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 9
Noccalula Falls will present Outback at the Falls, an educational event, Friday from 12 -4 p.m. at the petting zoo at Noccalula Falls Park at 1500 Noccalula Road. Children under three get in free, children ages four to 12 get in for $6 and adults get in for $8. Senior and military discounts available.
The Gadsden Farmers Market will be held from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 5th Street Market located at 439 Locust Street. Vendors will be set up with locally grown produce.
June 10
Spartan Pro Wrestling will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at 1001 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden. All seats are $10. For more information, visit www.spartanprowrestling.com.
June 13
A free patriotic concert from Kings of Swing will be held at the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts located at 501 Broad Street in Gadsden. The concert begins at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring take-out food from a downtown restaurant to enjoy during the show. The Kings of Swing is a community group of volunteer musicians who play big band, jazz and standards. Attendees are asked to enter the Hardin Center through the main entrance from the rear parking lot.
June 15
The Southside Farmers Market will be held at Southside City Hall from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Vendors will be set up with locally grown fresh produce.
The Gadsden Public Library will host Juneteenth Poetry Slam at 5:30 p.m. in Jake’s Music Room at 101 Locust Street in Gadsden. State Poet Laureate of Alabama, Ashley M. Jones will return to Gadsden to headline the event. Copies of Jones’ book “Reparations Now!” will be available for purchase at $15 a copy. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Individuals are responsible for their own bar tabs. For additional information, please contact Rachel by phone at 256-549-4699, ext. 2126, or email rcole@gadsdenlibrary.org.
The Attalla Farmers Market will be held at Third Street Northwest and Fifth Avenue Northwest from 12 – 5 p.m. Vendors will be set up with locally grown produce.
June 16 – 18
A car and truck show and swap meet will be held Father’s Day weekend at the Etowah County Fair-grounds. Vendor setup starts Thursday, June 15. 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 organization 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.