HALEYVILLE – On Feb. 16, 1968, Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite made the first 911 call in the United States. Using a red phone, Fite called from Haleyville City Hall to U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill at the police station down the street.
The Alabama Telephone Co. provided the service, and the 911 system is still in operation, with the red phone on display in City Hall.
More than 50 years later, the city and the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce host an annual 911 Festival to celebrate the first 911 call and honor law enforcement and emergency management personnel.
Set for June 3-4, the 911 Festival is free with downtown activities beginning Friday, June 3 at 3 p.m. with arts and crafts and food vendors filling the streets of downtown Haleyville.
There will be a free kids zone with inflatables for little ones 12 years and younger.
Music gets underway at 5 p.m. and headliner Sara Evans taking the stage at 9:30 p.m.
The festival continues June 4 at 8 a.m. with a classic car show, an antique tractor show, arts and crafts, a cornhole tournament and food vendors.
The Haleyville alumni and first responders parade gets underway at 10 a.m.
All activities are held in downtown Haleyville and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
