It's mid-June, 2024 right now, and we have two hamfests close enough to be called "nearby" on the near calendar.
Cullman, AL, July 13
Cullman is a solid three hour drive from Starkville, but it's a fun, low-key hamfest that is sort of reminiscent of hamfests from the days of yore. It's held in an un-airconditioned building at the fairgrounds in Cullman, but do not let that dull your interest in going. The building is alwasy confortable inside (even in July) thanks to large fans spaced throughout moving air in an really effective manner.
The building is split into two sides, like a big room with a long wall, open on each end, running down the middle. The keeps down the noise and distractions, and makes it easier to wander the aisles and focus on what's there.
This is an ARRL-sanctioned hamfest, so you know this isn't just something a few good ole boys cooked up to do at the last minute.
Fat Cat Parts will definitely be at this hamfest.
Cullman County Fairgrounds
1501 Sportsman’s Lake Rd
Cullman, AL 35055
Hamfest will be inside Building #1 in fairgrounds with covered tailgate area also available outside.
The doors are open to the general public from 8:00am to 1:00pm.
Contact info, etc. can be found at https://cullmanarc.com/hamfest/
To read about last year's Cullmans Hamfest, visit this link:
https://fatcat.parts/blogs/news/cullman-al-hamfest-july-2023
Huntsville, AL, August 17/18
The Huntsville Hamfest if one of the four biggest hamfests in America, and possible the most organized hamfest in the world.
This huge event is held at the Von Braun Center, South Hall, located at 700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. It starts on Saturday, and the floor is open 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM. Sunday it is open 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.
This is one of the hamfests all the "big boys" (i.e., Yaesu, Icom, HRO, etc.) show up for. All the commercial vendors will be in one end of the giant South Hall, and all the flea market tables will be in the other end of the giant South Hall. One could easily spend the entire day at this hamfest, and still miss some good stuff. If that happens, there's always Sunday.
Fat Cat Parts will definitiely be at this hamfest.
If you'd like to read about last year's Huntsville Hamfest, just visit this link:
https://fatcat.parts/blogs/news/huntsville-hamfest-august-2023