FLORENCE-The Music Preservation Society Board and the steering committee release this statement concerning the upcoming W.C. Handy Festival set for July 16-26 of this year and have decided to hold the festival as scheduled:
“After much discussion, thought, and prayer, the Music Preservation Society Board of Directors, along with the W.C. Handy Festival Steering Committee, have reached the decision to move forward with plans for this year.
We recognize that the number of cases is still increasing each day, and that while we are all impacted, there may be those of you who have loved ones who were even more directly affected. Please know that we have no wish to be insensitive to the effects that the pandemic is having on everyone. We believe, however, in the power of music, and that after we have begun to regain some sense of normalcy, we will have a reason to celebrate having come through this time. We may be physically distant from one another, but we are still socially connected. Somehow, we’ll be able to show that connection during the W.C. Handy Festival.
It will take time to recover spiritually, physically, and economically. To address the latter, the MPS Board met last month and, given the circumstances, made the decision to reduce participation fees in an effort to assist our event coordinators, restaurants, and sponsors. We do not know what the Festival will look like this year, but we are determined to continue to honor the legacy of Mr. Handy and the music history of the Shoals.
Please see the attached letter, event form, and sponsor form. If you need a check list, we’ll be happy to provide it. We’ll also have a fillable form on the official Handy Festival website as soon as possible. We’ll be posting your event details early this year as we have for the past two years. We realize that it is difficult to make plans in this time of uncertainty, but please do send your first draft as soon as you can. Let us know if we can do anything to assist you.
We have explored ideas to create a safe Festival. And we look forward to hearing your ideas also. Thank you for planning your 2020 Handy Festival events. Thank you all. Please stay safe.”
