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 with Four Day Festival in Tuscumbia

Decatur, Ala. – The town of Tuscumbia comes together next month to honor one of its heroic natives with a four-day celebration attracting thousands of visitors. Set for June 24-27, 2021, the Helen Keller Festival offers a variety of family-friendly events including a parade, a car and truck show, live music and an arts and crafts marketplace, 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.

A parade through the downtown area kicks off the Helen Keller Festival at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, followed by a street party on 5th Street from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The four-day festival is centered on the Helen Keller Festival Market, a marketplace consisting of handcrafted items, art, jewelry and other specialty products along with retail vendors and commercial made products. Marketplace hours are noon to 8 p.m. June 25th, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. June 26th, and 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. June 27th. Admission is free to the marketplace.   

Live music is offered Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. Admission is $5 on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday’s admission is free. This year’s music lineup features a diverse mix of artists. Thursday evening’s lineup features local bands. Friday’s headliner is the Kerry Gilbert Band, Saturday’s headliner is Lindsay Ell and Sunday’s lineup consists of Joel Carwile, Charity Gayle and Mac Powell. 

Additional activities include a car and truck show on Main Street in downtown Tuscumbia June 26th, the Shoals Model Railroad Display at Tuscumbia Depot Museum (Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and tours of the Coldwater Stagecoach Stop (Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.)

Festival hours are Thursday 6 to 10 p.m., Friday 12 to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 4 to 10 p.m. No dogs or other pets allowed in Spring Park except those classified as service dogs to assist the handicapped. 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 1 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) from June 11 to July 17. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 256.383.4066.

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 consisting of 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 by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @VisitNorthAL and like us at www.facebook.com/VisitNorthAL.

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