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Baseball Hits Tennessee: Bristol Motor Speedway to Host 2025 MLB Speedway Classic

Issue #183

18 Aug

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌤 Columbia Weather - Mostly sunny with a high of 90

⚾️ Baseball Hits Tennessee: Bristol Motor Speedway to Host 2025 MLB Speedway Classic

📰 Sept. 5: Columbia Academy Lecture on the History & Architecture of the Columbia Arsenal 

⚾️ Today: Vintage Bare-Handed Baseball at Rippa Villa 

📌 Today: Charity Yard Sale to Benefit A Freedom Journey

🎵 Today’s Live Music

📣 We Want To Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

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

Upcoming Local Events

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

Sunday, August 18th

Monday, August 19th

Tuesday, August 20th

Wednesday, August 21st

Thursday, August 22nd

Friday, August 23rd

Saturday, August 24th

Baseball Hits Tennessee: Bristol Motor Speedway to Host 2025 MLB Speedway Classic

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced on August 9 that the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves will face off in a regular season game as part of the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025. This marks a historic milestone, being the first American or National League game ever played in Tennessee.

The event underscores Tennessee's reputation for hosting major national sporting events. Baseball, as a beloved American tradition, will now be part of the state's rich sporting history. The MLB Speedway Classic is expected to attract fans of both teams to Bristol while boosting economic growth and prosperity throughout Tennessee.

This game is the second event to benefit from the Special Event Fund, created to draw high-profile events that drive substantial economic impact, generate jobs, and showcase the state on a global scale. Established in 2022, the fund was allocated $25 million to support these initiatives. To qualify, events must create a direct economic impact exceeding $10 million and provide a net economic benefit of at least $1 million in state tax revenue.

Tennessee, known for its enthusiastic sports fans, will now welcome Major League Baseball to the state for the first time, offering an exciting opportunity for both residents and visitors. The event is expected to significantly benefit local businesses and communities, adding another landmark sporting event to Bristol Motor Speedway's impressive legacy.

A Major League Baseball field will be constructed within the track at Bristol Motor Speedway, which is one of the largest sports venues globally. The MLB Speedway Classic will feature various festivities, including musical performances, aligning with Bristol’s reputation as the birthplace of country music.

Major League Baseball officials are enthusiastic about bringing this special game to such a unique venue, with the Reds and Braves representing an exciting matchup given the proximity of their respective markets. The game will be celebrated by fans across the region and beyond, highlighting the area's rich traditions in sports, music, and community.

Tourism, as Tennessee’s second-largest industry, continues to be a vital contributor to the state's economic health. In 2023, Tennessee set a record with $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending, attracting 144 million visitors, according to Tourism Economics. Visitor spending also generated $3.2 billion in direct state and local tax revenues during the same year.

Sept. 5: Columbia Academy Lecture on the History & Architecture of the Columbia Arsenal

Columbia Academy will host an event detailing the history and architecture of the Columbia Arsenal and details found from the recently discovered blueprints housed at the National Archives in College Park, Md. 

The presentation will consist of a panel including: architect Justin Lowe of Centric Architecture, Columbia Academy President Dr. James A. Thomas, and me, County Archivist Tom Price. 

Built in 1890 by the United States Government, the 67-acre campus was an active military installation known as the Columbia Arsenal and originally consisted of 10 buildings, six of which remain today. The arsenal closed shortly after the Spanish-American War in 1901 and transitioned into Columbia Military Academy in 1904. In 1979, the academy was turned over to a board from local Churches of Christ as they established Columbia Academy, a now PreK-12th grade private Christian school. 

The lecture will take place in the Polk Hall (Upper School) Auditorium on Thursday, September 5th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. This free event is open to the public, and no tickets are necessary for admittance.

Today: Vintage Bare-Handed Baseball at Rippa Villa

Come one, come all to witness the final matches of vintage, bare handed base ball at Rippa Villa in 2024!

These matches are hosted by the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball. Established in 2012, the TAOVBB promotes living history by bringing the 19th century to life through base ball events that use the rules, equipment, costumes and culture of the 1860s.

There will be two matches on the 18th. The first hurl takes place at noon with the Quicksteps of Spring Hill facing our Williamson County friends, the Franklin Farriers, and the second starts at 2:30 where the Cumberland Club of Nashville will face the Lightfoot Club of Chattanooga.

All matches are free admission, and chairs, canopies, and coolers are welcome. We will also have a field setup for our little Quicksteps to play.

Today: Charity Yard Sale to Benefit A Freedom Journey

MASSIVE YARD SALE!!!! 

SAT AUG 17 & SUN AUG 18

7am-4pm both days 

Location: 1419 Hardison Rd, Columbia

100% of money raised goes directly to our rescue funds to help us continue changing the lives of neglected and unwanted dogs. If you aren’t familiar with our mission, please check out our website. We will have everything from clothes, household items, toys, tools, animal items… like a Walmart in my yard!! The way the sale works… nothing is priced (unless it is a big dollar item). Simply make a donation of your choice to AFJ and you can take whatever haul you want.

A Freedom Journey provides a safe place for severely neglected dogs where they can relax, get the vet care and training they need, have the best nourishment, and learn what it truly means to be a part of a family.

🎵 Today’s Live Music

Sunday, August 18th

The Sins, Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Cass Cwik & The Small Gas Engines, The Tilted Mule, 3 PM
Phoenix Rising, The Rebel, 4 PM
King Lazy Eye, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 5-8 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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