While the University of Alabama football team takes a road trip to Tennessee this weekend, Tuscaloosa residents who choose to stay home will have plenty of entertainment options before, during and after the game.
The weekend gets off to an early start with a big concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater featuring Whiskey Myers, the Read Southall Band and the Weathered Souls. Ticket info is at www.tuscaloosaamphitheater.com.
Two of the year’s biggest festivals occur this weekend and there are also a couple of Halloween-related events.
Here’s a look at five things to do this weekend:
Kentuck Festival of the Arts
Northport will play host to the 51st Kentuck Festival of the Arts from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday at Kentuck Park, 3401 Fifth St. The Alabama Department of Tourism named the Kentuck Festival as one of the top 10 events to attend in the state in 2018 and Alabama Magazine named the festival as one of the “Best of Bama 2022.” The two-day festival has its roots in folk art and features more than 270 artists, live music, spoken word performances, activities for children, folk and contemporary craft demonstrations, food trucks and local craft brews. Tickets cost $10 per day, or $15 for both days. For more information, go to www.kentuck.org/the-festival.
Moundville Native American Festival
Nationally acclaimed artists, craftsmen and educators will highlight this weekend’s Moundville Native American Festival at the University of Alabama Moundville Archaeological Park, which is 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa off Alabama Highway 69. The event features artists, craftsmen and educators from around the nation, sharing their knowledge of Southeastern Native American cultures. Vendors will sell Native American food as well as traditional festival fare. Hours will be 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $10. For more information, go to www.festival.museums.ua.edu.
The T-Town Witches Ride
Spectators are welcome Sunday at the T-Town Witches Ride at Government Plaza, 2106 Sixth St. The event will feature participants dressed in witches’ costumes riding decorated bikes through the streets of Tuscaloosa to raise money for the Arc of Tuscaloosa, an organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Registration, which costs $25, and packet pickup for riders will begin at 3 p.m. The witches’ ride will start at 5 p.m. The event is free to attend, with entertainment, a kids’ zone, a silent auction and more at Government Plaza. Awards will be given for the best-dressed witch, the best broom-cycle and the best group theme. After the ride, there will be a Witches Brew Ha-Ha from 6:30–8:30 p.m. with music, food and an open bar. Tickets to the Brew Ha-Ha cost $25 per person. For more information, call 205-556-4900.
Haunted house
Looking for a good Halloween scare? The Horror Tuscaloosa will offer two themed experiences from 7 p.m. until midnight Friday and Saturday at its haunted house, 5477 Skyland Blvd. E., Cottondale. Tickets cost $25 and up, and admissions each night will be limited. The Horror Tuscaloosa will also be open Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-31. For more information, go to www.thehorrortuscaloosa.com.
Fossil Day
The Alabama Museum of Natural History will celebrate National Fossil Day from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. The free event will emphasize the importance of preserving fossils for future generations. Displays will highlight extinct animals and plants from Alabama’s 500-million-year-long fossil history. Participants will learn how to sift for and identify real shark teeth and handle real fossils from marine animals, dinosaurs and plants. At 1 p.m., there will be a book presentation on “Ancient Life in Alabama: The Fossils, the Finders, and Why It Matters” and at 2:30 p.m. there will be a keynote talk on the fiercest predators in Alabama’s ancient oceans. The museum is at 427 Sixth Ave. on the University of Alabama campus. For more information about Fossil Day and the museum’s exhibits, go to almnh.museums.ua.edu.