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Save the Date: Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Set for July 25–27 in Tennessee

Issue #501

July 20, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛅️ Columbia’s Weather - Partly to mostly cloudy, w/ high of 92, low of 74.

📰 Save the Date: Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Set for July 25–27 in Tennessee

📰 Duck River Conservancy Opposes Push to Revive Columbia Dam Project

📌 July 26: Fourth Annual Rebel Rouser Cruise-In

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 Today’s Live Music

👉 Your Guide to Summer Camps & Kids Activities in July! 

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

Save the Date: Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Set for July 25–27 in Tennessee

Back-to-school season just got a little more affordable for Tennessee families. The state’s annual sales tax holiday returns this summer, giving shoppers a chance to save on clothing, school supplies, and computers.

Tennessee's traditional sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025. (For reference, last year’s dates were July 26–28.) During this time, eligible items can be purchased tax-free, both in-store and online, as long as they’re for personal use and not for business or resale. Some restrictions apply, but it’s a great opportunity to stock up on essentials for the upcoming school year.

Here’s an overview of what kind of savings you can expect:

Clothing

Exempt: 

  • General apparel that costs $100 or less per item, such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc.

Not exempt:

  • Apparel items priced at more than $100

  • Items sold together, such as shoes, cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum

  • Items such as jewelry, handbags, or sports and recreational equipment

School Supplies

Exempt:

  • School and art supplies with a purchase price of $100 or less per item, such as binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers, and art supplies such as glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads, and artist paintbrushes

Not exempt:

  • School and art supplies individually priced at more than $100

  • Items that are normally sold together cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum

Computers

Exempt:

  • Computers for personal use with a purchase price of $1,500 or less

  • Laptop computers, if priced at $1,500 or less, also qualify as well as tablet computers

Not exempt: 

  • Storage media, like flash drives and compact discs

  • Individually purchased software

  • Printer supplies

  • Household appliances

Duck River Conservancy Opposes Push to Revive Columbia Dam Project

The Duck River Conservancy Board of Directors has formally announced its opposition to renewed efforts aimed at reviving the long-halted Columbia Dam project. The organization cited significant environmental risks to the Duck River, emphasizing concerns over biodiversity loss, water levels, and infrastructure inefficiencies.

Spanning 248 miles, the Duck River is recognized as one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America. It is home to more than 50 species of freshwater mussels and 151 species of fish, and it provides drinking water to around 250,000 residents in Middle Tennessee. The river also supports recreational activities for approximately 150,000 people each year.

The Conservancy warned that restarting the Columbia Dam project would threaten the river’s ecological balance and further reduce its flow, especially as the region continues to face historic drought conditions and increasing water withdrawals by local utilities.

Another point of contention is the inefficiency of water usage by some of these utilities. According to estimates referenced by the Conservancy, up to 40% of existing water supplies are lost due to leaking pipes and outdated infrastructure. Critics of the dam argue that instead of diverting more water from the river, utility companies should prioritize repairing and modernizing their systems to reduce waste.

Concerns from local landowners have also been raised, focusing on the potential negative impact of the dam on both the river's health and surrounding communities. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation has also voiced support in the past for protecting the Duck River from such development.

Ultimately, the Conservancy believes that future growth in the region must be balanced with the long-term health of the Duck River, warning that short-term water supply solutions could come at a permanent ecological cost.

July 26: Fourth Annual Rebel Rouser Cruise-In

Calling all classic cars, rat rods, projects, trucks, motorcycles, and even school buses!

Come to the 4rd Annual Rebel Rouser Cruise In at the National Confederate Museum in Columbia, Tennessee! Cruise in and have fun. (Car owners get a free tour of the museum.) Drinks, food, and other treats will be available for purchase.

The museum will be open for other guests as well. Historic Elm Springs, an Antebellum home on site, will be open for tours, too.

The cruise-in is free, but there is a fee for museum and home tours.

For more information about attending or bringing a food truck or merchandise, please call (931) 626-8368.

Saturday, July 26
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
2357 Park Plus Dr., Columbia

Upcoming Local Events

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

Sunday, July 20th

Monday, July 21st

Tuesday, July 22nd

Wednesday, July 23rd

  • Vet2Vet Meet Up at McCreary’s - 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Thursday, July 24th

MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

July 26: 4th Annual Rebel Rouser Cruise-in
Aug 1-9: Williamson County Fair
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 

🎵 Today’s Live Music

Sunday, July 20th

Jim Fox Trio, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Aaron Sizemore Band, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:00 PM 
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Reba’s Hairdo, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill 4:00 - 7:00 PM

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

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