FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381

EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TUSCUMBIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO AMERICA’S “FIRST LADY OF COURAGE”

Decatur, Ala. – For the past 32 years, the town of Tuscumbia comes together to pay tribute to one of its heroic natives with a four day celebration attracting thousands of visitors from across the country. The annual Helen Keller Festival honors the life of Helen Keller and her remarkable achievements to overcome a world of silence. The 33^rd annual event is set for June 23-26, 2011 in beautiful Spring Park in downtown Tuscumbia.

The four day celebration kicks off Thursday at 6 p.m. with a performance by Tuscumbia’s very own Archie Hubbard. Friday’s lineup includes local singer/songwriter Matthew Craig, songwriter veteran Lenny Leblanc, and 80s top 40 band The Shooters. Live music continues on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. with Little Elvis – the 2011 Award of Courage recipient, The Wildwood Ruminators, McKenzie Lockhart, 3 lanes Crossing, Angela Hacker and James LeBlanc, Paul Thorn, and Jimmy Wayne. All performances take place on the Main Stage in Spring Park.

The annual event is centered around the Helen Keller Festival of the Arts featuring more music, original artwork, and activities for children on the North Bank of Spring Park. Festival-goers can shop for original works of art and limited edition reproductions by accomplished jury-selected artists from across the Southeast. All work is hand-crafted and not commercially produced. For children, the Imagination Station offers fun, creative hands-on activities. Children can create their own works of art with a little imagination and some unexpected materials to take home as a souvenir. All activities are free. Music also fills the air in the North Bank area on Sunday with performances by Three on a String and LeFevre Gospel Quartet. Hours are Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other activities to take place throughout the four day celebration include spectacular nightly water shows, guided historic walking tours, cemetery tours, a Five Mile and One Mile Fun Run, a 5 mile and 23 mile family bike ride, golf tournament, and art exhibits.

An admission fee of $3 will be charged for festival events in Spring Park on Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25. Gates open at 12:00 p.m. on Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday. For a complete schedule of events, map of downtown Tuscumbia, or more information, visit www.helenkellerfestival.com.

Daily tours of Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller, are also offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The home is located at 300 North Commons Street West in Tuscumbia. Admission is $6/adults, $5/seniors, $2/children.

Live performances of William Gibson’s world-famous drama, The Miracle Worker, are offered Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. on the grounds of Helen Keller’s birthplace. Reserved seats are $10 and general admission is $8. For more information on the play or to purchase tickets, contact the Helen Keller Home at 256.383.4066 or 888.329.2124.

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)

AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members. Members of the AMLA include chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available from AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting their web site at www.northalabama.org.

###