Birmingham set to “Light Up Sloss” on June 21. Details on when and where to watch.

Sloss
Testing out the new Sloss Furnaces lighting this spring. (Cathy Sloss Jones)

Birmingham is about to illuminate one of its most iconic skyline features — Sloss Furnaces.

Mark the Date and Time

Sloss Furnaces
(Pat Byington/ Bham Now)

On Tuesday, June 21, at 8:30 p.m — Mayor Randall Woodfin and friends of Sloss will “flip the switch“ — lighting the 140 year-old historic landmark’s water tower, boilers and smokestacks. The new energy efficient lights will be a permanent nighttime feature.  

“Ironmaking is the foundational industry of Birmingham and as a National Historic Landmark, we are so glad to help this important part of our history shine brighter,”  said Cathy Sloss Jones, President of Sloss Real Estate and board member of Sloss Furnaces.

 

Where to Watch?

Sloss
View of Sloss Furnaces from the Highland Avenue overpass. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Since Sloss Furnaces is currently closed to the public due to construction and preparation for The World Games, we’ve got a few suggestions on how to catch the lighting. 

The best places to view this awe-inspiring moment will be anywhere you can see Sloss from, including but not limited to: 

Birmingham, Alabama, Sloss Furnaces
(Bham Now)

After Sloss is “lit”, the best “drive-by” view will be on 1st Avenue North traveling east out of downtown

Appreciate Birmingham’s History

Make plans Tuesday night at 8:30pm to watch the special lighting.

“As part of our family legacy, this is especially meaningful to me. My hope is by lighting Sloss Furnaces, residents and visitors will recognize and appreciate Birmingham’s history that much more. Together we invite the whole community to watch as we turn on the lights this Tuesday,” added Jones.

Tags on Social Media

“Light Up Sloss” is an initiative of Sloss Furnaces Foundation. Help encourage  people to watch the lighting and share pictures or video on social media, by using the hashtag #slossfurnaces  

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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