Could Nashville Get Its Own Theme Park? Nate Bargatze Has Big Plans

Issue #559

September 17, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunny w/ High of 92, low of 59

🎡 Could Nashville Get Its Own Theme Park? Nate Bargatze Has Big Plans

📰 “We Just Can’t Keep Up”: The Well Outreach Urgently Seeks Monthly Donors to Feed Local Families

🗓 List of Upcoming Events
 
🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Could Nashville Get Its Own Theme Park? Nate Bargatze Has Big Plans

It’s not every day you hear about a comedian wanting to build a theme park. But then again, Nate Bargatze isn’t your typical comedian. The Nashville native has quietly become one of the biggest names in stand-up, and now he’s taking his success to an entirely new level with plans for Nateland — a family-friendly amusement park that could one day sit on 80 to 100 acres right here in Middle Tennessee.

While it’s still years away, Bargatze’s team has already started early discussions with state leaders and major backers. Nashville would serve as the flagship location, but smaller Nateland parks in other states may follow. The model starts simple, with stand-alone rides and attractions, but as Bargatze expands into movies and family-friendly shows, the door is wide open for future themed rides and experiences.

What makes this more than just a comedian’s pipe dream is the sheer scale of Bargatze’s success. Last year alone, his tour grossed over $80 million, making him the top-grossing comedian in the world — selling more tickets than Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, and Sebastian Maniscalco combined. His current “Big Dumb Eyes” tour is on pace to smash those numbers, selling out arenas and even adding matinee shows that allow families to enjoy comedy together. In other words, Bargatze has built an audience (and a business) that could actually sustain a project of this size.

For Nate, it’s always been about creating something bigger than himself. That’s why his company, also called Nateland, isn’t just about stand-up. They’re producing movies, podcasts, cruises, live showcases, and family-friendly specials. His first feature film, The Breadwinner, will hit theaters in early 2026, and more projects are already lined up. Each success adds momentum — and each one makes a Nashville theme park sound a little less far-fetched.

If Bargatze pulls it off, Nashville wouldn’t just have another attraction — it would have something truly unique: a homegrown theme park built by one of its own, designed to be as family-friendly, clean, and fun as the comedy that made him famous. Walt Disney once turned an unlikely idea into something that defined generations. Could Bargatze do something similar, right here in Tennessee? Time will tell, but the pieces are falling into place.

“We Just Can’t Keep Up”: The Well Outreach Urgently Seeks Monthly Donors to Feed Local Families

From The Well Outreach’s post today…

We NEED your HELP! 

The Well Outreach is facing 16% compounded growth in new families each month and is struggling to keep up with demand. 

Due to food and budget cuts and this growing need we’re in desperate need of community support at a different level than ever before. We just can’t keep up with the monthly need.

Would you and your family please consider supporting another family in need MONTHLY? Or 2 families? Or three?

For only $1/day or $30 a month YOUR family can feed another local family in need with a week’s groceries.

The Well Fed 700 more families this August than last August. We fed 2100 families total!!!

Our goal is to find  200 local family partners by SEPTEMBER 30th who will help us feed a portion of those families. 

Your MONTHLY support can help The Well keep up with the monthly serving numbers so we don’t have to turn anyone away. Please prayerfully consider helping us feed a local family in need for only $30 a month. 

Read more about the need in our community and the work of The Well Outreach here in our second issue of “WELL WATERS”. 

Thank you! And God Bless! 

Upcoming Local Events

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

Wednesday, September 17th

Thursday, September 18th

Friday, September 19th

Saturday, September 20th

Sunday, September 21st

MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!

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🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, September 18th

Rhonda Funk, Puckett’s, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Natasia Greycloud, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 – 9:00 PM

Friday, September 19th

Shannon McCue, The Spot: Burgers & Beers, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Josh Hastick, Buck & Board, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Don McKinnon, Grinder’s Switch Winery, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Austin Gray, Puckett’s, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
The Grove Trio, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Carter Elliot, Grazie Italian Eatery, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Downsouth Band, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 – 11:00 PM

Saturday, September 20th

Josh Shurden Music, Puckett’s, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3:00 – 7:00 PM
The Velvet Troubadours, Buck & Board, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Josh Hunt, Twisted Copper Brewing Company, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
The Nature Project, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Summer Series, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Troy Castelland, Puckett’s, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Hannah Clair, Grazie Italian Eatery, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Nkahootz, The Boondox, 8:00 PM
L’80s Night, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, September 21st

Jay Rin, Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1:00 - 5:00 PM

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