In 1982, the The Music Preservation Society of Muscle Shoals started a small community festival to help preserve the musical heritage of the Northwest Alabama region known as “The Shoals” (consisting of Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Florence).
The festival was named after Florence native William Christopher “W.C.” Handy, who is known throughout the world as the “Father of the Blues”.
The ensuing decades saw the W.C. Handy Festival grow from a few events held over the course of a weekend to one of Alabama’s premiere events attracting visitors from around the world.
7 Reasons the W C Handy Festival is the Must-Do Event of the Summer
1. The festival is held over a 10-day period
Running from July 17 – 26 there is plenty of time to make the short trek to Sheffield, Florence or Muscle Shoals to join the fun.
These 10 days don’t even take into account pre-festival events which begin July 12.
2. There is something for everyone
The festival features more than 300 events during its 10-day run.
Events range from family-friendly to night-on-the-town, and everything in between. But, all events are designed for the young at heart.
3. The accolades
If the festival wasn’t great, it wouldn’t garner so much attention. Here are just a few of its honors:
- An Alabama Top 20 Event
- Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Events for the months of July, August, September each year since 1986
- Geotourism MapGuide to Appalachia Featured Site
- Three time Cultural Olympiad Regional Designee
- Southeast Tourism Top 21 Event for July
- Travelocity.com “Local Secret, Big Find”
- Top 100 Event in North America
4. Music
While visiting any of the scheduled events in The Shoals, music for any taste can be found, performed by local artists, up-and-comers on the music scene, current award-winning artists, and musical legends.
5. History
Even a short day trip to The Shoals can give someone a lifetime of memories and insight into the worldwide phenomenon known as “The Muscle Shoals Sound.”
During the festival, you can attend lectures, book signings, tours and learn more about the area’s musical heritage.
6. The Father of the Blues
It is almost guaranteed that during a trip to the festival you will hear a rendition of “St. Louis Blues,” “Memphis Blues,” “Yellow Dog Blues” and “Beale Street Blues,” all of which were made famous by W.C. Handy.
They are the basis of what today is considered “The Blues,” and like sweet soul butter for your ears.
7. The festival’s culmination
All of the events lead to a final wrap-up of the festival in the form of a blow-out musical performance, and this year promises just the same.
Headlining the final show this year is the Booker T. Jones with special guest Lee Roy Parnell. It’s a concert you won’t want to miss!
For full list of events, download the schedule here.
Wil Elrick hails from Guntersville, Alabama where at an early age he developed a love for both trivia and history. He has spent the last 20 odd years, fine tuning the art of communication while working in law enforcement, writing, television media, historical research, and public speaking. He lives in North Alabama with his two boys, and a neurotic German Shepherd Dog. He one day hopes that Bigfoot is proven real. Wil’s new book Alabama Scoundrels is available from History Press.
The link to the schedule is for 2014. Any chance of getting a 2015 schedule? I can’t seem to find it on their site. Thanks!
Let me see what I can do. Thanks for letting me know.