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Food, Family Fun and More: SunDrop Festival Returns to Pulaski on Saturday

Issue #746

June 09, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌥️ Columbia’s Wednesday Weather - Partly cloudy, shower/thunderstorm possible w/ high of 94, low of 72

👉 Food, Family Fun and More: SunDrop Festival Returns to Pulaski on Saturday

📰 July 9th: Maury County Mayoral Forum

🗓 List of Upcoming Events - Just Updated!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Food, Family Fun and More: SunDrop Festival Returns to Pulaski on Saturday

In Pulaski, SunDrop isn’t just a drink... it’s a tradition.

And this Saturday, that tradition will once again take over downtown Pulaski with one of Middle Tennessee’s most unique summer festivals.

Located just about 40 minutes from downtown Columbia, the SunDrop Festival has become a beloved annual event, celebrating the citrus soft drink that has been part of Pulaski’s identity for generations.

SunDrop's connection to the town runs deep. A local bottling company founded in the 1940s eventually grew into one of the brand’s most important distribution operations in the country. As demand for the soda exploded, SunDrop became the company's signature product, and today the Pulaski operation ranks among the top distributors by volume in the United States. Vintage bottles stamped “Pulaski, Tenn.” remain prized collectibles among fans.

That hometown pride comes to life each year during the SunDrop Festival, which transforms historic downtown Pulaski into a celebration filled with food, shopping, cars, contests and family fun. Organizers say the event will take place rain or shine.

Visitors will find more than 20 food vendors serving everything from barbecue and burgers to rolled ice cream, shaved ice, lemonade and red velvet funnel cakes. More than 80 artisan vendors will also be set up throughout the festival, offering handmade pottery, leather goods, jewelry, wooden toys, freeze-dried treats and plenty of SunDrop-inspired goodies.

Families can spend time in the Kids Zone, which will feature inflatables, mini golf, games, music, painting activities and pony rides. Indoor spaces with air conditioning, a quiet room, nursing and changing areas, and a community resource fair will also be available.

Car enthusiasts can enjoy the Antique Car Cruise-In, while Jeep and Bronco owners are invited to gather for the Sharp Motor Meetup on North First Street Saturday evening.

Several of the festival’s most entertaining traditions are also making a return.

WKSR’s famous SunDrop Chugging Contest will once again challenge participants to see who can finish a two-liter bottle the fastest. Register here if you’d like to compete! Another crowd favorite, the Milk Drop competition, features teams attempting to catch milk poured from the courthouse balcony using a bucket balanced on a teammate’s head.

Bakers will compete for the title of 2026 SunDrop Cake Champion, and NASCAR fans can get an up-close look at the SunDrop race car, which has become a festival tradition in its own right.

Whether you're there for the food, the cars, the contests or simply the small-town atmosphere, the SunDrop Festival offers a fun summer day trip that's just down the road.

July 9th: Maury County Mayoral Forum

Join Maury Alliance on July 9th at 5:30pm to hear from the two Maury County Mayoral candidates: Sheila Butt and Gabe Howard.

This moderated Q&A session with the candidates will give attendees an opportunity to learn more about each candidate and their vision for the future of Maury County. If you would like to submit a question for consideration, please send them to Alyssa at [email protected]. This event is open to the public and free to attend!

Doors open at 5pm, and the program will begin promptly at 5:30pm.

🏐 Only a few more days left to sign up! 🏐

Upcoming Local Events

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

Wednesday, June 10th

Thursday, June 11th

Friday, June 12th

Saturday, June 13th

Sunday, June 14th

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, June 11
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6–9 PM
A Night of Worship - The Mulehouse, 6:30 PM

Friday, June 12
Shannon McCue & The Harpeth River Boys - The Spot Burgers & Beer, 5–8 PM
Chad Cates & The Honky Tonk Heroes - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Escape - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, June 13
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 12–6 PM
Sean Carson - Keg Springs Winery, 2–5 PM
The Box of Rox - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6–8 PM
Neal Pennington - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Ethan Bott - Twisted Copper, 7–10 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Kaylyn Sahs - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Black Hole Sons - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Sunday, June 14
The Sins - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM
Parker & Joe - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 2–5 PM
Junkbox - Rebel Bar & Grill, 4–7 PM

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