5 ways to celebrate Birmingham’s 150th birthday on December 19

cheers, drinks, Mayawell Bar
Toast to the weekend at Mayawell Bar in Birmingham. Photo via @mayawellbar

Break out the party hats, everyone, because on Sunday, December 19, Birmingham turns 150! An occasion this momentous deserves some serious celebrating, so we came up with a few special ways to do just that. Party horns ready? Read on.

1. Create a love letter to The Magic Magic

Downtown 01 5 ways to celebrate Birmingham’s 150th birthday on December 19
Downtown Birmingham. Photo via Bham Now

Wordsmiths, this one’s for you. Conjure up all your fondness for Birmingham and write the city the ultimate love letter for the I Love Birmingham Because campaign. Your words will live in infamy because all letters will be archived in the Birmingham Public Library. 

Submission Rules: Letters must be under 150 words.
Deadline: Sunday, December 19 
Submit letters to builttolast@birminghamal.gov with the subject line “I Love Birmingham Because”

2. Travel Birmingham’s history

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Dome Rails 5 ways to celebrate Birmingham’s 150th birthday on December 19
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute-. Photo via Bham Now

With Birmingham at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, can you think of a better place to celebrate the city and all it’s done for the past, present and future?

Where: 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Website | Facebook | Instagram

3. Discover Birmingham’s industrial history

Birmingham, Alabama, Sloss Furnaces
Sloss Furnaces provides a glimpse into Birmingham’s industrial past. Photo via Bham Now

For a real journey into Birmingham’s history, there’s no better place to visit than Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. 

Sloss Furnaces produced iron for nearly 90 years, which gave rise to our city. For a peek into Birmingham’s industrial past, this is the ultimate spot.

Where: 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
Website | Facebook | Instagram

4. Take part in Milestone Monday

beer cheers
Toast to your big milestones. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

Those in Birmingham help our city hit major milestones. That’s why The City of Birmingham is celebrating your achievements with the Milestone Monday campaign that highlights people, organizations, businesses and more who are our have celebrated important milestones in 2021. 

To take part in the campaign, nominees should submit their photo, what type of milestone they are celebrating in 2021 and what their milestone means to them. 

Nominations for Milestone Monday should be sent to builttolast@birminghamal.gov with the subject line “Milestone Monday”.

5. Visit Rickwood Field

Rickwood Field
Birmingham’s Rickwood Field from the journalist’s lookout. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

Sports fan or history buff, pay tribute to Rickwood Field—Birmingham’s oldest baseball field and the oldest surviving baseball field in America. Impressive, right?

Whether you catch a game, attend an event or read this cool article, it’s a must add to your list of ways to celebrate The Magic City’s 150th birthday.

You can also learn how Birmingham’s Black Barons went from separate to spectacular—it’s quite the story.

Where: 1137 2nd Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204
Website | Facebook | Instagram

6. BONUS: Take in an unbelievable view

Vulcan statue and Birmingham skyline
Gorgeous views of Vulcan Park. Photo via Vulcan Park and Museum’s Facebook

Last, but certainly not least, if you want to take in all the glory of The Magic City during its special birthday month, visit Vulcan Park & Museum for one of the most impressive views of Birmingham. Here you will truly see why we are called The Magic City.

Where: 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
Website | Facebook | Instagram

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Patience Itson
Patience Itson
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