Spring 2024 Festival Lineup For Middle TN

Issue #045

02 Apr

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛈ Columbia Weather - Storm with high of 74

🚨 Severe Weather Outbreak Expected - Remain Weather Aware & Monitor Conditions - Be Sure to Have an Emergency Plan 🚨

🌻 Spring 2024 Festival Lineup For Middle TN

😞 The April 2 Midstate Classic is Cancelled

🚧 Mule Day Parade Route & Detour Map

😆 A Few Funny April Fool’s Social Media Posts!

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

Upcoming Local Events

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

April 3rd

April 4th

April 5th

April 6th

April 7th

April 11th

April 12th

Spring 2024 Festival Lineup For Middle TN

Credit: Tony Alter

There’s lots of good reasons to get out and enjoy yourself in the Middle Tennessee springtime!

Mule Day Festival: April 4-7

Columbia’s own festival kicks off the list! This year marks the 50th anniversary and thousands will come to enjoy the festivities at Maury County Park and lots of other events all over town. Attendees can enjoy the craft fair, dog show, mule races, food vendors, a bluegrass music fest and SO much more. See the full list of events here. For a list of other mule-themed events (April 5-6), click here for a previous issue. You can find other important information on the Mule Day Facebook page.

Monterey Banana Pudding Festival: April 6

Downtown Monterey hosts the annual Banana Pudding Festival on Saturday, April 6. This outdoor event features food trucks, vintage goods vendors, a petting zoo, and live music entertainment. Those interested in the "Puddin' Path" tasting experience should bring $5. The first place winner from the tasting will claim a $1,000 cash prize! Find more information here.

Nashville Comedy Fest: April 12-21

The funniest week in Nashville 🤣 - The Nashville Comedy Festival is celebrating a decade of comedy. Catch acts like Bert Kreischer, Leanne Morgan, Tom Segura, Jeff Dunham, Deon Cole, The State, Kid Rock’s Comedy Jam, Lewis Black, Dusty Slay and many more all at different venues around the city. See the full lineup here.

Tennessee Tulip Festival: Now – April 14

Don't miss your chance to visit Tennessee's largest pick-your-own tulip farm before spring ends! The Tennessee Tulip Festival at Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville offers a once-a-year opportunity. Farmer Ladd and crew planted an incredible 700,000 tulip bulbs showcasing over 100 varieties. Wander through vibrant fields and pick your own gorgeous bouquet straight from the source. This spectacular floral event is a must for nature lovers and those seeking a unique spring experience. Find more info and purchase tickets here.

Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival: April 13

On April 13th, Music City invites you to embrace the spirit of spring and dive into Japanese culture at the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival. Taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Public Square Park, the event promises a vibrant array of activities. From martial arts demonstrations and a Cosplay contest to live music and sumo suit wrestling, there's something for everyone. Additionally, indulge in a culinary journey with a "Taste of Japan," featuring various food vendors offering delectable Japanese cuisine. Find more info here.

East Nashville Beer Festival: April 13

Experience over 1,000 distinct beers at Nashville's premier beer celebration! Since its inception in 2011, the East Nashville Beer Festival has been a highlight for beer enthusiasts. Organizers are dedicated to curating the finest craft brews for Music City while supporting various non-profit organizations. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 13, to join in the festivities!

24th Annual Historic Nolensville Buttercup Festival: April 14

Nolensville welcomes spring with the annual Buttercup Festival! This vibrant event offers live music from up to seven performers, delicious food options, vendor booths to explore, and a beauty pageant. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Evelyn Bennet scholarship fund as well as local charities.

83rd Annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival: May 10 – 11

Located in Portland, TN, opening day will feature fireworks and the “Strawberry Jam” concert. The main festival day be Saturday, May 11 and will include more than 200 vendors, multiple music stages, a parade and more. To learn more about the events and vendors, visit the festival’s website.

The April 2 Midstate Classic is Cancelled 😞

The Midstate Classic, scheduled for April 2nd, has been cancelled due to a severe weather forecast. The City will refund all ticket purchases for the games.

"We have been closely monitoring the National Weather forecast projections the last several days. The forecast has consistently predicted thunderstorms and high winds throughout April 2nd.", stated City Manager Tony Massey. Massey went on to say, "We really hate to cancel the softball games. However, it's unlikely any of the games, including Tennessee vs. Memphis, would be played. Player safety and fan safety always come first. On a positive note, Tennessee has agreed to participate in the Midstate Classic again next year to play Eastern Kentucky University. The tentative date will be March 18th, 2025."

For questions, please contact the City Parks and Recreation Department at 931-388-8119.

Mule Day Parade Route & Detour Map

“A reminder that the 2024 Mule Day Parade is this coming weekend! Check out the parade route/detour map and the below information regarding road closures on Saturday, April 6th. 

The Mule Day Parade will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 6th, and run its normal route. The parade starts at the intersection of Carmack Blvd. & South Main Street and travels north until it reaches West 7th Street. At West 7th Street, the parade turns left onto West 7th Street and travels westbound until it ends at Academy Lane.

The parade staging area runs southbound from Garden Street at West 8th Street to Carmack Blvd at Polk Street and will close at 9:00 am (on 04/06/24) and remain closed until after the parade.

The remainder of the parade route which runs to West 7th Street at Academy Lane will be closed beginning at 10:00 am (on 04/06/24) and will remain closed until after the parade.

Downtown traffic will be affected by this event beginning as early as 8:30 am. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, utilizing the detour map provided.”

Find all the information about Mule Day Week festivities at www.muleday.com.

A Few Funny April Fool’s Social Media Posts! 😆

Chris Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey had fun with a series of fake advertisements. 

Click to scroll through them all…

Lawrence County Unveils Plans for Amish Theme Park

The Lawrence County History Trivia facebook page had fun with this one. Read the full post here.

YouTuber Casey Neistat unveiled a “new product” from KFC…🤮