Experience Tennessee Visitors Guide May 2021 Edition

e e s s e n n e T e c n E x p e r ie

issue 2|May 2021

monthly visitors guide

THE STORY OF CARL'S MUSIC STUDIO IN WAYNESBORO, TN PHOTO BY MEGHAN AILEEN CO

TOP TEN NATURE-INFUSED REASONS TO COME AND PLAY IN NASHVILLE'S BIG BACK YARD CLIMB INTO THE CANOE FOR FABULOUS TRIP ON THE DUCK RIVER + VELMA’S CANDY ADDS NOSTALGIA TO CHOCOLATE, FUDGE, CARAMEL, TRUFFLES + AMERICAN MULE AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL LOADS THE WAGON WITH CHARITIES

e m o c l We The Experience Tennessee Monthly Visitors Guide is brought to you by the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association.

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging visitors and enhancing their experiences in the great of Tennessee.

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EXPERIENCE TENNESSEE TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEW EXPERIENCE TN TOURS APP COMING SOON!

Climb into the canoe for FABulous trip on the Duck River

05

Velma’s Candy adds nostalgia to chocolate, fudge, caramel, truffles

09

Plan a Trip to the Piney River Resort

14

Events in May

13

EXPERIENCE TENNESSEE Experience Tullahoma Top 10 Nature-Infused Reasons to come play in Nashville's Big Back Yard American Mule and Bluegrass Festival loads the Wagon with Charities

The Story of Carl's Music Studio in Waynesboro, TN

15

16 17-19

22-25

EXPERIENCE TENNESSEE

PAGE 5

INTERVIEW

CLIMB INTO THE CANOE FOR FABULOUS TRIP ON THE DUCK RIVER AN INTERVIEW WITH FAB ON THE DUCK

BY ELENA CAWLEY Climb into the canoe to a place with blue skies and

Steele said she and her husband, Jimmy, strive to

lovely scenery, where you hear paddles in the water

provide the very best service and develop the rental

and happy laughter of family and friends. FAB on the

center into one of the best outfitters in Tennessee.

Duck’s owner Karen Steele invites you to enjoy a float on the Duck River “with shade and sun, nature

The rental facility kicked off the season on April 17.

and wildlife and lots to explore.” This year, FAB on

FAB on the Duck now offers nearly 100 boats for

the Duck is adding to the experience, offering a

lovers of river adventures. Beautiful nature adds to

revamped guest area and a new shop for visitors.

the experience. The Duck River is one of the state's

FAB on the Duck (previously known as Float-A-Boat)

most scenic waterways and one of the most

is in Normandy, Tennessee, and offers rentals of

biodiverse rivers in the country. The longest river

single and tandem kayaks and canoes for floating

located entirely within the state of Tennessee, it

the Duck River.

supports more than 150 species of fish, more than 50 species of mussels and over 20 species of snails,

Before purchasing the rental center, Steele gained

according to the Tennessee Department of

invaluable knowledge in the recreation field. She

Environment and Conservation.

worked at the Arnold Air Force Base, supporting the recreation functions on the base, including the golf

Whether you’re an experienced river enthusiast or a

course, fitness center and cafeterias.

first-time floater, FAB on the Duck will provide you with the necessary equipment to make sure you

“I got a lot of information from that job,” Steele said.

have fun and stay safe.

“I was a deputy chief of services and gained a lot of knowledge that helped me as we purchased FAB.

The center offers canoe rentals, single kayak rentals

We purchased FAB in 2019, and it was previously

and tandem kayak rentals. The price of each rental

called Float-A-Boat. We just changed its name this

includes the boat, lifejackets, paddles, and a

year. We had FAB as our logo last year, so we came

roundtrip transportation to and from the river.

full circle and named (the rental center) FAB on the Duck because we float the Duck River.”

“We also offer a shuttle service for folks who want to bring

"We also offer camping,” Steele said. “Our campsite, called

their own boat,” Steele said. “Our first launch site is about

Shofner Campground, is a privately owned property on the

three or four minutes from our location at 103 Front Street

Duck River. ”The campground lays on approximately 3

in Normandy. That’s where customers come to begin the

acres of wooded property and offers gorgeous scenery and

trip, and we take them to the river. We have all our boats

campsites with fire pits and grills.

set up at the river for the day, so we bus people to the river, and we pick them up when they land.”

Book your float and camping experience here.

FAB on the Duck’s customers enjoys private access to the

“We offer online booking, so it’s very easy to book your

waterway.

boats and just show up,” Steele said. “Once you reserve your boat, you will get a confirmation email with information

“In Normandy, there are a few public access launch sites,

when you need to come and what you need to bring with

but we offer private access on our launch and our

you. Typically, in the summer our weekends are booked, so

landings,” Steele said. “We lease property from local

we highly advise booking ahead of time.”

landowners, so we don’t have to deal with the public access sites. It’s pretty busy in the summer, so we are very

FAB on the Duck invites experienced kayakers as well as

happy to be able to provide that and very thankful.”

first-time floaters to enjoy the river.

The center also provides a combination of camping and

"Take a trip to the river with your children. Introduce them

floating to guests

to kayaking with tandem kayaks, which are perfect for floaters traveling with children.

Kayaking is safe for children of all ages, according to Steele. Children under the age of 8 should share a tandem kayak or canoe with an adult. Older children can start paddling in a tandem's front seat to learn basic skills before they begin floating in a single kayak alone, according to Steele.

The center recently added more boats.

“We have almost 100 boats for rentals, so we have a lot more boats than we did last year, and we are excited about that,” Steele said. “We are also revamping our building, adding a merchandise shop where we will sell T-shirts and gear you could use to float. We want to make the experience for our customers the best. We would like to be the premium outfitter on the upper Duck River and offer outstanding customer service, quality equipment rentals, and a beautiful float down the Duck River.”

FAB on the Duck is located at 103 Front Street, Normandy. For more information, visit FAB on the Duck’s website or call 931619-6959.

Velma’s Candy adds nostalgia to chocolate, fudge, caramel, truffles By: Elena Cawley When Kellie Sandefur, owner of Velma’s Candy in

As children, she and her siblings would often find

Lynchburg, dips caramel into chocolate or makes

themselves in the candy aisle, their eyes growing wide from

buttercream filling for truffles, she sees the face of her

the colorful and aromatic display of treats.

grandmother, who continues to provide inspiration from the pictures on the wall. Sandefur’s happiest childhood

“Candy cigarettes, marathon bars, bottlecaps, penny

memories involve her grandparents, Velma and John Rives,

candy…you name it V&J had it,” Sandefur said. “Grandma

who owned “a tiny little grocery store two doors down”

was at the checkout stand and she was the one that told us

from where Velma’s Candy is located today.

to get any candy we wanted.”

John and Velma owned V&J Market in Lynchburg for

Sandefur spent “pretty much my whole life growing up

decades.

until high school” at the mom-and-pop store, which was called V&J Market.

The community loved and respected Velma as a businessperson and as a “charming Southern lady,” said

“I grew up in Lynchburg and have so many wonderful

Sandefur.

memories living in this small, southern town,” Sandefur said. “Looking back, most of my childhood experiences

“She just inspired me,” Sandefur said. “When I was a kid, we

happened in a very special place, V&J Market.”

would go around the square in Lynchburg, and I would say, ‘I can put a shop in there.’ Having a candy store has been a

The most coveted feature of V&J Market was the candy aisle, which fascinated Sandefur.

dream of mine.”

When Sandefur opened the doors of her own shop in Lynchburg, she wanted to dedicate the venture to her grandmother and called it Velma’s Candy.

“My grandmother was a business owner back when female business owners weren’t that prevalent,” Sandefur said.

“She was my inspiration.”

Sandefur opened Velma’s Candy in March 2018, developing her craft and growing the business for about a year. Then, the pandemic hit, and she had to close the store. But another trait Sandefur inherited from her grandmother is determination. Velma taught her to face challenges and persevere.

“I closed the doors for about a year, and I just reopened them in March,” Sandefur said.

She invites candy lovers of all ages to visit the store and enjoy some sweets in a space that brings memories of “simpler times.”

“We specialize in candy, mostly chocolate and fudge that contain Jack Daniel’s spirit,” Sandefur said. “We also have turtles that are very popular. That was Velma’s favorite candy. I make a turtle with a caramel patty that I place on top of a little blob of chocolate – either dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate – and then I place half pecans around it to resemble a turtle. Then I top it with more of the same chocolate. The sea turtle is made with dark chocolate and I put sea salt on that one. The white chocolate ones are very popular, too.”

Sandefur enhances the taste of the truffles by adding a dash of whiskey to the recipe.

The truffles have a buttercream center, with a bit of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey or Tennessee Fire Whiskey.

“And I just started doing a Grownup Oreo,” she said. “I take the center out of an Oreo cookie and I put that same buttercream filling that I put in the truffles. I sandwich the center between the cookie, and then I dunk it into the dark chocolate. I make the Grownup Oreos with Jack Daniel’s whiskey, and they are extremely popular with the guests.”

Sandefur makes the sweet treats in the candy kitchen of

Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House is listed on the National

the store, and photos of her beloved grandparents bring joy

Register of Historic Places and was originally built in 1867. It

and love, which she pours into the candy.

served as a hotel for travelers. Jack and Mary Bobo purchased the property in 1908 and changed the name to

“I melt chocolate, I chop pecans, I use a lot of caramel,” she

the Bobo Hotel. Miss Mary operated the boarding house

said. “I would dip strawberries in chocolate for holidays. I do

until her death in 1983, when she was 101, according to

special orders if someone has an idea. I really like catering

www.jackdaniels.com. Today, Miss Mary Bobo's Restaurant

to the locals, just as much as the guests because I’m a local

offers mouth-watering Southern dishes to Lynchburg

girl. I know so many people on the square. I grew up with

visitors.

them. I want to make them happy because I love them and they’re my family.”

Velma and John married shortly before he went to the Philippines during World War II. They owned V&J Market

The store is a tribute to Velma and John who loved the

from the mid-1960s to the late 1980s, when they retired.

community they served. Velma’s Candy honors “a precious

They sold the space, which today houses Lynchburg Harley

grandmother who didn’t mind losing money on candy as

Davidson.

long as her grandbabies were happy.”

Her grandparents showed Sandefur dedication to Sandefur hopes Velma’s Candy will spark visitors’ memories

community, work, Lynchburg visitors and family. Today, she

as they “revisit some of the nostalgic candy on the shelves”

continues the tradition.

of the store. She wants to give customers delicious fudge and chocolate, wrapped in warmth and nostalgia.

“I really could not do any of this without my wonderful husband, Dean,” Sandefur said. “Having a candy shop has

“I just very much enjoy what I do,” Sandefur said. “I get to

been a dream of mine and he helped me make it come to

see my grandmother’s beautiful face every day. I have

fruition. He is a huge part of the Velma’s Candy Store. My

several pictures of her back in the 1940s. My grandmother

job is very fulfilling and rewarding.”

was a hostess at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House for a while.”

The shop is located at 14 Short St., Lynchburg and welcomes customers every day. Learn more about Velma’s Candy Store by visiting www.velmascandy.com.

PAGE 14

EXPERIENCE TENNESSEE

MAY 2021

MAY EVENTS 01

SPRING IN THE HOLLOW - LYNCHBURG

01

COLUMBIA ARTS MARKET - COLUMBIA

01

LIVE MUSIC W/ YONDER GROVE - COLUMBIA

03

FREE DAY TOUR @ THE ATHENAEUM - COLUMBIA

05

12 ANNUAL BUTTERFLY 5K - WAYNESBORO

14-15

CONCERTS ON THE FARM W/ JASON ALDEAN MANCHESTER

15

WAYNE CO. "CAR-B-QUE" - WAYNESBORO

15

MISS FRANKLIN CO. BEAUTY PAGEANT - WINCHESTER

15

MUSIC IN THE PARK W/JIMMY MOSER - COLLINWOOD

19

SHELBY LEE LOWE @ VANH DY'S - COLUMBIA

22

ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT - CLIFTON

28

CONCERTS ON THE FARM W/ BILLY STRINGS MANCHESTER

28-29

MAURY COUNTY MULEFEST - COLUMBIA

29

GILES COUNTY TRAIL OF TEARS SPRING FEST - PULASKI

29

CONCERTS ON THE FARM W/JON PARDI - MANCHESTER

29

BELL BUCKLE CAR CACHE AND PIG PICK - BELL BUCKLE

31

MEMORIAL DAY IN LYNCHBURG - LYNCHBURG

COME PLAY IN NASHVILLE'S BIG BACKYARD; PLAN A TRIP TO THE PINEY RIVER RESORT Photo courtesy of Piney River Resort Located on the banks of the beautiful Piney River, Piney River Resort is a family-friendly RV camping paradise just 15 miles from Centerville, TN, and only 50 miles from downtown Nashville, TN. Piney River Resort is a vacation spot itself with 46 riverfront RV sites with pavilions, tiny home rentals, community bonfire areas, and individual fire pits. Choose from concrete, gravel, or grass pad sites with easy hookups and immediate access to the Piney River.

From your spot on the river, you can kayak, fish, or just lounge in the sun! Stay connected to others and make sure your river selfies go through with free broadband wifi!

Should you find yourself getting an itch to explore the surrounding area, you’ll find the Johnny Cash farm and museum a few miles away. Within thirty minutes of the resort, you can visit Grinder's Switch Winery for a relaxed afternoon or choose a little more adventure along the hiking trails at Montgomery Bell State Park or Bowie Nature Park.

Start making your Spring and Summer vacation plans now in Nashville’s Big Back Yard! https://pineyriverresort.com/https://www.nashvillesbigbackyard.org/centerville

Nashville's Big Back Yard is a natural watershed region anchored by 100 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway and made up of 12 connected communities with populations under 5,000 people.

Come for a visit or live a lifetime with us.

Photo by Meghan Aileen Co

THE STORY OF CARL'S MUSIC STUDIO IN WAYNESBORO, TN In 1981 Carl Griggs was looking for a change in life. His family members owned the local jewelry store on the “square” in Waynesboro, and they were retiring. Taking a leap of faith, Carl decided to resign from his factory job, and buy Hodges Jewelry. Mr. Griggs made a good living for several years, but like many chapters, he was ready to close this one and pursue his passion in music.

Carl always loved music. When he was little, his family never played instruments. That didn’t keep him from learning how to play. At a craft show in Hohenwald, he witnessed a man from Memphis playing the dulcimer. There it was! This is what he wanted to pour his devotion into. Carl went down to the local library and had the librarian order the instrument for him.

Once he got it home, he played until his fingers hurt, eventually mastering the strings and rhythms. Then he learned the violin (which is his favorite) along with the piano, guitar, and ukulele.

In 2005 Carl closed Hodges Jewelry Store and opened what is now Carl’s Music Studio on the square. Inside you will find many instruments for sale and Carl teaching the art of music to future generations of music lovers.

Stop in sometime and hear Carl’s story and the rich history of Wayne County from a life-long resident in Nashville’s Big Back Yard.

Wayne County Tennessee Chamber https://www.nashvillesbigbackyard.org/waynesboro

PAGE 16

EXPERIENCE TULLAHOMA

Whether you are heading to visit Jack Daniels, looking for a weekend getaway at Tim’s Ford State Park, or hitting the back roads to see George Dickel at the Cascade Hollow Distilling company, a day in Tullahoma is worth adding to your itinerary.

The community has made navigating dining, shopping, and lodging easy with the launch of the all-new ExperienceTullahoma.com. You can also check out local destinations, and regional trips and trails along the way.

Downtown Tullahoma features amazing shopping and dining options like local staples The Sundrop Shoppe, Daddy Billy’s, London’s, and Spinelli’s Pizza. Just a couple miles away from the downtown area you will find Ole Shed Brewing Company.

If you are interested in aviation and history make sure you pay a visit to the Beechcraft Heritage Museum and cap it off with a hike at the Short Springs Natural Area or Rutledge Falls.

Like we said, no matter which direction you are headed, a stay in Tullahoma is an easy way to add some fun to the trip.

TOP TEN NATURE-INFUSED REASONS TO COME AND PLAY IN NASHVILLE'S BIG BACK YARD LEIPERS FORK, Tenn., April 27, 2021 - Nashville's Big Back Yard is a natural watershed area south of Music City ready to be explored. This giant playground features scenic vistas, rivers, streams, parks and natural areas. Anchored by 100 miles of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, Nashville's Big Back Yard is made up of 12 connected small towns and The Shoals region of North Alabama. Here are the top ten reasons to come and play in our Big Back Yard.

1. Bike the Natchez Trace Parkway It's a bucket list item for all bikers, whether powered by two legs or on your free-wheeling motorized ride. The National Park Service has designated the entire 444 miles of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, one of America's oldest roads, as a bicycle route. With light automotive traffic, no commercial traffic, 50 MPH speed limit, and no stop signs or intersections, bikers can relax and enjoy an exceptionally scenic roadway. https://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm 2. Kayak, Canoe or Float the Buffalo River The Buffalo River in Perry County, TN offers a 37-mile Class I scenic water trail through nature. This ride, whether kayaking, canoeing or innertube floating, offers water relaxation as easy as Sunday morning, no matter what day you experience the trip. https://www.commodorehotellinden.com/commodore-river-adventures 3. Visit The Natural Bridge The Natural Bridge near Waynesboro, TN is the only known double-span natural bridge formation in the world. Formed over millions of years, it is a singularly unique and amazing landmark that can add a special, memorable touch to your visit. The bridge is located on the Tennessee Fitness Spa grounds. https://www.tennesseefitnessspa.com/tfs-gallery/natural-bridge

4. Take A Hike The TVA Muscle Shoals Trails Complex is home to a vintage restored railroad bridge over glistening water, a natural waterfall, and over 11 miles of foot trails. It is one of the most scenic settings in the Tennessee River Valley with wildflowers, bird watching, campsites, and natural woods. https://www.tva.com/environment/recreation/tva-trails The 2.7-mile Lady's Bluff Loop Trail in Perry County, TN, a designated National Recreational Trail, leads visitors to the top of a majestic limestone bluff offering far-reaching views across the Tennessee River. The moderately strenuous trail climbs through a mixed hardwood forest. https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/entries/ladys-bluff-small-wild-area-andtrail/0dd7dba5-5a7b-47c4-9ae2-cd06631ea825 5. Golf the Robert Trent Jones Trail in North Alabama The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals is home to two 18-hole championship courses and lies between the Wheeler and Wilson dams on the Tennessee River. This course was the first on the RTJ Trail to break 8,000 yards. https://www.rtjgolf.com/theshoals/ 6. Fish Wilson Lake or The Tennessee River At 15,500 acres, Wilson Lake is small by comparison to other Tennessee Valley Authority lakes along the Tennessee River, but it is fierce when it comes to fishing. Largemouth bass weighing more than seven pounds, smallmouth bass in excess of five pounds and blue catfish that tip the scales at more than 50 pounds are frequently caught on Wilson Lake. https://colbertcountytourism.org/see-do/fishing.html Clifton, Tennessee is nestled along the Tennessee River with an estimated 320 species of fish. The Clifton Marina provides full access to amenities for Tennessee River fishermen, boaters and RV campers, including shoreline RV campsites. https://www.cliftonmarina.com 7. Explore David Crockett and Joe Wheeler State Parks David Crockett State Park, named for Tennessee's famous native son and American hero, is located in Lawrenceburg, TN. The park features paddling, biking, hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, boating. https://tnstateparks.com/parks/activities/david-crockett Joe Wheeler State Park, located on Wheeler Lake in The Shoals of Alabama, offers something for everyone; a resort lodge, a restaurant, cabins, camping, fishing, golf, tennis, swimming, convention/banquet facilities, transient slips and a marina. https://www.alapark.com/parks/joe-wheeler-state-park

8. Mountain Bike Mousetail Landing State Park Mousetail Landing State Park is 1247 acres on the east banks of the Tennessee River in Perry County, TN. A series of mountain bike trails weave through a hilly section of the park. Very steep climbs and great downhills make this system of trails a must ride. https://tnstateparks.com/parks/mousetail-landing 9. Visit Fall Hollow Falls in Hohenwald Fall Hollow is one of two waterfalls along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Almost immediately after leaving your vehicle you can hear the water descending over the twenty-foot drop making Fall Hollow waterfall. If you continue down this short trail you will come to a viewing platform that views the 20-foot waterfall. https://www.nps.gov/places/fall-hollow-waterfall.htm 10. Cruise Wheeler Lake Wheeler Lake Scenic Cruises offer guided lake cruises to the public and to private groups along the scenic coves and bluffs of Joe Wheeler State Park, the spectacular lower section of Wheeler Lake, and Lake Wilson. http://www.scenicwheelerlake.com SOURCE Nashville’s Big Back Yard

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AMERICAN MULE AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL LOADS THE WAGON WITH CHARITIES By: Elena Cawley

Photo Credit: Rebecca Sharp, Sharp Images

Fiddle and banjo players will team up with artisans and food vendors to create an atmosphere of fun and harmony at the inaugural American Mule and Bluegrass Festival. Put on your dancing shoes and prepare to sing along with Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, the most decorated bluegrass band. Uncle Shuffelo and His Haint Hollow Hootenanny, Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, The Grasskickers, The Borrowed Mules, and Brush Arbor Revival will join Rhonda Vincent and The Rage to bring melodies and joy.

One of the main goals of the event will be educating visitors about the history and value of mules, according to Marty Ray Gordon, organizer of the festival.

Photo Credit: Barr Studios

The American Mule and Bluegrass Festival will welcome visitors to the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville, Sept. 13-18. The festival will feature various events, including bluegrass concerts; crafts fair; mule show, mule clinics, mule logging competition and mule demonstrations; square dancing and cloggers; a wagon train; chuckwagon cooking; Pickers Alley with a stage, where pickers and bands will showcase their musical talents.

Gordon decided to launch the initiative a few months ago. A team of supporters joined Gordon to create an event aiming to unite the community and help charities.

“I had been sitting around, looking at the news, frustrated with all the stuff that’s been going on, and that wasn’t helping anyone,” Gordon said. “I decided to do something to help somebody.”

Gordon decided to create a fun festival and provide funds for worthy causes. He wanted to entertain visitors and educate them about mules.

“We have mules, we raise mules, and we train mules,” Gordon said. “My wife and I show mules.”

His appreciation for mules began in his childhood when he spent time with his grandfather, Ray Tenpenny, who was a legendary walking horse trainer, said Gordon.

“I was raised with mules,” Gordon said. “My grandfather was born in 1908, and he always had good mules. I used to work with him in the field. When I was a young man, he told me most people underestimate the value of a good mule.”

One day, when they worked on the field, Gordon’s grandfather said, “You will find out about the value of a mule today.”

“When you work and you have a good mule, it makes things easier,” Gordon said. “My grandfather raised six kids during the depression with a good mule. He always thought people didn’t recognize how much mules helped.”

His grandfather, who is listed in the Walking Horse Hall of Fame, was one of the pioneers creating the walking horse industry, said Gordon.

Gordon inherited determination and dedication from his grandfather and uses these qualities to aid organizations in need. The American Mule and Bluegrass Festival will provide entertainment with the goal to raise funds.

“We decided to include bluegrass to get people to come and listen to music,” Gordon said. “At the same time, we will educate people about mules. The mule has pulled people out of the Great Depression. The mule pulled us out of war – mules participated in every war we had. There’s no reason mules can’t help to provide funds for charities and help them get back on their feet. That’s what I’m trying to do – leverage the mule and give some entertainment through bluegrass and crafts. The mule, the bluegrass, and the crafts are all Americanmade. What the mules are going to be pulling for now is charity. In the past they plowed the dirt, put the seed in, pulled the loads. Now, we are loading the wagon with charities.”

The five charities the event will support are Shelbyville Soup Kitchen, the Boys and Girls Club of Bedford County, the Habitat for Humanity, the Center for Family Development of Shelbyville, and Horse Play of Coffee County.

“We will showcase the mule, the bluegrass and the crafts to support these organizations,” Gordon said.

One of the event’s highlights will be educating the youngest visitors. “We want to educate the youth and people who want to learn about mules and the equipment,” Gordon said. “We will have a learning center, where kids can become a junior mule skinner. They will learn how to hook mules up, about the parts of the harness and the implements that they pull.”

Children will have a chance to earn a mule skinner certificate.

“We will also have a petting zoo,” Gordon said.

Pickers Alley will provide opportunities for those who’d like to show their musical talents.

“Pickers Alley is going to be an area where we invite pickers to play on the barn porches,” Gordon said. “There will be dedicated porches where the pickers can play. And we will provide opportunities for them to pick on a stage outside.

We will have a stage outside and a stage inside the Calsonic Arena. We will have an award for the best picker.”

Visitors will have a chance to sign up for a drawing to win Angel, a 2-year-old mule.

“Angel will be given away the last night of the event, Saturday night,” Gordon said. “If you win her and don’t want to take her home, you can auction her off. And all the money will go to charity.”

Vendors will ensure visitors enjoy tasty meals and American craftsmanship.

“We expect to have food trucks so people can expect to eat good food,” Gordon said. “We have about 30 spots for vendors to display their handmade crafts.”

The event will offer camping, as well.

“We have 350 campsites available to rent, with electric and water, and nearly 2,000 stalls to rent,” Gordon said.

Visit the www.americanmuleandbluegrassfestival.com to purchase tickets and learn more about the festival.

Love Cupcakes? We do! Pie Sensations is your one-stop for all bakery needs. These Red Velvet, Butter Pecan, S’more, and Reece’s Peanut Butter and Chocolate options are just some of what we can do for you!

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with more to be announced soon!

New Dates: July 8-10 2021 Lynchburg, TN | LynchburgMusicFest.com

n i s u J o in

e e s s e n T en LET'S BE SOCIAL!

MANCHESTER - COFFEE COUNTY

CONFERENCE CENTER READY TO SERVE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT

Located in the heart of South Middle Tennessee, nestled between Nashville and Chattanooga, you find the city of Manchester.

The facility is also located ideally for multi-day events that allow patrons to explore a region full of history, hiking, waterfalls, breweries, wines, and spirits.

For outdoors the Conference Center is within five minutes from the Old Stone Fort State Park, and about 25 minutes from South Cumberland State Park and Tims Ford State Park, featuring amazing views, fantastic hiking trails, and beautiful waterfalls.

The Beans Creek Winery, Common John Brewing Company, and the Bonnaroo Farm are also just about 5 minutes from the campus and just 25 minutes away you will find the Jack Daniels, George Dickel, and Uncle Nearest Distilleries, as well as The Caverns Music Venue.

The town may be better known as the home of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, but the same logistic advantages that attracted the music giant are some of the same advantages your business or event can enjoy by hosting at the Manchester Coffee County Conference Center.

Manchester is also home to two golf courses and a state-ofthe-art recreation complex featuring several miles of greenways with a swimming park, and a short drive from Normandy Lake, Tim's Ford Lake, and Woods Reservoir.

Conveniently located off of Interstate-24 at Exit 114, the full service 13,000 square foot facility offers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to planning your next event or conference.

The Conference Center Campus features two on-site hotel options with plans to build two more. In all the city has over 1,500 room options, all conveniently located between I-24 exits 114 and 110.

With two large executive board rooms, a 4,600 sq ft. ballroom, a full-service kitchen, and a new outdoor venue, this facility is ready to severe your event be it a wedding, fundraiser, or corporate dinner.

For more information about booking your next event, call 931728-8283 or email Sales@MCCCC.com.

e e s s e n T en

s w e r B & , s e in Whiskey, W 9 Distilleries, 9 Wineries, 6 Breweries, and several specialty locations!