Midweek check-in, Rocket City!

September is wrapping up with that perfect Huntsville energy. The Research Park feels busy but not frantic, downtown restaurants are packed with their patios full, and there's something in the air that says "this is exactly where I want to be."

This has always been one of our favorite times in Huntsville. The summer heat is breaking, but the outdoor season isn't over yet. Perfect weather for catching that last concert in the park or finally visiting the Space Center exhibits you've been putting off.

If you love this transition time, this week is for you. The city feels like it's hitting its stride.

In today's edition:
• U.S. Space & Rocket Center's New Mars Robot Exhibit Opens
• Concerts in the Park Season Finale This Friday
• Justice for the Johnsons Exhibition Now Open at EarlyWorks
• Orion Amphitheater Fall Concert Series Announced
• Weekend activities and more

— Your Rocket City Team

If you haven't been to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center lately, now's the time. Their new "Discovering Mars: Robot Explorers" exhibit just opened, and it's exactly the kind of attraction that reminds you why Huntsville earned the "Rocket City" nickname.

Here's what makes this special:

• Full-scale models of actual Mars rovers including Perseverance
• Interactive controls that let you "drive" a rover on Mars
• Real mission data from current Mars exploration
• Behind-the-scenes looks at how missions are planned
• Perfect for all ages - kids love the hands-on elements

The exhibit runs alongside their ongoing "Dare to Explore: Frontiers of Space" display, making it a perfect combo visit. With fall weather approaching, it's ideal timing for both tourists and locals who've been meaning to revisit.

Pro tip: The Space Center is usually less crowded on weekday mornings, and parking is easier. Plus, the staff tends to have more time to share those insider details that make the experience memorable.

Huntsville's history runs deeper than rockets and tech, and a powerful new exhibition at EarlyWorks Family of Museums proves it. "Justice for the Johnsons" tells the story of a Black family who owned successful businesses in early Huntsville—a story that's been largely untold until now.

The exhibition covers:

• The Johnson family business empire in 19th-century Huntsville
• How they navigated Jim Crow laws while building wealth
• Their contributions to Huntsville's early development
• Primary documents and artifacts from the family
• Interactive elements that bring the story to life

What makes this exhibition particularly relevant is how it connects to modern Huntsville. The Johnson family's entrepreneurial spirit and resilience mirrors the innovation happening in today's Research Park and downtown business district.

It's the kind of local history that changes how you see familiar streets and buildings. The exhibition runs through early 2025, and it's worth experiencing whether you're new to Huntsville or have lived here your whole life.

Summer's not quite over yet, and Arts Huntsville is making sure it goes out with style. The final Concerts in the Park of the season happens this Friday at Big Spring Park, and it's always one of the best-attended shows of the year.

Here's what to expect for the finale:

• Live music from 6:00-8:00 PM at the pavilion
• Food trucks will be lined up along Spring Street
• Perfect weather forecasted for the weekend

• Downtown parking fills up by 5:30, so arrive early
• Bring blankets or chairs - the grass area is first-come, first-served

What makes this finale special is the crowd. You'll see families who've been coming all summer, UAH students, downtown workers stopping by after hours, and visitors discovering why this free concert series is a Huntsville tradition.

The series has been running for over 20 years, and it represents something important about Huntsville—we know how to create community around simple pleasures like good music in a beautiful park.

Pro tip: Grab dinner from one of the food trucks and claim your spot early. The music starts at 6, but the real show is watching the community come together as the sun sets over Big Spring.

Baseball season is winding down, but the Rocket City Trash Pandas are finishing strong at Toyota Field. Their final homestand runs through this weekend, and there's something special about end-of-season games—more relaxed, better concession deals, and that "last chance" energy.

Why this homestand matters:

• Final weekend games before the season ends
• Fan appreciation activities and giveaways
• Perfect weather for baseball
• End-of-season concession specials
• Playoff positioning still on the line

The Trash Pandas have become more than just a baseball team—they're a reason for Huntsville families to spend time together, for dates, for introducing visitors to our city. The stadium atmosphere on a clear September evening is hard to beat.

Plus, this is your last chance until next season to grab those famous chicken baskets and watch baseball under the lights with the Research Park skyline as your backdrop.

Games are Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are still available, and parking is free—which never gets old in a city where everything else seems to be growing more expensive.

UAH Volleyball vs. Auburn Montgomery (Friday, October 18th)
7:00 PM at Spragins Hall - Free admission, great atmosphere

Research Park Farmers Market (Saturday, October 19th)
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Fall produce, local vendors, live music

Monte Sano Autumn Color Walk (Saturday, October 19th)
2:00 PM - Guided tour of fall foliage, $5 per person

Downtown Sunday Market (Sunday, October 20th)
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Arts, crafts, and local food vendors