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New Details Released on Nate Bargatze’s Planned Nashville-Area Theme Park

Issue #733

May 21, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌧️ Columbia’s Friday Weather - Showers, possible morning thunderstorm w/ high of 74, low of 66

🎢 New Details Released on Nate Bargatze’s Planned Nashville-Area Theme Park

🏐 New Small Servers Volleyball Program for Ages 4-7 Starts in June

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

New Details Released on Nate Bargatze’s Planned Nashville-Area Theme Park

Nateland concept render by Storyland Studios

A proposed family-friendly theme park tied to comedian and Nashville native Nate Bargatze is beginning to take shape, with new concept renderings offering a closer look at what “Nateland” could eventually bring to the Nashville area.

The project is being developed in partnership with Storyland Studios, a California-based entertainment design firm known for themed attractions and immersive experiences. Current plans call for a more than 100-acre destination featuring rides, live entertainment, stunt shows and interactive attractions spread across multiple themed sections.

Early concepts include a Tennessee-inspired area with a nostalgic 1990s-style mall entrance and a ride called “Donkey Dive,” along with a New York-themed section designed to resemble Times Square with street-style entertainment and interactive experiences. Developers say the park is still in the design phase, and details could continue to evolve as planning moves forward.

The estimated cost of the project is currently around $350 million. Developers say a site has already been selected somewhere within the Nashville metro area, though the exact location has not yet been announced publicly.

Bargatze worked at Opryland USA as a teenager and has spoken publicly in the past about wanting to see a major theme park return to Middle Tennessee. Developers say Nateland is meant to capture that same sense of family entertainment and hometown spirit while creating a new destination for the region.

New Small Servers Volleyball Program for Ages 4-7 Starts in June

Click for more info

If you've got a four to seven year old bouncing off the walls this summer, here's an option you might not have considered: volleyball.

Yes, really. Volleyball for 4 to 7 year olds.

Hustle Factory Volleyball Club is launching a six-week program called Small Servers starting in June, and it's designed specifically for kids who've never touched a volleyball before. Tim Cooper, the head coach, says they'll be using beach balls, balloons, and these really light balls called volley lights. The net is barely higher than a tennis net.

"The most fun about it is the energy of the kids," Tim says. "They get distracted really easily, they're asking so many questions, they want to stay active. A lot of times I say it's like trying to herd chickens or herd cats."

If you've ever watched a group of four year olds try to play soccer, you know exactly what he's talking about. Getting them to focus for five to ten minutes is a huge accomplishment. But they're also having a blast.

They're also learning motor skills, coordination and how to move their bodies safely. Their brains are like sponges at this age, so even simple movements like learning to jump or hit a ball over a net start building muscle memory that'll help them as they get older.

The program isn't really about playing actual volleyball. It's drills and fun games.

How many times can you push the ball over the net? Can you bring your elbow back and swing your arm forward? Stuff like that. And because it's only an hour long once a week for six weeks, it's not a huge commitment.

Parents will need to stay during the sessions since it's just Tim and Coach Taylor running the program. Both have background checks, and Tim has first aid and CPR certifications. Tim also has plenty of experience coaching and teaching kids of all ages, from kindergarten through high school. The sessions are indoors at Hustle Factory in Spring Hill (5191 Joe Peay Rd), and as a bonus, you might notice your kid is a little tired afterward, which is never a bad thing during summer break. 

The goal isn't to create elite volleyball players. It's to help kids fall in love with playing sports so they have confidence when they're older and want to try out for a team. Plus, they'll meet other kids from the area. Siblings can do it together. Friends can sign up as a group.

They're capping it at 20 kids, ideally keeping it closer to 15. Registration is open now for the June start.

If you're looking for something to keep your little one active and engaged this summer, this might be worth a shot!

June 10 - July 15
Wednesdays 10-11 AM
Girls and Boys welcome!

Learn more about the Hustle Factory Volleyball Club and follow them here or here.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Friday, May 22nd

Saturday, May 23rd

Sunday, May 24th

Monday, May 25th Memorial Day

Tuesday

👇 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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