Madison Street Festival features many ways to give back to the community

MADISON – The Madison Street Festival is an annual celebration that brings the community together in a vibrant display of local culture, creativity, and camaraderie. Held on the first Saturday in October, this event has grown into one of North Alabama’s most anticipated festivals, attracting visitors from across the region to enjoy a day filled with art, entertainment, food, and fun.

“This event is designed to foster collaboration with residents, businesses and organizations, ensuring a reflection of the spirit and character of Madison and its surrounding areas,” McBrayer said. “Beyond the festival itself, our organization operates as an active non-profit, committed to serving Madison.”

One of the defining features of the Madison Street Festival is its commitment to supporting education and community initiatives. Proceeds from the event are used to fund grants for local educational programs.

These grants are awarded to schools and organizations in the Madison area that are working to enhance educational opportunities for students. Over the years, the festival has provided significant financial support to a variety of programs, helping to enrich the educational landscape of the community.

After the 2024 festival, the committee issued $25,000 in grants.

“After start-up costs for next year’s festival (which varies depending on needs) and minimum overhead, MSF grants are funded from fundraising profits,” Mc-Brayer said.

Immediately following the festival, the MSF Committee initiates its grant process, which involves reviewing applications and a thorough selection procedure. MSF leaders then plan a grant reception to recognize recipients. Afterwards, efforts shift toward preparing the next sponsorship drive. The successful execution of these annual activities is truly a collective effort, McBrayer said.

MSF will continue to accept applications until October 31. To apply, visit madisonstreetfestival. org.

The Festival also includes ways to make a meaningful impact during the event itself.

Established in 2024, “Stuff the Bus” supports Madison City Schools students and families in need. “It’s not your typical supply drive. We’re collecting personal care essentials for students, cleaning supplies for teachers and snacks for school programs,” Mc-Brayer said.

Daily, MCS students need personal hygiene supplies, like laundry pods, bars of soap, deodorant and more products. “We want to help supply these items when they’re needed so students feel successful to learn. Teachers dedicate so much to our students; however, they cannot use stipend money to purchase cleaning supplies and similar items, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy classroom environment,” McBrayer said.

MSF’s organizers will provide individually packaged snacks so children can have a snack during the day…and for any child who’s hungry. “We know this community is incredible. We believe residents will come together again this year to ensure no child goes without essential items,” McBrayer said.

The “Stuff the Bus” vehicle will be parked at the corner of Front Street and Sullivan Street (Wall Triana) by the railroad tracks. Consider these donations:

• Students’ hygiene items – Supplies like body wipes, soap and shampoo.

• Classroom teachers’ needs – Kleenex tissues, Clorox wipes, single rolls of paper towels and disinfectant spray.

• MCS food programs – Snacks in separate packages.

Fill a reusable bag with donations, and bring the bag to the festival. “Drop off items at ‘Stuff the Bus,’” McBrayer said. “Then, reuse your bag to hold all the treasures you will find at the festival.”

Anyone out of town on festival day still can donate before October 4 at two sites:

• Lemon and Lavender — 108 Main Street. Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 29 through Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• MCS Central Office — 211 Celtic Drive. September 15 through October 3, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After the 2024 festival, MSF volunteers drove the bus to Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools for teachers to shop for supplies.

“It was an amazing first drive. We’re hoping in 2025 to have some companies reach out with their own ‘Stuff The Bus’ drive to last throughout the entire school year,” McBrayer said. “What we collected in 2024 did not last long.”

To conduct a Stuff the Bus drive, email msf.pres@gmail.com. “Thank you in advance from the MSF organization, MCS and the ones who will benefit from your generosity,” McBrayer said.

Another community effort is the Elbert Balch Blood Drive. In its fourth year, the drive will have two buses in 2025.

“Mr. Elbert Balch was an avid supporter of historic downtown Madison . . . and Madison in general,” McBrayer said. “It’s our greatest honor to host this blood drive every year in honor of not only Mr. Balch but his family and friends who adored him.”

“We’re proud of the impact this blood drive and look forward to saving more lives this year by having LifeSouth. When you donate blood, you truly do help to save lives,” McBrayer said.

To survive, even for an event, change is inevitable. “We integrate MSF initiatives to support meaningful causes, like the blood drive and Stuff The Bus – both are new,” McBrayer said. “Our status as a 501(c)3 organization, achieved in 2022, has helped solidify our position and enables us to make a greater impact through educational grants.”

“To achieve these goals, we’ve elevated our fundraising efforts and are actively exploring ways to expand MSF’s reach to better serve our community. Additionally, we consistently strive to collaborate with other local organizations by engaging in community outreach activities,” McBrayer said.

MSF’s mission is to annually host a free community event made possible with sponsorships and donations. “Our goal is to ensure that admission to the festival remains complimentary for all attendees. Furthermore, our mission is to allocate all profits — after setting aside start-up funds for the following year’s event — to support local educational programs with our grant initiative,” McBrayer said.