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Special Events
Sporting Events
5 Mile and 23 Mile Family Bike Ride
Friday June 24th, in the parking lot of Spring Creek Golf Course. Registration is from 5-6 p.m., with the ride starting at 6. Entry fee is $10 if postmarked by 6/21 and $12 after that date. All entrants will receive a free t-shirt. Register at the Keller Wellcare Center, or online at www.helenkeller.com. For more information contact Brooke Cunningham at 256-386-4747 or brooke.cunningham@helenkeller.com. Bike Ride Registration Form (pdf)
Five Mile and One Mile Fun Run
Saturday June 25th, at the Water Street entrance to the Colbert County Courthouse. The Five Mile Run begins at 8:00 a.m., with the One Mile Run following. Pre-Registration fee due by June 20 is $12 (five mile), and $8 (One Mile).Entry fee on race day is $15(Five mile), and $10 (One Mile). Pre-register by June 20, on-line at www.active.com. Mail checks to Helen Keller Festival Run, TRAC P.O.Box 1019, Florence, AL. 35631. For more information call Joy Harbin at (256) 381-4706.
Helen Keller Festival Golf Tournament
Format is a 3-man scramble, to be held June 25th-26th at Spring Creek Golf Course. Entry fee is $195 per team. Fee includes one cart per team, and mulligan’s for both days. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 places in each flight, as well as long drive and closest to the pin each day. Lunch will be provided on Saturday. For more information, or to sign up, call Spring Creek Golf Course at (256)386-5670. All teams must be paid in full by Thursday June 23rd. A practice round will be given when all team members have paid. No practice rounds can be played on Friday June 24th.
Special Events
2011 Helen Keller Festival Car & Truck Show
The car and truck show will be held June 25, 2011, on Main Street in downtown Tuscumbia. $1,200 in cash, and $1,000 in prizes will be awarded. Registration is from 8 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., and the show is from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Registration fee is $18 if paid by June 12th(includes extra grand prize ticket), and $20 after that date. Mail fee to PO Box 3672, Muscle Shoals, AL. 35662. For more information call Bobby Bates at (256)383-9478 or Steve Hauck at (256)366-8423, or visit www.shoalscarandtruckclub.com.
Tours of Ivy Green, Helen Keller Home
The Helen Keller Home and grounds are open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. See the home where Helen Keller lived, the cottage where Anne Sullivan took young Helen to teach her to communicate and the famous well pump where the “miracle” occurred. Admission: $6.00 adults, $5.00 seniors and AAA card holders, and $2.00 children. 300 N. Commons, W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674. (256) 383-4066. Gift Shop available.
The Miracle Worker Play
William Gibson’s powerful drama depicting the early life of Helen Keller and the “miracle” that occurred at the pump. The production is in its 50th year at Ivy Green, Helen Keller’s Home, Tuscumbia. The Miracle Worker Play is performed for six weeks each summer on Friday and Saturday evenings in June and on the first two Fri and Sat evenings in July in the outdoor theater located on the grounds. (June 3 through July 9, 2011.) Two performances will take place during the Festival - Friday night, June 24, and Saturday night, June 25. Gates open at 6:45 p.m. for a tour of home and grounds; Play begins promptly at 8 p.m. Ticket information: Call (256) 383-4066. Reserved seats, $10; general admission seats, $8. Each performance is signed for the hearing impaired.
Tennessee Valley Museum of Art
Two exhibits are available during the Festival - The 2011 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama, a juried competition of works by Alabama children who are visually impaired, blind or deafblind and the 70th Annual Watercolor Society of Alabama exhibit. Admission: $5 adults; $3, students. 511 N. Water Street, Tuscumbia. (256) 383-0533
Tuscumbia Depot Museum
Open (during the Festival) Thursday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Includes history and activities. Tour is Free. 204 W. 5th St., Tuscumbia. 256) 389-1357.
Spring Park Amusements
Children’s amusements are available in the park on a daily basis for a small admission fee. These amusements will be available during the Festival. The rides consist of a narrow-gauge, passenger train, kids roller coaster and carousel. A children’s splash pad is also available. Separate admission tickets or combination tickets are available for purchase. Train, $3 child, $4 adult; Carousel, $2 child/adult; Roller Coaster, $3 child/adult. Combination tickets are $6 child, $7 adult. Splash Pad ticket is $2 and is not sold in combination with other rides.
Tuscumbia Tuesday Evening Trolley Tour
Tour the Tuscumbia National Register Historic District and enjoy a "porch and parlor" visit in one historic private residence with an additional garden stop. Refreshments served. In observance of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, emphasis will be given to local antebellum and Civil War history. Tuesday, June 21, 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. Trolley departs from Cold Water Books, Corner 6th and Main Streets. Tickets in advance from Cold Water Books (or at departure time, if available). Cost: $5.00 per person. For more information: 256-383-0783. Sponsored by Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation and Colbert County Tourism.
Historic Walking Tour (Guided)
In observance of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, emphasis will be given to local antebellum and Civil War history as you stroll through historic downtown Tuscumbia and the nearby vicinity, which features historic homes and churches. You will be invited into one of these and the tour will end at First Presbyterian Church, the church where Helen Keller was baptized and where her family worshipped. (See Mini Piano Concert listed.) Saturday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. Tour departs from Cold Water Books, Corner 6th and Main Streets. Easy walking, lasting approximately 1 hr. Free. For more information: 256-383-0783. Sponsored by Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation and Colbert County Tourism.
Mini-Piano Concert
Saturday, June 25, at 11:00 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Tuscumbia, corner of Fourth and Broad Street. Come tour the church where Helen Keller was baptized and her family still attends services today! Enjoy a mini-piano concert performed by Dinie Stone, Music Director, followed by refreshments in the fellowship hall.
The Log Cabin, Coldwater Stagecoach Stop (overlooking beautiful Spring Park)
Tuscumbia’s oldest structure (ca. 1815) is open for tours on Saturday, June 25, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Free Admission, donations accepted. 302 S. Dickson St., Tuscumbia. (256) 383-0783. Sponsored by the Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation.
Cemetery Tours
Historic Glencoe Cemetery (Keller & McDonald Family Cemetery) will be available for touring on Wed., Thurs., Fri., June 22-24, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Located at the Vulcan Rock Quarry, 23314 U.S. Hwy 72 W, Tuscumbia. (256) 383-7884. Sponsored by the Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation.
Helen Keller Library - Book Sale
Be sure and visit the library for great deals on books – funds support the library. Thursday and Friday, June 23-24, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of the Helen Keller Library. 511 North Main St.,Tuscumbia.
(256) 383-7065
Storytelling by Dr. Bill Foster
Helen Keller Public Library, 511 North Main St., Tuscumbia, 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 24. (256) 383-7065.
Water Show in Spring Park
This show will be featured each night of the festival following the main stage events. (See schedule for approximate time of show.)