Here’s a look at things going on in and around Jackson in the next couple weeks.
Oct. 5
Fall in the Gardens
UT Gardens, Jackson, is hosting their annual Fall in the Gardens plant sale and lecture series on Oct. 5-6 at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (605 Airways Boulevard). On Thursday, the event will feature guided garden tours, informational talks, wagon tours of the research center and the beginning of the highly anticipated fall plant sale featuring hundreds of varieties of locally grown plants as well as pumpkins and pansies. Guest lecturers include Troy Marden and Ed Lyon who will be sharing gardening and horticulture tips with attendees. Food trucks will be onsite on Thursday. Local Master Gardener volunteers will also be present during the sale to help attendees with all their plant questions. The event will last from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Friday. Lectures and tours will take place on Thursday only.
Mac Powell and Friends
Christian artist Mac Powell and some of his friends will be performing at Fellowship Bible Church (141 Pleasant Plains Road) for an unforgettable acoustic night of hits, stories, and faith. Prepare to be moved as Mac Powell, along with Brandon Heath, Jordan St. Cyr, and Rhett Walker, come together to deliver a musical experience like no other.
Oct. 6
Jacob Barker Music Festival
This two-day event is family-friendly and community-focused, featuring vendors selling local food and drink, a silent auction, a cornhole tournament, activities for kids, and, of course, music performed live by over 20 local musicians. Your attendance directly supports The Make-A-Wish Foundation, a nonprofit making a difference in the lives of children every day. Best of all, the concert is free. The festival is at The AMP with music starting at 5 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Magic Valley Music Fest
Birdsong Drive-In (907 Shiloh Church Road in Benton County) will be the site of this two-day outdoor concert event. Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday with Double Edge, Randal French and Keith Burns of Trick Pony on the schedule. Gates open at 11 a.m. on Saturday with 24 Seven, Pretty Grimm, Bryan Moffit, Derrick Brasfield and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry set to perform. Bring your own lawn chairs. Tickets can be purchased online at etix.com.
Hub City Flea Market
Monthly flea markets in Jackson are back at the Jackson Fairgrounds (800 South Highland Avenue in Downtown Jackson). For the 2023 season, the flea market will be held on the first weekend of each month. Doors are open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
First Fridays Art Walk
Through November, the Jackson Arts Council will organize “First Friday Art Walk” events in Downtown Jackson. These monthly events will take place on the first Friday of the month from 3-6 p.m. in local businesses all within walking distance of one another in Downtown Jackson’s newly designated Arts District. The public will now have regular monthly opportunities to shop for local art directly from local artists. Artists will pop up inside of the storefronts of local businesses to sell their work. The purpose of these events is to increase opportunities for the public to engage with the arts, increase opportunities for local artists to sell their work, increase arts opportunities within the Arts District, and increase walkability and economic activity in Downtown Jackson.
Chalk Walk
Are you ready to let your artistic talents shine while exploring Downtown Jackson, Tennessee? Jackson Downtown Development Corporation (JDDC) hosts Chalk Walk coinciding with Jackson Art Council’s First Friday Art Walk, creating the perfect opportunity to both purchase and create art. Chalk Walk locations will include Grubb’s Grocery, Jackson Walk Apartments, theLOCAL, Havner’s Frame Shop, The Ned, Rotary Park at JMC Library, and The Carnegie. Each location will offer a unique drawing prompt to inspire your imagination. A checklist is available for download or visit the Google map to plan your route. This event is open to all ages, so whether you’re a seasoned artist or just looking for a fun activity for the kiddos, grab some chalk and join in! Please remember to supervise children at all times.
Food Truck Fridays
Downtown Jackson and the West TN Farmers Market (91 New Market Street in Downtown Jackson) bring you Food Truck Fridays! Make plans to join them every Friday, May through November, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to experience local eateries at lunch to end your work week and support local businesses.
Black Tie & Blue Jeans
Support Friends of Heart with a night of fun at Black Tie & Blue Jeans 2023 presented by West Tennessee Healthcare. Dinner, dancing with Memphis’ own G3 Band, live & silent auctions, liquor pull, and more…all to support AED distribution across 18 Counties, staff education, clinical research, Jackson’s 4-Minute City initiative, and youth EKG screenings. Purchase your table or individual tickets today by calling 731.343.3330. Individual tickets are available on Eventbrite.com. Corporate Table of 8: $2,500; Individual Table of 8: $1,500; Individual Tickets: $100.
Oct. 7
The Jazz of Poetry
The Griot Collective of West Tennessee presents “The Jazz of Poetry.” Featuring Allison Joseph, Mona Lisa Saloy, Derrick Harriell, Lenard Moore, Jenna McLean Quartet, Gregory Tardy Quartet, Southside High School Big Band, Northside High School Jazz Choice and UT Martin Jazz Band. The event will happen at The Ned (314 East Main Street in Downtown Jackson) at 2 p.m.
David Ashley Trent concert
Contemporary Christian and country artist David Ashley Trent will be performing a concert of original music at Jackson, Tennessee’s newest family friendly concert listening room, Catbird Studio (2100 Pleasant Plains Ext.). Americana husband/wife duo, The Shoemakers, will perform the opening acoustic set. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $13 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Dog Show at Donnell Century Farm
Join the farm for a trick dog show, which will bring even more excitement and fun to your visit. This Frisbee and Dock Diving show features World Champion Frisbee Dogs, World Record holding Diving Dogs, unimaginable stunts, crowd participation, and audience meet and greets. Prepare to witness an unmatched ensemble of world-class canine athletes, delivering awe-inspiring, gravity-defying stunts that have never been seen before in every single performance. Donnell Century Farm is located at 3720 Highway 70 East toward Huntingdon. Admission is $15.95 at the gate of $12.95 online.
Oct. 12
Tacos and Tecates
Jackson State Community College Foundation will host its 2nd Annual Tacos and Tecates fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. at Skillet Junction (575 South Royal Street in Downtown Jackson). Tickets are $40 and will cover a casual evening of music, dancing, food and two drinks. This fundraiser benefits a scholarship fund designated for students. Tickets are available online on Jackson State’s website.
Lambuth Pop Ensemble
Hosted in the Hamilton Performing Arts Center on the campus of University of Memphis-Lambuth, the Fall 2023 Lambuth Pop Ensemble will perform at 7 p.m.
Oct. 13
Food Truck Fridays
Downtown Jackson and the West TN Farmers Market (91 New Market Street in Downtown Jackson) bring you Food Truck Fridays! Make plans to join them every Friday, May through November, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to experience local eateries at lunch to end your work week and support local businesses.
House of Misfits: Parallel Universe
For the past three years coach, choreographer and director Amanda Scott has been putting on her production, HOUSE OF MISFITS, an Aerial performance. Each year the stage has gotten bigger, the program fuller and the applause louder. This year the story of the Misfits and the Mad Scientist who created them, continues in a Parallel Universe in a postapocalyptic world. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with the show starting at 6 p.m. at Jackson Fairgrounds. Tickets are available at arrowathletics.com. Aerialists from 8 years old to adult will perform Aerial Silks and Aerial Hoop in a one-of-kind performance this Halloween. Family friendly, kids of all ages will enjoy. (There will be loud music, light flashes and some scary sounds, but all in good fun.)
Oct. 14
Le Bonheur Pumpkin Run
The Pumpkin Run benefiting Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital will happen at the hospital at 1535 Vann Drive. There will also be a Family Walk, Kids 400M Fun Run, Boo Bash Post-Race Family Fun and Costume Contest.
400 m Kids’ Fun Run: Kids 10 and younger can participate in a 400m Fun Run starting at 8:00 am, at the official 5K start line. Those who participate will receive a ribbon.
Casey Jones Village Festival
The second annual festival will be Saturday, October 21st from 10am to 4pm. Guests can enjoy Children’s games, arts and crafts, and live music as the highlights of the festival. Food vendors and local businesses will be in attendance, providing a one-stop shopping experience of West TN businesses.
Guest will be able to utilize the Festival Passport, where they will receive a special treat upon completing visits to locations throughout the village, including the Casey Jones, Train Museum and the Art In The Village art gallery. The event is free to attend, however certain vendors may charge.
Tennessee Metal Devastation Music Festival
The Tennessee Metal Devastation Music Fest will be cranking out the metal at The Amp in downtown Jackson. Just like last year, the show will be all ages (PG-13) and will feature 12 bands and 12 hours of music. Many of last year’s favorite bands will be back again this year as well as many new bands. Bring your own chairs and coolers. Meet the bands, buy merch, and shop with vendors. There will be a variety of vendors, featuring oddities, taxidermy, metaphysical supplies, original art, crafts, food, and more.
Brew Wing 2023
This year’s event will feature an amazing silent auction, grill masters competing for the title of “SRP Wing King 2023,” and a cornhole tournament. Interested in sponsoring, entering a grill team, or entering the cornhole tournament? Contact Ashlee: aallison@scarletropeproject.com. Help support the Scarlet Rope Project at this year’s Brew-Wing Event. Bring your family and friends to enjoy wings, a corn hole competition, a silent auction, and more. The event happens at Hub City Brewing (250 West Main Street in Downtown Jackson) from 3-8 p.m. General admission is $10, and a wing platter is $25. Tickets are available online at Scarlet Rope Project’s website.
Voices in the Vineyard
Century Farm Winery (1548 Lower Brownsville Road in Jackson) continues its summer concert series with Randy Cooper and Scott Myatt at 7 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Limited tables are available. Lawn chairs are available.
Jackson Symphony – Don’t Fence Me In
Come celebrate this eclectic mix of music from the American West as heard in both cinema and concert hall. Jackson’s own country music singer/songwriter, Brandon Lay, will perform in what promises to be a rousing concert. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Carl Perkins Civic Center (400 South Highland Avenue in Downtown Jackson). Tickets are available on the Symphony’s website for $40 and $50.
Exile concert
Legendary band Exile will be in concert at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center on the town square in Huntingdon at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale between $33 and $48 at dixiepac.net.
Oct. 19
Business After Hours
Simmons Bank (480 Oil Well Road in Jackson) will be this month’s host of The Greater Jackson Chamber’s networking event. Chamber members are invited to attend to make contacts, network and enjoy hours d’oeuvres from 5-7 p.m.
Runway for a Cure
Join us for a night of fashion, food and fundraising at the 29th annual Runway For A Cure. This year’s theme is Glitz & Glam, 90’s style. Lolo will emcee this night as boutiques from across West Tennessee will show off their latest & greatest, The Pinch will play some 90s tunes and more. Table service starts at 6:15 p.m. at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. Individual tickets start at $30 and are available by e-mailing toni.mack@cancer.org or calling 901-524-5484.
United States Air Force Band
The United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants will be in Jackson at Liberty Technology High School at 7 p.m. to present a FREE concert. This is a rare event to hear patriotic music, broadway classics and as always a salute to celebrate our veterans. Free tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.
To submit events for The Post’s upcoming events calendar, e-mail them at least two weeks in advance to brandon@jacksonpost.news.