COLBERT COUNTY-A fun-packed early summer for Colbert County…May and June events. Poetry, Civil War encampments, Music, Festivals and Trolley Tours-something for everyone!
May 3-5 – Recall LaGrange, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, LaGrange College Site Park, 1461 LaGrange College Road, Leighton AL 35646. “Recall LaGrange” portrays a living history of life in the rural south during the 1800s, include a Civil War encampment; arts & crafts, wagon rides, pioneer village tours and musical entertainment. Saturday’s events feature a reenactment of raid on a moonshine still at 2 p.m. and a vintage and classic car exhibit. The observatory at the college site will be open for tours. Free admission. For more information, call 256-383-0783.
May 5 – Writers to Readers 2 p.m., Helen Keller Library, 511 N. Main St., Tuscumbia, featuring contemporary poets and fiction writers Jacqueline Allen Trimble and James E. Cherry reading from their work and meeting with the public. Books will be available. For more information, call the library at 256-383-7065.
May 11 – Second Saturday, Monthly Outdoor Festival, 5-8 p.m., downtown Tuscumbia. The first 2019 Second Saturdays will feature a Mother’s Day theme. Second Saturdays will be held monthly through September. For more information, call Katie Logan at 256-345-0993.
May 11 – 9th Annual Sheffield Street Party, Montgomery Ave., Downtown Sheffield. Gates open 6:30 pm, concert begins at 7:30 pm. This year’s concert features Beatles cover band, the Fab Four, The Tams and Howell Sledge. Admission $25 for advanced tickets & $30 General admission. Tickets on sale at all First Metro Banks, Valley Credit Unions, Zoey Belle’s Boutique, & The Rock Book Store & Deli. Bring your own chair, but no coolers or tents are allowed. Proceeds go Northwest Shoals Community College Foundation. For more information, call 256-383-0783.
May 25 – We Rocked the World Trolley Tour. The tour, led by music historian George Lair, will showcase Sheffield’s music attractions, including the original location of Muscle Shoals Sound at 3614 Jackson Highway, Cypress Moon Studios (the second location of Muscle Shoals Sound), and the Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery Music Museum. Other attractions Lair will point and discuss include Broadway Recording Studio, Widget Recording Studio, the Percy Sledge/Norala Studio historical marker and the Singing River Statue in front of Park Place. Participants will meet at Colbert County Tourism, 719 U.S. Highway 72, Tuscumbia at 12:30 p.m. to begin the 4-hour tour.
The cost of the tours, including transportation, the tour guide and admission to the attractions is $40. Participants will receive a complimentary copy of Colbert County Tourism’s audio tour on CD that provides turn-by-turn directions to and commentary about area music and historic attractions. Tickets are available at the Colbert County Tourism office or by calling 256-383-0783.
May 27 – Memorial Day Ceremony, 11 a.m., Colbert County Courthouse, 201 North Main Street, Tuscumbia. Ceremony honoring veterans of all wars at the Circle of Valor, sponsored by American Legion Post 31. Post Headquarters on Main Street will be open immediately following the ceremony for light refreshments and an opportunity to view memorabilia including photographs of those killed in the line of duty from Colbert County. For more information, call 256-762-4206 or 256-383-0783.
May 31 – June 1 – North Alabama African Heritage Festival, 609 S. East Street, Willie Green Center, Tuscumbia. Friday, May 31; Music on the Lawn begins at 4:30 p.m., featuring the Come Up Band & The Midnighters. The festival continues 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1 and includes African art and fashion displays, culture, crafts, food, drumming and dance demonstrations, live music, storytelling and activities for the children. For more information, call 256-335-2911 or 256-383-0783.
June 1 – 48th Muscle Shoals Street Rod Run, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m., Spring Park, 1 Spring Park Road, Spring Park. One of the largest antique & classic car shows in Alabama for all makes and models through 1988. Preregistration Contacts: Rex Pinkard 256-366-7002, Don Baker 256-412-4573 and John Davis 256-366-9130. For more information call 256-383-0783. Rain or Shine.
June 2 – July 28 – Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama, Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 N. Water Street, Tuscumbia, 9 a.m., 5 p.m., Monday-Friday and 1-3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission: Adults $5, $3 for students and free on Sundays. For more information call 256-383-0533.
June 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, July 5, 6, 12, 13 – “The Miracle Worker” Play, at Ivy Green, the Home of Helen Keller, 300 North Commons W. Tuscumbia Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. This award-winning play recalls the childhood of the deaf-blind child, who became known as “America’s First Lady of Courage”, and her gifted teacher, Anne Sullivan. The outdoor drama is now in its 58th season and is directed by Darren J. Butler. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for a free tour of the Helen Keller birthplace. Admission, $15 for reserved seating, $10 general admission. Visit www.helenkellerbirthplace.org for group rates For more information and reservations, call 256-383-4066.
June 27-30 – 41st Annual Helen Keller Festival, Downtown Tuscumbia & Spring Park. This annual festival pays tribute to America’s “First Lady of Courage” with four days of activities including a parade, fine art & craft show, art exhibits, Keller Kids. Thursday, June 27 lineup include the parade at 6 p.m. followed by music by The Velcro Pygmies in Spring Park. On Friday, June 28, music at Spring Park begins at 5:30 p.m. featuring the 1980s tribute band Mixtape. The Spring Park music lineup on Saturday, June 29 begins at 5 p.m. and features country music star, Tanya Tucker. Music at the park on Sunday, June 30 begins at 4 p.m. featuring Jason Crab.
Admission for Spring Park concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday is $5 and free on Sunday. For more information, call Eli Harper at 256-366-8376 or Colbert Tourism at 256-383-0783. More details available at www.Helenkellerfestival.com and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/helenkellerfestival/
June 27-29 – Art of the Dish Exhibit, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Belle Mont Mansion, 1569 Cook Lane, Tuscumbia. Individuals and collectors share 200 years of antique and vintage china in tablescapes set up around the museum. This event celebrates the Bicentennial of Alabama Statehood. A tour is included with admission. Belle Mont regular admission is $6 adult, $5 senior, $3 military and college students; 5 years and under free. For information, call 256-381-5052 or www.bellemontmansion.org
