Make plans now to bring the whole family to the Leeds Fall Festival & John Henry Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. -- rain or shine. Admission and parking are free to the public.

The Alabama Tourism Department has named this festival one of the top 10 tourism events in Alabama during the month of September.

Previously known as the Leeds Downtown Folk Festival, the name has been changed to better reflect the event's purpose of promoting Leeds and bringing people to historic downtown Leeds on the third weekend of September.

According to Fall Festival Committee Chairman Jeff Falletta, the outdoor event will feature great food, a variety of live music on three stages, entertainment, art, a car show and lots of activities for children, young people and those young at heart.

And, after a one-year hiatus, this year's festival will feature two performances of the original outdoor play about John Henry, "Listen to that Cold Steel Ring" on Sept. 21 on the grounds of the Leeds historic railroad depot. Henry, an African-American railroad man, is believed to have died after winning a contest against a steam drill as the company he worked for blasted tunnels through mountains south of Leeds in the 1880s.

Leeds is conveniently located about 15 miles east of Birmingham, 45 miles west of Anniston and 60 miles southwest of Gadsden. The festival site in historic downtown Leeds is only two miles south of I-20 Exit 140. Locals and visitors alike are invited. Bring a folding chair and stay all day!

If you have questions or want more information about the festival, please call 205-352-5036. The festival's mailing address is P.O. Box 914, Leeds, AL 35094.

Artists Application Form

Sponsorship Form

4th Annual Car Show Form

Leeds Fall Festival news release Aug. 29, 2013

Leeds Fall Festival news release Sept. 2, 2013

Comfort Inn is the preferred hotel for the Leeds Fall Festival. Rooms are available for $65 per night. Call 205-640-6600 for reservations.