Columbia’s Fruit Teaser to Crown the Best Fruit Tea in Town

Issue #815

September 12, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛅️ Columbia’s Saturday Weather - Mostly cloudy w/ high of 87, low of 68

👉 Columbia’s Fruit Teaser to Crown the Best Fruit Tea in Town

⛳️ Wacky Putt-Putt Contest Set for Sept. 19 to Benefit Veterans, Scholarship Fund

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

✨ Read This Week’s Local Spotlight 👉 Columbia's Best Kept Networking Secret Meets Every Tuesday at 9 A.M.

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia’s Fruit Teaser to Crown the Best Fruit Tea in Town

Columbia Main Street will host the Fruit Teaser a one-time-only community celebration to recognize a drink deeply connected to Columbia while celebrating the proclamation of Columbia, Tennessee as the “Fruit Tea Capital of the World” and “Fruit Tea as the official drink of Columbia”, today from 3–8 p.m. in Downtown Columbia's Maury County Parking Lot (707 Woodland Street).

At the heart of the event is the $5 Fruit Tea Tasting, allowing guests to sample more than a dozen different Fruit Teas prepared by restaurants, caterers, and local businesses. Attendees will vote for their favorite Fruit Tea, while a separate panel of judges will select its favorite. Tickets are for sale at the event (cash/card). Attendees who pre-purchase a ticket on online are guaranteed a 16oz Fruit Tea collectible cup. 

The friendly competition continues with an adult Fruit Tea Chugging Competition, where one contestant will walk away with $100 and the title of Fruit Tea King or Queen. Columbia’s younger generation is getting involved through the Youth Fruit Tea Poetry Competition, with cash prizes awarded to the top three poems.

The Main Stage will feature three local performances throughout the afternoon. Laci, winner of Columbia Parks & Recreation’s Battle of the Bands, kicks off the music at 3:15 p.m., followed by Columbia youth band Speed Trap at 4:30 p.m. and David Rondoni at 6:30 p.m.

Local artist Susan Jones will also create a Fruit Tea-inspired painting live during the event, allowing guests to watch the artwork take shape throughout the afternoon before seeing the finished piece.

For families, the Game & Learning Zone will offer yard games, chalk art, temporary Fruit Tea tattoos and face painting provided by Junior Main Street volunteers. An interactive Fruit Tea learning area will take visitors through the story of how the water from the Duck River ultimately makes its way into the Fruit Tea served in our homes. Guests of all ages can also help complete large Fruit Tea-themed coloring posters, turning the educational area into a collaborative community art project.

Fruit Tea will even make its way into the event’s shopping experience. Specialty craft and bakery vendors will offer Fruit Tea-inspired products, flavors, scents and treats, while food and dessert trucks will serve additional menu options throughout the afternoon.

The celebration will include two proclamation readings from the City of Columbia recognizing Columbia’s Fruit Tea identity. The event will build toward its finale on the Main Stage with the Fruit Tea Awards, when Columbia will find out which competitors have officially earned bragging rights for having the Best Fruit Tea in Columbia, Tennessee.

The Fruit Teaser is hosted by Columbia Main Street with support from City of Columbia, Visit Columbia, TN, Tennessee Valley Authority, Renewal by Andersen, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury, State Farm – JennaLynn Drake, Agent, and Bostelman Automotive Group.

Fruit Teaser | Saturday, September 12 | 3–8 p.m | Downtown Columbia’s Maury County Parking Lot | 707 Woodland Street

Event information and Fruit Tea Tasting details are available here. 

Wacky Putt-Putt Contest Set for Sept. 19 to Benefit Veterans, Scholarship Fund

The Marine Corps League's Lance Corporal Andrew P. Carpenter Detachment 1286 is hosting a Wacky Putt-Putt Contest on September 19 at Tenn Pin Alley. Proceeds from the event will support local veterans and their 2027 scholarship program.

Entry is a $40 donation per player, and registration must be completed online, no later than September 17. Walk-up or in-person sign-ups are not being accepted.

Sign-in starts at 7:15 a.m. on the day of the event, with play beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Prizes will be awarded for low score, along with 1st place ($150), 2nd place ($100) and 3rd place ($75). Tenn Pin Alley Café will offer discount drinks and breakfast sandwiches for players during the event.

Families are welcome. Players under 18 need a guardian's signature on the registration form, and players under 15 must have a guardian present and playing alongside them.

Grab a few friends or make it a family morning out, all while helping raise money for local veterans and their 2027 scholarship program.

VidAngel’s Labor Day Sale, use code: Deeper

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, September 12th

Sunday, September 13th

Monday, September 14th 

Tuesday, September 15th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, September 12
No Capes Music Festival - Marco's Pizza, 1-10 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 2-5 PM
Grasskickers - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Beatles 4 Sale - McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Kit Bulla - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
The Bandana Brothers - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Downsouth Band - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
US Country - The Boondox, 8-11 PM
Chief Smiley Ricks - Twisted Copper Brewing Co., 8:30 PM

Sunday, September 13
The Sins - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
A Night of Worship - The Mulehouse, 6:30 PM

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