FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: info@northalabama.org
Honoring America’s First Lady of Courage
The 39th annual Helen Keller Festival is set for June 19-25 in downtown Tuscumbia.
Decatur, Ala. – For the past 38 years, the town of Tuscumbia has come together to honor one of its heroic natives with a weeklong celebration attracting thousands of visitors from across the country. Set for June 19-25, 2017, the Helen Keller Festival offers a variety of family-friendly events including a parade, a car and truck show, live music, arts and crafts, sporting activities, and cemetery tours while celebrating the life of Helen Keller and her remarkable achievements in overcoming a world of silence. All activities take place in Spring Park in downtown Tuscumbia unless otherwise noted.
The annual event is centered on the Helen Keller Festival Market featuring handcrafted items, original artwork, local boutiques and activities for children on the North Bank of Spring Park. From 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, festivalgoers can shop for original works of art and reproductions by artists from across the Southeast. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., children can create their own works of art at the Imagination Station and there will be hands-on exhibits to help children understand the day to day life of a person with hearing and vision disability.
The Helen Keller Festival Parade gets underway at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 followed by live music with The Kerry Gilbert Band taking the stage at 7 p.m. On Friday, gates open at 4 p.m. and slated to perform are Tiera, Shane and Wendell, Sweet Tea Trio and Shenandoah. Saturday’s lineup includes Kaid Wright, Electric Zen, Dean, Aaron Blades, Josh Allison, Wildwood Ruminators and Sister Hazel.
Additional activities include a car and truck show in downtown Tuscumbia from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, a five mile and one mile fun run, a golf tournament and guided walking tours of downtown Tuscumbia. Tours to the Historic Glencoe Cemetery, resting place of Keller family members will be offered daily Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An admission fee of $5 (for 11 years and older) will be charged for festival events in Spring Park on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. and $5 on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. For a complete schedule of events, map of downtown Tuscumbia, or more information, visit www.helenkellerfestival.com.
Tours of Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller, are also offered Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (admission charged). The home is located at 300 North Commons Street West in Tuscumbia. Live performances of William Gibson’s world-famous drama, The Miracle Worker, will be offered on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. on the grounds of Helen Keller’s birthplace (admission charged). For more information or to purchase tickets, call 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.
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