Events

Community Events

Open to the public, these events aren’t directly funded by the MSNHA but support our mission to promote cultural tourism in our six counties through education, preservation and conservation. Community events often are sponsored by MSNHA partners and other groups & people we work with.

Event Categories

Young Learners’ Series: Dragging Canoe

Florence Indian Mound and Museum Florence, AL

July's Young Learners' Series is about Cherokee chief Dragging Canoe, who led a separatist group to Chickamauga Creek in 1776. Known as the Chickamauga Cherokee, this group resisted American encroachment on its lands. Later Dragging Canoe worked as a diplomat to secure alliances and preserve Cherokee culture. The Florence Indian Mound Museum's Young Learners Series […]

W. C. Handy Music Festival

The Shoals AL, United States

A 10-day long series of primarily music events occurring in and around the Shoals which honors William Christopher “W.C.” Handy and the musical legacy of the “Hit Recording Capital of the World.” The talented musicians of the Muscle Shoals are among the very best. Come and experience the sound for yourself! Go here for details.

Summer Soiree

Tuscumbia Depot and Roundhouse 204 W 5th St., Tuscumbia, AL, United States

Celebrate the end of Shoals Symphony at UNA's 40th season on a perfect summer evening at the Shoals Symphony Summer Soireé. Enjoy chamber music, authentic Dixie-Land Jazz and the world premiere of Warren Ertle's Handy Suite as a W.C. Handy Music Festival kickoff. Appetizers and drinks included. *21 and older. Go here for tickets.

Village One School Workday

Village One School Sheffield, AL

Help us continue restoring Village School in Sheffield, working with the Village School Foundation. Drop in anytime from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 22. Village One's school building is a WWI-era school & community building that's one of the most historically significant buildings in north Alabama. The Village School Foundation seeks to repair the […]

WALKING IN MEMPHIS: Songs and Stories

Shoals Theatre 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL

W. C. Handy Festival week will get deep, real & completely iconic as Charlie Musselwhite & Travis Wammack -- high school Memphis friends -- share their lifelong personal history in word & music, along with Christine Ohlman, Kelvin Holly & Jerry Phillips (no stranger to Memphis himself, with deep stories of Sun, Graceland & The […]

Oka Kapassa Return to Coldwater Festival

Spring Park Tuscumbia, AL, United States

Native American gathering from Nations across the country. School day is Friday & open-to-the-public day is Saturday. Free admission. Dancing, crafts, food and more. Details to come.

Sledgefest

Town of Leighton Leighton, AL, United States

Community event with music, art & food to celebrate Leighton native Percy Sledge. Fee admission. Go to Leighton's Facebook page for details.

Tennessee River Litter Tournament

McFarland Park Florence, AL

Join Keep The Shoals Beautiful for the 8th Annual Tennessee River Litter Tournament! Fish for litter in the water, on the shorelines at Riverfront or McFarland Park or anywhere that matters to you in the Shoals. $500 Grand prize to the group with the most volunteers $100 MVP Award for most litter collected (one winner […]

Young Learners’ Series: Creek Warrior William Weatherford

Florence Indian Mound and Museum Florence, AL

In this month's Young Learners Series, the program & activity will be about Creek Warrior William Weatherford. Also known as Hoponika Fulsahi (Truth Maker), Weatherford was a member of the Wind Clan from the town of Coosada, an Alabama town in the Creek Confederacy. Born into a prominent Creek lineage on his mother’s side, he […]

Village School Workday

Village One School Sheffield, AL

Join our efforts to restore the Village One School with the Village School Foundation. The building is a WWI-era school & community center that's one of the most historically significant in north Alabama. The Village School Foundation seeks to repair the building so it continues to be a community & educational resource. Each person may […]

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention

Athens State University 300 N Beaty St, Athens, AL, Athens, AL, United States

Athens State University will be welcoming old-time music lovers of all ages to campus for the 56th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, presented by Aetos Systems, Inc. Entertainment […]

Dragon Boat Festival

McFarland Park Florence, AL

Local community teams race in traditional Hong-Kong-style dragon boats to raise money for Shoals Scholar Dollars. Funds help provide two-year scholarship to Northwest Alabama Community College for qualifying students. Go here for details on participating. Free admission for spectators.