2011 is designated as the Year of the Alabama Music. There is no better way for the Shoals community to celebrate the occasion than with the W.C. Handy Music Festival on July 22-31.

The W.C. Handy Music Festival has been held annually since 1982, first presented by the Music Preservation Society Inc., lasting approximately 10 days during the last week of July. It is presented and celebrated by three counties in the northern peak of Alabama.

This will be the 30th annual festival that commemorates William Christopher Handy, the famous Shoals composer and musician who lived from 1873-1958, more commonly referred to as the “Father of the Blues.” His legacy has become a major landmark and memorial in North Alabama.

“The festival brings musician to the Shoals and draws in a combination of musicians and music,” said Nancy Gonce, head of the festival offices.

Gonce suggested that many of the events of the festival will be as they were in the past, with live bands performing near restaurants, parks, churches, stores and other locations that will last from morning to night for 10 days.

In the past, there have been a number of headliners known nationally, regionally and locally to the community including Dizzy Gillespie, Ellis Marsalis, Ramsey Lewis, Bobby Blue Bland, Taylor Trio, the Great Guitars and more. At present, Gonce waits for contracts to be received before she is able to give names of artists and bands that may appear for entertainment in the Shoals.

There will be a wide variety from 300 activities for tourists and locals that involve areas other than music. Some of these include events that have been done similarly in the past such as car shows, art exhibits, theaters and recreational activities as well that include the Century Bike Ride, golf and fishing tournaments, a five kilometer race known as the Da Doo Run Run, a one mile run and walk and more.

There are other events that may be available at the festival as well that are designed for child entertainment such as the ABC’s of Jazz and the Musical Jazz Spelling Bee.

Another unique event to take place this year will be a special educational program called “Making Music with Trash” where kids will be exposed to how to make instruments out of recyclable objects

The festival has grown increasingly famous over the years through the recognition of different organizations rating tourist attractions and awarding festivals and events.

Some of these accolades include recognition in the Top 20 Event in the Southeast by Southeast Tourism Society every year since 1986, Top 10 Event in Alabama by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, a featured site on the National Geographic, one of the 50 must-see festivals in Alabama this year, and one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association.

One representative of the American Bus Association noted how the festival is effective in bringing in tourists and the importance of visiting attractions in America today.

“The attractiveness of the W.C. Handy Music Festival as a don’t-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such distinction for the Shoals,” said ABA’s president and CEO Peter J. Pantuso. “The real news here is that the W.C. Handy Music Festival has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy.”