Mark Your Calendar: Tennessee's Tax-Free Weekend Begins July 31

Issue #775

July 20, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Tuesday Weather - Sunshine & clouds mixed w/ high of 94, low of 74

👉 Mark Your Calendar: Tennessee's Tax-Free Weekend Begins July 31

🚒 Maury County Fire Calls Have Nearly Tripled Since 2020

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Mark Your Calendar: Tennessee's Tax-Free Weekend Begins July 31

If you're getting ready for back-to-school shopping, you may want to hold off for a few more weeks.

Tennessee's annual Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 2. During the three-day event, shoppers can purchase many back-to-school essentials without paying state or local sales tax, saving nearly 10% on qualifying purchases.

The tax holiday covers clothing priced at $100 or less per item, school and art supplies costing $100 or less per item, and computers or tablets for personal use priced at $1,500 or less. The savings apply whether you shop in stores or online, as long as the items qualify.

Some of the most common eligible items include shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, backpacks, binders, notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, crayons, calculators, art supplies, laptops and tablets.

Not everything is included, however. Items such as jewelry, handbags, sports and recreational equipment, printer supplies, separately purchased computer software, household appliances, and any otherwise eligible item priced above the purchase limits will still be taxed.

Tennessee launched its first tax-free weekend in 2006, and it has become a popular tradition for families looking to stretch their back-to-school budgets. With Tennessee's combined state and local sales tax averaging nearly 10%, the savings can add up quickly for families buying clothes, supplies and a new computer before school starts.

If you plan to take advantage of the tax holiday, it's a good idea to make your shopping list ahead of time so you'll know which purchases qualify before heading to the store or checking out online.

Visit the Department of Revenue’s sales tax holiday page, www.tntaxholiday.com,  for more information, including lists of exempt and taxable items. If you have questions, you can also call 615-253-0600 or email [email protected].

👉 Don’t miss the ThritLove Sale! 👈 ThriftLove will be having their anniversary sale on the tax free weekend: July 31-August 1. Come celebrate 5 years serving Columbia and score yourself a deal! (1116 Nashville Hwy)

Maury County Fire Calls Have Nearly Tripled Since 2020

The Maury County Fire Department is responding to far more emergencies than it was just a few years ago, and the department says keeping up is becoming increasingly difficult.

According to Deputy Chief Richie Schatz, the all-volunteer department responded to 878 calls in 2020. That number grew to 2,209 calls last year, and firefighters have already answered more than 1,300 calls in the first half of 2026. The department covers more than 90% of Maury County and responds to everything from house fires and vehicle crashes to unusual rescue calls.

While call volume continues to rise, volunteer numbers have remained largely unchanged. Department leaders are exploring solutions that include a new fire station, additional full-time staff, and continued recruitment efforts. If you're interested in learning more about the challenges facing the department and its plans for the future, read Main Street Maury's full article.

To volunteer with the Maury County Fire Department, submit an interest form here.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Monday, July 20th

Tuesday, July 21st

Wednesday, July 22nd

Thursday, July 23rd

Friday, July 24th 

Saturday, July 25th

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, July 21
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6-9 PM

Thursday, July 23
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM

Friday, July 24
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Jane & Jo - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
Open Mic - Grinder's Switch Winery, 6-8 PM
Music City Dueling Pianos - The Mulehouse, 7 PM
Kenny & Bob Acoustic Duo - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Saturday, July 25
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 12-6 PM
CrossBridges - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Sins Country - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5-9 PM
Def Leprechaun Band - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 6 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6-8 PM
The Velvet Troubadours (Music on the Porch Series) - Manor Hall, 216 Pleasant St, Mt Pleasant, 6-9 PM
Shannon & The Harpeth River Boys - McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Karli & James - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Nashville Yacht Club Band - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Vaughn Station Band - The Boondox, 8 PM
Downsouth Band - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, July 26
Maddie Rose - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
Parker & Joe - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2-5 PM

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