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Homestead Festival Brings Two Days of Music and Hands-On Learning to Columbia

Issue #732

May 20, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛈️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Rain, thunderstorms possible w/ high of 75, low of 65

👉 Homestead Festival Brings Two Days of Music and Hands-On Learning to Columbia

🛝 Harvey Park Set for Major Playground Upgrade Focused on Accessibility

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Homestead Festival Brings Two Days of Music and Hands-On Learning to Columbia

People travel from far and wide each year to attend The Homestead Festival, a unique weekend in Columbia centered around music, community, homesteading and simpler living.

Hosted by songwriter, author and musician Rory Feek on his 100-acre farm off Hardison Mill Road, the two-day festival blends live music, hands-on demonstrations, homesteading education and community gathering into a unique experience that has steadily grown into a destination event for Middle Tennessee. Feek is best known for his songwriting career and as one half of the Grammy-winning duo Joey + Rory.

The festival takes place June 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day at Rory’s farm at 4765 Hardison Mill Road. This year’s lineup includes performances by Lee Greenwood, The Isaacs and Rory Feek himself, along with presentations from nationally recognized speakers including Temple Grandin, Joel Salatin and Jill Winger.

Festival guests will have access to more than 25 speakers and workshops focused on topics ranging from gardening and sustainable living to food production and traditional skills. Demonstration areas will feature activities such as wood turning, leatherworking, sheep shearing and chicken butchering, while the Homestead Marketplace will include more than 200 vendors offering handmade goods, farm supplies, crafts, kitchen items and more.

Families are also a major focus of the event, with a dedicated “Lil’ Homesteaders” area featuring face painting, bounce houses, kid-friendly activities and vendors. Food trucks and vendors will be on site throughout the weekend, and live music performances will take place during the day and each evening.

Festival organizers describe the event as more than just a weekend gathering, emphasizing connection, simpler living and practical skills at a time when many people are looking for a slower and more meaningful way of life.

General admission passes begin at $95, with children’s tickets available for ages 6-17. More information and ticket purchases are available here.

Harvey Park Set for Major Playground Upgrade Focused on Accessibility

Click to watch the News Channel 5 feature.

The City of Spring Hill is moving ahead with plans to completely renovate Harvey Park into a larger, fully accessible playground designed to better serve children and families of all abilities.

The effort has been championed by parks and recreation commissioner Mary Ann Lapenta, who became involved after recognizing the need for more inclusive play spaces in the community. The redesigned park will replace all existing playground equipment, expand the overall footprint and add fencing around the entire play area.

The upgraded playground will include a 13,760-square-foot play area with turf surfacing, 15 slides, 17 climbers, interactive sensory panels, musical instruments, multiple swing types and more than 100 feet of ramp access. Plans also feature shaded areas, wheelchair-accessible play equipment with movement features, toddler play sections, elevated activities accessible by transfer or ramp and both stationary and swinging benches.

City leaders have already contracted with a company for construction, with the project expected to receive final review in June.

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Upcoming Local Events

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

Thursday, May 21st

Friday, May 22nd

Saturday, May 23rd

Sunday, May 24th

Monday, May 25th Memorial Day

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, May 21

Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6–9 PM
Tommy Wheatley - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, May 22

Nick Black - Buck & Board, 6–8 PM
Open Mic - Grinder’s Switch, 7–9 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
John Ewbank Band - Twisted Copper, 7–10 PM
Songwriter Series - The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Pardon the Rebels - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
The Bandana Brothers - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Zone Status - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, May 23

The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 12–6 PM
Golden Soul Revue - Keg Springs Winery, 2–5 PM
Ben Daniel - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
Napier City Limits - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5–9 PM
J.T. & Friends - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
2Country4Nashville - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Scotty Morton Band - The Boondox, 8 PM

Sunday, May 24

Jim Fox Trio - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM
Memorial Day Acoustic Fest - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 12–7 PM

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