Sep 30 Saturday
It’s harvest time, and nothing says FALL quite like Festifall at the Garden! Our two-month celebration of the changing seasons features pumpkins, scarecrows, campouts, nature hikes, and more. As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change color, there’s no better place to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of autumn.
Oct 01 Sunday
Oct 02 Monday
Garden Explorers will investigate the Garden from the ground up and get the real “dirt” on plants, life cycles, composting, garden critters, and more! Join us for a week filled with games, explorations, snacks from the garden, and take-home garden projects.
Oct 03 Tuesday
Oct 04 Wednesday
Enjoy a delicious Grilled Lunch before setting off on a hay-bound journey to the back of the Garden! Relax as you trundle along on your visit to the autumnal Huntsville Botanical Garden
The Blessing of the Pets is a tradition associated with the Feast Day of St. Francis, known for his love of animals and acts of kindness, generosity, and goodwill toward all.
A brief Blessing Service will be followed by a community cookout and pet-friendly snacks. All animals are welcome, as long as they are leashed, in a carrier, or otherwise under control.
For last year’s Blessing of the Pets, Gurley CPC’s pastor Brad Hall traversed Madison county to bless 60 animals – a personal record. In 35 years of ministry, Pastor Hall has blessed dozens of cats and dogs, pigs, horses, emus, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, hens, guinea pigs, ducks, a snake, and a bonded pair of donkeys.
Established in 1891, Gurley Cumberland Presbyterian Church played an integral role in the educational development of the community, establishing the Robert Donnell Academy in 1893, and later a high school and a two-year college. Today, Gurley Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a dedicated servant of the community, supporting ministries to schoolkids, homeless families, the intellectually disabled, victims of domestic violence, and other pressing needs.
Oct 05 Thursday
Experience live raptors up close while learning about their natural history and vital ecological roles. The show features a selection of the Center's raptor ambassadors and may include owls, falcons, hawks, kites, vultures, and eagles.
Oct 06 Friday
Oct 07 Saturday
Guests of all ages will enjoy sharing in the magic of safely releasing live butterflies into the Purdy Butterfly House. This program begins with a brief presentation about butterflies and their habitat, followed by taking part in the safe restoration of our indoor butterfly population.
Butterfly Release Dates in 2023:June 3 and 17July 1, 15, and 29August 12 and 26September 2 and 16At 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Oct 08 Sunday
Oct 09 Monday
Oct 10 Tuesday