Things to Do in Gadsden

The expert staff at Phoenix Paintball Division oversees multiple fields sprawling across 30 acres of paintball action. A woods field cloaks artistic assassins with trees and bunkers, and a tire-and-hay field conceals teams as they rally together toward victory. As in marital disputes between pro athletes, trained referees strictly enforce all rules, making safety the top priority at Phoenix. The pro shop rents and sells all necessary equipment, accessories, and apparel, as well as food and drinks to keep players fueled during friendly outings, group events, or special occasions, such as birthday parties.

Founded 16 years ago by Jay and Beth Handline, Dance Trance's twinkle-toe team constructs an upbeat fitness regimen incorporating various dance styles appropriate for all ages and ability levels. Unlike other fun and funky workouts, such as the Hoedown of Antietam, Dance Trance workouts don't require reenacting historic dance battles to burn calories but keep things exciting with popular songs and dynamic lighting effects. Classes aimed at 10- to 15-year-olds encourage young adults to try the calorie-burning footwork, and special-needs students work through routines designed by the instructors to meet dancers' abilities.

Instructor Hannah Padgett first fell in love with American Saddlebred horses at age 5, so when it came time to establish a business in 2006, she knew there was really only one thing she wanted to do. With experience in riding, showing, and working for some of the field’s most prolific trainers, she shares her expertise at the facility’s outdoor riding areas, which include several miles of trails. In addition to showing amateurs the ropes, she instills showmanship in both horses and riders, including some state and national champions.

Sprawling across an indoor arena, Pump It Up's giant inflatables beckon kids to slide and bounce during private parties and open play. Technicolor bouncy castles send their inhabitants soaring, obstacle courses foster good-spirited competition, and ceiling-to-floor slides let sock-clad kiddies pretend they're escaping a giant gumball machine. Occasionally, Pump it Up's staff dims the lights and turns up the music to transform their facility into a glow-in-the-dark party catered to tweens and teens. The play center specialists also hosts interactive adventures such as Pirate Quest, which lets little ones don eye patches and debate which hedge fund they should use to invest their treasure.

Pump It Up's staff supervises the arena, giving parents time to relax and play patty cake uninterrupted. They can also help customers design personalized parties inside a private room with options such as goodie bags, ice cream, and pizza.:m]]

Dance instructor Gabriela Gonzalez calls upon more than nine years of experience to lead high-energy classes that compel groups of as many as 50 students to shake, spin, and sweat while learning the principles of styles such as ballroom and salsa. Gabriela’s bilingualism allows her to conduct classes or private sessions in English or Spanish, leaving no student charged with the task of interpreting her lightning-quick body language as she teaches such skills as leading and following, dance steps, and transitions. Most group classes welcome students of all skill levels, and since no partner is necessary, they're a fantastic way to socialize. More advanced classes cater to competitive dancers and tend to focus on fancy footwork, dance-floor etiquette, and proper stage-diving form.

In two theaters, Sapphire Motion Pictures projects current movies from booths equipped with 3-D image and digital sound technology. As new pictures emerge from Hollywood, Sapphire casts a line to snag the films and project them inside state-of-the-art theaters. Each theater also sells snacks from the concession booth to complement the movie-watching experience and feed the giant humans that act out scenes inside the screen.