Here’s a look at things going on in and around Jackson in the next couple weeks.
Sept. 21
Business After Hours
DoubleTree Hotel (1770 Highway 45 Bypass 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.
CASA Rock and Roll Cornhole tournament
CASA of West Tennessee announces the return of its annual fundraiser, the Rock and Roll Cornhole Tournament. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of West Tennessee is a nonprofit organization advocating for children from abusive and neglectful homes. Volunteers from the community provide support and guidance for these children within the juvenile court system, creating a safe, nurturing environment during their time of need. The event is at the West Tennessee Farmer’s Market (91 New Market Street in Downtown Jackson) from 6-10 p.m. Registration starts at $400 for a sponsored team. For more information, call 731-427-5554 or send an e-mail to hannah@madisoncountycasa.org.
Sept. 22
Chamber Member Breakfast
Tennessee Economic Development Commissioner David Salyers will be at the Carl Grant Center on the campus of Union University at 9 a.m. for a Greater Jackson Chamber Member Breakfast to discuss how Gov. Bill Lee’s conservation strategies are contributing to strengthening the state’s economy. He’ll touch on Middle Fork Bottoms State Park as well as improvements being made at other nearby parks.
Chester County BBQ Festival
Nearby Henderson will have its 44th annual Chester County BBQ Festival with barbecue, live entertainment, fried treats, children’s activities and vendors invading downtown Henderson Friday and Saturday. Admission into the festival is free with charges for merchandise and food. It begins Friday at 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. then on Saturday 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Tina Turner Heritage Days
The 12th annual Tina Turner Heritage Days kicks off for the weekend at the Tina Turner Museum (121 Sunny Hill Cove in Brownsville). Festivities will happen through Sunday. The weekend will include tours to Nutbush, music and hearing from some who were connected to the international musical icon who grew up in Haywood County. This will be the first festival since the legendary singer died earlier this year.
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.
Wine Down
Crown Winery (3638 East Mitchell Street in Humboldt) is back with its Wine Down concert series. Remember when booking your table reservations to also go ahead and do your pizza reservations. The pizzas time slots go fast.
Visit their website www.crownwinery.com and book online. This week’s entertainment is Rita Mac and Different Drum. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Sept. 23
Jackson International Food and Arts Festival
The Jackson International Food and Art Festival spreads cultural awareness, promotes cross-cultural engagement, and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of residents throughout West Tennessee. Food and art are important themes present in all cultures, countries, and religions, and the festival serves as a place for all cultures to share their cuisine, art, and traditional performances at the Jackson Fairgrounds (800 South Highland Avenue in Downtown Jackson). Be a vendor, join the parade and showcase your talent at the festival. Register at www.JIFAF.com.
Huntingdon Heritage Festival
The court square in Huntingdon is a place to go for vendors, food trucks and more. The main event of festival is a free performance by legendary country music group The Oak Ridge Boys from 2-3:30 p.m. For more information, send an email to kdill@huntingdonch.com.
Friends of Heart Bike Ride
Join Friends of Heart for its annual bike ride to benefit local cardiac care at The LIFT (101 Jackson Walk Plaza in Downtown Jackson). Registration is 7 a.m. with bikers leaving at 7:30. There are 15-, 30- and 60-mile route options with door prizes awarded at noon. For more information, call 731-343-3330.
Crockett County Harvest Festival
The people of Crockett County will gather at the Court Square in Alamo at 2 p.m. to celebrate harvest time and enjoy each other’s company with live music, food and vendors until 6 p.m.
Hot Wing Festival
The second annual Hot Wing Festival will begin at 4 p.m. at the West Tennessee Farmer’s Market (91 New Market Street in Downtown Jackson). Bring your family and friends to indulge in some of the best wings Tennessee has to offer. With a wing eating contest, music, shopping, and a kids’ corner, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. There will be food vendors to showcase their skills in a wing competition. Will you be brave enough to try them all? This event is free and open to the public until 9 p.m.
Canstruction 2023: An Evening with The Cleverlys
RIFA’s 18th annual Canstruction competition and gala will be at the Carl Perkins Civic Center at 6 p.m. Larger-than-life structures made entirely with canned food by local teams will be on display, and enjoy a live performance by the bluegrass/comedy band, The Cleverlys. All proceeds will benefit RIFA’s vision to lead and engage the community in the fight against hunger. The Cleverlys are a one-of-a-kind comedy/music blend. They tour nationally, performing at music venues, performing arts centers, and some of the nation’s largest festivals like Stagecoach, Telluride, CMA Music Fest, and even The Grand Ole Opry. For more information and to purchase balcony tickets and individual table seats, visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/rifacanstruction2023. If you’d like to play a larger role in Canstruction 2023, there are opportunities for sponsorships, structure-building teams, and full table purchases. For more information, contact Esther at ejones@rifajackson.org or (731) 427-7963.
Madison Hall Community Yard Sale
Calling all yard sale fans. The Madison Hall Community Club announces its gigantic annual Yard and Bake Sale. Dates are Sept. 28-30 at the Community Center on Steam Mill Ferry Road in the Madison Hall Community. Shopping begins Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Saturday will be half-price day on all sale merchandise, ending at noon.
The Play That Goes Wrong
From Mischief, Broadway masters of comedy, comes the smash hit farce. Welcome to opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28-30 with 2 p.m. matinees on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Tickets are $24 for adults, $18 for adults 65 and older, $16 for students and $15 for everyone for the matinees. All shows are at The Ned at 314 East Main Street in Downtown Jackson.
Sept. 29
Make It Shake It Martini Party
The ninth annual event to benefit Redemption Road Rescue with food, live music and silent auction at the Jackson Fairgrounds (800 South Highland Avenue in Downtown Jackson) from 7-11 p.m. Cost is $600 for a table of eight or $85 for an individual ticket. For more information, e-mail pattihs2845@gmail.com.
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.
Wine Down
Crown Winery (3638 East Mitchell Street in Humboldt) concludes this year’s season of its Wine Down concert series. Remember when booking your table reservations to also go ahead and do your pizza reservations. The pizzas time slots go fast. Visit their website www.crownwinery.com and book online. This week’s entertainment is Jackson’s Hubtet. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Sept. 30
Moonlight Pond Tour
Carter’s Nursery (2846 Old Medina Road) presents the 19th Annual Moonlight Pond Tour. This garden tour showcases water features & landscape gardens at night. It’s self guided, meaning you will get a list of properties on the tour with descriptions and directions, and you go from stop to stop at your own pace and enjoy the evening. The tour always falls on a Saturday night closest to the Full Harvest Moon. Tickets are $20 each with children under 12 getting in free of charge. Carter’s Nursery is “Pond Central” for the Pond Tour and you are invited to come by throughout the evening to sit a spell, have a drink & a light snack. Enjoy the Fire Pit and look at the beautiful Gardens and Water Feature Lighting.
Community Cleanup Day
The City of Jackson is hosting this event at West Tennessee Healthcare’s North Hospital at 367 Hospital Boulevard from 8 a.m. until noon. This bulk waste drop-off and paper shredding event will help residents better discard large items that are difficult to dispose of elsewhere. This event will allow citizens to shred documents and drop off items such as tires, mattresses, furniture, and bulk items over 50 pounds. It’s free for Jackson residents. No commercial businesses are allowed. Four tires per vehicle. Furniture including couches and recliners will be accepted. Paper shredding is done by DirectShred. No appliances with freon or other refrigerants will be allowed. No hazardous waste will not be accepted either. Health and Sanitation Department are providing free tarps to the first 75 people in trucks or trailers to attend as a part of the education of the “Tarp Your Load” law.
Grand opening at theLOCAL
There are two new businesses at theLOCAL (202 West Lafayette in Downtown Jackson at the corner of Lafayette and Shannon): Burn Your Truth and Grinning Soul Crochet. Jackson Downtown Development is having a party to welcome them from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be live music with local artists Hunter Cross and Hope MacGregor and a number of other vendors in addition to theLOCAL resident Sprinkle Me Sugar. Those vendors include 3rd Planet Soap Co., BB Crowchet, Blank and Noire Skincare, Décor By Herron, Emily Ervin Creative, Handmade by Lizzie, Hannah Gore Creative Co., Local Flower, Seasons of Baking, The Outspoken Rose and This Girl’s Garage.
Save a Rack
Elks Lodge 192 (28 Executive Drive) is teaming up with local non-profit the Rack Pack for an event benefiting the Rack Pack, which is a group that helps women battling breast cancer. Entertainment is by Kevin and Bethany Paige, a cocktail hour, food, silent auction and live auction. Tickets are available through ticket leap at www.the-elks-lodge-192.ticketleap.com. For more information or to purchase tables or sponsorships, call 731-616-1352. The event starts at 5 p.m.
Starlight Symphony
A 40-year tradition in Jackson continues as First Presbyterian Church (1573 North Highland Avenue) hosts the annual free event on its front lawn at 7 p.m. The concert includes different pieces from classical to patriotic to pops favorite for an unforgettable evening of music under the stars.
Voices in the Vineyard
Century Farm Winery (1548 Lower Brownsville Road in Jackson) continues its summer concert series with Emily McGill at 7 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Limited tables are available. Lawn chairs are available.
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.
To submit events for The Post’s upcoming events calendar, e-mail them at least two weeks in advance to brandon@jacksonpost.news.