Huntsville Enthusiastically Embraces Indie Publishing at Gobble Gobble Hey! Festival

Huntsville Celebrates the Revival of ‘Zines at Gobble Gobble Hey! Festival

Huntsville, Alabama, was alive with creativity and enthusiasm this past Saturday during the 3rd Annual Gobble Gobble Hey! Zine and Small Press Fest. This lively event brought together independent publishers from all corners of the South to share their love for self-published magazines, often affectionately known as ‘zines. If you fondly remember flipping through quirky, offbeat publications in the pre-internet days, this festival was a delightful trip down memory lane.

A Mash-Up of Talent and Passion

Held at the bustling Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, the festival highlighted the vibrancy of the indie publishing scene. “There are a lot of creative people here in north Alabama,” said Robert Daniel, the Market Coordinator for Lowe Mill. He expressed how vital it is to provide more venues for creative expression. “Hearing what people have to say is very important.” The day was filled with energy as numerous artists and enthusiastic readers mingled, showcasing their unique works.

From Ransom Notes to Risography

The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as attendees browsed rows of tables displaying a wide range of ‘zines. Whether it was intricately designed art pieces or quirky publications that appeared like ransom notes cobbled together, every page turned was infused with passion and individuality. Among the crowd was UAB student Camp Matz, who journeyed to Huntsville with some friends, eager to explore the festival and promote the offerings from their newly established risography club. Using a high-quality, professional-grade printer known as a RISO, they brought unique projects to life.

“It’s super important to see other people’s art,” Camp explained, highlighting the significance of gatherings like this. “Other than Instagram, there aren’t many platforms to get your work out there, so this is really great to socialize, network, and all that jazz.” It’s clear that opportunities to connect and share artistic endeavors are invaluable, especially for those coming from smaller towns.

Small Town, Big Dreams

Camp hails from Scottsboro, where festivals like Gobble Gobble Hey! are a rare find. “Seeing the diverse audience and so many different people making distinctive content, it’s really cool to see,” he remarked, underscoring how the event bridged connections among artists from various backgrounds.

A Bright Future Ahead

With a triumphant turnout this year, the excitement surrounding the event indicates a bright future. The organizers have already penciled in the festival for its 4th year in 2025, with plans to return on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This promising news has many enthusiasts looking forward to gathering once again to celebrate the art of publishing and the spirit of creativity.

As attendees departed with their prized ‘zines and a smile on their faces, the message was clear: the indie publishing scene is as thriving as ever. In a world where digital screens often dominate, celebrating the tactile experience of flipping through physical copies is incredibly refreshing. The Gobble Gobble Hey! Festival not only honors this nostalgic art form but also fosters a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate creativity in all its forms.

As Huntsville continues to embrace this creative culture in the years to come, the words of Robert Daniel resonate strongly: “The more venues they have for creative expression, the better for everybody.” Here’s to more festivals like this that celebrate the uniqueness and vitality of local artistry!