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DIA DE LOS MUERTOS #22

Posted on by Angie

Join Bare Hands, Inc. in celebrating life at Día de los Muertos Número 22 presented by Rubio Law Firm on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 3 to 11 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark!

Bare Hands, Inc.’s Día de los Muertos festival is one of the most intricate Day of the Dead celebrations in the Southeast. From massive art installations, music and dance performances and beautiful costumes, to a parade procession with puppets, homemade memorial altars (ofrendas) and food trucks, Día de los Muertos Número 22 will be an event you do not want to miss!

Gates open at 3 p.m. and attendees will see performances by Premier de America Mariachi, San Francisco Xavier Ballet Folklórico, Danza Azteca Xochipilli and Flama Hidalguense.

Tickets are on sale now for $15 in advance. Children 12 years of age and younger are admitted free. Prices will increase to $20 at the gate and online starting Nov. 2.

Tickets purchased in advance are only valid for their respective date. Pets and coolers are not permitted.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit their website

Oak Mountain State Fair Returns this Fall

Posted on by Angie

Corndogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy – oh my! The Oak Mountain State Fair is making its grand return this fall, bringing all the rides, food, and family-friendly fun you’ve been waiting for!

This year’s fair is packed with exciting attractions, tasty treats, and the best part? FREE parking every day! (Just a heads-up, the fair will be closed on Mondays) Kids 35″ and below get in free!

Mark your calendars and get ready for some unforgettable fall fun!

HOURS and ADMISSION:

Thursday, October 24
5:30PM until close
$10* admission
$30 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Friday, October 25
5:30PM until close
$10* admission
$35 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Saturday, October 26
1:00PM until close
$10* admission
$35 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Sunday, October 27
1:00PM until close
$10* admission
$35 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Tuesday, October 29 – Mommy Day!
Mom or Guardian buy one full price admission and receive the 2nd admission free!
Plus, receive a free ride wristband with the purchase of a child’s ride wristband.
(both must be present at the time of purchase)
5:30PM until close
$10* admission
$30 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Wednesday, October 30 – BOGO Day!
Buy one get one free on admission & ride wristbands!
(both persons must be present at the time of purchase)
5:30PM until close
$10* admission
$30 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Thursday, October 31 – Student Day!
Students receive $5.00 off admission & ride wristbands!
5:30PM until close
$10* admission
$30 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Friday, November 1
5:30PM until close
$10* admission
$35 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Saturday, November 2
1:00PM until close
$10* admission
$30 Unlimited Ride Wristband

Sunday, November 3
1:00PM until close
$10* admission
$30 Unlimited Ride Wristband

*Admission price does not include ride wristband or rides

Fall Fun for Families in Birmingham: 2024 Fall Guide

Posted on by Angie

Fall Fun for Families in Birmingham: Pumpkin Patches, Festivals, and More!

It’s finally fall, and we’re ready for all the best seasonal activities in Birmingham! Whether you’re looking for pumpkin patches, family-friendly festivals, football weekends, or cozy evenings by the firepit, this is the season we all love. There’s nothing like the crisp air, fall leaves, and new boots to get us excited for autumn adventures!

With so many fun things happening in and around Birmingham, it can be hard to keep track of it all. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you find the best fall events, festivals, and activities for families. From pumpkin patches to local fall festivals, we’ve got everything you need in one place to plan your perfect autumn day!

Birmingham Area Pumpkin Patch Guide

Fall Bucket List for Birmingham Families

Fall Festivals and Special Events

Fall Movies at Woodlawn Theatre

Oak Mountain State Fair

Trunk or Treat with the YMCA

Birmingham Area Witches Ride

Trick or Trunk or Treat in Birmingham 

Send Halloween Cards to Patients at Children’s of Alabama

Halloween Safety Tips for Families

Pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing, fall colored sprinkles on a white plate

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing

Spooky Cinnamon Sugar Crisps

5 Creative Ways to Paint Pumpkins with Kids, No carving required

 

Thank you to the YMCA of Birmingham for sponsoring this activity guide. For information about their kids programs make sure to visit their website!

 

Halloween Safety Tips for a Spooky (But Safe!) Night Out

Posted on by Angie

Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for our little ghouls and goblins, but it’s also a time to keep safety top of mind. With all the costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun, but a few precautions can ensure your night is as safe as it is spooktacular!

1. Light Up the Night
Make sure your kiddos—and you—are easily seen while roaming the streets. Dimly lit areas, bulky costumes, and moving cars can be a dangerous mix. Equip your trick-or-treaters with flashlights, glow sticks, or reflective gear to help them stand out. If you’re putting together goody bags for a party, consider adding these items for extra safety. According to statistics, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween compared to any other day.
Bonus tip: Double-check that costumes are made of flame-retardant material, especially if you’re placing jack-o’-lanterns along your path!

2. Keep Costumes Safe and Secure
We love elaborate costumes, but they shouldn’t be a trip hazard! Make sure costumes fit properly, avoiding anything too long or too loose. The National Safety Council reports that falls are the leading cause of injury on Halloween, so let’s keep those little monsters upright!

3. Costume Accessories – Safety First!
Accessories can add the perfect finishing touch to a costume, but avoid anything sharp or real. No matter how cool a real sword might look with their costume, it’s a recipe for disaster. Opt for props made from cardboard or flexible materials to keep everyone safe—especially if they trip over a too-long cape!

4. Candy Inspection is a Must
You know the drill: Check all the candy before anyone digs in! Toss anything unwrapped, and if someone had the audacity to give out fruit, make sure it’s thoroughly washed and cut. And let’s be real, those orange and black-wrapped peanut butter candies? They should go straight in the trash on principle! When in doubt, throw it out.

For the Drivers Out There:
Even if you’re not trick-or-treating, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re behind the wheel:

Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.
Be extra cautious when entering or exiting driveways and alleys.
Twilight and evening hours are especially risky—keep an eye out for kids in dark costumes.
Encourage new or inexperienced drivers to stay off the roads on Halloween night.

Wishing You a Spooky, Safe Halloween!
A little extra care can go a long way in making sure everyone has a fun and safe night. Happy Halloween!

 

Trick or Trunk or Treat in Birmingham This Halloween

Posted on by Angie

As Halloween approaches, families across Birmingham are gearing up for one of the season’s most beloved traditions: trunk or treat events! These community gatherings offer a safe and festive way for kids to collect candy while enjoying themed car displays and Halloween activities. Whether you’re looking for a spooky spectacle or a family-friendly atmosphere, Birmingham boasts a variety of trunk or treat spots that cater to all ages. Get ready to grab your costumes, and embark on a sweet adventure!

TRUNK OR TREATS IN BIRMINGHAM

Fall Frenzy

Join our Children’s Ministry on Wednesday, October 16 for a meal and an evening of interactive fall stations/activities!
When: Wednesday, October 16th | Starts at 6:30pm
Where: Homewood Church of Christ

Trussville YMCA

When: Saturday, October 19th | 3pm – 5pm
Where: Trussville YMCA

Haunt the Hills

Trick-or-Treat on the Grand Lawn with local businesses from 4:00-6:00 pm!
When: Saturday, October 19th | 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Where: Wald Park

Fall Family Festival

When: Saturday, October 19 | Starts at 4:00pm
Where: Brewster Road Community Church
1661 Brewster Rd, Birmingham, AL 35235, USA

The Church at Old Town Helena

When: Sunday, October 20th | 3pm – 6pm
Where: The Church at Old Town Helena

Asbury United Methodist

Get ready for a fa-boo-lous time at Asbury’s Trunk or Treat! Whether you’re a ghost, goblin, superhero, princess, you name it, all are welcome to join us for a night of family-friendly Halloween fun. Admission is free and everyone is welcome!
When: Sunday, October 20th | 4pm – 6pm
Where: Asbury United Methodist Church

Alabaster YMCA

When: Thursday, October 24th | 5:30pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Alabaster YMCA

Trunk or Treat Downtown Calera

When: Thursday, October 24th | 6pm – 8pm
Where: Calera Courtyard located at 1120 17th Avenue

Alabaster Fall Festival

Trick or treat trail, Live music, arts and crafts, food vendors, pumpkin hunt, inflatables and more!
When: Saturday, October 26th | 10am – 3pm
Where: Larry Simmons Stadium

Hoover YMCA  Trunk or Treat

Address: 2250 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover AL 35244
Date and time: Saturday, October 26 from 11AM – 1PM
Details: Kids and adults alike will love our themed vehicles.
Free and open to the public

Shades Valley YMCA

Put your costumes on, bring your family and join us for some Halloween fun! Free and open to the public.
When: Saturday, October 26th |3:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Shades Valley YMCA

Deerfoot Church of Christ

When: Saturday, October 26th | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Where: Deerfoot Church of Christ

Christian Life Fellowship Trunk or Treat & Fall festival

When: Saturday, October 26th | 4:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Christian Life Fellowship Calera

Bluff Park UMC Community Trunk or Treat

When: Sunday, October 27th | 3:00pm – 5:00 pm
Where: 733 Street, Hoover AL

Woodlawn Community Trunk or Treat

When: Sunday, October 27th | 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: The municipal parking lot at 55th Place and 1st Ave South

Faith Church Midfield

When: Sunday, October 27th | Starts at 4:00pm – 6:00 pm
Where: 910 9th Street, Midfield, AL

Church at Brook Hills

When: Sunday, October 27th | 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: The Church at Brookhills

Vestavia Methodist Church

When: Wednesday, October 30th | 6:00pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Vestavia Methodist parking lot

TRICK OR TREAT AT LOCAL LIBRARIES

 

Birmingham Public Central Library

Join us for Halloween fun with spooky crafts, games, and candy for all ages.

When: Thursday, October 31st | 9am – 6pm
Where: Birmingham Public Library

Homewood Public Library (Trunk or Treat)

When: Sunday, October 20th | 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Homewood Public Library

Hoover Library

When: Thursday, October 31st | 9:00am – 9:00pm
Where: Hoover Public Library

Trussville Library

When: Thursday, October 31st | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: Trussville Public Library

ADDITIONAL TRICK OR TREATS

Spookatular Trick or Treat with the Lakeshore Foundation

Free and accessible trick or treating. Calling all ghosts and goblins!

Birmingham Zoo’s Hoots and Howls

Calling all ghouls and goblins, it’s almost time to trick-or-treat around the Zoo at the annual Hoots & Howls events! We have kept your favorite activities and added several others this year, so get ready for a fun day in costumes.

When: October 12-13, 19-20, & 26-27 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Where: The Birmingham Zoo

The Summit Shopping Center

When: Sunday, October 20th | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Where: The shops at The Summit

Vulcan’s Spooktacular

Get ready for a spooktacular time at Vulcan Park & Museum’s family-friendly Halloween bash! An evening filled with spooky fun for all ages
When: Thursday, October 31,6:00 PM to 8:00 PM .
Where: Vulcan Park and Museum

More Info & Purchase tickets > https://visitvulcan.com/event/vulcans-spooktacular/

 

Spread Halloween Cheer: Send Cards to Patients at Children’s of Alabama

Posted on by Angie

Halloween is all about treats, and you can help the patients at Children’s of Alabama celebrate by sending them a card.

The annual Halloween greeting card drive begins Oct. 14 and runs through Oct. 30. Visit https://mailchi.mp/childrensal.org/halloween and select one of three card designs. Hospital staff will print and distribute the cards to patients on Thursday, Oct. 31.

Children’s can’t accept in-person gift donations, food/candy, stuffed animals, toys that depict violence, religious items, crotched knit items, and gently used or homemade items on behalf of patients.

For more information about donations to patients at Children’s, click here.

5 Creative Ways to Paint Pumpkins with Kids (No Carving Required!)

Posted on by Angie

Pumpkin carving may be a classic Halloween tradition, but for those of us with younger kids, it can quickly become a sticky, gooey nightmare. Pumpkin guts end up everywhere—on the floor, the table, the ceiling, and even in your kids’ hair! And don’t get me started on the smell of a rotting pumpkin sitting too long on the porch. 😬

This year, why not skip the mess and the carving knives and opt for pumpkin painting instead? It’s fun, easy, and best of all—mess-free and stink-free! Your kids will love getting creative, and you’ll love not finding pumpkin seeds in your sofa cushions.

Here are 5 creative, mess-free ways to paint pumpkins with your little ones:

1. Classic Paint and Brush

Grab some washable paint and let your kids’ imaginations run wild!  Cover your workspace with newspaper, give them a variety of paintbrushes, and let them design their pumpkins however they like. Want to kick it up a notch? Add glitter, glow-in-the-dark paint, or metallic accents for an extra festive look.
Pro Tip: Use washable paint for easy cleanup if things get a little too creative!

2. Crayon Melting Magic

For a no-carve option with a wow-factor, try melted crayon pumpkins. Line up broken crayons around the stem of the pumpkin and use a hairdryer to melt them. The crayons will drip down, creating a colorful, melted rainbow effect.  This one is as mesmerizing to watch as it is fun to do!
Pro Tip: Place the pumpkin on an old tray or newspaper for easy cleanup.

3. Nail Polish Pumpkins

Perfect for toddlers or little ones who love to get into Mom’s makeup drawer! 💅 Hand over some inexpensive nail polish and let them paint their pumpkins with fun colors and designs. This is especially great for the tiny pumpkins. You’ll be surprised at how much they love it—and you’ll have some seriously stylish pumpkins to show off.
Pro Tip: Keep nail polish remover handy, just in case it ends up on hands instead of pumpkins.

4. Marble Pumpkin Magic

Create stunning marbled pumpkins using nail polish! You’ll need a bowl of water, a few colors of polish, and some small pumpkins. Pour the polish into the water, then dip the pumpkin in. The polish will cling to the surface and create a beautiful marbled design. It’s easy, and the results are amazing!
Pro Tip: This is a great science lesson on how oil-based substances float, but we’ll save that for another day!

5. Splatter-Paint Pumpkins

For a fun outdoor activity, fill squirt bottles with different paint colors and let the kids go wild splattering the pumpkins! The result? A funky, abstract pumpkin masterpiece that looks like it belongs in an art gallery.
Pro Tip: Definitely do this one outside to keep the splatters from hitting your walls!

Skip the carving mess this Halloween and opt for these fun and easy pumpkin painting ideas with your kids. Not only will you avoid the chaos, but you’ll end up with some one-of-a-kind pumpkin creations that are sure to impress! Happy painting!

 

Fossil Hunt with Fresh Air Family

Posted on by Angie

Join Fresh Air Family as they dig into the past at the Stephen C. Minkin Paleozoic Footprint Site. This fossil hunt, led by experts from the Alabama Paleontological Society (APS) at the former Union Chapel Coal Mine, promises no one goes home empty handed.

This site is considered one of the top three Coal-Age fossil sites in the world. It took an Act of Congress to preserve Union Chapel Mine’s hundreds of fossils recording an ancient swamp and sea shore. It’s the only place in the world with a complete fossil record of an ancient horseshoe crab. It has been visited by scientists from around the world ever since. The site is owned by the State of Alabama and you have to get special permission to hunt for fossils here. This event is led by paleontologist. Everyone leaves with a fossil! The terrain is a bit rugged, but fossils lay all around. Children as young as five have found museum-quality pieces. Register here: https://www.freshairfamily.org/fossil-hunt

Trunk or Treat with the Birmingham YMCA

Posted on by Angie

Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween with the Birmingham YMCA! We’ve put together a list of all the Trunk or Treat events happening at YMCA locations across the Birmingham area. These family-friendly events are perfect for kids of all ages, offering a safe and fun environment for trick-or-treating. Plus, if you’re not a member yet, we’ve got a special offer just for our Birmingham Mommy readers! Join by October 31st and pay $0 Activation Fee (a $99 savings!) with code FALLNOAF2024 at checkout. Don’t miss out on this festive fun and exclusive deal—read on to find an event near you!

Pelham YMCA Ghouls at the Pool

Address: 2610 Pelham Parkway, Pelham AL 35124
Date and time: Friday, Oct 11 from 6:00-9:00pm
Details: Free event! Join us for a spooky night of fun! Come a take your last “plunge” into the pool of no return. We will have games, prizes, crafts, food, pool games and of course a spooky movie. Open to the community, but non-members should arrive a few minutes early to complete a guest waiver.

Trussville YMCA Trunk or Treat

Address: 5920 Valley Road, Trussville, AL 35173
Date and time: Saturday, October 19 from 3:00-5:00pm
Details: This candy and music filled event is presented by the Y and Bham Martial Arts Academy. Enjoy a moon walk, candy, music, face painting, arts & crafts and more!
Free and open to the public.

Greystone YMCA Fall Festival

Address: 5414 US-280, Birmingham, AL 35242
Date and time: October 26, 5pm-7pm
Details: Open to the community!

Hoover YMCA  Trunk or Treat

Address: 2250 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover AL 35244
Date and time: Saturday, October 26 from 11AM – 1PM
Details: Kids and adults alike will love our themed vehicles.
Free and open to the public

Shades Valley YMCA

Address: 3551 Montgomery Highway, Homewood AL 35209
Date and time: Saturday, October 26 from 3-5pm
Details: All the treats you can handle + trunk decorating contests, face painting, games and more! Open to all!

Alabaster YMCA Trunk or Treat

Address: 117 Plaza Circle, Alabaster, AL 35007
Date and time: Tuesday October 29 from 5:30-7:30pm
Details: Food trucks, chili cookoff, “haunted” bus, face painting, bounce house and slide, family-friendly games and more!
Free and open to the public

Seasonal Visitation Policy Begins Oct. 1 at Children’s of Alabama

Posted on by Angie

Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1, Children’s of Alabama will implement its seasonal visitation policy for its in-patient units. This change will protect patients, staff, visitors, and the community from the potential spread of illness during respiratory season.

Beginning Tuesday, visitors must be at least 13 years of age and symptom-free.

Visitors should not come to the hospital if they are experiencing any of the following:

Fever in the last 24 hours
Runny nose
Cough
Sore throat
Exposure to anyone with flu-like symptoms
Masks are recommended but not required. However, masks may be necessary in some patient care areas.

With a few exceptions, Children’s allows visitation daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  All visitors must register and wear hospital-issued identification before visiting any area. Clergy/spiritual care providers may visit at the discretion of patients/families.

For more information about the visitation policy, click here.

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