Tuscumbia Mayor Bill Shoemaker and Tourism Director Susann Hamlin
TUSCUMBIA – Organizers of the 37th annual Helen Keller Festival held a media conference Wednesday to tell about their plans. Tuscumbia Mayor Bill Shoemaker told media representatives, “We will have people around the world coming here for the Helen Keller Festival. The Helen Keller Festival is great for our town and it’s great for Alabama.”
The Festival runs from June 22 until June 28. Activities will take place at Spring Park, Downtown Tuscumbia and at the Tuscumbia birthplace of Helen Keller, Ivy Green, where the award-winning play, “The Miracle Worker” is performed. “The Miracle Worker” is performed every summer on the Ivy Green grounds. this year’s performances feature a revamped stage and set, and runs from June 5 – July 11. Show time is 8 p.m.
Darren J. Butler – Director
Darren J. Butler, director of “The Miracle Worker” said people throughout the United States and in other countries plan their vacations around the Helen Keller Festival. “I have known children who chose for their family to come see “The Miracle Worker” at Ivy Green and attend the Helen Keller Festival instead of going to Disney World,” Butler said.
Organizers of this year’s Helen Keller Festival are calling it the biggest and best ever.
The Ben Parker Projects kicks off the musical performances on Thursday, June 25 with a 7 p.m. show on Main Street in downtown Tuscumbia.
The headline act for the Friday, June 26 music lineup at Spring Park is The Atlanta Rhythm Section, who will rock the stage with their signature sound beginning at 8 p.m. Other Friday music acts, which begin at 5 p.m., are; The Wildwood Ruminators, Kerry Gilbert Band, and Travis Wammack.
Saturday’s music at Spring Park begins at 3 p.m. a performance by Kaid Wright followed by Joseph Baldwin, Holli Mosley and Olivia Lane before headliner country music superstar Phil Vassar at 8:30 p.m.
Admission to the Spring Park shows is $5.
The festival gets underway on Monday, June 22 with tours of Ivy Green from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and tours of historic Glencoe Cemetery on Vulcan Rock Quarry Road in Tuscumbia, where several members of the Keller family are buried, from 9 a.m. -4 p.m.
A free showing of “The Miracle Worker “ film begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23 at Deshler High School Auditorium in Tuscumbia.
A picnic for senior citizens, 60 and over, is 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 at Spring Park.
The Helen Keller Festival Parade and Street Party begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, June25 in downtown Tuscumbia.
An arts and crafts show is noon-8 p.m. Friday, June 26, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday, June 27 and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, June 28 at Spring Park.
Also on Saturday, June 27 are a 5-mile and 1-mile run at 7 a.m. and a car and truck show 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and a walking tour at 10 a.m. in downtown Tuscumbia. A piano concert by Dinie Stone begins at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church.
The festival winds down Sunday, June 28 with Praise and Worship at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. along with other activities.
Some of the “Miracle Worker” cast:
Monday, June 22
Ivy Green Tours, Helen Keller Home……8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 N. Commons Street W. Tuscumbia, AL
Historic Glencoe Cemetery Tour……9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The resting place of Keller family members/ Located at Vulcan Rock Quarry Hwy 72 W. Sponsors: Vulcan Materials and Colbert County Historical Landmark Foundation
Tuesday, June 23
Movie Night- The Miracle Worker …… 6:00 p.m.
Location: Deshler High School Auditorium FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Ivy Green Tours, Helen Keller Home …… 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 N. Commons W.
Historic Glencoe Cemetery Tour……9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The resting place of Keller family members/ Located at Vulcan Rock Quarry Hwy 72 W. Sponsors: Vulcan Materials and Colbert County Historical Landmark Foundation
Railroad Museum History & Archives …… 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: Railroad Depot at 204 Fifth Street
Wednesday, June 24
Ivy Green Tours, Helen Keller Home …… 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 N. Commons W.
NACOLG Senior picnic…… 10:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Seniors 60 & over Location- Spring Park Sponsor- NACOLG
Historic Glencoe Cemetery Tour……9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The resting place of Keller family members/ Located at Vulcan Rock Quarry Hwy 72 W. Sponsors: Vulcan Materials and Colbert County Historical Landmark Foundation
Railroad Museum History & Archives …… 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: Railroad Depot at 204 Fifth Street
Water Show …… 10:00 p.m.
Location: Spring Park
Thursday, June 25
Keller Kids …… 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Location: Tuscumbia Multi-Purpose Center
Ivy Green Tours, Helen Keller Home …… 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 N. Commons W.
Historic Glencoe Cemetery Tour……9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The resting place of Keller family members/ Located at Vulcan Rock Quarry Hwy 72 W. Sponsors: Vulcan Materials and Colbert County Historical Landmark Foundation
Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama …… 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Location: Tennessee Valley Museum of Art
Railroad Museum History & Archives …… 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: Railroad Depot at 204 Fifth Street
Helen Keller Festival Parade & Street Party …… 6:00 p.m.
Location: Main Street Downtown, Live Music, fun things for kids, crafts, shopping.
Sponsor: Market 35674
Businesses open late/vendors and music.
The Ben Parker Project (concert downtown) …… 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 26
No admission is charged for activities on the North Bank of Spring Park
$5 admission to Spring Park Entertainment Area/Gates open at 4 p.m. (10 & under free)
Ivy Green Tours, Helen Keller Home …… 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 N. Commons W.
Historic Glencoe Cemetery Tour……9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The resting place of Keller family members/ Located at Vulcan Rock Quarry Hwy 72 W. Sponsors: Vulcan Materials and Colbert County Historical Landmark Foundation
Book Sale…… 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Location: Helen Keller Public Library
Railroad Museum History & Archives ……10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Railroad Depot at 204 Fifth Street. $2.00 Admission
Shoals model railroaders display ……10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Railroad Depot at 204 Fifth Street
Arts & Crafts Show …… 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Location: North bank of Spring Park- No Admission
23 mile and 5 mile family bike ride …… 5:00 p.m.
Spring Creek Golf Course. Registration- 5:00 p.m. ride starts at 6:00 p.m. Entry fee is $10.00 Information: Brooke Cunningham at (256)386-4747. See Special & Sporting Events tab for the application.
Wildwood Ruminators …… 5:00 p.m.
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Kerry Gilbert Band (KGB) …… 6:00 p.m.
Travis Wammack …… 7:00 p.m.
Award Of Courage Presentation …… 6:45 p.m.
Atlanta Rhythm Section …… 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 27
Ivy Green Tours, Helen Keller Home …… 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 N. Commons W.
Car & Truck Show …… 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Location: Main Street, Tuscumbia
Sponsor: Shoals Car & Truck Club
Five Mile & One Mile Fun Run …… 7:00 a.m.
Location: Colbert County Courthouse, Water Street Entrance
Sponsor: Helen Keller Wellcare Center. See Special & Sporting Events tab for the application.
Helen Keller Golf Tournament …… 8:00 a.m.
Location: Spring Park Golf Course. See Special & Sporting Events tab for the application.
Arts & Crafts Show …… 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Location: North bank of Spring Park- No Admission
Imagination Station…… 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Location: North bank of Spring Park- No Admission
Coldwater Stagecoach stop …… 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Log Cabin) Museum Admission is free, donations accepted
Sponsor: Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation
Location: Dickson Street across for Police & Fire Department
Guided Walking Tour …… 10:00 a.m.
Tour the downtown area of the historic Tuscumbia —-Free—-
Location: Cold Water Books (Easy walking- approximately 1 hour)
Piano Concert by Dinie Stone…… 11:00 a.m.
This historic church is where the Keller family worshiped and Helen Keller was baptized.
Location: First Presbyterian Church —-Free—-
Railroad Museum History & Archives ……10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Railroad Depot at 204 Fifth Street. $2.00 Admission
Shoals model railroaders display ……10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Railroad Depot at 204 Fifth Street
Calvary Baptist Church …… 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Hamburger Supper (Trolley Stop) $6.00 Proceeds go to missions
Location: North Main Street
Kaid Wright…… 3:00 p.m.
Waywhilago…… 4:00 p.m.
Joseph Baldwin…… 5:00 p.m.
Holli Mosely…… 6:00 p.m.
Olivia Lane…… 7:15 p.m.
Phil Vassar…… 8:30 p.m.
The Miracle Worker…… 8:00 p.m.
Location: Helen Keller Birthplace- Gates Open at 6:30 p.m.
Water Show …… 10:00 p.m.
Location: Spring Park
Sunday, June 28
Ivy Green Tours, Helen Keller Home …… 12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 N. Commons W.
Helen Keller Golf Tournament …… 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Spring Park Golf Course. See Special & Sporting Events tab for the application.
Arts & Crafts Show …… 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Location: North bank of Spring Park- No Admission
Coldwater Stagecoach stop …… 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Log Cabin) Museum Admission is free, donations accepted
Sponsor: Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation
Location: Dickson Street across for Police & Fire Department
Praise & Worship…… 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Calvary Baptist Church and Westside Baptist Church, Tuscumbia
with guest Steve Holland and Broken Vessels
Praise & Worship…… 6:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Launch Point Church, Tuscumbia
Please check back for further details.
Complete details available at helenkellerfestival.com
