Music lineups coming soon! 

Make sure to bring your own folding chair/blanket to sit on in the grassy area in front of the stage. 

WhistleStop, the Rocket City BBQ Festival, has been a beloved North Alabama tradition since 2001. As a primary fundraising event for the EarlyWorks Children's Museum, the festival raises funds allowing EarlyWorks to expand its offerings and better serve the community over the years. After announcing its end  in 2022, we are excited to announce –

WHISTLESTOP IS BACK in 2024! 

Mark your calendars for October 18th & 19th, when a reimagined version of WhistleStop returns for its 24th year. Locally headquartered Huntsville company, Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3), takes over executive sponsorship and production of WhistleStop for the benefit of EarlyWorks. WhistleStop will take place in the newly developed and popular MidCity District. In keeping with WhistleStop as a premier fundraiser for the EarlyWorks Children's Museum, i3 is committed to producing a first-class event for the community while raising money to support the exciting new strategic initiative to ‘reimagine’ the EarlyWorks Children's Museum. 

EarlyWorks seeks to create a one-of-a-kind science and museum-based experience providing incredible hands-on STEAM experiences for the youngest learners in our North Alabama community. The EarlyWorks plan calls for remodeling the current museum into a state-of-the-art, professionally designed museum offering STEAM-based play-and-learn spaces. "We Imagine an EarlyWorks where children are busy in a lab-like setting, tinkering and creating. Professionals guide the children as they interact with high-tech tools, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics, and open-ended imagining, testing, and problem-solving are at the core of the children's efforts”, stated EarlyWorks Executive Director Bart Williams. i3 CEO Rich Kretzschmar shared, “We are excited to contribute to the continued investment in growing our future generations’ curiosity in STEAM.” 

Gates Open:

Friday, October 18th from 4 PM- 11 PM

Saturday, October 19th from 11 AM- 11 PM

Ticket Prices increase at the Gates; Gates are CASHLESS but cash/cards will be accepted in the Festival:

Fri., Oct. 18th at the Gate is $20   (Included in tickets is People's Choice Wings from 6 PM- 7:30 PM. The public opportunity to try WINGS for FREE, while supplies last with particpating cook teams! You will use your wooden token that you received at the entrance to vote for your favorite wing!)

Sat., Oct. 19th at the Gate is $30   (Included in tickets is People's Choice Pulled Pork from 4 PM- 6 PM. The public opportunity try PULLED PORK for FREE, while supplies last with the participating cook teams! You will use your wooden token that you received at the entrance to vote for your favorite pulled pork!)

Weekend Pass for Fri., Oct. 18th & Sat., Oct. 19th at the Gate is $40  (Included in ticket is Friday, People's Choice Wings 6 PM- 7:30 PM and Saturday, Pulled Pork 4 PM- 6 PM, while supplies last with the participating cook teams. You will use your wooden token that you received at the entrance to vote for your favoite!)  

Children 12 and under are FREE and Parking is FREE

All Tickets Include: (Please note specific times for the Public Tasting Opportunities. Friday night WINGS 6pm-7:30 and Saturday PULLED PORK 4pm-6pm, while supplies last with participating cook teams at their cook site.)

The Main Music Stage-  Exerience the Vibrant Melodies of Live Tunes – Join us at the Main Music Stage for a delightful blend of music that will have you tapping your toes and grinning from ear to ear. Immerse yourself in the soothing tones spirited rhythms of southern soul-rock, the timeless tunes of country, and the unforgettable classics of rock. As you savor the aromatic wafts of barbeque prepared by over 50 talented teams, there's no finer spot to revel in these musical delights. The stage is conveniently situated just beyond the barbeque team area, and access is included with your general admission ticket.  MUSIC Friday, 5 PM-11 PM and Saturday 11 AM- 11 PM. 

The People’s Choice Tasting –  People's Choice is the only option for the Festival Ticket Holders to taste the BBQ that the Competion Cooks are cooking, so don't miss it! ONLY Friday from 6 PM to 7:30 PM WINGS and Saturday, from 4 PM to 6 PM PULLED PORK, the amateur division, better known as the Shadetree Barbeque Teams will let you sample (while supplies last) and judge the wings and pork they are smoking. This competition raises money for STEAM education initiatives at the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum. Use your wooden token received at entrance or donate with cash/check. $1/Token equals 1 vote…this competition gets serious. Located in the Shadetree BBQ area that is situated inside the festival grounds. You may also make a donation to your favorite team with Cash or Check to help them win our NEW EarlyWorks Cup! Donations are taken Friday and Saturday. 

Food Vendor Alley— Bring on the good food! Food Vendor Alley has something for everyone.  

The Tailgate Zone – The Tailgate Zone will be the place to just hang out with friends, eat some great food from our Food Vendor Alley and watch football on giant 17’ LED screen! We will be showing all the “big games” that are being broadcasted!  Bring your lawn chairs and get ready to cheer on your team!  

The Family Fun Zone –The Family Fun Zone has some exciting and engaging activities planned for everyone at WhistleStop this year.  Not only will you find an inflatable bounce house or two but some hands-on STEAM activities that are sure to entertain and educate.