WestStar. West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide. Produced by WestStar Class of The University of Tennessee at Martin

Transcription

1 West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Produced by WestStar Class of 2008 UT Martin is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The University of Tennessee at Martin does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability or Vietnam veteran status in provision of educational opportunities or employment opportunities and benefits. UT Martin does not discriminate on the basis of gender or disability in the education programs and activities which it operates, pursuant to requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as codified in 42 U.S.C. 2000D; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Public Law ; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law ; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law ; and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. This policy extends to both employment by and admission to the university. Inquiries concerning Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity, 240 Gooch Hall, UT Martin, Martin, TN , Charges of violation of the above policy also should be directed to the Equity and Diversity Officer. R WestStar The University of Tennessee at Martin

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS COUNTY PAGE BENTON COUNTY Nathan Bedford State Park Spring Festival... 6 Bargain Highway 30 Mile Yard Sale... 6 Big Sandy Spring Festival... 6 Benton County Christmas Parade & Festival... 6 Big Sandy Waterfowl Festival/Duck Blind Drawing... 6 West Tennessee Old Time Fiddler's Championship & Bluegrass Jamboree... 6 Benton County Business and Healthcare Expo... 7 CARROLL COUNTY Hollow Rock Heritage Day... 7 McKenzie Hometown Christmas Celebration... 7 Huntingdon Heritage Festival... 7 Bruceton in May Festival... 8 Clarksburg Hummingbird Festival... 8 McLemoresville Cotton Festival... 8 CHESTER COUNTY Freed-Hardeman University's Makin' Music... 8 Chickasaw State Park Craft Show... 9 Chester County Lions Club Horse Show... 9 Chester County Air Show... 9 Chester County BBQ Festival... 9 Chickasaw State Park Craft Show... 9 Annual West Tennessee Children's Home Harvest Festival... 9 Lighting Chickasaw State Park... 9 CROCKETT COUNTY Fallfest... 9 West Tennessee Cotton Festival DYER COUNTY Red Cross Hometown Heroes Bluegrass Festival Dyer County Fair Newbern Fire Dept. Annual Street Dance International Washer Pitchin' Contest West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page i

3 COUNTY PAGE Newbern Depot Days Main Street Fall Festival Dyersburg Annual Christmas Parade Newbern Christmas Parade Memphis Symphony Christmas Concert FAYETTE COUNTY Fayette County Cotton Festival Ames Plantation Heritage Festival National Field Trial Championship Fayette County Truck and Tractor Home for the Holidays Oakland Community Christmas GIBSON COUNTY Doodle Soup Festival Dyer Station Celebration West Tennessee Strawberry Festival White Squirrel Festival No-Till Field Day Fourth of July Festival Davy Crockett Days Teapot Festival International Washer Pitchin' Festival Gibson County Fair HARDEMAN COUNTY Hardeman County Forest Festival Bolivar Home Tour HARDIN COUNTY Pickwick Sugar Festival Junior Auxiliary Bass Tournament Hunting for a Cure Annual Living History Demonstration Aqua Yacht Harbor/Jim Bennett Boat Show Pickwick Challenge Boat Races and Festival Savannah Lions Club Walking Horse Royal Youth Gospel and Country Music Nights Riverfront Bluegrass Festival West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page ii

4 COUNTY PAGE Fireworks Annual Buckin' on the River, PRCA Rodeo Tennessee River Darryl Worley's Tennessee River Run Saltillo River Day Tennessee BASS Federation State Tournament Farm Day National Catfish Derby World Championship Catfishing Annual Return in Shiloh BMW Rally Victorian Christmas Christmas in the Park HAYWOOD COUNTY Hatchie Fall Festival Stanton Farmers' Market HENDERSON COUNTY Henderson County Bass Anglers Invitational Tournament Antique Farm & Home Show Henderson County Folk Festival Battle of Parker's Crossroads Civil War Re-Enactment/ Living History and Chili Cook-Off Fourth of July Boat Parade Parker's Crossroads Annual Walking Horse Show National Championship Rodeo Annual Steer Wrestling Competition Antique Farm & Home Show Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee Biketoberfest HENRY COUNTY World's Biggest Fish Fry Puryear Day Arts and Crafts Festival "Eye Full" of Paris Weekend West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page iii

5 COUNTY PAGE LAKE COUNTY Annual Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival Kid's Fishing Rodeo Trash and Treasure Yard Sale Blue Suede Shoes 'N' Barbecue Cook-Off Northwest Quake Lake Motorcycle Rally Reelfoot Lake Arts & Crafts Festival Annual Reelfoot Lake Waterfowl Festival and Sporting Collectibles Show LAUDERDALE COUNTY Tomato Festival Festival of Quilts Kids Fest Halls Summerfest Annual Health and Heritage Day Civil War Re-enactment MADISON COUNTY West Tennessee State Fair Shannon Street Blues & Heritage Festival SkyFest Tennessee Kids Fest OBION COUNTY Obion County Corn Fest Obion County Fair SHELBY COUNTY International Goat Days Germantown Festival Cooper-Young Festival Elvis Week Celebration Memphis In May Memphis Italian Festival Pink Palace Crafts Fair World Championship Barbecue Contest Southeastern Indian Heritage Festival W.C. Handy Blues Festival Great Wines Race West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page iv

6 COUNTY PAGE Our Big Fat Greek Festival Memphis International Film Festival TIPTON COUNTY Music on the Square Brighton Festival Celebrate Independence Celebrate Munford Heritage Day Atoka Safe Night Out Bar-B-Que Festival A Day in the Park Celebrate Christmas Christmas Parade & Festival of Trees WEAKLEY COUNTY Iris Festival Tennessee Soybean Festival Santa's Village Tater Town Special Corn and Music Fest Fire Prevention Festival Fiddlesticks Festival UT Martin Homecoming West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page v

7 Introduction WestStar was founded at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1989 to serve the 21 counties in West Tennessee by providing exceptional leadership development and training for selected community minded citizens. WestStar participants are charged with the mission of making our West Tennessee communities better places to live. The program consists of seven specially designed seminar programs addressing contemporary issues important to the development of West Tennessee. Each year, the WestStar class is responsible for engaging in a class project designed to benefit West Tennesseans and to promote West Tennessee. This year the 2008 Class has produced The West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide. This Guide lists approximately 137 festivals and events that take place in 19 counties in West Tennessee. The Guide is designed to give concise and significant event information along with assisting in the promotion of West Tennessee tourism and economic development. The guide will be distributed by the 2008 WestStar Class and it is the sincere hope of the class that it will be a useful tool for all West Tennesseans and to the many guests of West Tennessee. Also, the guide will be posted on the WestStar website for public viewing. A special thank you goes to each class member for their time and commitment to leadership, and for making West Tennessee a better place to live and work. Please make good use of The West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide! Yours in leadership, David Belote Executive Director, WestStar

8 BENTON COUNTY Nathan Bedford State Park Spring Festival Location: Eva Date: May Bargain Highway 30 Mile Yard Sale Big Sandy Spring Festival Location: Big Sandy Date: May Christy Cooperman Big Sandy Chamber Benton County Christmas Parade & Festival Location: Camden Date: December Benton County Chamber of Commerce Big Sandy Waterfowl Festival/Duck Blind Drawing Purpose: Held the first Saturday in August, this popular festival features hunting oriented displays and merchandise. TWRA draws for duck blind usage for the upcoming year on the wildlife management areas. Location: Big Sandy / Date: August Big Sandy Chamber West Tennessee Old Time Fiddler's Championship & Bluegrass Jamboree Purpose: Held the third Saturday in April in Holladay. Contests with cash prizes for best guitar, fiddle, harmonica, banjo, mandolin, dobro, bluegrass band square dancing and buck dancing. Location: Holladay Date: April West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 6

9 Benton County Business and Healthcare Expo Purpose: In its first year in 2006, this Expo drew over 250 visitors combining two popular Benton County traditions, the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Camden General Hospital's annual Health Fair. Location: Camden Date: April Benton County/Camden Chamber of Commerce Hollow Rock Heritage Day Location: Hollow Rock CARROLL COUNTY Bobby Brotherton Carroll County Chamber of Commerce McKenzie Hometown Christmas Celebration Purpose: Special events include a carnival, carriage rides, train rides, stage coach rides, hayrides, petting zoo, inflatable games, the festival of lights, a quilt show, a dog show, and a parade. Location: McKenzie Date: December Violet Patterson McKenzie Lions Club Huntingdon Heritage Festival Purpose: Special events include storytelling, pumpkin decorating contest, talent showcase, care show, petting zoo, and inflatable games. Location: Huntingdon Jeal Atwook Huntingdon City Hall West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 7

10 Bruceton in May Festival Purpose: Special events include music entertainment, barbecue competition, inflatable games, and food vendors. Location: Bruceton Date: May Holly Watts Clarksburg Hummingbird Festival Purpose: Fundraiser for a walking part in Clarksburg. Special events include games, cakewalk, dunking booth, live band, pet show, and a talent show. Location: Clarksburg Date: May Terry McCoy Carroll County Chamber of Commerce McLemoresville Cotton Festival Purpose: Fundraiser for the local fire department. Special events include a beauty revue, flea market, burger wagon, and the Great Pretenders. Location: McLemoresville Barbara Younger Carroll County Chamber of Commerce CHESTER COUNTY Freed-Hardeman University's Makin' Music Purpose: The musical extravaganza is one of the largest events held on campus, with around 8,000 people attending. Campus social clubs compete for the best show with their student-run musical productions. Luncheons, competitions, craft fairs and many other activities. Location: Henderson Date: April Freed Hardeman University West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 8

11 Chickasaw State Park Craft Show Location: Chickasaw State Park Date: May Chester County Lions Club Horse Show Date: June Chester County Air Show Date: May Chester County BBQ Festival Purpose: The festival, founded as a family celebration, focused on the great barbeque, entertainment, community involvement and good times for all ages. The Chamber of Commerce began sponsoring the festival in the late 1980s to continue this traditional communityevent. Chickasaw State Park Craft Show Location: Chickasaw State Park Chester County Chamber of Commerce www/chestercountychamber.com Annual West Tennessee Children's Home Harvest Festival Lighting Chickasaw State Park Location: Chickasaw State Park Date: December CROCKETT COUNTY Fallfest Purpose: The purpose of this festival is to promote support for local businesses and all funds used for scholarships for local students. Leigh Hayes West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 9

12 West Tennessee Cotton Festival Purpose: This festival supports the community center, which the town obtained in 1987 as an old school building. Date: August Margaret Castellaw DYER COUNTY Red Cross Hometown Heroes Purpose: Annual Red Cross fundraiser/street fair with kid's games, live auction, silent auction, bake sale, and Red Cross demonstrations. Location: Market Street - Historic Downtown Dyersburg Date: April Lynn Fritchey Red Cross Bluegrass Festival Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds Date: May Steve Guttery Dyer County Fair Purpose: Boasting a history of over 125 years, the award-winning Dyer County Fair hosts bands, livestock shows, kids events, and one of the best carnivals around. Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds Pollyanna McClure Newbern Fire Dept. Annual Street Dance Purpose: Annual event to raise money for Newbern firefighters. Twilight picnics, entertainment, and children's activities held at the world famous Newbern Train Depot. Location: Newbern Train Depot Date: July City of Newbern West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 10

13 International Washer Pitchin' Contest Purpose: A local favorite for over nine years. Contestants vie for the title of Best Washer Pitcher. Fish fry, music and good ol' country fun. Location: Yorkville Date: August Newbern Depot Days Purpose: Longest continuously held festival in Dyer County Location: Railroad Museum Olen Parker Railroad Museum, Downtown Newbern Main Street Fall Festival Purpose: Family fun, barbeque, and lively events bring children of all ages downtown during beautiful fall weather to enjoy activities around the historic courthouse. Steve Guttery Historic Downtown Dyersburg Dyersburg Annual Christmas Parade Location: Historic Downtown Dyersburg Date: November Steve Guttery Historic Downtown Dyersburg Newbern Christmas Parade Date: December Newbern City Hall Memphis Symphony Christmas Concert Purpose: Annual Holiday Pops concert kicks off the season with glorious music all ages can enjoy. Date: November Dyersburg State Community College West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 11

14 FAYETTE COUNTY Fayette County Cotton Festival Purpose: Celebrates the heritage and economic impact of cotton production in Fayette County. Features crafts fair, beauty pageant, live music, art show, festival foods, quilt show, poker run, and 4-H dog show. Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Ames Plantation Heritage Festival Purpose: The largest and most diverse event of its type in the West Tennessee region, this annual festival celebrates the skills and arts of our past. More than 125 folk artists, demonstrations, re-enactors and musicians provide a full day of entertainment and education. A reconstructed 19 th century living history village is the stage for a wide variety of demonstrations and reenactments on frontier and Civil War life. Also features an Antique Auction of early Tennessee furniture, antebellum and Victorian furnishings, paintings, antique toys and more. Crafts and foods available for purchase. Location: Grand Junction Rick Carlisle, Ames Plantation National Field Trial Championship Purpose: Held at the Ames Plantation, home to the National Championship for Field Training Bird Dogs since Location: Grand Junction Date: February Rick Carlisle Ames Plantation West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 12

15 Fayette County Truck and Tractor Purpose: NTPA Sanctioned Event, sponsored by the Young Farmers & Ranchers. Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Home for the Holidays Purpose: Holiday tour of homes in historic Somerville. Date: December Judy Sides Somerville City Hall Oakland Community Christmas Purpose: Family activities, including Oakland Christmas Parade Date: December Oakland Regional Chamber of Commerce GIBSON COUNTY Doodle Soup Festival Purpose: Originated as a fund-raising dinner for the Lions Club. Special events include a parade, downtown vendors, auction, and street dance. Betty Jo Taylor Lions Club Dyer Station Celebration Purpose: Began in honor of Mrs. Georgia Ellis, Dyer's first female alderman. Special events include fireworks, singing, carnival, card tournaments, pet show, parade, street dance, and talent show. Location: Dyer County Fairgrounds Date: July Johnny McLllwain, Judy Baker City of Dyer West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 13

16 West Tennessee Strawberry Festival Purpose: The purpose is to bring the community together with special events including concerts, a parade, beauty pageants, a luncheon and other activities. Location: Humboldt Date: May Jeff Gamble White Squirrel Festival Purpose: Home of the white squirrel, the festival features a parade and street dance. Location: Kenton Date: July Mayor John Maughan, No-Till Field Day Purpose: Promotes no-tillage crop production techniques. Location: Milan Date: July Blake Brown ww.milan.tennessee.edu/mntfd Fourth of July Festival Purpose: Special events include music and entertainment throughout the night; activities for children such as a petting zoo, pony rides, dandy jumper, food for sale, fireworks and light show at dusk. Location: Medina Date: July Kim Gilley, Davy Crockett Days Purpose: Celebrates Rutherford as last home of Davy Crockett with special events including a parade, ceremonies at Davy Crockett's cabin, street dance, pageant, live music, pet show, and flea markets. Location: Rutherford Joe Bone Town of Rutherford ; West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 14

17 Teapot Festival Purpose: Celebrates the world's largest collection of "night light" teapots with special events including parade, horse show, live music, tractor pull, home tour, health fair, and pet show. Location: Trenton Date: April/May Teapot Festival Committee International Washer Pitchin' Festival Location: Yorkville Date: August Gibson County Fair Purpose: Special events include live music, BBQ cook-off, carnival rides, pageants, agriculture, and rodeo. Location: Trenton Date: August Joetta White, HARDEMAN COUNTY Hardeman County Forest Festival Purpose: Special events include a street dance, parade, 5K run, Hatchie River canoe and kayak ride, festival foods, beauty pageant, and children's activities. Hardeman County Chamber of Commerce Bolivar Home Tour Purpose: Sponsored by the Hardeman County Chapter of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. Location: Bolivar Date: April Hardeman County Chamber of Commerce West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 15

18 HARDIN COUNTY Pickwick Sugar Festival Date: February Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau Junior Auxiliary Bass Tournament Date: March Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau Hunting for a Cure Purpose: Two-day juvenile turkey hunts with proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research hospital. Vendors, entertainment and auction available. Date: March Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau Annual Living History Demonstration Purpose: Encampments, artillery, infantry, and cavalry demonstration at Shiloh National Military Park. Location: Shiloh National Military Park Date: April Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau Aqua Yacht Harbor/Jim Bennett Boat Show Purpose: Vendors, crawfish and live entertainment. Location: Aqua Yacht Harbor Date: April Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 16

19 Pickwick Challenge Boat Races and Festival Purpose: A full weekend of high speed action with two full days of racing action with Champ Boat Formula I and III Grand Prix Series competing with speeds of 150 mph for the title. Arts & Crafts Fair, Car & Motorcycle Show, Card Board Boat Races, 5K Run, Boat Fun Location: Pickwick Landing State Park Date: May Savannah Lions Club Walking Horse Royal Location: Savannah Date: June Youth Gospel and Country Music Nights Purpose: Wayne Jerrolds Riverfront Park in conjunction with the Savannah Bluegrass Festival. Youth gospel music and country music will be held. No alcohol or drugs; bring your lawn chairs. Location: Wayne Jerrolds Riverfront Park Date: July Riverfront Bluegrass Festival Purpose: Wayne Jerrolds Riverfront Park. The finest bluegrass music in the mid-south on the banks of the beautiful Tennessee River. Bring your lawn chairs; concessions available, admission. Location: Wayne Jerrolds Riverfront Park Date: July Fireworks Location: Pickwick Landing State Park Date: July Annual Buckin' on the River, PRCA Rodeo Purpose: Two nights of PRCA sanctioned events Other activities include kid's rodeo, music, and beauty pageants, and now home of the Miss Rodeo Tennessee Competition and Miss Tenn Rodeo Tennessee. Fun for the whole family. West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 17

20 Tennessee River 600 Purpose: Pleasure event for personal watercraft enthusiasts. Charity ride fro the Children's Miracle Network, beginning in Knoxville, ending in Paris. Location: Pickwick Landing State Park Date: July Darryl Worley's Tennessee River Run Purpose: Week-long activities to benefit the Darryl Worley Foundation. Includes a boat poker run, catfish, & bass tournaments, golf tournament, songwriters in the round, southern rock concert, 5K bike, motorcycle poker run, country concert, and southern gospel show Saltillo River Day Purpose: Celebration of Saltillo's river heritage. Parade, live music, street dance, arts & crafts, much more. Free admission or Tennessee BASS Federation State Tournament Purpose: 2-day team tournament with prizes awarded. Location: Pickwick Landing State Park Farm Day Purpose: Annual Salute to local farmers and educational field trip for area school children. Location: Hardin County Fairgrounds Hardin County Chamber of Commerce National Catfish Derby World Championship of Catfishing Purpose: Team catfish tournament with cash and prizes awarded. Seniors, ladies, and youth divisions also awarded. Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 18

21 Annual Return to Shiloh BMW Rally Purpose: Weekend of live entertainment, food, fun, and motorcycle competition Victorian Christmas Purpose: See Savannah bedecked in all its Christmas splendor, with a Victorian feel. Luminary-lit historic district, carriage rides, home tours, music, and more. Location: Savannah Date: December Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau Christmas in the Park Purpose: Annual festival with vendors market, light displays, carriage rides, & Santa Claus at Pickwick Landing State Park. Location: Pickwick Landing State Park Date: December Hardin County Chamber of Commerce HAYWOOD COUNTY Hatchie Fall Festival Purpose: Celebrates fall harvest and the scenic Hatchie River. Guided tours of the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, live music, kid's activities, cooking contest, arts & crafts sale, antique cars, and food vendors. Location: Brownsville Court Square Stanton Farmers' Market Location: Stanton Date: May Sonia Outlaw-Clark Emma J. Delk West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 19

22 HENDERSON COUNTY Henderson County Bass Anglers Invitational Tournament Date: February Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Antique Farm & Home Show Location: Sardis City Park Date: April Shirley Sanderson Henderson County Folk Festival Purpose: This festival includes folk and bluegrass music, bee keeping, quilting exhibits, antique car show, Mayberry Trivia contest, and a pie eating contest. Location: Lexington Court Square Date: May Everett Horn Battle of Parker's Crossroads Civil War Re-Enactment/ Living History and Chili Cook-Off Purpose: This event is a CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) sanctioned event. There are contestants from 10 states with proceeds going to assist the preservation of the battlefield. The living history and re-enactment are held every even numbered year. Location: Parker's Crossroads City Park & Battlefield Park Date: June Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Boat Parade Date: July Henderson County Chamber of Commerce West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 20

23 Parker's Crossroads Annual Walking Horse Show Date: August Henderson County Chamber of Commerce National Championship Rodeo Date: August Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Annual Steer Wrestling Competition Date: August Tim McPeake Henderson County Chamber of Commerce or Antique Farm & Home Show Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Possum Festival Location: City Park, Parkers Crossroads Contact information: Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Biketoberfest Purpose: Proceeds benefit the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Location: Lexington's Beech Lake Bobby Day, (Chamber s number) West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 21

24 HENRY COUNTY World's Biggest Fish Fry Purpose: Special events include a parade, fish tent, rodeo, carnival, and catfish races. Location: Paris Date: April Paris Chamber of Commerce Puryear Day Purpose: Special events include a parade, music, dancing, arts/crafts, and food. Location: Puryear Date: May Puryear City Hall Arts and Crafts Festival Purpose: Over 100 exhibitors annually. Location: Paris Landing State Park Phil and Jean Seliger "Eye Full" of Paris Weekend Purpose: Special events include Arts 'Round the Square, and three concerts. Location: Paris Paris Arts Council LAKE COUNTY Annual Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival Purpose: Eagle and water fowl tours, craft vendors, all ages art contest, storytelling, live birds of prey program, scavenger hunts, food and fun for the whole family. Location: Reelfoot Lake Area Date: February Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 22

25 Kid's Fishing Rodeo Purpose: Held on National Free Fishing Day, typically the first Saturday of June. Location: Reelfoot Lake Area Date: July U.S. Fish and Wildlife Trash and Treasure Yard Sale Purpose: Held during the annual TWRA Duck Blind drawing. Centrally located at the American Legion; come shop all around the Lake area for your next treasure. Location: Reelfoot Lake Area Date: August Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council Blue Suede Shoes 'N' Barbecue Cook-Off Purpose: Hometown celebration of the birthplace of the legendary Carl Perkins. Location: Tiptonville Main Street Date: July Tiptonville City Hall Northwest Quake Lake Motorcycle Rally Purpose: More than a bike rally- Parade of Lights, fireworks on the water, live entertainment, door prizes, dice run, moonlight pontoon boat cruises, and food! Location: Reelfoot Lake Area Reelfoot Lake Tourism Council or Reelfoot Lake Arts & Crafts Festival Purpose: Features more than 350 exhibitors including artists, potters, carvers, and jewelry makers. Delicious barbecue, hot dogs, roasted corn, funnel cakes and more. Voted #1 craft show in Tennessee. Location: Reelfoot Lake Area Anna Crocker West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 23

26 Annual Reelfoot Lake Waterfowl Festival and Sporting Collectibles Show Purpose: Annual festival featuring many of the nation's best duck, goose and turkey call makers, in addition to a large number of exhibitors specializing in hunting related merchandise. Includes duck calling contest and live auction of duck calls and sporting memo Location: Samburg H.J. Harris LAUDERDALE COUNTY Tomato Festival Purpose: Activities include scramble golf tournament. Location: Ripley City Park Date: July Susan Todd Lauderdale County Chamber/ECD Festival of Quilts Purpose: Event features quilts, fine needlework, etc. Voting for favorites with ribbons awarded. Location: Bank of Ripley lobby Kids Fest Purpose: Free food and entertainment. Location: Ripley City Park Melissa Latta Bank of Ripley Linda Hallock Lauderdale Baptist Hosptial West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 24

27 Halls Summerfest Location: Main Street and Front Streets of Halls Date: June Martha Crites Annual Health and Heritage Day Purpose: Heritage and craft demonstrations, free health screening. Location: 605 Airport Street Date: May Joni Cook Civil War Re-enactment Purpose: Mock battles and demonstrations. Location: Fort Pillow State Park Date: April/November Robby Tidwell MADISON COUNTY West Tennessee State Fair Purpose: Special events include carnival rides, agriculture competitions, rodeo, live music, tractor pull, wrestling, and pageants. Mike Evans, Shannon Street Blues & Heritage Festival Purpose: Special events include music and food. Location: Jackson Date: June Jackson Downtown Development Corporation West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 25

28 SkyFest Tennessee Purpose: Special events include airshow featuring military, and stunt planes which benefit the Kiwanis Center for Child Development. Location: Jackson Kathie Cothern Kiwanis Center for Child Development Kids Fest Purpose: Special events include mascots, petting zoo, pony rides, health screenings, face painting, carnival rides, and Miss Tennessee appearance which benefit the STAR Center that works with children and adults with disabilities in West Tennessee Location: Jackson Date: August STAR Center OBION COUNTY Obion County Corn Fest Purpose: Vintage cars, great country music, wonderful food, beauty pageants, singing karaoke, and much more. Location: Union City Obion County Fair Date: August West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 26

29 SHELBY COUNTY International Goat Days Purpose: The festival evolves around the idea of having goat chariot races for fun. Folks enjoy goat contests, such as the largest goat or the longest horns and, yes, even "pill" flippin'. Firemen, policemen, civic clubs, and other good people join in the effort to produce a really family-oriented festival. This communitysupported family festival not only promotes the goat, but helps many worthly causes and charities. Location: Millington Germantown Festival Purpose: Arts, crafts, food, entertainment and activities for youngsters turn C.O. Franklin Park into a giant festival on the first weekend after Labor Day. Events include running of the Weenies dachshund race in the Charity Horse Show arena. Location: Germantown Cooper-Young Festival Purpose: The Cooper-Young neighborhood is inhabited by a mix of artists and young professionals, and it includes more than its share of coffee bars, galleries, and trendy restaurants. Each fall, an arts and crafts festival fills the neighborhood's streets and draws visitors from across the Mid-South area. Craftsmen exhibit and sell their wares, including pottery, metal works, sculpture and tie-dyed clothing. Local bands entertain on two stages, and area restaurants sell fare, such as corn dogs and funnel cakes, plus lots of beer. Location: Cooper-Young Elvis Week Celebration Purpose: Held each year in August, this festival celebrates all things Elvis, from 5K run to Elvis Expo and Elvis Film Festival. Location: Graceland Date: August West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 27

30 Memphis In May Purpose: Each year, Memphis honors a different country with this month-long celebration. Various events around the city celebrate the arts and culture of the chosen country, from art exhibits to dance exhibitions to special dishes served in area restaurants. Several events are held in May that is related to Memphis in May, but not to the specific country being honored; these include the World Championship Barbecue Contest and the Beale Street Music Festival. It all ends with the Sunset Symphony on the banks of the Mississippi River. Location: Memphis Date: May Memphis Italian Festival Purpose: Memphis has a large Italian community that celebrates its heritage every year with a three day festival of food, crafts, and games. Waalk around and enjoy the atmosphere of Italy, shown in the different tents competing for prizes. Join in the action of a Bocci game or dancing. Events include Grape Stomping, Pizza Tossing, Italian Cooking Contests and others. There is also an Italian dinner available indoors, or try something from one of the many vendors in the park. Games and crafts are available for the kids as well as souvenirs and gifts for everyone. Location: Memphis Date: May ex Pink Palace Crafts Fair Purpose: This crafts fair is one of the largest in the country. Artisans come from all ove rth compete for a spot to display and peddle their wars in Audubon Park. Items include fine jewelry, pottery and ceramics, photography, handmade furniture and lawn ornaments, handmade clothing and specialty food items. Food stalls provide sandwiches, barbecue and ice cream, and live musical performances also take place throughout the event. Location: Pink Palace West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 28

31 World Championship Barbecue Contest Purpose: Held in Tom Lee Park in conjunction with Memphis in May, this event has gained nationwide prestige and is often featured on TV shows, such as the 'Today Show', 'Good Morning America' and 'Prime Time Live'. More than 90,000 people attend the festival each year. Called the "Superbowl of Swine," this festival offers cash prizes to a winner that is more than US$61,050. Teams compete in the categories of whole hog, shoulder and ribs, and these teams must have qualified in other contests around the country in order to compete here. Location: Tom Lee Park Date: May Southeastern Indian Heritage Festival Purpose: Sponsored by the Chucalissa Archaeological Museum, this festival offers a chance for event-goers to learn about the culture and arts of the Southeastern Native American tribes such as the Choctaw people, who have inhabited this area for centuries. Demonstrations of music, singing and dancing celebrate the heritage, while artisams exhibit and sell their wares, which include baskets, pottery and ceremonial items. Location: Chucalissa Archaeological Museum Date: August chucalissa.memphis.edu W.C. Handy Blues Festival Purpose: A new and welcome extension of the W. C. Handy Blues Award is the Blues Festival held on Beale Street the same weekend. Local and internationally known artists such as Kevin Paige, Long John Hunter, Eddie Shaw, Michelle Wilson and Blind Mississippi Morris perform at the different clubs along Beale. A wristband allows you to enter all of the clubs so you can wander in and out as you wish. You also can enjoy the music and crowds on the street where you can buy drinks from stands outside the bars Great Wines Race Purpose: The month-long Memphis in May festival incorporates a broad mix of cultural and entertainment events, and the Great Wine Race may be one of the most unusual of the officially sanctioned activities. Local restaurants enter teams of employees in a relay rac Date: May , West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 29

32 Our Big Fat Greek Festival Purpose: This is the place for anyone who loves Greek food or who wants to give it a try. Try the dinner for a range of tastes or if you don't want to stand in line, you can order individual items at the food stands. The food includes gyros (a sandwich with lamb), spanokopita (a pastry with spinach), and souvlaki (a chicken kebab). Indulge your sweet tooth with a a variety of dessert pastries including baklava (a pastry with honey and nuts). After eating burn off the calories with live Greek music Memphis International Film Festival Purpose: The Memphis International Film Forum has featured such directors such as Del Shores, Don Herzfeldt, and Ira Sachs. This annual event takes place each spring, at the end of March. The festival screens shorts, documentaries, and full-length feature films from all over the world. Date: March TIPTON COUNTY Music on the Square Purpose: Special events include music and food. Location: Downtown Historic Square, Covington Date: April/May Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Brighton Festival Purpose: Attracts visitors to Brighton for special events including food, vendors, and a car show. Location: Brighton Date: June South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce & Town of Brighton or West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 30

33 Celebrate Independence Purpose: Several thousands gather at the park and along the streets to enjoy this event with family style picni, music by the U.S. Navy Band, and a huge fireworks display. Free admission. Location: Munford City Park Date: July South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Celebrate Munford Purpose: All-day community event that attracts thousands. Munford s downtown area flourishes with activity as people fill the streets to enjoy good music, sample delicious food, and purchase crafts, jewelry and artwork. Glass paintings, magnetic jewelry, wood crafting and candles are a few of the vendor s items offered. Barbecue, hamburgers, chicken, cotton candy, catfish, funnel cakes, Mexican food, frozen beverages and ice cream are plentiful. Children s games and rides, rock climbing wall and car show. Location: Downtown Munford South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Heritage Day Purpose: Celebrates Covington s Heritage, arts, crafts, music, and food available. Location: Covington Downtown Historic Square Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Atoka Safe Night Out Purpose: Provides children and families a safe and fun way of enjoying Halloween. Wear Your Halloween Costume! Trick or Treat Booths, Children s Games, Food. Free admission Location: Nancy Lane Memorial Park South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce & Town of Atoka or West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 31

34 Bar-B-Que Festival Purpose: Oldest barbeque cooking contest, food, music and demolition derby available. Location: Cobb Parr Park, Covington Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce A Day in the Park Purpose: Music Festival Location: Downtown Brighton South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce and Town of Brighton, or Celebrate Christmas Purpose: Celebrates Christmas. Floats, Parade, Fill the Sleigh with a child s toy and see Jolly Old Saint Nick Location: Downtown Munford Date: December South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade & Festival of Trees Purpose: Celebrates Christmas and displays of beautifully decorated tress with a parade, Old Saint Nick, and the Festival of Trees Reception. Location: Downtown Covington Date: December Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 32

35 WEAKLEY COUNTY Iris Festival Purpose: The initial purpose of the Easter Parade and eventual Iris Festival was to bring people from outside of Dresden to visit our great town and to encourage their business here. Not only have businesses and industries shown their support over the years, but also the citizens of West Tennessee. The Iris Festival has grown into an event anticipated and looked forward to by people of all ages. Festival time is perhaps the most special time of the year in Dresden. Location: Dresen Date: April/May Mayor Danny Forrester Mayor's Office or Tennessee Soybean Festival Purpose: Highlights the importance of the soybean to the agricultural economy of the region. Events include parade; beauty pageants; barbecue cook off; talent shows; live local / Theme: The Crossroads of Good Livin Entertainment; car and bike show; free concerts; children s street fair, Canine Retreiver Series competitions, sporting events; pet show; bicyle rodeo. Location: Martin Date: August/September Kimberly Craddock, David Belote, Kim Kirby ; ; Santa's Village Purpose: Admission to Santa s Village is a $5 donation of non-perishable food and/or toys. Events include holiday fantasyland with the sights and sounds of Christmas; MTD Train display; canned food display; horse-drawn wagon rides; craft fair; continuous entertainment highlighting regional talent; petting farm. Location: Martin Date: December Martin Parks and Recreation Department West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 33

36 Tater Town Special Purpose: Celebrates Gleason as the shipping capital of sweet potato plants. Events include gospel singing, a barbeque cook-off, parade, live entertainment, a craft fair, class reunions, and a community wide church service. Location: Gleason Date: August Cile Weddington Corn and Music Fest Purpose: Promotes tourism and community involvement with a cemetery walk, free city-wide barbeque, fireworks, health fair, pet show, corn-eating contest quilt show; recipe contest (must have corn as ingredient), street dance, parade, 5K run, free concert, live local entertainment; WPSD-TV What s It Worth. Location: Sharon Donnetta Davis Fire Prevention Festival Purpose: Emphasizes fire safety to the community. Children can meet Smokey the Bear and Fire Pup and take free fire truck rides; fingerprinting for children ages 1-12; LIFELINE blood mobile and free blood pressure checks; exhibitors and vendors of fire safety equipment and services; arts and crafts fair; car show. Location: Greenfield Bob Dudley (gfdc24@charter.net) Fiddlesticks Festival Purpose: Local family who owns a carnival business started the event to give back to the community. Local sponsors help with expenses. The name comes from the hand-made ice cream treat often seen at the carnival vanilla ice cream, dipped in chocolate and rolled in peanuts. Location: Greenfield Date: April James Roy Pope West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 34

37 UT Martin Homecoming UT Martin Purpose: Provides an opportunity for alumni to visit their alma mater in a festive atmosphere the entire family can enjoy while informing them of what is taking place on the campus. Quad City provides live music, petting zoo, kids carnival; football game. Student activities include pyramid building and rope-pull. Location: Martin Dates: October Office of Alumni Relations at UT Martin Phone: or alumni@utm.edu West Tennessee Festival & Event Guide Page 35