The community picnic that starts at Lovelace Crossroads transitions over the years into an annual spring open house at The Factory, and, in 2018, is reintroduced as The Gathering—an expanded series of events at multiple locations across the community. The events are a time for employees, artisans, collaborators, supporters, and members of the community to gather and celebrate. The first annual Gathering features a Friends of the Café Dinner with chef Steven Satterfield, a Custom Design Workshop hosted by The School of Making, an evening cocktail workshop in collaboration with friends Brooks Reitz of Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. and Cathead Distillery hosted at 116 E. Mobile, a local venue and event space run by our friends at Single Lock Records. There are also mini workshops, a BBQ lunch celebrating the artisans, a booth with friends from Bluewater Creek Farm, a presentation of the history of the company with Natalie, a stenciling booth, tours of The Factory, and a special Swampette tour of Shoals music venues. The weekend wraps up with a family-style brunch featuring Nashville’s famous Biscuit Love.
Learn more about Steven Satterfield and follow along @millerunionchef.
Shop cocktail and bar goods at Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. and follow along @jackrudycocktailco and @brooksreitz.
Learn more about Bluewater Creek Farm and follow along @bluewater_creek_farm.
Learn more about Single Lock Records and follow along @singlelock.
Learn more about Cathead Distillery and follow along @drinkcathead and @catheaddistillery.
Take a Swampette Tour here.
Learn more about Biscuit Love and follow along @biscuitlovebrunch.
Slide 1: The Gathering t-shirt designed by Chris James of Heavy Color, printed and manufactured in Alabama Chanin’s Building 14, 2019, photograph by Abraham Rowe
Slide 2: Collage of photographs from The Gathering, 2019