Who Makes Columbia's Best Fruit Tea? We're About to Find Out

Issue #780

July 27, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Tuesday Weather - Partly cloudy, hot & humid w/ high of 95, low of 71

👉 Who Makes Columbia's Best Fruit Tea? We're About to Find Out

🚒 MCFD Responds to Nearly-Finished Home Fire

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Who Makes Columbia's Best Fruit Tea? We're About to Find Out

For the first time ever, Columbia is searching for the recipe that will earn the title of Best Fruit Tea in Columbia, Tennessee. On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Columbia Main Street invites the community to battle it out in the Fruit Tea Challenge at the community-wide Fruit Teaser event.

Restaurants, businesses, churches, caterers, nonprofit organizations, civic clubs, and individuals with “secret” recipes passed down through generations are invited to compete for the title. Teams must register at here by September 1. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

At the event, each competitor will provide approximately 10 gallons of homemade fruit tea to serve during the ticketed tasting. Guests will sample each recipe and vote for their favorite, while a panel of judges will also select a winner.

Two champions will be crowned:

• “The People's Pour” – Community Choice
• “The Golden Glass Award” – Judges' Choice

Both winners will earn community titles of Columbia's Best Fruit Tea, receive special recognition from Columbia Main Street’s social media, and be featured in an official press release announcing their winning recipe.

Want to taste them all? Fruit Tea Tasting Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased in advance here or at the event. Guests who pre-purchase their tasting ticket will receive a FREE collectible Fruit Tea cup while supplies last.

To learn more about the Fruit Teaser event and other Columbia Main Street programs and events, visit ColumbiaMainStreet.com or follow Columbia Main Street on Facebook or Instagram.

MCFD Responds to Nearly-Finished Home Fire

Click the image to see many more photos

From Maury County Fire Department’s post…

On Saturday, 7/25 @ 07:16am, MCFD was dispatched to the Bethel Community for a reported structure fire. The home was under construction and almost complete. Workers arriving found smoke coming from the home. 

Responding units: Engines 21, 31, Tankers 21, 23, 30, & 32, Brush 21, 26, 29, & 32, District 31, Safety 20, Ops 20, Support 20, and Deputy 20. 

District 31 arrived and found a working fire and attempted an offensive fire attack with the crew from Engine 31. As they entered the door and sounded the floor it began to give way. Members backed out and transitioned to a defensive fire attack. Units worked tirelessly for several hours to bring the fire under control and perform overhaul operations. 

We would like to commend the efforts of our tanker drivers on this fire. The home was approximately 1 mile off the roadway and had several challenging areas for them to overcome. Their skill kept our firefighters with water throughout the incident. 

Special thanks to Maury County Office Of Emergency Management as well for additional rehab supplies!

Upcoming Local Events

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

Monday, July 27th

Tuesday, July 28th

Wednesday, July 29th

Thursday, July 30th

Friday, July 31st TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Saturday, August 1st TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Sunday, August 2nd TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, July 28
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6-9 PM

Thursday, July 30
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM
A Night of Worship - The Mulehouse, 6:30 PM

Friday, July 31
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Nick Bentley - Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Herrick Duo - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Saturday, August 1
Brittany McGee - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Trace Vineyard, 12-6 PM
Phillips Music - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6-8 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Radio Farm - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Vinyl Radio - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Nkahootz - The Boondox, 8 PM
Vintage Voltage - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, August 2
Maddie Rose - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
Greg Minear - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2-5 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk