By Michelle Price
Special to the UCBJ
UPPER CUMBERLAND – Local events are starting to pop back up from community picnics to yard sales to Bluegrass in Liberty Square. You can go see the mules or take an herb walk. Whatever you want, you can find it across the U.C. this weekend. For a complete list of events statewide, visit tnvacation.com/calendar.
May 17-18
Middle Tennessee – Hunt for antique treasures on the 100-mile Hwy 52 Yard Sale with 800+ vendors, food and fun runs from Orlinda to just past Celina at the county line with stops in Portland, Westmoreland, Lafayette and Red Boiling Springs.
May 17
Baxter– Delmonaco Winery & Vineyards Open Mic night from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join us for our quarterly Open Mic Night! Whether you’re a singer, musician, comedian, poet, etc. Take advantage of this opportunity to try out new material, meet other like minded people, practice your performing skills and even get noticed!
Cookeville –Come out to Spankies for the Smokey Mount’n Bandits starting at 9:30 p.m.
Cookeville – Nashville Singer-Songwriter Roland Justice will be performing soulful rock and Americana at Red Silo from 8 – 10 p.m.
Cookeville – Tom Tippin Live at 37 Cedar from 8-11 p.m.
Cookeville– Enjoy the Smoky Nights Live at Char from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Livingston – Come out from 5 – 8 p.m. to the Community Picnic in the Park and community concert sponsored by First National Bank of Tennessee. Free food with music by the Tennessee Crossroads Band.
Sparta – Bluegrass on the Square kicks off the 2019 season as multiple bluegrass bands perform. In the event of rain, event moves to the Civic Center.
May 18
Cookeville– Catch Melissa Ellis at Red Silo from 8 – 10 p.m.
Cookeville –Come out to Spankies for AJ Carter & Friends starting at 9:30 p.m.
Smithville – Bring hiking boots for an introduction in backyard foraging during the Herb Walk 1-3 p.m. at Bright Hill Bed & Barn. The experience includes complimentary taste teas, light lunch, artisan cakes and gluten-free treats.
Sparta – Come out to Liberty Square for a night in the 50’s with classic cars and live music at the 2019 Sonic Cruise In.
Woodbury– Annual Mule Show presented by the Tennessee Mule Skinners Association. Contact 615-624-1708 for more information.
May 20 – 21
Cookeville – Cookeville will serve for the 6th year as an overnight stop for Run for the Wall, a veteran’s motorcycle event with riders gathering in California and riding cross-country to Arlington National Cemetery. More information available on Cookeville’s website visitcookevilletn.com
May 23 – 26
Rickman – Enjoy theJammin’ at Hippie Jack’s Outreach Appalachia, Americana Music & Art Festival. Three days packed full of original American music, family-friendly activities and more! For tickets and campsite reservations visit the website at jamminathippiejacks.com
May 24
Cookeville– Enjoy the Smoky Nights Live at Char from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Cookeville – Billy Mac will rock the house at Spankies from 9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
May 25
Granville – Heritage Day with Antique Car Show & Uncle Jimmy Thompson Bluegrass Festival
Livingston – The Spring into Summer Music and Arts Festival will be held at the Central Park from 12 – 8 p.m. with live music, craft vendors, food and free kids activities.
Smithville – Center Hill Business Association Summer Kickoff Party invites you to join them for the First Annual Summer Kickoff Block Party on West Main Street in Downtown Smithville. Freeevent with live music, booths vendors, and fun for kids. Businesses staying open late!
Ongoing
Crossville – Bright Star is inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated bluegrass and Gospel enthused score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. Show runs April 26 – June 6. Times and ticket information available here.
Crossville – Forever Plaid is a guaranteed smash, with a program of beloved songs and delightful patter that keeps the audience laughing hysterically when they’re not humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the 1950’s. Show runs March 29 – May 24. Times and ticket information available here.
For more information, contact Ruth Dyal, executive director for the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association, at 931-537-6347 or by email at uctourism@gmail.com.