Rock the South continued its tradition this past weekend of giving back to its community with the #BiggestPartyInTheSouth.  Attendees of this year's Festival were able to enjoy a variety of music Friday and Saturday in Cullman, AL.  While the weather teased North Alabama this past Friday and Saturday, the biggest party in the South went full speed ahead with a rain free weekend at the festival grounds featuring Alabama, Hardy, Jamey Johnson, Koe Wetzel, Jimmie Allen, Colt Ford, Anne Wilson, and more.

The slogan "The Biggest Party in the South" is no exaggeration.  as an estimated 60,000+ people attended this year.  Over 1 million dollars worth of improvements to this year's festival were made including over 7500 tons of gravel for parking, additional restrooms, and more parking options.  Staying true to its roots to making a positive difference, Rock the South brings in a 15 million dollar impact to Cullman County.  Since 2011, the festival has donated over $700,000 to charities such as Cullman City Parks and Recreation, The Link of Cullman County and Cullman Caring for Kids.

Plans are already underway for next year and Rock the South is asking fans who they would like to see in 2023.  Visit their official Rock the South Website and Social Media to stay updated!

This year's 2022 Helen Keller Music Festival lineup included Strange Waves, Showdown, Sweet Tea Trio, Tristen Gressett, Cadence Baker, Yes Trespassing, The J. Patrick Reed Band, Moon Tree Band, Jefferson Startship, and Jason Crabb.

The Helen Keller Festival began in 1979 as a tribute to the life of Helen Keller. Thousands of visitors from around the world come to Tuscumbia each year to celebrate the achievements of the remarkable woman who has come to be known as America's First Lady of Courage.  Helen Keller was born and raised in this northwest Alabama town, and it was here that she learned to communicate through the tireless efforts of her equally famous teacher, Annie Sullivan. Keller went on to become an international symbol of hope and spent her life working to improve the conditions of the blind and deaf-blind around the world. It is her spirit and efforts to make others' lives better that Festival organizers work to honor.

The Festival remains a volunteer project, annually attracting over 50,000 people to events held throughout the city. It has grown to include arts and crafts, art exhibits, athletic events, a parade, street concerts, and performances of William Gibson's world famous drama, The Miracle Worker.

School children learn Braille and sign language, and play games that help them become more aware of the challenges that face people who are deaf, or blind, or live with physical handicaps. Festival organizers hope to provide the younger generation with an educated and compassionate awareness of the barriers that must be overcome by handicapped children and adults.

The Helen Keller Festival has been named one of the Top 100 Events in North American by the American Business Association and one of the Top 20 June Events in the Southeast by the Atlanta based Southeast Tourism Society. - Source: 2001 Helen Keller Festival Board