HALEYVILLE – The first 911 call doesn’t have quite the historic significance of Alexander Graham Bell’s “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you” nearly 150 years ago.
However, the town of Haleyville is in the annals of history for that moment in 1968.
Speaker of the House Rankin Fite placed the call from the Haleyville mayor’s office and U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill, in the city’s police station, answered simply, “Hello.”
The celebrate the occasion, the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce and the town come together each year to host a two-day festival and to honor law enforcement and first responders.
Set for June 2-3, the 9-1-1 Festival offers activities for kids, vendors, parade, live music from southern gospel to hard rock, classic car and antique tractor show and more.
Downtown Haleyville will come alive June 2 with free fun for the entire family. Activities include arts and crafts and food vendors a kid’s zone with inflatables for little ones 12 years old and younger and live music gets underway at 5 p.m. Slated to perform are The Kerry Gilbert Band, Gary Nichols, and Rumours Atl: Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Headliner Sister Hazel will take the stage at 9:30 p.m.
On June 3, the festivities get underway at 8 a.m. and include a classic car show and antique tractor show, arts and crafts and food vendors, live music, a cornhole tournament and a kid’s zone.
Live music fills the air beginning at 9 a.m. and slated to perform are Christy Aderholt, Tessa Aderholt, Mia Adair, Singing with Grace, Aaron Lawson, Kevin and Cherie Daniels, Axsin and The Filthy Rags. Open mic is from 9:45 to 10 a.m. for those who want to show off their talent and the annual Haleyville alumni and first responders parade gets underway at 10 a.m.
Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. For more information, visit http://haleyvillechamber.org/
