Matt Wake/mwake@al.com

Don't Edit

File photo

Church Street is where Downtown Huntsville Inc.'s Street Food Gatherings "started evolving from a food truck event to a festival of interesting things," says DHI CEO Chad Emerson. "Originally the smaller locations we outgrew so quickly," Emerson adds, "that we discovered Church Street is the only street large enough for a full-on Street Food Gathering. And it really creates a festival atmosphere because you have Big Spring Park on either side." On Friday, Downtown Huntsville Inc., a nonprofit development organization, will hold a Street Food Gathering for the last time on Church Street, from 5 – 9 p.m. between Clinton and Williams avenues. The event is free to attend. Click through the following slideshow for a preview of the August Street Food Gathering. By Matt Wake

Don't Edit

Matt Wake/mwake@al.com

FOOD TRUCK LINEUP

More than 25 food and beverage vendors are expected for the August Street Food Gathering, says DHI director of communications Ellery Miller. Those include: Angel's Island Coffee; Back Alley Traveling Bistro; Badd Newz BBQ; Brain Freeze IceCream; Delightful Desserts; Doctor BBQ; Fire and Spice; Honeypie Bakery; Iceworks Shaved Ice; Kona Ice; Local J's; MaggieMoo's Ice Cream Truck; Nanny's Lemonade; Neon Lilly Café on Wheels; Nothing Bundt Cakes; Pearl Asian; Piper and Leaf; Rollin Lobstah; SouthFresh Mobile Catfish Kitchen; Sugar Belle; Suzy's Pops; The Big Easy; The Food Truck; The Peppered Pig; Tim's Cajun Kitchen; Washington Square Catering; and What's Popp'N.

Don't Edit

File photo

KNOCKER SOCCER

Knocker Soccer participants start by donning a giant see-through inflatable bubble, or knockerball, allowing the players to bump, roll and flip around as they kick and chase a soccer ball around. Knockerball Huntsville will have Knocker Soccer set up in Big Spring Park East.

Don't Edit

ESCAPE TENT

On the business’ website, Huntsville Escape Rooms describes escape rooms as sort of a “real life” version of the board game “Clue.” Basically, you look for clues to escape the room you’re in before the allotted time runs out. Huntsville Escape Rooms will be operating an Escape Tent at the August Street Food Gathering. “It’s basically a mobile version of an escape room – shorter times, smaller location – but you get to experience it in a way the other locations don’t have,” Emerson says. “This is actually a pop-up escape room.”

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com

LIVE MUSIC

As Huntsville band Stillwater Bluegrass’ names suggests, they do in fact play bluegrass music – as well as traditional banjo, fiddle and gospel tunes. The group will perform during the August Street Food Gathering, on the Big Spring East stage starting at 5:30 p.m. The group’s lineup includes Steve Harless (guitar, vocals), Danny Charles (fiddle), Ray Ragsdale (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Phil Riddick (banjo, mandolin), Jim Rutledge (upright bass, vocals) and Russ Holder (dobro, vocals). Stillwater Bluegrass has previously performed at notable local events including Concerts in the Park and Panoply.

Don't Edit

File photo

ONE MORE CHANCE TO WIN $1,000

Although some people have gotten close, no one yet has been able to successfully throw a Nerf football through the moonroof of a Honda Civic parked about 20 yards away, as part of the Street Food Gathering's $1,000 Nerf Toss. So the $1,000 prize is still out there for anyone who can accomplish this task. The August Street Food Gathering will be your last chance to do so though. "A couple of guys have bounced it off the roof and were within six inches of a thousand dollars," Emerson says.

Don't Edit

File photo

REASON FOR RELOCATION

Emerson says, the main reason Street Food Gatherings are leaving Church Street after August, “is because Big Spring Park’s update will be commencing. And so just like Big Spring Park East was updated, the update to Big Spring Park proper will begin." The Sept. 16 Street Food Gathering will take place at AM Booth’s Lumberyard, address 108 Cleveland Ave. DHI plans to announce in late August where the Oct. 21 Street Food finale will take place. In late July, Emerson explained why DHI was pulling the plug, retiring the brand or however you want to phrase discontinuing the Street Food Gatherings. The events have attracted estimated average crowds of around 4,000. “The Street Food Gatherings have been a popular way to re-introduce visitors to downtown Huntsville over the last three years," Emerson said. “At the same time, it's critical to keep innovating and developing unique experiences in downtown." Downtown Huntsville Inc. has plans to introduce “an innovative new” new food truck concept next year. While details on those 2017 events have not been revealed yet, Emerson said the new concert “will include a food truck (component) as well as a music component." DHI's Street Food Gatherings debuted in October 2013. At first the events were held around the downtown Huntsville square and then AM Booth's Lumberyard before relocating to Church Street in 2014.

Don't Edit

Matt Wake/mwake@al.com

MORE FOOD TRUCK COVERAGE

The essential guide to Huntsville food trucks

Food truck playbook: How to get the most out of your street food dining experience

Origins: Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza food truck

11 Huntsville-area food truck dining reviews at-a-glance

Taqueria El Cazador #2: Converted bus remains a must-do Huntsville food experience

Rollin Lobstah food truck serves compelling, delicious fare that doesn't skimp on fresh lobster

I Love Bacon: Huntsville food truck's pig-centric fare isn't cheap but it's packed with big, different and happening flavors

Pig Time BBQ food truck: Excellent pork, ribs and brisket you won't mind eating outside a gas station