Eat, drink and play: Town Madison Arts & Entertainment District goes green

MADISON – The City of Madison, in partnership with the Madison Chamber of Commerce and accompanied by the cheerful antics of Trash Pandas mascot Sprocket, officially declared the east end of Town Madison from Toyota Field to Zierdt Road, an “Arts & Entertainment District.”

With an outdoor celebration rained out, Taco Mama stepped up to host the special ribbon- cutting. The dreary weather couldn’t put a damper on the festive atmosphere as city leaders and visitors lifted their bright green plastic “Town Madison” cups in a celebratory salute.

What does designating an area as an “Arts & Entertainment District” mean?

According to the original announcement by 256 Today in November, the Town Madison Arts & Entertainment District represents a high concentration of arts, entertainment, food and beverage establishments, and those venues allow customers 21 years and older to purchase alcoholic beverages and carry them outdoors to drink within the designated boundaries of the district.

Huntsville has five such districts known for their purple cups. The Madison district’s approved containers are kelly green.

According to the ordinance, the green cups cannot exceed 16 fluid ounces and must be provided to a customer by the seller who is an Arts & Entertainment District permittee.

“The energy that Town Madison brings to the area is amazing and businesses continue to come, it continues to draw quality businesses that improve the quality of life for our citizens,” said Mayor Paul Finley. “Our City Council and the city Planning Department are leading the charge in making this happen, bringing shared fun and excitement to the citizens of our city.

“We continue to mature as a city and we are proud of that fact.”

Originally conceived as a regional designation with Toyota Field and Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball surrounded by shopping, restaurants and pubs, this is just the beginning of what Town Madison has to offer locals as well as out-of-town visitors.

Extracurricular activities such as holiday light shows, traveling carnivals, beer and wine festivals, crawfish festivals, barbecue cookoffs and even an Easter Breakfast – make Town Madison the ultimate arts and entertainment district in North Alabama.