TN.gov Newsroom

Main Street Program Touts Special Events, Shopping to Promote Historic Downtowns

NASHVILLE – With the arrival of warm weather, Tennessee Main Street communities across the state are digging out the beach towels and firing up the grill. Tennessee Main Street Programs are hosting multiple summer events to support the downtown districts of communities across the state.

“Main Street Program summer celebrations are an important part of community-building,” said Kimberly Nyberg, ECD Main Street director. “Many of our historic downtowns feature festivals, shops and restaurants that celebrate warm weather in a way that is both unique and beneficial to the community. As you make your outdoor plans for this summer, I encourage you to discover the exciting events happening in your backyard on Main Street.”

Main Street revitalization is a comprehensive, incremental, self-help economic strategy that also focuses on developing public-private partnerships to enhance community livability and job creation, while maintaining the historic character of the district.

“Downtown revitalization is an important, often unsung, factor in economic development,” said ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber. “The Tennessee Main Street Program brings the focus back to businesses and neighborhoods at the heart of a community. The summertime events give citizens a chance to support their historic downtown districts as they enjoy the beautiful weather.”

The Main Street program provides 23 certified Tennessee communities with technical assistance and guidance in developing long-term strategies that promote economic growth and development. The program provides information and assistance in forging public networking and training opportunities for downtown commercial districts.

Tennessee’s Main Street communities are: Bristol, Cleveland, Collierville, Columbia, Cookeville, Dandridge, Dayton, Dyersburg, Fayetteville, Franklin, Gallatin, Greeneville, Jackson, Johnson City, Kingsport, Lawrenceburg, McMinnville, Morristown, Murfreesboro, Rogersville, Savannah, Tiptonville and Union City.

Summer Main Street events throughout the state are listed on the following pages, and for more detailed information please visit: http://www.state.tn.us/ecd/whatsnew/.

About the Tennessee Main Street Program
Main Street revitalization is a comprehensive, incremental, self-help economic strategy that also focuses on developing public-private partnerships to enhance community livability and job creation, while maintaining the historic character of their downtown district. For more information on the Tennessee Main Street Program, visit the ECD Web site at www.tnecd.gov.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tnecd.gov.

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Summer Tennessee Main Street Activities

Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday June through October
Columbia Main Street
Event: Farmers’ Fresh Market
Place: Saturdays at the Courthouse Square, Otherwise at the Riverwalk Park, Columbia, Tenn.
Time: 7 a.m. – Noon
Contact: (931) 388-3647 or colmainst@maurycounty-tn.gov

Every Thursday June through July (except July 2)
Main Street Collierville
Event: 18th Annual Sunset on the Square Concert Series
Place: Downtown Collierville, Tenn.
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Contact: Laura Todd, (901) 853-1666

Every Thursday through September
Crossroads Development Partnership
Event: Pickin’ In the Park
Place: Free Miller Park, Morristown, Tenn.
Time: 6 p.m. until dusk
Contact: (423) 581-3280 or www.PickinAtFredMillerPark.com

First Friday of Every Month through September
Main Street Dayton
Event: First Friday!
Place: Downtown Dayton, Tenn.
Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
Contact: Sarah Standifer, (423) 775-9847 or mainstreet@volstate.net

Every Saturday through October
Main Street Dandridge
Event: Dandridge Farmers Market
Place: Corner of Gay and Meeting Streets, Dandridge, Tenn.
Time: 8 a.m. – Noon
Contact: (865) 397-4798 ext. 17 or office@MainStreetDandridge.com

Every Tuesday and Saturday, June 13 – September 26
Main Street Dyersburg
Event: Main Street Farmers Market
Place: 335 Clark Avenue, Dyersburg, Tenn.
Time: 7 a.m. – Sellout
Contact: Steve Guttery, (731) 285-3433

Thursday, June 18
Main Street Dandridge
Event: Shannon Memorial Golf Tournament, Four-Person Best Ball Scramble
Place: Dandridge Golf and Country Club, Dandridge, Tenn.
Time: 1 p.m.
Contact: (865) 397-2655

Fridays, June through August
Crossroads Development Partnership
Event: Fourth Friday Music Fest and Cruise In
Place: Main Street, Morristown, Tenn.
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Contact: (423) 581-3280 or http://www.downtownmorristown.org/4thfriday.asp

Saturdays, June 27, July 25, August 22 and October 17
Savannah Main Street
Event: Savannah Main Street Festival
Place: Historic Downtown Court Square, Savannah, Tenn.
Time: 3 – 7 p.m., Outdoor Movie to be Shown after Dark
Contact: Judy Flanagan, (731) 925-3300 ext. 105 or jflanagan@charterinternet.com

Tuesday, June 30
Main Street Dandridge
Event: Presentation on the Highway 25E Scenic Highway and Heritage Tourism
Place: Historic Jefferson County Courthouse, Dandridge, Tenn.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Contact: RSVP to (865) 523-8008

Friday, July 3
Main Street Dandridge
Event: Shakin on the Lake Fireworks
Place: Dandridge Dike at Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.
Time: Dark (but come early)

Friday, July 3
Crossroads Development Partnership
Event: Morristown’s Star-Spangled Celebration Parade
Place: Main Street, Morristown, Tenn.
Time: 7 p.m.
Contact: (423) 581-3280

Saturday, July 4
Main Street Dandridge
Event: Dandridge Yacht Club Boat Parade
Place: Mile Marker 8 (a mile toward town from the mouth of Muddy Creek), Dandridge, Tenn.
Time: Come at 11 a.m. to Participate, Parade Starts at Noon

Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18
Tiptonville Main Street Association
Event: 4th Annual Blue Suede Shoes ‘N’ BBQ
Place: Tiptonville, Tenn.
Time: All Day (BBQ Contest Friday Morning at 8 a.m., Judging Saturday at 10 a.m. – Must Register)
Contact: Kay Forrest, (731) 253-9922 or (731) 253-0031

Saturday, August 1
Main Street Dandridge
Event: Festival of Lights Boat Parade
Place: Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.
Time: 9 p.m. (Be on the Lake at 8:30 p.m. to Participate.)
Contact: (865) 368-8186

Saturday August 1 and Sunday, August 2
Main Street Dandridge
Event: Community Yard Sale and Pet Parade to Benefit Jefferson County Humane Society
Place: Historic Dandridge, Tenn. (Pet Parade Starts at the Old Fire Hall on US 25/70)
Time: Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. – Noon (Pet Parade Starts Sunday at 9 a.m.)
Contact: (865) 397-7337

Saturday, August, 1
Crossroads Development Partnership
Event: Music at the Rose: Michael Reno Harrell
Place: The Rose Center, Morristown, Tenn.
Time: 8 p.m.
Contact: (423) 581-4330

Every Thursday August 20 through September 24
Main Street Dandridge
Event: Music on the Town
Place: Behind Town Hall, Dandridge, Tenn.
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Contact: (865) 397-2616

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Contact: Michaela Jackson
Office: (615) 253-4897
E-mail: michaela.jackson@tn.gov