Recovery is often strengthened through connection, purpose and belonging.
That is why NOMA introduced the Yellow Balloon Campaign to Huntsville and surrounding communities. The goal is to provide a space for those in recovery who enjoy attending outdoor entertainment events – but without the presence of drugs or alcohol.
The Yellow Balloon Movement began in the 1980s for individuals in recovery who enjoy concerts, tailgating or other events without the presence of drugs or alcohol.
Examples of the Yellow Balloon Movement are:
Grateful Dead followers in recovery call themselves: Wharf Rats.
Phish followers in recovery call themselves: The Phellowship
Recovery groups at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival call themselves: Soberside
The Collegiate Recovery Community at the University of Alabama supports its students in recovery by setting up a yellow balloon tailgating area – serving as a beacon of safe space for those in recovery.
In 2025, NOMA introduced the concept of Yellow Cups – an alternative to Huntsville downtown entertainment district’s purple cups. Patrons are allowed to exit certain establishments with alcoholic beverages.
NOMA’s goal to provide our recovery community a sense of community and belonging generated the Yellow Cup campaign. We advocate replacing purple cups with yellow cups for the recovery community.
“Same streets. Same events. A different choice.”
Watch for the NOMAds Yellow Tent at outdoor entertainment venues.
Follow us on social: #yellowcuphsv #NOMADS @notonemorealabama
