Things to Do

Winter brings a special exhibit to Arab, Alabama. We are excited to welcome the Smithsonian Institution's traveling exhibit, "Journey Stories" to our Arab Historic Village. This special exhibit tells the story of how we and our ancestors came to America. America's history is filled with stories of people leaving everything behind to reach a new life in another state, across the continent, or even across an ocean. "Journey Stories" will use engaging images with audio and artifacts to tell the individual stories that illustrate the critical roles travel and movement have played in building our diverse American society.

For more information about Journey Stories and other attractions and activities, contact the Chamber at 256-586-3138 or stop in to see us. The chamber is located at 1157 North Main Street.

Journey Stories

Each of us has a powerful journey story deep in our personal heritage. It may be a story of a family uprooting itself in order to stay together, or of sons and daughters moving to another land, or of a distant ancestor coming to America.

Immigration and travel shaped American society. Journey stories is a traveling Smithsonian Exhibit that examines how transportation and migration helped build our nation, how it has changed us, and how our mobile world looked to travelers along the way.

Journey Stories will be on display at the Arab Historic Village from February 25, 2012 through April 4, 2012 and will be open to the public free of charge. The exhibit will be open Tuesdays - Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of more than 25 people are advised to make a reservation by calling 256-586-3138.

Saturdays will feature additional activities themed around sections of the exhibit. Click here to download the Saturday Schedule of Events.

Journey Stories has been made possible in Arab by the Alabama Humanities Foundation. Journey Stories is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

2012 Arab Poke Salat and Blue Grass Festival

On the 3rd Saturday of May each year, hundreds of people head to Historic Downtown Arab for a plate of poke salat at the El Rancho. It’s a tradition that has spanned 27 years. If you aren’t too crazy about eating a plate of greens, you can still enjoy crafters, a barbecue contest and returning in 2012 – bluegrass music.

On May 19, 2012 Arab will host its second-annual Blue Grass Concert in conjunction with the famed Poke Salat Festival. Visitors can stop in downtown in the morning for handmade arts and crafts, food and a little pickin’ and grinnin’ provided by local blue grass musicians.

Then head to the Arab City Park, just a few blocks away from historic downtown, for a Blue Grass Concert featuring The Grascals, The Isaacs, The Josh Williams Band and Canaan's Crossing. Concert will be held at the city’s outdoor amphitheater with grass seating, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets.

Gates will open at 3 p.m. and music begins at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person prior to the event and can be purchased by calling the Arab Chamber of Commerce, 256-586-3138. Tickets at the gate will be $12 per person. Children under age 2 are free. Tickets for the 2012 concert will go on sale February 1, 2012.

Arab Historic Village

Unlock Alabama’s past with a visit to Arab Historic Village, featuring a collection of 10 original buildings and a museum with items dating from the late 1800s through the 1940s. The buildings include a one-room school house, a country church, a homestead, grist mill and blacksmith shop, as well as a country store and a clubhouse.

The village is open for scheduled tours and visited annually by school groups from across Alabama. The church is available for weddings and other community events. For more information about upcoming events held at the Village, contact 256-586-3138.

Horse Show

Arab hosts a one-day horse show the 2nd Saturday of July at the Arab City Park Horse Arena. More than 200 horses compete in walking and racking classes. Horse enthusiasts come from all across the Southeast to compete in this show – ranked by the Alabama Walking Horse Association as the best one-day horse show 5 out of the last 10 years.

For more information on the annual horse show, contact Arab Parks and Recreation Department, 256-586-6793.

Santa In The Park

Santa Claus and his elves will make a special visit to Arab Historic Village. His toy shop will open Fridays and Saturdays for four weekends beginning November 25, 2011. Have your picture taken with Santa, make reindeer food, decorate a cookie and listen to live music. Santa In The Park will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Arab Historic Village in the Arab City Park. Entry into Santa In The Park is $5 per person, $20 for familiesof 4 or more. Children 2 and under are free.

Directions to Arab City Park:
From Huntsville:
Take U.S. Highway 231 South into Arab. Turn left on 7th Avenue NW (McDonald's on left), then right onto Main Street. Continue traveling south through 2 traffic lights. Turn left onto Shoal Creek Trail NE. Park is approximately 1 mile on right.

From Cullman:
Take AL Highway 69 into Arab. Turn left onto Main Street, then right on Shoal Creek Trail NE. Park is approximately 1 mile on right.

From Guntersville:
Take AL Highway 69 into Arab. Turn left onto Main Street, then right on Shoal Creek Trail NE. Park is approximately 1 mile on right.

Christmas In The Park

Arab City Park is a must-see during the holiday season. Featuring more than 2 million lights, the park is ablaze with the magic and beauty of Christmas. Visitors can stroll along the sidewalks and pathways within the park. Event is free and open to the public.

This event kicks off with a formal lighting ceremony at 6:00 p.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving at the park gazebo.

Directions to Arab City Park:

From Huntsville:
Take U.S. Highway 231 South into Arab. Turn left on 7th Avenue NW (McDonald's on left), then right onto Main Street. Continue traveling south through 2 traffic lights. Turn left onto Shoal Creek Trail NE. Park is approximately 1 mile on right.