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Columbia Named Fruit Tea Capital of the World, With a Festival Now on the Way

Issue #817

September 15, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Wednesday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 95, low of 70

📰 Columbia Named Fruit Tea Capital of the World, With a Festival Now on the Way

👉 9/22: City of Columbia Mayoral Forum

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Columbia Named Fruit Tea Capital of the World, With a Festival Now on the Way

Visit Columbia has announced a new event on the calendar: the inaugural Fruit Tea Festival, set for June 26, 2027, at Riverwalk Park.

The festival is "designed to honor the tradition of fruit tea while creating a signature visitor experience" and aims to establish Columbia as the premier destination for fruit tea enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, organizers said. The group is using the tagline "Fruit Tea: Bringing People Together, One Pour at a Time" for the new event.

"The Fruit Tea Festival is being planned on a broader scale than many of Columbia's traditional community events," according to the press release. "Designed to draw visitors from across the region, plans include a notable lineup of live musical entertainment, an expansive selection of craft vendors, numerous food trucks, a fruit tea tasting competition, and more."

Visit Columbia said more details, including festival programming and announcements, will be shared over the coming months.

The announcement comes just days after Columbia's Fruit Teaser event on Saturday, where the city made things official: Columbia was proclaimed the "Fruit Tea Capital of the World," and fruit tea was named the official drink of Columbia, Tennessee. Mayor Chaz Molder helped deliver the proclamations.

The Fruit Teaser included a fruit tea competition, with Roll Up Columbia taking the Voters' Choice award and Linda Booker winning Judges' Choice for best fruit tea in Columbia.

A youth fruit tea poetry competition was also part of the day. Colton Compton, age 11, took first place for "Thy Wonderful Fruit Tea." Lillia Cuzmin, age 11, placed second with "Fruit Tea," and Caylee McNeely, age 16, placed third with "Tea and Me."

A young man named Mike was crowned the event's Fruit Tea Chugging Champion.

The event also featured the debut of an official Fruit Tea song written by Michael Farren. Artist Susan Jones created a live fruit tea portrait during the event, and Devan Thornhill brought screen-printing equipment so guests could make their own fruit tea merchandise on the spot. Three youth acts performed throughout the day: Laci, winner of Columbia's Battle of the Bands, along with Speed Trap and David Rondoni.

Columbia Main Street thanked its board and Junior Main Street volunteers for setup, staffing, and cleanup, along with Deon Blackiston, Kaliente Conway-Glenn, and four guest judges who took part in the competition.

With the city's new titles official and a full-scale festival now on the calendar for next June, Columbia's fruit tea celebration looks like it's just getting started.

Follow The Fruit Tea Festival on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date.

9/22: City of Columbia Mayoral Forum

Maury Alliance will be hosting a Columbia Mayoral Candidate Forum on Tuesday, September 22nd from 5:30-7:00 at the Cherry Theater of Columbia State Community College located at 1665 Hampshire Pike.

Mayoral Candidates include:

  • Timothy Johnson

  • Jolita Lipscomp

  • Stewart Parker

  • Eric Previti

  • Ashley Townsend   

The event will be moderated by Wil Evans, President & CEO, Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance.

Doors open at 5:00 PM, Event begins at 5:30 PM

Maury County Candidate Guide coming soon!

Early voting will take place October 14-29

November 3rd is Election Day.

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Upcoming Local Events

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

Wednesday, September 16th

Thursday, September 17th

Friday, September 18th

Saturday, September 19th

Sunday, September 20th

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, September 15
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6-9 PM

Thursday, September 17
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM
Steven Gary - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM

Friday, September 18
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Michael Forkuo - Buck & Board, 6-9 PM
Tom Saffell - McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Blue Ashes - Southern Bayou Kitchen, 7 PM
Don’t Tell Mom - The Bourbon Gospel (back patio), 7-10 PM
Jami Grooms - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM
The Howlin Embers - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Lorrie Morgan - The Mulehouse, 8 PM

Saturday, September 19
Troy Castellano - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 2-5 PM
Carson Phillips - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Open Mic - Grinder's Switch Winery, 3-7 PM
Jane Rose & The Deadends - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:30 PM
Sins Country - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5-9 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Everamarillo - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Pretty Grimm - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, September 20
Jim Fox Trio - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM

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