Helen Keller Festival is an international event…set for June 22-25

TUSCUMBIA-The population of Tuscumbia is expected to more than double for a few days as the 39th annual Helen Keller Festival takes place June 22-25.
People from around the world are headed to Tuscumbia (population 8,423) for the festival that honors the legacy of Helen Keller, who was born there June 27, 1880. Keller, who overcame becoming deaf and blind as a toddler, was a prolific author, lecturer and advocate for people with disabilities. She was known as America’s First Lady of Courage.
“We will have people from all over the country and from other countries at the play,” said Darren J. Butler, director of “The Miracle Worker” play “Every year, I have people tell me they planned their vacation around coming to Tuscumbia to see “The Miracle Worker” and attend the Helen Keller Festival.
The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 22 with a parade through downtown Tuscumbia, followed by activities and vendors at Spring Park along with music by Ben Bradford at 7 p.m. and The Kerry Gilbert Band at 8 p.m. Admission is free
The music at Spring Park continues at 4 p.m. Friday, June 23 with Tiera, Shane and Wendell, and the Sweat Tea Trio performing before headline act Shenandoah at 8 p.m. Admission to the park during the concert is $5.
Also on Friday, June 23, “The Miracle Worker” will be performed at Keller’s home, Ivy Green. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the play begin at 8 p.m. Admission includes a tour of the home and grounds. The play will also be performed at Ivy Green at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 24. Tickets are $15 for reserved seats and $10 for general admission. For tickets call 256-383-4066.
Butler said the William Gibson play, which depicts the early life of Helen Keller – including her learning how to communicate with the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan – commemorates one of the most incredible moments in American history. “We remind people of about the incredible story and the hope Helen Keller still provides each and every day.”
Earlier this year, the Southeast Tourism Society named “The Miracle Worker” at Ivy Green a Top 20 event in the Southeastern states for June. The play will be performed on Friday and Saturday nights in June and through July 8.
Helen Keller Festival music at Spring Park begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 with Kaid Wright, Electric Zen, Dean, Aaron Blades, Josh Allison and the Wildwood Ruminators performing before Sister Hazel takes the stage at 8 p.m. Admission to the park after 11 a.m. Saturday is $5.
The music at Spring Park continues on Sunday, June 25 with C.C. Jags, Asleep by Ten, Natalie Askew and NewSong beginning at 4 p.m. Keynote speaker is Mansfield Key. Admission is free for the Sunday concerts.
Fletcher Brown, entertainment coordinator for the festival, said this year’s music lineup is phenomenal.
VIP seating for the Friday and Saturday concerts is available online at HelenKellerFestival.com. The VIP tickets are $30 for each day.
Eli Harper, a director for the festival, said the market place at this year’s festival will be outstanding. He said the number and types of vendors has been expanded. “Not only are we offering the unique and handmade arts and crafts that we have for the past 39 years, but also we’re bringing in some special selected vendors that will offer commercial and retail products as well.”
More details about the festival are available at HelenKellerFestival.com.