle #2 (MARS Bus/handicap accessible) – Starts at 7:00am

CROSSPOINTE CHURCH (78 Hughes Rd)

Shuttle #3 (School Bus) – Starts at 5:45am
Shuttle #4 (MARS Bus/handicap accessible) – Starts at 7:00am
Shuttle #5 (School Bus) – Starts at 8:00am

If you do not want to take the shuttle, I would strongly recommend parking at the stadium and walking. This walk is shorter than a walk across the Toyota Field parking lot now that Shorter Street (by The Avenue and Home Place Park) is open.

Again, don’t stress about parking or let that keep you from attending the festival. As long as you consider parking in one of those huge parking lots, you’ll be good to go!

2. Utilize the handy, free, and interactive app (seriously, use it!)

If you’ve been to Disney World, Universal Studios, etc. in the last few years and used their app to navigate the parks, then you know how handy it is! The Madison Street Festival is proud to share its handy, interactive app that will guide users all around the festival.

Simply download the app using the QR code at the bottom of the article or by searching for the AVENZA MAPS app in the app store. Search for the Madison Street Festival, and then save the map! Easy peasy. Once you arrive on festival day, simply pull up the map once you’re downtown, and then follow the little blue dot around (which symbolizes where you are!) to discover each and every area of the festival.

I’ve attended the festival in the past and missed out on exploring some great areas simply because they were out of sight and I didn’t know to go find them. The festival grounds encompass all of downtown (plus some!), so I encourage you to use the app to explore it all.

The festival grounds encompass all of downtown (plus some!), so I encourage you to use the app to explore it all!

3. Come hungry.

The food truck scene is going to be HOT! Linger at the festival as long as you’d like because a rumbling stomach should be the least of your concerns! The following food trucks will be at the festival all day long ready to whip up something just for you and your crew. (I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen an all-star food truck line-up at one location quite like this one!)

Brawner’s Concessions

Brown Sugar Baking

Capital Cookie Co, LLC

Dan’s Ole Fashion Concessions

Dippin Dots

El Dorado Food Truck LLC

Forever Grateful

Greek Flame Foods

Hustle’ N Pop LLC

Iceworks LLC

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

Kristen’s Kups

Kona Ice

Level Up Burgers Food Truck

Louise’s Sweets & Treats

Nana Bakes LLC

New South Hot Dog & Sushi

Nicas Grill & Café

Nomads Road Dogs

Niyah’s Southern Cuisine Soul Food Truck

O Taste & See BBQ

Park and Perk LLC

Ramona J’s

Sherrie’s Kitchen

Tennessee Kettle Corn

Teresita’s Tamales

The Lunch Wagon LLC

Tropical Sno Meridianville

Vujee Vegan

Wafel-Bitte

4. Plan to take your time.

As aforementioned, the app is designed to be a fabulous resource to guide you around the festival. Because the app will help you easily discover every area, plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the festival soaking up the entertainment, exhibits, and more.

The following is a list of areas to explore before you leave the festival grounds.

Parade

The parade begins at 9 a.m. sharp, so grab your spot along Church Street and prepare to catch candy and wave to all the community parade participants!

Children’s Area

This adorable area is packed with magic, balloon animals, a petting zoo, face painting, crafts, vendors, and much more!

Crafter’s Cove

ALL handmade items including hair bows, wreaths, jewelry, items made from wooden pallets, yard art, ceramics, cigar box guitars, dog clothing & collars, candles, wooden toys, up-cycled items, knitted & crocheted items, and clothing for children, dolls, & women.

Community Showcase Line-Up

10:00 – Balloonmasterz

10:30 – Adonai School of Ballet

11:00 – Rocket City Twirlers

11:30 – Huntsville 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

Student Art Area

Art will be displayed by students throughout Madison’s private and public schools.

Entertainment Area

Sit back and watch the fantastic line-up of acts!

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

Artist Alley

Admire and shop for items made by local artists! Items include pottery, photography, glass, woodworking, literature, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and more. Madison Arts Alliance will also be set up within Artist Alley!

Teen Area

Play chess, learn about robotics, STEM activities, and more! This area is very interactive and designed for teens ages 12-18.

Business Showcase

Discover more than 60 local businesses along Front Street that will be set up and excited to meet with you! Enter giveaways, play games, and do some shopping with them!

Food & Food Trucks

Don’t miss the aforementioned list of food trucks as well as the food vendors who will be set up and whipping together their creations for you to sample and/or purchase!

Midtown Madison

Don’t miss chatting with city representatives such as Mayor Finley, our City Council Members, Madison Chamber of Commerce, Madison Visionary Partners, Madison Fire and Rescue, Madison, Alabama Police Department, Madison Police Citizens Advisory Committee (MPCAC), and Madison Public Works Department.

Other Noteworthy Areas to Explore

Discover an impressive quilters group at the Roundhouse (located on Front Street), take a stroll through Veterans Park, take a seat and donate blood at the Albert Balch Memorial Mobile Blood Drive), and more!

5. Downtown businesses are open.

As you’re strolling along Main Street, don’t forget to pop into the storefronts along Downtown Madison. They’ll be operating their regular Saturday hours and hope you’ll swing in to browse!

Psst: Have you read about this Madison Street Festival grant program which strives to give back thousands of dollars after each festival to area educational programs? This is the “why” for this festival! Click here to read about this incredible mission.