Local Small Business to Bring Shoreline Experience to Huntsville for Holiday Season

If you just moved to the city or have lived here for some time, you will have noticed one particular fact about this small rocket town in North Alabama: Huntsville does the Holiday season right. 

Downtown Huntsville hosts Skating in the Park and the Tinsel Trail, the Botanical Gardens kicks off the season every year with the Galaxy of Lights, and Christmas Markets abound at Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, to name just a few.

But for those looking for something truly unique, Captain Mark Mills and First Mate Bren Owens of the 60-foot boat, Sweet Afron, are offering a family-friendly off-shore experience this holiday season.

Mark Mills, a Chicago native who has spent the past ten years working for Shoreline Sightseeing, has always found a passion for being on the water. 

“His experience in boating runs very deep into his love and history for lakes and rivers,” said a statement from Lake and River Fun. 

Growing up in Illinois, Mark enjoyed close proximity to Lake Michigan. Illinois as a whole shares more than 60 miles of coastlines with Lake Michigan, with 22 miles coming from Chicago’s coastline alone. Prior to bringing his business to North Alabama, Mark received his sailing certification from the United States Coast Guard Sailing School. 

“We really look forward to bringing this service to Huntsville. We have been here, operating out of Guntersville, but I feel like Huntsville really needs a taste of why I love boating so much. It’s more a passion than work,” said Captain Mark in an interview with the Huntsville Business Journal. 

Captain Mark’s partner is First Mate Bren Owens. Growing up in the Albertville-Lake Guntersville area, Bren graduated from Albertville High School before moving on and earning her degree in accounting and marketing from the University of Georgia. Her upbringing around Lake Guntersville is her driving passion behind her partnership with Captain Mark on the Sweet Afron.

Alongside Mark, First Mate Bren has a great deal of boating experience. In 2016, Mark and Bren successfully sailed a 43-foot houseboat down from Illinois. Bren also has experience with Shorelines Sightseeing, as well as Oklahoma City River Cruises and the American Queen Riverboat. 

According to Mark, her education and experience is what brings “Lake and River Fun” to Huntsville’s shores. 

Mark and Bren are hosting a line-up of events over the next few weeks to tie off the holiday fun here in Huntsville. During each event, guests will have a chance to board the Sweet Afron and take a spin around Huntsville’s shoreline. 

Upcoming events include: 

• December 07: Full Moon Cruise at Ditto Landing
• December 09: Holiday Fireworks Cruise
• December 31: New Year’s Eve Dinner

The Sweet Afron will also be hosting a Breakfast and Pictures with Santa this Saturday, December 03 at Ditto Landing from 8:00 to 12:00. Mark stated that this event will be free for all guests, but requested that each patron bring a non-perishable food item or donation for Huntsville’s Manna House.

The 60 foot long by 16 foot wide Sweet Afron is United States Coast Guard (USGC) licensed and inspected, and is captained by a USCG licensed and trained captain and crew. 

Along with the specifications and certifications, the Sweet Afron is also equipped with a full bar service of beer, wine and liquor, and can seat up to 30 for brunch, lunch or dinner services.

To accommodate such high demand, Mark and Bren plan to add future events to be announced on their facebook page.  

The Sweet Afron is available for private chartered events. To request availability of information, please call 256-755-8124 or contact captainriverfun@gmail.com.

For more information, please visit Lake and River Fun’s website here.