The W.C. Handy Music Festival in the Shoals is among the top 10 must-see events in 2013, based on a ranking released by the Alabama Tourism Department.

The festival, in its 32nd year, is July 19-28 and honors legendary blues musician and Florence native W.C. Handy.

Known as “Father of the Blues,” Handy’s life and accomplishments are celebrated yearly in the state’s only 10-day festival that includes multiple disciplines of the arts.

Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Director Debbie Wilson said - as a result of being listed in the top 10 - the festival’s information will be included in the Alabama Tourism Department’s annual vacation guide and calendar of events.

“One of the things that makes this festival so wonderful is that it accommodates most everyone’s schedule in that there’s always something to do, or an event to attend, within those 10 days,” Wilson said.