At Yuri's Night Huntsville, rocket scientists are bigger than rock stars. The massive costume party on April 22nd, which is open to the public at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, closely resembles a rave combined with Halloween. With a DJ elevated above the crowd, dancers in costume, glow sticks, projection mapping, and festival-level concert production, the party is not one that you would expect to see in the Tennessee Valley. The unique event celebrating space exploration drew thousands of people from all over the region in recent years.

Truth be told, Yuri's Night is a worldwide event with hundreds of parties on 6 continents, and the Huntsville party is bigger than any other.

In fact, Loretta Whitesides, who along with her husband George (CEO of Virgin Galactic) founded Yuri's Night, had this to say:

"I was just preparing a talk on Yuri's Night for International Space University and found the Huntsville event website and was SO IMPRESSED with the event, the video and the website. It blows the doors off anything else I have seen-- especially of our event in LA!!!"

And why shouldn't it be the biggest and best event, with so much of our history and economy tied to the space industry? Now in its 8th year, it has become a must-attend event that leaves a huge impression on all attendees.

Many describe the event by saying it is as if NASA decided to host Burning Man.

What is Yuri's Night? In April of 1961, Yuri Gagarin forever changed the world as we knew it. That day, the Cold War-era Space Race literally took flight as Gagarin became the first human to fly in space, piloting Vostok 1 on a single orbit around Earth. What followed was a decade-long pursuit of the moon and command of the cosmos, as the world's two superpowers staged a competition--at once a sprint and a marathon--to determine who would rule the sky.

Yuri's Night, "The World Space Party," is the annual celebration commemorating Gagarin's historic flight and the maiden voyage of the American space shuttle 20 years later, to the day, in 1981.

The local party is also used as a way to shed light on a program that does wonders for foster children in Madison County. 100% of the proceeds go to support the Court Appointed Juvenile Advocates of Madison County.

The Huntsville event has developed quite the reputation around the country, with press inquiries coming from far reaches. That is sure to continue with the level of talent assembled for this year's DJ lineup as the event as evolved into a legitimate electronic music event.

Though not required, costumes of any kind are highly encouraged. Scantily clad aliens, Star Trek and Star Wars characters, and an abundance of Doctor Who characters abound. Though there are always vampires and werewolves that are clearly leftover from Halloween. It is a party that should not be missed.

Featuring Wick-it the Instigator with Special Guests Andy Bruh, Robbie Dude, WHiPLASH, DJ Boskii. Tryptone & SEEDS. The lead sponsor of the event is DealNews.

There will be two live artists painting space-themed canvases from start to finish during the event. There will be food trucks, craft beer from local brewer Old Black Bear brewery, and wine from Sutter Home.

Tickets are $10 in advance at Eventbrite.com or $15 at the door. We recommend 18+, but underage people are welcome if accompanied by an adult (but would need a ticket). The event runs from 6pm-1am.

Check out the Yuri's Night Facebook page for more info at https://www.facebook.com/SpaceParty.info/

When: April 22nd, 6pm-1am

Where: Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

2211 Seminole Dr. Southwest

Huntsville, AL 35805