Calendar of events Summer is in full swing! From indoor sports to farmers markets, Hoover offers many ways to have fun in the sun and to beat the heat. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights around town. July 1-27: Hoover Restaurant Week Explore local eateries offering deals and special menus during the annual Hoover Restaurant Week celebration (this year, it’s an entire month of food fun!). Find the latest information on participating restaurants at hooverrestaurantweek.com, and follow Hoover Restaurant Week on Instagram and Facebook. July 6: First Saturday Cruise In at Hoover Tactical Fire ArmsHosted by the Dixie Vintage Antique Automobile Club, the cruise in features antique and vintage cars in the Hoover Tactical Fire Arms parking lot on Highway 31. Talk with owners, listen to oldies music and sip complimentary coffee. July 9: Great British Bake-Off Teen Edition at Hoover Public Library from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Calling all teen bakers! Show off your baking skills in this fun competition inspired by the hit TV show. Participants will be provided with all necessary ingredients and equipment. The event will conclude with judges tasting and awarding prizes to the top bakers. Register at hooverlibrary.org/events. July 12-18: The Hartford Nationals The Hartford Nationals is the largest and longest-standing national sports championship event for athletes with a physical, visual, and/or intellectual disability. More than 400 athletes with disabilities and coaches are expected to participate, and the event includes competitions, clinics, education, and social opportunities. Events will take place around Hoover at the Hoover Met, the Finley Center, Spain Park High School, and other locations. Details can be found at moveunitedsport.org. July 15: Sushi Class at Brock's Gap Brewery from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn the art of sushi making in a relaxed brewery setting. This hands-on class will teach you how to prepare and roll sushi, and you'll get to enjoy your creations with a refreshing drink from the brewery. All supplies are included. Register at sushiclass.com. July 21: Ice Cream Eating Contest Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with an ice cream eating contest benefitting local nonprofit Hoover Helps. All ages can participate, and winners receive free ice cream for a year and a trophy. Register at The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop, located at the Village at Brock’s Gap, anytime before July 21. July 27-28: Indoor Pickleball Tournament at the Hoover Met Get ready for an exciting weekend of pickleball, one of America’s fastest growing sports! Men's and women's doubles will play Saturday, July 27, and mixed doubles will play Sunday, July 28. The tournament will follow a round-robin format followed by medal-round playoffs. Register at hoovermetcomplex.com. Hoover Restaurant Week returns – for a whole month! As though we needed another reason to dine out, Hoover restaurants are giving us 27 good ones. From July 1-27, there are a series of events taking place that are designed to showcase the city’s culinary scene, culminating with Hoover Restaurant Week from July 19-27. David Cohen, owner of The Whole Scoop and chairman of the Hoover Restaurant Alliance, said Hoover Restaurant Week began during the pandemic to promote our local restaurants that were struggling. It started as a ‘Curbside Edition,’ but quickly turned into a whole lot more.”This year, around 40 local restaurants are expected to participate. The most up to date list of participants can be found online at HooverRestaurantWeek.com.With an impressive selection of more than 200 restaurants around town, Hoover offers a diverse range of options when it comes to dining out. “It’s a great opportunity to try new restaurants,” Cohen says. “We think it's a great time to try new foods and new cuisines, we all need to get out of our comfort zone and try a new BBQ joint, Mexican restaurant or new date night spot.” The month-long culinary celebration has many events for residents and visitors alike. The Hoover Fire Station Show Down It’s not uncommon for a fire house to have a great chef, as preparing nightly meals is part of daily life at the station. On July 1-14, Hoover firefighters will go head-to-head to see which local firehouse officially has the best cook. The Bartender Challenge On July 15 and 16, the East and West sides of Hoover will host bartending competitions, showcasing the skills and artistry of local mixologists. The pinnacle of the challenge, the Bartender Challenge Championship, will take place on July 18 at Merk’s Tavern and Kitchen, located at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel. The bartender with the most flair and creativity will be awarded the 2024 championship title. May the best bartender win! A News-Worthy Kick-Off Mark your calendars for July 19 as Fox 6 brings the Hoover Restaurant Week Kick-Off to Bluff Park Community Park. Join the live morning broadcast ...
