9-1-1 Festival Returns to Haleyville June 5-6, Aaron Tippin Headlining
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Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 10:12:38 AM
Country megastar Aaron Tippin is headlining the 9-1-1 Festival Friday night concert. (courtesy photo)
HALEYVILLE - First responders will literally take center stage at the City of Haleyville’s annual 9-1-1 Festival this weekend, Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6 sponsored by the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce and 9-1-1 Festival Committee.
Haleyville Mayor Dr. Ray Boshell urges people to come out and remember the reason why the 9-1-1 Festival is celebrated. Haleyville was the location of the first ever 9-1-1 call, made on February 16, 1968.
“This is a big celebration for Haleyville, recognizing our first responders,” Boshell said.
Boshell noted that many young people may not realize why the numbers 9-1-1 are used to make emergency calls.
“Back then, we had rotary dialed phones. They wanted to make it where (the number) couldn’t accidentally be dialed so they picked numbers furtherest from it, 9 being on one end (of the rotor dialed phone), 1 being on the other,” Boshell explained.
“Haleyville has always had a strong commitment for police and fire departments and our first responders, and this is just recognizing that,” Boshell said.
Boshell is going to be a part of a presentation honoring first responders at the main stage of the 9-1-1 festival Friday night, June 5.
9-1-1 Committee Member Katie Tidwell, organizer of the first responder awards, pointed out, “Our first responders are the reason why this festival exists. We need to honor them and show that we support them, we appreciate them. We are so thankful for everything they have done for this country.”
“Each year we do this, 9-1-1 it seems like it becomes more important,” Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce President Mike Evans stressed. “It seems like people want to know more about it. The more they hear, the more they want to know.
“In all honesty, this affects every life in America,” Evans emphasized. “Most everybody knows somebody who has had to call 9-1-1.
“It’s not just the phone call, but once the call is made, our festival honors those people who answer those calls,” Evans stressed. “Without the police, firemen, emergency responders, this wouldn’t work.
“9-1-1 is not just a phone number,” Evans continued. “9-1-1 starts an engine and these are the people who make it all happen.”
This year was the first time that a senior class from Haleyville High School class has been able to visit the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C. on their annual senior educational tour, to see the red telephone used for the nation’s first 9-1-1 call, Evans stated.
“That museum opened on the year of the (9-1-1 call) anniversary in 2018,” Evans noted, adding he has been requesting HHS senior class trips try to work the museum into their schedules.
Concerning the entire festival, Boshell said it was great that such an event can be held free of charge, all while paying tribute to first responders, as well as all city departments.
“A lot of our departments are heavily involved in getting things ready for the festival,” Boshell said. “ There is a lot of infrastructure and things that need to be done to make sure it goes smoothly.
“The 9-1-1 committee has worked tirelessly to get the vendors set up, get the (musical) acts set up, to coordinate all of this,” the mayor added. “I really appreciate all of their hard work. Our city employees have been putting in a lot of hours trying to get things ready, so things are nice.”
Members of the 9-1-1 Festival Committee are hoping for a record turnout over the two-day festival.
Not only will the festival feature live bands on both Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, but streets will be lined with vendors, as well as children’s activities, committee members stated.
There will be a complete line-up of live entertainment from the main stage at the large parking lot behind the library on Friday night, June 5, leading up to country legend Aaron Tippin taking the stage to headline the concert.
Live music will also be performed all day Saturday, June 6, on state at the Heart of Haleyville Park on Main Street downtown, Bice indicated.
Friday night, the Heart of Haleyville park will feature a mechanical bull for people to ride for that night only, Bice said.
Friday line-up
of events
On Thursday, June 4, city crews will begin blocking off certain areas downtown, while crews are setting up the main stage, with some food vendors arriving to begin their set-up process, committee members said.
On Friday morning around 10 a.m., some downtown streets will be blocked off with more streets blocked to motorists as the day progresses, as more and more vendors begin arriving and setting up, committee members said.
The registration area for vendors will be in the park located behind Boxes of Dealz, with registration taking place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., during which time vendors will be setting up.
Committee Member Mandy Little noted that all vendor spaces have been filled, with 67 vendors expected. A new vendor to the festival this year will be a basketball throw for prizes, Little said. About 25 spaces are for non-profit or churches, she continued.
Vendors will open at 3 p.m., followed by the Kids Zone at 5 p.m. on the west end of Main Street, offering inflatables and activities for children.
The mechanical bull will be open for rides from 5-9 p.m. Friday, committee members said.
Anyone planning to attend the concert Friday night is urged to not arrive too early with their portable chairs, due to the process of testing the sound system and preparing the stage area, organizers emphasized.
An announcement will be made from the stage when the public can begin setting up their chairs, the committee added.
Aaron Tippin
headlining Friday night line-up
The Friday night concert will begin at 5 p.m. with Area 51 making their return to the festival with 1980s rock classics, after a performance at the festival two years ago, 9-1-1 Committee Member Brandon Norris said.
After Area-51, first responders will be honored with awards on stage around 6 p.m.
This will be followed by some yacht rock with a tribute to Jimmy Buffett, known as Michael Stacey’s Margaritaville, at 6:30 p.m.
“American Idol” Top Three finalist Colin Stough will take the stage at 8 p.m., bringing his spin on outlaw country to the audience, organizers said. Stough will be followed at 9:30 p.m. by megastar Aaron Tippin. Tippin has topped the country music charts with “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong With the Radio” and “That’s As Close As I’ll Get to Loving You,”, as well as had Top 10 success with “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” and “Workin’ Man’s Ph.D,” among other hits. He has also had Hot 100 crossover success, notably with his hit “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.”
Saturday events
The festival continues Saturday, June 6, with the registration area at the park behind Boxes of Dealz opening for vendors at 8 a.m. Vendors will once again be set up along the streets, and the Kids Zone will open at 10 a.m.
The Haleyville historical museum in the upstairs portion of the historic Feldman building now known as The Downtown Exchange, will be open for tours from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., noted building owner Cherie Sibley. Members of the Haleyville Historical Society will be on hand to help with the tours.
Car Show benefits Haleyville Center of Technology
students
The classic car show will be held in the large parking lot behind the library and theater, raising funds for the automotive technology department at the Haleyville Center of Technology, confirmed auto tech instructor Heath Tidwell.
The car show, sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts and the COT auto tech department, will begin with registration from 8-10 a.m., with a $20 entry fee per vehicle, Tidwell said.
The event raises around $1,500 each year for the auto tech department, which goes toward any auto-tech related activities or competitions, Tidwell added.
“We appreciate everybody coming out because it does support our program,” Tidwell said.
Awards will be given out at 1 p.m. in numerous categories, including Best Hot Rod, Best Truck, Best Muscle Car, Best Car, Best Motorcycle, Best in Show Overall, Most Unique, SkillsUSA Club Choice, People’s Choice, Teachers Choice and O’Reilly’s Choice, Tidwell stated.
Tractor show helps FFA program
The 14th annual Haleyville 9-1-1 Antique Tractor show will begin registration at 7 a.m., with the event moved this year to the portion of the large parking lot behind BankFirst downtown, noted John Cox, of Cox’s Highway 195 Farm and Tire Supply, which is sponsoring the event.
No registration fees will be required for entry. Each entry of an antique tractor, lawn mower, farm implement or antique toy tractor for the show will receive a ticket for a door prize, Cox stated.
Judging of entries will be from 11-11:45 a.m. with awards presented at noon, Cox stated.
The International Harvester Collectors State of Alabama Club meeting will be held Saturday as part of the tractor show festivities, organizers said.
Half and half tickets will be sold to benefit the Future Farmers of America club at the Haleyville Center of Technology, organizers said.
2nd annual Woody’s Memorial Bike Show
Part of the 9-1-1 festivities Saturday will be the 2nd annual bike show sponsored by Iron Angels Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, which consists of first responders, as well as current and former military personnel.
The show, sponsored by Fontaine Trailers, is being held in memory of Iron Angels LEMC member Billy “Woody” Cowens, who lost his life in a motorcycle accident in 2024, organizers said.
Registration for the bike show will be from 12-1p.m. at The Break Room, located at 847 21st Street in downtown Haleyville, at $25 per bike, organizers stated.
Multiple awards will be given out at 3:30 p.m., including Woody’s Award, Best Chrome and People’s Choice.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle and door prizes given out.
Iron Angels is an organization that conducts fundraisers to give back to charities, children in need, schools and the community.
Haleyville Alumni/9-1-1 parade
The Haleyville Alumni and 9-1-1 First Responder Parade will be Saturday, with line-up at 9 a.m. at Haleyville City Schools on 20th Street.
The parade will feature as grand marshals coaches of all girls sports teams from Haleyville High School that won state titles and will also feature the HHS band under the direction of Judd Williams and floats or vehicles for classes celebrating reunions.
After the alumni portion of the parade, all local and area first responders will file into the parade from the Haleyville High School parking area.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. from Haleyville Schools, traveling 20th Street to Highway 13, turning left, then turning on 19th Street to Alabama Avenue, to 21st Street back to Highway 13, then left onto 20th Street and back to the school, Police Chief Rodney Lewis indicated.
A firefighters competition will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot behind City Hall at the Community Safe Room, Boshell confirmed.
Saturday
entertainment
line-up
Festival attendees will be heading to the Heart of Haleyville Park Saturday to hear another full line-up of music and other entertainment, Norris said.
The day will kick off with Sage Comeens performing at 10:30 a.m., followed by the North Alabama Diamond Dancers at 11 a.m. and Kenny Ray Horton at 11:30 a.m.
After a break, afternoon entertainment at the Heart of Haleyville Park will resume at 3 p.m. with Mike Jones and Marvin Leathers performing traditional country, followed by the Lauderdale County String Band at 4 p.m., performing bluegrass. That group has previously won the National FFA Talent Competition, Norris said.
Raine, a powerful modern rock band based in Cullman County that not only covers hits from across the decades, but also performs unique original material, will take the stage at 5:30 p.m.
The headline act at 7 p.m. will be a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird ATL. Freebird is the ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd experience, as Freebird’s members have been in love with the music since childhood, according to a bio of the band.
This marks the second time Freebird ATL has performed at the Heart of Haleyville Park, having performed at the park last year.
“I have a good feeling that little park fills up,” Norris pointed out. “Be prepared to have a fantastic Saturday night of music. It’s going to be awesome.”
“We have so many great new things for our community,” added Committee Member Kris Burleson. “We just need them to come out and support them. We’re here for them. That’s why we do it, is for the city of Haleyville, the people and the surrounding areas.”
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Haleyville
9-1-1 Festival
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