Our Mission
The Helen Keller Festival celebrates local heritage, inspires hope, and fosters compassion by honoring the life and achievements of Helen Keller. Through collaboration with the Alabama Institute for Deaf Blind, we promote education, awareness, and accessibility for the deaf and blind communities. Our inclusive event offers enriching experiences for all ages, including live music, educational experiences, arts and crafts, and engaging activities for children.
Our Vision
Our vision is to cultivate a positive environment brimming with enrichment for everyone. We aspire to foster an empathetic community unified in gratitude, purpose, and hope, where every individual feels valued and supported in their journey toward fulfillment and connection.
General Information / FAQs
What should I bring?
Visitors to the Helen Keller Festival should bring a lawn chair or blanket to most Festival events. You are also allowed to bring in ONE bottle of water. No other types of containers allowed. All bags and coolers are subject to inspection.
Where can I find parking?
Parking in Spring Park is very limited. There will be no public parking inside the park! The best and easiest parking for the festival is located in the “Dustbowl” field on the other side of the Spring Creek Bridge. Entrance to that location is at intersection of Old Lee Hwy & Hook Street. If you find parking uptown, please also consider riding the FREE festival shuttle buses. You can find shuttle times and pickup spots in this section.
Limited handicap parking is available and can be accessed by entering at the intersection of 6th & Main Street. Please consider riding the FREE festival shuttle buses that are handicapped accessible as well.
How does the festival shuttle work?
Trolleys will run every 15 minutes. Fridays: 4 p.m. until 30 minutes after headliner. Saturdays: 11 a.m. until 30 minutes after headliner
Stop 1: Water Street (at the courthouse)
Stop 2: Indian Street (between Almond and Commons across from Helen Keller Birthplace)
Stop 3: Calvary Baptist Church on Commons
Stop 4: Deshler High School on Commons
Stop 5: Broad Street (old Big Star parking lot)
Last stop: Spring Park
How can I buy t-shirts?
You can buy t-shirts for $20 at two locations:
1) Fiddledee D, 111 S. Main Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674
2) At Spring Park, in the Marketplace during the festival.
T-Shirt Design Contest Information
Each year, the Helen Keller Festival hosts a Festival Design T-Shirt Contest. The contest is open to any artist from North Alabama area, past or present. Participants may submit a design they would like to see on the next festival t-shirt. Designs must match the current year’s theme and be an original work. Winners receive four all-weekend armbands, a free shirt, social media shoutouts, and a free 10×10 booth space in our marketplace.
Are there restrooms?
Temporary restroom facilities will be provided throughout the festival where permanent ones do not exist.
Can I bring my pet?
NO DOGS OR OTHER PETS ALLOWED IN SPRING PARK. This includes during vendor set up through end of the festival Sunday evening. (Owners of all NON-SERVICE animals will be asked to leave the park for the safety of our visitors.)
Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are NOT considered service animals under the ADA.
Where is Lost and Found?
Lost and Found is located at the Tuscumbia Police Department.
