The Messenger is now accepting submissions for the Community Calendar again. Email your submissions to khoskins@gadsdenmessenger.com. Please include the name, date, time, location and cost of the event, as well as contact information for event coordinators.
Ongoing
The American Red Cross will host four local bold drives during the month of June. The drives are scheduled at the Gadsden Mall Premiere Cinemas on Friday, June 16 from 1 – 6 p.m. and Friday, June 30 from 1:30 – 6 p.m.; at the Rainbow City Municipal Complex on Monday, June 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and at Team One Toyota located at 937 West Grand Avenue in Rainbow City on Wednesday, June 28 from 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment.
June 16 – 18
A car and truck show and swap meet will be held Father’s Day weekend at the Etowah County Fair-grounds. The event is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The 50/50 and Money Tree drawing will start Sunday at 1 p.m. Vendor registration at the show costs $30. Car and truck registration costs $25. Checks can be made payable to Etowah County Fair Association and mailed to PO Box 561, Attalla, Alabama, 35954. The show is a rain or shine event. For more information, call Randall Green at 256-490-5432.
June 16
Noccalula Falls will present Farm Life at The Falls from 12 – 4 p.m. at the petting zoo. The event is an educational event and park admission prices apply. Children under three are free, children ages four to 12 are $6 and adults are $8. Senior and military dis-counts available.
Three on a String will perform live at The Pitman Theatre at 629 Broad Street Friday at 7 p.m. General admission tickets cost $25 and may be purchased by contacting the Gadsden Lions Club Facebook page or by calling 205-531-5992. Tickets are also available at the following locations: Downtown Gadsden, Inc., Dusty Things in Gadsden, Professional Opticians of Gadsden and VisionAmerica or Gads-den and Oxford. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Joel W. Helms Lions Eye Clinic, a 501©3 organiza-tion supported by the Lions Club of Etowah County and local ophthalmologists and optometrists who provide free eye exams and low-cost eyeglasses to those who need it. Doors to the concert open at 6 p.m. and light concessions will be available for purchase.
June 17
The Barbarian Challenge returns to Noccalula Falls Saturday, June 17. The race begins at 6 a.m. This event is for thrill-seekers and athletes of all ages. The barbarian Challenge is for those who are not afraid of getting muddy, wet or pushed to the limit. The course consists of natural and manmade obstacles, rope climbs, creek crossing and hill climbs. In addition to the race, there is the Kid’s Barbarian challenge, music and food vendors. It takes place at scenic Noccalula Falls Park. Average participation is 1,400 runners per year. This will be the 11th annual Barbarian Challenge. For information on registration costs, visit barbarianchallenge.com.
A Juneteenth Festival is planned for Saturday, June 17 from 5 – 9 p.m. at Murphee Stadium located at 607 South 12th Street in Gadsden. There will be poets, rappers, praise dancers, line dancers, dance groups and other performing artists. The event will be a family event with clean music only. For more information, contact Brandon “Bowtie” Hall by phone at 256-485-9501.
June 20 – 24
Gadsden State Community College will host Cardinal Commit sessions from June 20 -24 at three of Gadsden State’s campuses. New students enrolling for fall are encouraged to register for one of the four commit sessions. For more information, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu.
June 23-24
Gadsden City High School boys head basket-ball coach Ralph Graves will conduct a basketball camp for elementary school students from grades 1-6 on Friday, June 23 from 1 – 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 24 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Registration fee is $50 per session. To register, e-mail hoopsgroup@gmail.com.
June 24
Lighthouse Baptist Church located at 2828 U.S. Hwy. 11 in Attalla will host at BBQ plate fundraiser on Saturday, June 24. $12 a plate includes a BBQ chicken sandwich and two sides of baked beans, mac and cheese and potato salad (for banana pudding, add $3). Pick up is from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Home delivery will be available for a tip. Please notify Scott Wright at ruthann1277@hotmail.com or 619-884-8939 by Sunday, June 18 for how many plates are needed.
June 29 – 30
Downtown Gadsden will host Flamingle from June 29-30. Participating retailers will be open until 7 p.m. and have flamingo decorations on display. Downtown Gadsden Inc. (DGI) is asking shoppers to post selfies from at least three different participating retailers using the hashtag “DGIFlamingle23” on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Shoppers who post the selfies will be entered for a chance to win a $100 downtown gift certificate to use at any downtown retailer or restaurant. For more information, visit downtowngadsden.com or call DGI at 256-547-8696.