Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area

The Shoals' RiverTowns Community Paddle on Cypress Creek
2023-04-08 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Wildwood Park, State Route 13, Florence, 35630, United States
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area is excited to begin our 2023 paddling season with a community paddling event on Cypress Creek!
We will learn about the Tennessee RiverLine and the history of Cypress Creek while exploring the creek’s waters, watching for wildlife & enjoying an easy, beginner-friendly paddle experience lasting around 2 hours and 5 miles. We will begin our paddle at the Cox Creek Canoe Launch at 9 a.m. & finish at Wildwood Park between noon and 1 p.m. We will meet and end at Wildwood Park. Participants will be shuttled to our starting location at the Cox Creek Canoe Launch. Participants should keep their afternoon plans flexible in case of delay.
Don’t have your own kayak? That’s OK! Reserve a kayak — either single- or two-person — when you register (comes with required equipment, including PFD). You are also welcome to bring your own boat (kayaks, canoes and SUPs are fine) — just select the “I’ve got my own boat” option when you register.
All participants must know how to swim. For your safety, we cannot make exceptions.
NOTE: IF YOU REGISTER AND CAN’T ATTEND, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION — NOT DOING SO TAKES A SPOT AWAY FROM SOMEONE ELSE.
Check your email ahead of the event for confirmation from Eventbrite & a pre-event reminder with additional details. Changes to the paddle due to weather will also be communicated via email. Register at here.
See you outside!

Project Threadways Symposium
2023-04-20 17:30 - 2023-04-22 17:30 | Alabama Chanin – The Factory, Florence, AL, AL
Join Project Threadways, in Florence, Thursday-Saturday, April 20–22. We’ll share stories of those have worked with textiles and in the process created economic opportunity, organized resistance & achieved self-determination. The 2023 Project Threadways Symposium offers discussions, presentations, a sewing circle, tour of Alabama Chanin’s The Factory and more. Tickets are here.

Celebrating Cane Creek Canyon
2023-04-29 13:00 - 21:00 | Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, 251 Loop Road, Tuscumbia, AL, 35674, United States
Spring is one of the best times to visit Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve – the waterfalls are flowing & wildflowers are blooming. This year is even more special as we celebrate the Lacefield’s donation of Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve to Land Trust of North Alabama. For over 40 years, Jim and Faye Lacefield have preserved Cane Creek Canyon’s natural resources, welcoming visitors to share this special place in northwest Alabama. This donation to the Land Trust ensures Cane Creek Canyon’s continued conservation & public access. Beginning with wildflower hikes at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 29, we’ll wrap up Earth Month by celebrating the legacy of the Lacefields & the future of Cane Creek. We will also recognize generous funding from Essity for a trailhead kiosk and tool storage bin. Hosted by Friends of Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve & Land Trust of North Alabama. Details here.

TVA Native Plant Garden workday
2023-05-06 09:00 - 12:00 | TVA Native Plant Garden, Muscle Shoals, AL
Join us as we prune invasives along the garden’s trails & learn about native plants from Alabama Master Gardener Margie Anderton. Wear closed toe shoes & clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and bring a pair of work gloves if you have them. Meet at the pavilion near the garden. Our efforts at the Native Plant Garden are part of Operation Pollination — an initiative to educate on the benefits & needs of bees & other pollinators and restore native habitat for them. Trail workdays to conserve native habitat occur monthly. Go here for details.

The Shoals' RiverTowns Community Paddle on Second Creek
2023-05-13 09:00 - 13:00 | Second Creek Boat Launch, Rogersville
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area is excited to begin its 2023 paddling season with a community paddle at Second Creek in Rogersville!

We will learn about the Tennessee RiverLine, the natural history of the Tennessee River & nearby Joe Wheeler State Park while exploring Second Creek’s waters, watching for wildlife and enjoying an easy & beginner-friendly paddle experience lasting around two hours and 4 miles. If you have never locked through a dam before, this will be an exciting opportunity to do so in a kayak with expert guidance (a safe & simple process!) We’ll begin at Second Creek Boat Ramp, Rogersville, and finish at Wilson Lake Public Boat Ramp in Town Creek, barring barge traffic.
Kayaks, PFDs, paddles & other equipment provided. Participants must know how to swim. Reserve a singe kayak when you register (comes with required equipment, including PFD).
If you register & can’t attend, cancel your reservation. Not doing so takes a spot away from someone else.
Check email ahead of the event. You’ll receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite & a pre-event reminder with additional details. Any changes to the paddle due to weather will also be communicated via email. Go here for tickets.

Young Learners' Series -- Tuscumbia
2023-05-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Florence Indian Mound and Museum, Florence, AL
This program & activity focuses on Chickasaw chief Tuscumbia, for whom the city of Tuscumbia is named. Tuscumbia sold land to the Dickson family, considered to be the first white family in the area. Tuscumbia, or Tashka Ambi, was also a veteran of the War of 1812, having fought alongside the Americans at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The program will include a short lesson on Tuscumbia followed by a hands-on activity.
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is hosting a series of children’s programs for students to explore the early history of the Shoals through short lessons & hands-on learning exercises. The programs will explore 12 Native American figures through their biographies, contributions, hopes & accomplishments. Students will be given a passport with the 12 figures; they will receive a stamp for each program attended. Students who collect six, nine or 12 stamps will receive an award.
This program is free and is sponsored by the Florence Department of Arts and Museums & Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. Call 256-760-6427 for details.

Young Learners' Series -- Mary Golda Ross
2023-06-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Florence Indian Mound and Museum, Florence, AL
June’s Young Learners’ Series features Cherokee engineer Mary Golda Ross, the great-great granddaughter of Principal Chief John Ross. Born in 1908, Ross graduated college with a mathematics degree & studied astronomy while earning her master’s degree. She worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation during World War II & helped develop a fighter plane. When the space race began, Ross became the first woman to work on a top-secret program — she was on a team of 40 engineers. She is recognized as the first Native American female engineer.
The Young Learners’ Series is free. It focuses on early Shoals history via short lessons & hands-on learning. Currently, YLS is exploring 12 Native American figures through biographies, contributions, hopes & accomplishments. Students will be given a passport with the 12 figures & will receive a stamp for each program attended. Students who collect six, nine or 12 stamps will receive an award.

An Evening with Crystal Gayle
2023-06-24 19:30 - 21:30 | Norton Auditorium, 500 N. Pine St., Florence, AL, 35630, United States
Crystal Gayle concert presented by the non-profit Shoals Scholar Dollars to raise money for local students to attend college. Go here to buy tickets and here to learn more about Shoals Scholar Dollars.

Young Learners' Series: Dragging Canoe
2023-07-15 10:00 - 11:30 | 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 helps students explore Shoals early history through short lessons & hands-on learning. The programs focus on 12 Native American figures through their biographies, contributions, hopes & accomplishments. Students will be given a passport with the 12 figures & will receive a stamp for each program attended. Students who collect six, nine or 12 stamps will receive an award.
This program is free and is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums and the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. Call 256-760-6427 for details.

W. C. Handy Music Festival
2023-07-21 - 2023-07-30 | 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
2023-07-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Tuscumbia Depot and Roundhouse, 204 W 5th St., Tuscumbia, AL, 35674, 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
2023-07-22 09:00 - 12:00 | 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 building so it may continue to serve as a community & educational resource. We’ll be cleaning & organizing various sections of the interior and preparing for the next phases of restoration. Jobs may include cleaning, scraping and painting. We’ll provide supplies & direction — no experience necessary.

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in, including long pants & closed-toe shoes. If you’re not able to stay the whole morning, stop by anyway to say “hi” and see what we’re up to! Refreshments provided! Go here to register.

Handy Street Party
2023-07-22 18:00 - 23:30 | Soul Wingery, Florence, AL
Join us for the third annual Handy Street Party, 6-11:30 p.m., Thursday, July 22, in front of Soul Wingery (rain location is Singin’ River Live). This year’s lineup is Dos Fuegos, Bold Bloom, Coffee Black, Thad & Co. and Billy Allen & the Pollies. There will be food vendors, and you can go around the corner to Singin’ River and pick up a beverage in a blue cup! We’ll have a limited number of Handy Street Party 2023 T-shirts so make sure to get there early to snag one. Sponsors include Matt Golley Real Estate, Singin’ River Brewery, Abraham Rowe Photography, Soul Wingery, Overflo Productions, United Rentals, Rivertown Coffee, Florence Federal Credit Union and Power-Flo Pumps.

WALKING IN MEMPHIS: Songs and Stories
2023-07-28 19:30 - 22:30 | 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 King!). The Shoals/Memphis connection, from STAX to FAME and so much more, will be on full display, and Charlie & Travis’s recordings (including Charlie’s latest, “Mississippi Son”) will be spotlighted on this this not-to-be-missed night! Sponsored by MSNHA and Shoals Tourism. Go here for tickets.

Oka Kapassa Return to Coldwater Festival
2023-09-08 - 2023-09-09 | Spring Park, Tuscumbia, AL, 35674, 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.

RiverLine's Community Planning Initiative -- Old Railroad Bridge
2023-09-12 16:30 - 18:30 | Singin’ River Brewery Company, 526 East College Street, Florence, AL, 35630, United States
Join the Tennessee RiverLine to explore ideas for enhancing visitor experience at Old Railroad Bridge. The Shoals RiverTown’s leadership team — composed of members from Quad Cities & Colbert County — selected the Old Railroad Bridge as priority placemaking project for the RiverLine’s Community Planning Initiative program (funded by US Department of Agriculture Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge, 3M Foundation, TVA and University of Tennessee, Knoxville). Based on feedback from the leadership team & members of the Shoals community, the RiverLine’s Planning and Design team has put together ideas for the Old Railroad Bridge. These include signage, enhanced access & potential connectivity to Patton Island. The RiverLine is also helping the Shoals with a funding strategy for the project, recommending grant opportunities to move this project forward.
We’d love to hear what you think!

Sledgefest
2023-09-16 | Town of Leighton, Leighton, AL, 35646, 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
2023-09-16 08:00 - 11:00 | 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 at each site)
$100 Constellium recyclers award (one winner at each site)

Enter 13-gallon trash bags of litter to compete for cash prizes solo or with your organization. Get ready to put on your free T-shirt & keep the Shoals beautiful.
Lunch provided for all volunteers after the event. Starting locations include McFarland Park (200 James M Spain Drive) in Florence and Riverfront Park (1316 Alabama Ave.) in Sheffield. We encourage you to pick up along the river or anywhere in the Shoals that you feel could use some love!
Go here for details & registration.
Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful will join us by bringing their boat with a 15-volunteer limit. To join this cleanup on the KTNRB boat, sign up here.
Questions? Email TNRiverLitter2023@keeptheshoalsbeautiful.org

Young Learners' Series: Creek Warrior William Weatherford
2023-09-16 10:00 - 23:30 | 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 was raised in a bicultural family of French & Scottish ancestry. He spoke both his native language & English. He is most well known as a chief of the Upper Creek & the Red Stick war leader during the Creek War of 1813-1814. He is credited for leading an attack on Fort Mims that was the first significant action of the Creek War and transformed the conflict from an Indian civil war into an American-Creek War. He rebuilt his wealth as a slave-holding planter and horse breeder & racer, in Monroe, after the war.
The YLS helps students explore early Shoals history through short lessons & hands-on learning exercises. The programs focus on 12 Native American figures through their biographies, contributions, hopes & accomplishments.
This program is free and sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums & MSNHA. Call 256-760-6427 for details..

Village School Workday
2023-09-23 11:00 - 14:00 | 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 contribute in a way they are most comfortable. We’ll clean & organize various sections of the interior and prepare for the next phases of restoration in the basement. This may include cleaning, scraping & painting. We’ll provide supplies & instruction — no experience necessary. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in, including long pants & closed-toe shoes. If you’re not able to stay the whole morning, stop by anyway to say “hi” and see what we’re up to! Refreshments provided. Tickets & details at www.eventbrite.com/e/village-school-workday-tickets-705612484937?

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention
2023-10-04 - 2023-10-07 | Athens State University, 300 N Beaty St, Athens, AL, Athens, AL, 35611, 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 for this year’s Fiddler’s Convention will include Appalachian Road Show, The Grascals and the Dan Tyminski Band. Go here for tickets and here for details.

Dragon Boat Festival
2023-10-14 | 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.

Photo Contest
2023-10-18 - 2023-12-01 | AL
Our annual photo contest is live! Show us your best pics of the MSNHA’s natural beauty. It’s easy to enter — simply post your pics on Facebook or Instagram with #msnhaphotocontest23 & we’ll do the rest. Include whatever you want people to know about your image — where you took it, what the photo shows, etc. Photos must be taken within MSNHA’s six counties: Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone & Morgan. Deadline is Friday, Dec. 1. A “heart” from us means your photo is entered. Staffers will choose their favorites, so you might win a prize! All photos entered could be used on our social media, in our newsletters, on our website & in national publications. Questions? Email msnha.una.edu.

Village One School Workday
2023-10-21 11:00 - 14:00 | 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 contribute in a way they are most comfortable. We’ll clean & organize various sections of the interior and prepare for the next phases of restoration in the basement. This may include cleaning, scraping & painting. We’ll provide supplies & instruction — no experience necessary.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in, including long pants & closed-toe shoes.
If you’re not able to stay the whole morning, stop by anyway to say “hi” and see what we’re up to! Refreshments provided. Go here for details & registration.

Athens Storytelling Festival
2023-10-23 - 2023-10-29 | Athens State University, 300 N Beaty St, Athens, AL, Athens, AL, 35611, United States
We plan to be in-person this year, so join us as we move our tent a little to the east to the Athens State University campus. It will be a crisp fall weekend spent listening to stories of adventure and excitement … a place where memories & magic are captured & spun into tales that make you laugh & cry. Hear stories that tell of a time that used to be or a time yet to come. Glimpse into the past and live the imaginary. Learn more about your parents, your children and yourself. Discover all this and more at the annual Athens Storytelling Festival. Check here for details.

Shady Lady 5K & 10K
2023-10-28 08:00 - 12:00 | Joe Wheeler State Park, 4401 McLean Drive, Rogersville, AL, 35652, United States
You don’t need to be a lady to run in the League of Outdoor Women’s Shady Lady Trail run this year! The race is open to men, women, children, aliens, kangaroos, etc. All funds benefit League of Outdoor Women programming so come show the women in your life how much you support their outdoor adventures! Run or walk. Register by Sept.28 to ensure you get a T-shirt. Start at Joe Wheeler Boat Ramp (not at the marina as in previous years). The 10K course is a loop, while the 5K is an out-and-back. Trails are relatively wide & well managed. Limited amount of elevation change on both courses – while there are hills, they aren’t very steep! Prizes in each age group plus for overall winners. Registration & details here.

Young Learners' Series: Chief Levi Colbert
2023-10-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Florence Indian Mound and Museum, Florence, AL
Chickasaw Chief Levi Colbert is the subject of this month’s Young Learners’ Series program. Colbert is also known as Ittawamba Minko, which translates to Bench Chief. He was born in 1759 in the Chickasaw Nation & was later an important leader of the Chickasaws. He & his brother, George Colbert, were avid negotiators & interpreters; as bilingual leaders, they were trusted by their people & the American government. Levi Colbert spent much of his time working with Andrew Jackson’s appointed negotiators regarding the Treaty of Pontotoc & the Indian Removal Act. He died at 74 before most negotiations were completed. Today, his legacy lives on with his family name, Colbert, representing towns & locations in the states of Alabama & Mississippi. Come join us this Saturday to learn more about Chief Levi Colbert’s courageous & gracious characteristics and participate in a hands-on learning activity.
This program is free and is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums & MSNHA.
Young Learners’ Series is a series of children’s programs to explore the early history of the Shoals through short lessons & hands-on learning exercises. The programs explore 12 Native American figures through their biographies, contributions, hopes & accomplishments. Students will receive a passport with 12 figures and a stamp for each program attended. Students who collect six, nine or 12 stamps will receive an award!

Concert at McCandless Hall -- The Riverside with Will Paustian
2023-10-28 18:00 - 20:00 | McCandless Hall, Athens State University, 302 Bryan St., Athens, AL, 35611, United States
Save the date for The Riverside with opener Will Paustian as part of the Scout House Concert Series. Perfectly beautiful acoustics. Comfortable & charming with great talent! Tickets $15.

Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival
2023-11-03 - 2023-11-05 | AL
The Muscle Shoals Songwriters Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to bring songwriters & music lovers together from all across the globe. The festival celebrates and gives a platform to diverse voices, experiences & points of view; invests in songwriters by providing education, collaborative tools & opportunities that break down music industry barriers; and honors the history of Muscle Shoals and facilitate the continuance of its magical musical synergy for generations. Tickets & details here.

YOUNG LEARNERS' SERIES: Storytelling
2023-11-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Florence Indian Mound and Museum, Florence, AL
Native American Storytelling is an important practice historically and in the present. Stories shared over generations help keep Native American culture alive. Join us for a short informational presentation on storytelling and how it shaped & sustained different Native American cultures. After the presentation, students can create their own stories with an interactive animal activity, which they can take home or share as part of our youth education exhibit. This program is free and sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums & MSNHA.
