A new summer sports program will be available for young campers this summer at a safe as well as beautiful and convenient location.

Area kids will be some of the first individuals in our community to enjoy the new 155,000 square foot Finley Center at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

The first of its kind in Alabama, the new Finley Center, boasts 83,000 square feet of uninterrupted floor space as well as 11 basketball courts, 17 volleyball courts, a walking track, performance center, meeting rooms, trade show booth space, banquet seating for 2,400, and a food court.

The indoor event center will host basketball, flag football, volleyball, soccer activities and more for campers starting in June.

Each five-day camp at the Hoover Met Complex is designed to help children ages 4-13 build the foundation for physical skills and sport fundamentals. Camps begin June 19, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., with early drop off and late pick up available. Lunch options are also available.

“The new Finley Center will offer a recreational space to the families and citizens of Hoover as well as visitors from across the U.S.,” explains Hoover Mayor Frank V. Brocato. “We are excited to offer these camps, so children can learn at an early age the benefits of an active lifestyle.”

The citizens of Hoover voted to name the event center in honor of the late Bob Finley, who was the longtime head coach at Hoover’s W. A. Berry High School until he died suddenly of a heart attack while doing maintenance on the school’s football field in 1994.

“It was extremely fitting that our community chose to name this facility in honor of Coach Bob Finley,” said Mayor Brocato. “Finley was known for teaching students as much about character and integrity as he did football and during his tenure at Berry High School, cultivated award-winning athletic programs few schools could match.”

The Finley Center is a part of the Hoover Metropolitan Complex that includes the Hoover Met Stadium (11,000 capacity), RV Park (170 spaces) and coming first quarter 2019, the completion of the outdoor complex facilities.

“The Hoover Met Complex will provide more event and meeting space for local, regional and national businesses looking to host events in the Hoover area,” said Monty Jones, Jr., General Manager at the Hoover Met Complex. “The facility provides easy and convenient parking and can hold more than 5,000 people inside for an event.”

To learn more about the new Finley Center or to register for the Hoover Met Complex summer sports camps, visit hoovermetcomplex.com/camps.

If you’re looking for some ways to get out and celebrate the 4th of July this year, here’s a list of happenings going on in and around the Magic City! So grab your BirminghamMommy 4th of July Scavenger Hunt and head on out to celebrate and see some amazing Fireworks!

4th of July Celebrations in Birmingham

June 29th

36th Annual I Love America Night
Wald Park Vestavia

This 36th annual event will feature free swimming at the Wald Park Pool, children’s activities and inflatables sponsored by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

Free Swimming 6:00-7:30 PM
Children’s Area hosted by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church 6:00-8:00 pm
Pops in the Park Concert by Shades Mountain Baptist Church Orchestra 7:00 pm
Movie: Beauty and the Beast (2017) 8:15 pm

July 1st

Chelsea City Fest and The Big Kaboom
New location: large grassy area behind the Dairy Queen on County Rd 47.
5pm – 10:30pm

Live Music, Food trucks, and for children, there will be a Red, White and Blue Bicycle Parade at 6 p.m. Participants can bring their decorated bikes, along with wagons for the younger ones. It will begin at Chelsea Corners Way and end at Hartley’s Restaurant. Liberty Baptist Church is sponsoring a kid’s zone with activities, face painting and inflatables. The Chelsea Fire Department will display some of its equipment.

Tables and chairs will be set up near the food trucks, but guests also are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Arts and craft vendors will be selling merchandise.

Old Town Helena
Helena Amphitheatre

Helena First Saturday – More Info TBA

Tannehill Independence Celebration

Carnival Games, Balloon Animals, Bungee Jump, Backyard Maze, Face Painting, Petting Zoo, Rock Wall and More! Live Music by Exit 97. $5 wrist band gets you unlimited access to Rock Wall, Backyard Maze and Petting Zoo.

1pm – 4pm

July 2nd

Alabaster Fireworks Show
Behind the old silo on Hwy. 119 in Alabaster

Fireworks begin at 9pm and last approximately 15 minutes. APH Radio will broadcast patriotic music during the show at 99.9 FM. Viewing sites Plaza Circle & Plaza Drive, Alabaster YMCA sports fields, the area surrounding Publix, Elliotsville Plaza, Municipal Park, Larry Simmons Stadium and its surrounding areas.

July 3rd

Birmingham Barons at Regions Field
v. Biloxi
Patriotic Fireworks Show – Fireworks show set to Patriotic music in honor of Independence Day.
6:30pm

Oak Mountain State Park – Fire on the Water

From 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm: Regular park entry rates apply until 4 PM. At 4 PM we will begin accepting $15 per carload! The gates will be locked at 7:30 PM, no one will be allowed to enter the park past 7:30 PM. This ensures we have time to set up all of our guests have enough time to make it to a good viewing area!
Beer will be sold from 5pm until 8pm. NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL ALLOWED. Please enjoy responsibly.

Bring your own chairs/blankets for the show, and you will be allowed to bring in your own coolers (no alcohol admitted). We will have picnic tables available, and there are grills throughout the park open to the public!

Coyote Drive In Leeds

Fireworks and Movies – Tickets and movie line up available on their website

July 4th

Trussville Freedom Celebration
On the Mall in historic downtown Trussville

Food Vendors open at 5:30pm
Rides and Music at 6pm
Fireworks at 9pm

Freedom Fest, Hoover Met
Freedom Fest is coming FREE to the Hoover Met on July 4th for your entire family! Join us for Music & Entertainment, Car Show & a Spectacular Fireworks Display you won’t want to miss! The Blind Boys of Alabama will begin performing at 7:30 p.m. followed by fireworks beginning at 9:00 p.m
5pm – 9:30pm

Southeastern Outings 4th of July Celebration
Bartow Arena Park
Free Band Concert and Birmingham’s Firework Show

Band concert by the UAB Summer Band.  This large group of carefully auditioned and selected student and professional musicians is an outstanding concert band.  Please bring your own blanket or chairs.   Look for the SEO signs.  SEO people will assemble next to the concrete planter closest to the stage to the right of the dragon statue (as you face the band) right where the grass ends and the concrete floor leading to the entrance to the arena begins.  Look for the Southeastern Outings sign.  When the concert ends, conveniently enjoy clearly viewing the Birmingham City Fireworks from the picnic area.  Well-behaved, properly supervised children are welcome.
6:30pm

Independence Day at the American Village, Montevallo

Spend 4th of July with your family and friends at the American Village. It’s their biggest Red, White and Blue Party of the Year! Historical Reenactments, music and dancing, food and fireworks!

Admission is $5.00/person.
Gates open at 11:00 a.m. Events from noon to evening fireworks.

Music and Fireworks in the Vineyard at Morgan Creek Winery

Join us in the vineyard this July 4th for wine tastings, live music, winery tours, BBQ and spectacular fireworks! Special opening music begins at 5:00 p.m. The soulful Tekneek Band starts at 6:00 p.m. and fireworks will wow at 9:30 p.m. Bring a blanket and chairs for the perfect spot in the vineyard. $10 per person at the gate and ages 12 & under free. Reserved tables are available for $35 per table and seat up to eight people.

July 4th Festival
Downtown Homewood

There will be a combination of inflatables/rides placed in the streets that will appeal to children of all ages.  A DJ will provide music and interactive activities for the patrons at the event.  Downtown Homewood is one of the best locations in the entire metro Birmingham area to view the “Thunder on the Mountain” fireworks show from Vulcan Park (see below)
5pm – 9pm

Thunder on the Mountain 2017

For decades, Thunder on the Mountain, Birmingham’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration, has been hailed as one of the largest and most extravagant Independence Day traditions in the state of Alabama, and this year will be no exception. On Tuesday, July 4 at 9:00 pm, Thunder on the Mountain 2017 will once again illuminate the skies above Birmingham’s beloved iron man, Vulcan. Free to the public, this year’s show will last approximately 20 minutes and will feature a variety of firework shells that will brighten the sky with new colors and patterns. The show will be choreographed to a musical soundtrack that will feature a mix of patriotic favorites and popular musical performances. Vulcan Park and Museum takes pride in organizing this highly-anticipated event each year; however, we rely on the community-at-large to help fund this outstanding show for residents of the greater Birmingham area and beyond to enjoy! Thank you for your support.

Helpful Hints / FAQ’s:

Can I watch the fireworks from Vulcan Park and Museum?
No. The fireworks are launched from the park grounds of Vulcan Park and Museum. For safety purposes, Vulcan Park and Museum and its surrounding 10-acre park will close to the public at 6:00 pm on July 4. At this time, the entire park grounds and parking lots will be cleared out and closed.

Where is the best place to view the fireworks?
For the best viewing experience, make sure you have a clear view of Vulcan! Prime viewing locations include Five Points South, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, UAB campus, among others. Based on growing crowds in recent years, organizers are advising spectators to stake out a viewing point well in advance of the 9:00 pm show.

Will the show be cancelled in the event of rain?
No. Thunder on the Mountain 2015 will continue rain or shine! However, the show may be cancelled in the event of severe weather conditions.