This year is flying by, and somehow we’re already staring down the Fourth of July! This weekend has a mix to choose from: cuddly kittens looking for homes, a hands-on sun art workshop in the mountains, and live music in two of the coolest venues around. And Sunday marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, so soak up every bit of it. Let’s go!

Lowe Mill

Cattyshack Studio at Lowe Mill is hosting its annual Kittypalooza, a free community celebration that combines adoptable cats, education about pet care, and plenty of feline snuggles. This casual event focuses on promoting spay and neuter programs while connecting local cat lovers with area rescues and shelters. Families who appreciate animals will enjoy meeting adoptable kitties and learning how they can support responsible pet ownership in the Rocket City.

Burritt on the Mountain

Young artists will step into photographic history with this hands-on cyanotype workshop at Burritt on the Mountain. Cyanotype printing, developed in 1843, creates those distinctive cyan-blue images through a sun-activated chemical process — no camera required. Kids will collect botanical specimens from Burritt's grounds and arrange them on specially treated paper, then watch as sunlight transforms their designs into permanent keepsakes. Local artist Christy Jenkins guides participants through the process, helping each child create their own botanical cyanotype that doubles as a car charm or ornament. The workshop coincides with both the Summer Solstice and celebrations for America's 250th birthday, adding historical significance to this exploration of early photography.

Three Caves

Picture a summer evening in a sunken limestone quarry, where natural cave openings frame the stage and cooler air drifts down from Monte Sano. Three Caves offers one of the most unusual concert settings in North Alabama, and this June event pairs that dramatic backdrop with live music from Matt Prater Band and The Alabama Heathens. It's an adults-and-older-teens experience (ages 12 and up only), giving families with middle schoolers and high schoolers a chance to enjoy a special night out together in a truly memorable venue.

Amphitheater at Huntsville Botanical Garden

The Huntsville Botanical Garden welcomes summer with an evening concert that brings classical music outdoors. The Southern Strings ensemble performs under the open sky at the Garden's Amphitheatre, offering families a chance to experience live music surrounded by blooming landscapes and natural beauty. This isn't a stuffy concert hall experience — it's a laid-back celebration where you can spread out on a blanket, relax on the amphitheater steps, and let the longest day of the year ease into a warm evening. The natural setting means you might hear frogs singing along with the strings, adding a charming touch that kids often find delightful.

📝 Before You Head Out:

It’s going to be a warm one with highs in the upper 80s. Saturday is the sweet spot, partly sunny with just a small chance of an afternoon shower, so it’s the perfect day to bounce between Kittypalooza, the cyanotype workshop at Burritt, and the evening concert at Three Caves. Sunday flips the script with a 70% chance of storms moving in after lunch, so if you’re heading to the Summer Solstice Concert at the Botanical Garden, keep one eye on the radar and pack a poncho just in case.

If you end up at any of these, come say hi! I’ll be the dad at Kittypalooza, pretending I’m just there to support the cause while quietly negotiating with my daughter on whether we can take one home.

Happy adventuring,

Ryan 🚀