TUSCUMBIA — Despite what kids on TikTok might say, Helen Keller and her accomplishments were real. And Tuscumbia continues to celebrate both.
Tuscumbia’s 44th annual Helen Keller Festival is June 23-26. The event kicks off with a parade downtown at 6 p.m., culminating with a party on Main Street under newly installed lights.
Keller, who lost her sight and hearing after an illness as a toddler, was born in Tuscumbia on June 27, 1880. Her life of determination and advocacy for the deaf and blind led to numerous accolades and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Keller Fest is the biggest event of the year for Tuscumbia, and Smith said the goal is to
continue to grow it.
“It is huge for the city,” festival organizer Jamie Smith said. “The 2021 festival brought a crowd of about 5,000, one-third the normal size, and we hope to get back to 15,000 this year or next.”
The festival at Spring Park features family friendly entertainment, including music, food, and “The Miracle Worker,” a play about Keller’s early life and her time with teacher Anne Sullivan. Performances are at Ivy Green, Keller’s birthplace, on June 24 and June 25 during the festival.
Visit https://www.helenkellerbirthplace.org/miracleworker/helenkellermiracleworker.htm for
ticket information. Tours of Ivy Green are also available throughout the festival.
Of course, no festival in the Shoals is complete without music.
The Thursday event features Strange Waves and Showdown.
“The street party is for our local artists,” Smith said. “We really want to continue to support them and give people a chance to hear them.”
Music in the Park on June 24 features Sweet Tea Trio at 6:30 p.m., followed by two
“American Idol” alums: Tristen Gressett of Pell City at 7:30 and Muscle Shoals’ own Cadence Baker at 8:30.
That Saturday brings four acts with Yes Trespassing opening the night at 5, followed by the J. Patrick Reed Band and Moon Tree Band. Closing the night is Jefferson Starship – yes, that Jefferson Starship. Founding member David Freiberg remains with the band that has seen numerous lineup changes since the group began in the 1970s. https://jeffersonstarship.com
The schedule for June 26 features gospel and contemporary Christian music.
Other Saturday events include a golf tournament at Spring Creek Golf Course, a car and truck show on Main Street, and a road race that starts at the Colbert County Courthouse.
The Helen Keller Festival will also have plenty of food and drink to keep you full and hydrated.
Kids can play in inflatable bounce houses, and, barring any issues, take a ride on the pony
carousel that is also scheduled.
“We work so hard all year on the event and we see all the hiccups and changes and things
falling through,” Smith said, “and then to see the final product and see the community come together for clean, family fun, makes it all worth it.”
Bring your lawn chairs, lawn blankets, handheld fans, and your willingness to have a good time. Visit https://helenkellerfestival.com/site/
Admission is $5 on Friday and Saturday, and free on Sunday. Parking is available downtown, and a free shuttle bus to Spring Park stops every 15 minutes at the locations below. The bus is also handicapped accessible.
- Water Street, at the courthouse
- Indian Street across from Helen Keller Birthplace
- Calvary Baptist Church on Commons
- Deshler High School on Commons
- Broad Street
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