THE SHOALS-The Music Preservation Society, Inc. Board (MPS) is proud of the 2026 official design for the W.C. Handy Music Festival which was created by talented artist Daniel Nichols! The design can already be seen on the Festival website at www.WCHandyMusicFestival.com and will also be featured on official Handy Festival t-shirts, posters, brochures, website, and social media. 
This year’s winning design pays homage to Mr. Handy by depicting his image playing the trumpet. This design is yet another of those recent winners which were not computer generated.
The poster signing will be held at Keeper’s Korner Rocks and Oddities, 103 Simpson Street in Florence. The date and time will be announced later. Mr. Nichols will be on site to autograph a limited number of the posters and possibly t-shirts, and to greet visitors who wish to request specific poster numbers.
This year’s 45th W.C. Handy Festival design will also be featured on the 2026 brochures which will be available at Handy Headquarters, in the Southall Moore House 215 East Tuscaloosa Street, directly across Tuscaloosa Street from Wilson Park in Florence. Pick up brochures inside, or on the porch after closing.
The t-shirts will be printed on one color for public sale, with other options for Handy Hosts, sponsors, and staff. Those will be on sale, along with signed and unsigned posters and other concession items at Handy Headquarters. More information about the Handy Festival can be found at WCHandyMusicFestival.com or by using a QR Code seen on the official posters.
Anyone who wants the full schedule can access our website at WCHandyMusicFestival.com.
Media Release/Music Preservation Society, Inc./Tori Bailey
