Your guide to the W.C. Handy Music Festival in Florence

The W.C. Handy Music Festival has been going on since Thursday, July 18 in Northwest, AL. The last day for the festival is Sunday, July 28, so we’ve put together a list of some of this weekend’s events that you don’t want to miss out on.

Keep reading for information on the W.C. Handy Fest and this weekend’s events.

Handy Fest, since 1982

The W.C. Handy Fest began in 1982. The music preservation society started the festival to honor Florence native, W.C. Handy and to promote the Shoal’s music heritage.

The festival first started as a long weekend event but has shifted into a 10-day event since. The festival has music showcased all over Northwest Alabama at locations such as parks, restaurants, stores, sidewalks, parking lots, museums, and more!

Friday, July 26

Friday, July 26th is the kickoff of the weekend events for the Handy Fest. Events begin at 9AM and go all day, here are some of the must-do events for Friday:

• In Tune with the Outdoors: 5PM-7PM I Location: Alabama Outdoors, 119 N. Court St., Florence, AL
• 16th Annual Massively Cool Indoor Street Festival: Starts at: 6PM I Location: Marriott Shoals Conference Center, 10 Hightower Place, Florence, AL I Cost: $35, includes BBQ dinner
• Riverside Jamz: Starts at: 6:30PM I Location: McFarland Park – Florence Harbor, 1050 Clayborn Liles Dr., Florence, AL I Free hot air balloon rides starting at 7PM
• Blues on the Bluff: 7PM-9PM I Location: Standpipe Park, 1399 N Montgomery Ave, Sheffield, AL
• Rock N’ Soul on Mobile Plaza: 8PM-10PM I Location: Mobile Plaza, Florence, AL

Saturday, July 27

Get ready for a full day of fun Handy Fest events, starting at 9AM. Here are some of the exciting events that are offered on Saturday:

• Street Strut and Parade: Starts at 10AM I Location: Wilson Park, 350 North Wood Ave., Florence, AL I Parade route: Corner of Tuscaloosa and Seminary Streets, left onto Court Street, left onto Tennessee Street, left onto  Seminary Street, ending at Wilson Park
• WC Handy Movie: St. Louis Blues: Starts at: 3PM I Location: Alabama Music Hall of Fame, 617 US Hwy 72 West, Tuscumbia, AL
• Coldwater Jam: Starts at: 6PM I Location: Main Street, Downtown Tuscumbia, 102 North Main Street, Tuscumbia, AL
• Handy Headliner: The Bar-kays Featuring Larry Dodson: Starts at: 7PM I Location: Norton Auditorium, Florence, AL I Cost: $40 GA, $75 VIP
• Fonda Skipworth Productions Presents the Grande Finale: Starts at: 8:30PM I Location: Shoals Theater, 123 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL

Sunday, July 28

Sunday, July 28 is the last day for the Handy Fest and they have a full list of fun to end the festival. Here are some of the last events offered for the 2024 Handy Fest:

• Blue Navigators: Starts at: 11AM I Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1332 North Pine St., Florence, AL
• Black Business Expo!: 3PM-7PM I Location: Clarion Hotel, 4900 Hatch Blvd., Sheffield, AL
• Cactus Cowboys Jam: 4PM- 7PM I Location: Shaffer’s Happy Hollow Marina, 270 Hammond Dr., Florence, AL
• Swinging River Jazz Band: Starts at: 5PM I Location: First Baptist Church, 209 N. Walnut St., Florence, AL

The weekend events for the Handy Fest take place all day Friday, Saturday & Sunday with many events at many different locations. For more information on the Handy Fest and a full list of festival events, check out the W.C. Handy Music Festival website!

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