W.C. Handy Music Festival officially comes to town – what you need to know

FLORENCE, Ala.(WHNT) — The 38th annual W.C. Handy Music Festival is back and in full swing in the Shoals.

Live music, or a line-stepping dance class, whatever it is that has to with music – the Shoals has got it.

Ally McGee and Katie McCoy, Shoals locals, say it’s the best time of the year in their hometown of Florence.

“It’s really all about music, it’s just so awesome, and it’s fun and a good time, there are a lot of people and there’s always something new,” they said.

The festival has been going for 38 years now to honor Florence native, William Christopher Handy, well known as the “Father of the Blues”.

Alison Stanfield, one of the many event coordinators, says there is a lot to expect.

“We have close to 200 events taking place and the events are everywhere, they’re in the parks, libraries, restaurants, shops and boutiques, pretty much anywhere you’ll find people playing music,” Stanfield said.

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Stanfield says a little over 200,000 people are expected to be here in the Shoals area for the duration of the festival.

“People do come from all over the county, just to page homage to WC handy, to get a good taste of that southern hospitality and that music that we are so famous for. So it does bring so many people to the Shoals,” Stanfield said.

McCoy says the Shoals area communities are jammed packed with people during the festival.

“Whenever people come to this, all the local businesses are just flooded because there are just so many people,” McCoy said.

Festival entry is free to the public, but everyone is advised to bring their own lawn chairs and fans.

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