It’s June. Summer’s here! It is time to celebrate… and celebrate we will, at the Helen Keller Festival! The annual event has become a rite of the season in the Shoals area and the historic town of Tuscumbia is spruced up and ready to welcome the thousands who will visit during the next four days of festivities. June 21 – 24. Centered around the Helen Keller Birthplace, Ivy Green, and in the town’s Spring Park, the festival will hold something to appeal to everyone.
The official kick-off parade is set for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, in downtown Tuscumbia. Live musical entertainment on the downtown stage will follow, featuring Jukebox Jim and Archie Hubbard. Stores will stay open late and a street display of arts and crafts will be in full swing until 10:00 p.m. 
In spring Park on Friday – Sunday, June 22-24, there will be a full line-up of music, plus more arts and crafts. Festival organizers promise that the newly-expanded schedule and the variety of crafts will hold appeal to the pocketbook as well as to discriminating tastes. Nominal charges will be made to enter the park: $3.00 per person (children under 6 free) on Friday, $5.00 per person on Saturday (children under 6 free). Sunday’s entertainment in the park is free, as are the early hours on Friday. Please take advantage of free shuttle service and park downtown or in designated parking areas. Only handicapped parking will be allowed in the park.
Country hit recording artists Diamond Rio, will headline Saturday’s entertainment schedule. Friday night will be headlined by the Shoals’ own Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Additional acts include: Doc Daily and Magnolia Devil, Luke Dunkin Band, Doctors, Lawyers and Such, Southern Heat, Hannah Aldridge, the Alabama Blues Brothers, The Spring, Chelsea Yarber, Hello August, Chris Little, The Boatwrights, The full music schedule is available at www.helenkellerfestival.com.
The Helen Keller Festival would not be complete without the annual dramatization of “The Miracle Worker” performed
on the grounds of the Helen Keller Home. This moving play chronicles the childhood experiences of the deaf and blind child who grew up to be a world-famous humanitarian and champion for the blind and disabled. For information about tickets to the performances, which are scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23, call the Keller Home at 256-383-4066.
There is so much more to see and do, with sporting events, history programs, free historic walking tours and a mini piano concert at First Presbyterian Church, where the Keller family worshipped. Check the schedule at www.helenkellerfestival.com or pick up a free brochure at various locations around town, in the park, at the info table at Ivy Green or at the Colbert County Tourism Bureau, 719 U. S. Hwy. 72 W, Tuscumbia. For more information, call: 256-383-0783.
Welcome one and all to Tuscumbia, Alabama. Celebrate the life and legacy of “America’s First Lady of Courage.”
