McMinn Life Summer 2026 by Bingham Group

FromThe Publisher

There’s something special about summer in East Tennessee. The longer evenings. The sound of fireworks in the distance. Front porch conversations that somehow last a little later. Road trips through the mountains, hidden treasures waiting in small towns, and the kind of beauty that reminds you to slow down and appreciate where you are.

One of my greatest joys has always been traveling - whether it’s discovering a charming little town tucked into the hills of Tennessee or finding inspiration in places far beyond our county lines. Yet no matter where I go, there’s something about coming home that always grounds me. The people here, the stories here, and the sense of community we share are truly something special.

This summer feels especially emotional for our family as my youngest daughter, Alyssa, graduates from high school. It’s one of those moments as a mother that feels both incredibly joyful and unbelievably bittersweet. It honestly feels impossible that enough time has passed for this chapter to arrive. In many ways, McMinn Life Magazine has grown right alongside my children, and Alyssa has been such a meaningful part of this publication throughout the years. From helping behind the scenes to growing up surrounded by the heart of this community, this magazine has been woven into our family’s story for as long as she has been alive.

As I reflect on that, I’m also reminded how grateful I am for all of you who continue to support McMinn Life. To our advertisers, contributors, photographers, community leaders, and readers, thank you for making this publication possible year after year. And thank you for taking the time to read the stories of the people, businesses, events, and traditions that make living in McMinn County such a blessing.

As we celebrate summer and gather with family and friends this Fourth of July, I’m reminded how thankful I am to live in this country and this community.

Happy Fourth of July, and thank you for allowing us to continue telling the stories that make McMinn County feel like home.

With gratitude,

Lisa Atkins Bingham

Mother of Kathryn, Kelsey and Alyssa

Publisher of Monroe, Farragut &

McMinn

Life Magazine President of The Bingham Group

McMinn County Celebrates America’s 250th with a Summer Full of Music, History, and Hometown Pride

Red, White & Rooted

There’s something deeply American about summertime in East Tennessee. Live music drifting across a courthouse square. Classic cars lined up under glowing streetlights. Children waving flags while fireworks burst overhead. And in 2026, as communities across the nation celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, McMinn County is leaning fully into the spirit of patriotism, heritage, and small-town tradition.

From river festivals and historic commemorations to concerts, Fourth of July celebrations, and one of Tennessee’s most beloved quirky festivals, this summer in McMinn County feels less like a calendar of events and more like a celebration of community itself.

A County Built on History

In McMinn County, history isn’t tucked away quietly in books. It still lives in the streets, rivers, farms, and stories passed from one generation to the next. That history will take center stage on August 1 during the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Athens Festival.

The Battle of Athens remains one of Tennessee’s most significant historical events – a story of veterans, citizens, and democracy that gained national attention

after World War II. This year’s festival is expected to feature expanded festivities and deeper storytelling surrounding the event that placed Athens in the national spotlight.

As America approaches its 250th birthday, the timing feels especially meaningful. Because in many ways, McMinn County’s story is America’s story: resilience, freedom, and people willing to stand for something bigger than themselves.

MooFest Kicks Off

The Summer

Summer officially begins June 6 as National MooFest returns to Downtown Athens. With more than 300 food, craft, and information vendors filling downtown, MooFest transforms Athens into a full-day celebration complete with live entertainment on three stages, attractions, contests, games, family activities, and community showcases. This year’s entertainment lineup includes local and regional favorites like Cole Sitzlar, Wilson & Cross, Clinch River Ramblers, Faith Willin’, Run Katie Run, and more.

For many families, MooFest has become more than an event. It’s a tradition, and the unofficial start of summer in McMinn County.

Sounds of Summer

The music continues long after MooFest ends. The Sounds of Summer concert series launches during MooFest and continues throughout the season with six live performances across the county.

One of the most anticipated nights arrives on July 4, when Mendingwall performs before fireworks light up the sky at Athens Regional Park. Because few things feel more American than live music before fireworks on Independence Day.

The River Becomes the Celebration

In Calhoun, the Hiwassee River is becoming one of the region’s most exciting outdoor destinations. The newly opened Hiwassee Blueway Cherokee Crossing recently welcomed major improvements through a Tourism Enhancement Grant, including a new dock, kayak launch, picnic spaces, shade structures, benches, and renovated parking areas. And on July 18, that beautiful stretch of river becomes the center of the River Town Festival.

Visitors can enjoy guided paddles through Hidden Meadows, glow-in-the-dark paddling experiences, the Rubber Duck Charity Race, fireworks over the river, and excursions aboard the Hiwassee Queen. It’s East Tennessee summer at its finest - laid back, scenic, and unforgettable.

Fourth of July the McMinn County Way

If there’s one thing McMinn County knows how to do well, it’s celebrate the Fourth of July. This year’s America 250 celebrations are making those traditions even bigger.

In Etowah, the beloved Old Fashioned Fourth of July returns with a full day of Americana-inspired festivities including a morning 5K, vendors, live music, pageants, and community activities. The celebration concludes with an enhanced fireworks display paired with a laser light show and a performance by Skynfolks, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band.

Meanwhile, Athens Regional Park will host its own expanded Independence Day celebration featuring the Sounds of Summer concert by Mendingwall, splash pad fun for families, arcade attractions inside the Conference Center, and a fireworks finale complete with a drone show above Athens. It’s patriotic, energetic, and unmistakably hometown America.

Small Towns, Big Personality

Throughout the summer, communities across McMinn County continue showcasing the charm that makes this area so welcoming.

Englewood Celebrates returns June 27 for its 40th annual celebration, honoring decades of memories, music, and community pride in downtown Englewood. Classic car culture also continues thriving through monthly cruise-ins and meetups. Midway Milkshake regularly hosts

gatherings alongside the Gudger Steel Car Club, Athens Travelers continue their courthouse square traditions, and even Drip Kitchen & Coffee has become a gathering spot for car enthusiasts.

And on July 16, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. will visit Athens as part of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Benefit Dinner.

Preserving the Crafts That Built America

As summer begins winding down, the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum offers one final reminder that heritage still matters.

The Living Legacy Trade Fair, happening August 21–22, celebrates the trades and handmade skills that helped shape generations of Appalachian life. Visitors can experience blacksmithing, basket weaving, leather work, loom demonstrations, live music, handcrafted goods, and artisans sharing skills passed down through the years. It’s hands-on history, not behind glass, but alive and working right in front of you.

Perhaps that’s the perfect way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Not just by looking backward, but by remembering the traditions and community spirit worth carrying forward.

More Than a Destination

What makes McMinn County special isn’t just the events themselves. It’s the feeling behind them. People still gather here, linger after concerts, and line the downtown streets for parades and fireworks.

In a world that often feels rushed, McMinn County offers something refreshingly timeless: A summer that feels like summer. A celebration that feels genuinely patriotic. And communities that remind visitors why small-town America still matters.

Written by Kristin West

FAITH, FREEDOM & THE STORY STILL BEING WRITTEN

Before fireworks ever light the sky, America begins in quieter places.

In folding chairs lining small-town parade routes.

In porch flags swaying gently through the July breeze. In veterans standing a little taller when the National Anthem begins to play. In children waving sparklers they do not yet fully understand, but someday will. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

For generations, that belief helped shape the heart of America. Long before this nation became powerful, Americans placed their hope in something greater than themselves. The founders were imperfect men, yet many openly recognized the guiding hand of God throughout the birth of the nation. They believed freedom itself was not granted by government, but by the Creator.

George Washington once wrote, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.”

John Adams and John Hancock declared, “We recognize no sovereign but God, and no king but Jesus.”

Those words still echo through the American story. Two hundred and fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, people around the world still dream of becoming Americans. They dream of freedom, opportunity, and openly worshipping Jesus without fear. They dream of raising families beneath skies where liberty still lives.

Above: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps in the Annual National Independence Day Parade.

Below: Bristol, Rhode Island 4th of July Parade. The oldest July 4th parade in the United States.

In the earliest days of the nation, churches stood at the center of communities, prayers were offered before battles, and faith shaped much of the moral foundation that guided the country forward. The Declaration of Independence boldly proclaimed that all men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” forever placing God at the center of the American story.

The question is no longer only how America was founded - but whether we still remember the values that built her.

Before there were fireworks and parades, there were battlefields and prayer meetings. Before America became prosperous, it was a fragile idea carried by ordinary people willing to sacrifice comfort, safety, and even their lives for the hope of liberty.

And against impossible odds, the nation endured.

Today, America remains one of the greatest stories ever told—not because it has been flawless, but because generation after generation has continued fighting to preserve the freedoms first imagined in those earliest days of independence.

Gatlinburg’s Annual Fourth of July Midnight Parade is the very first Independence Day Parade In The Nation. It has been named a Top Ten Parade to See in the US by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

And perhaps now more than ever, Americans are being asked an important question:

Who are we becoming? As a nation.

And as citizens entrusted with the blessings of freedom.

What Still Holds America Together

Somewhere along the way, parts of America’s original spirit grew quieter. Faith, family, and community—once the foundation of American life—now compete against distraction, division, and endless noise.

Our founders crossed icy rivers, endured brutal winters, and marched into uncertainty for the sake of freedom, yet today many of us grow impatient when life becomes slightly

inconvenient. It sounds humorous until we realize how easily comfort can make people forget the cost of liberty.

And yet, despite everything, something remarkable still remains.

The spirit of America still lives in small towns. In churches filled on Sunday mornings. In neighbors who show up during hard seasons. In parents teaching their children to place their hands over their hearts during the anthem.

And every Fourth of July, that spirit rises again beneath fireworks and summer skies. Because patriotism was never supposed to live only in politics. It was meant to live in people.

The Land That Holds the Story

Part of what makes America so extraordinary is that its story was never written in just one place. It was written across mountains and harbors, winding rivers and open farmland, courthouse squares and quiet backroads beneath endless skies.

While patriotism still runs deeply through East Tennessee- through church cookouts, baseball games, lake weekends, and fireworks over small towns- there are places throughout the country where America’s story feels almost sacred.

In Washington, D.C., monuments rise above the National Mall as reminders of sacrifice, leadership, freedom, and faith. Designed in 1791 by Pierre Charles L’Enfant,

many historians have noted how the Capitol, White House, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial appear to form the shape of a cross across the city itself- a quiet symbol connecting faith, sacrifice, and liberty at the heart of America’s story.

Standing beneath the Lincoln Memorial while fireworks bloom across the summer sky, visitors cannot help but feel the weight of the generations who built and defended this nation.

Further north, Boston, Philadelphia, and Colonial Williamsburg still carry the spirit of the Revolution through cobblestone streets, historic churches, and colonial roads where freedom was once debated by candlelight.

Then there are places where America feels softer and more nostalgic.

On Mackinac Island, bicycles drift beneath towering trees while porch lights glow along the waterfront. In Galena, Illinois, American flags sway above historic storefronts where time seems to slow down. In Charleston, church steeples rise beneath coastal skies painted in pink and gold sunsets.

And perhaps that is what makes America unlike anywhere else in the world.

America is mountain mornings in East Tennessee where fog rolls through the valleys, sailboats drifting across quiet New

Equestrian Team Carries American Flags in Provo’s July 4th Freedom Festival Grand Parade in Provo, Utah.

England harbors, golden wheat fields beneath Midwestern sunsets, and church bells echoing across small-town squares while children run barefoot through the summer grass waiting for fireworks after dark.

From the Great Smoky Mountains to the rocky coastlines of Maine, America carries a beauty that feels both vast and deeply personal at the same time.

The kind of beauty that reminds us how small we truly are beneath God’s creation. And through every mountain, harbor, and wide-open sky, the glory belongs to God— the Creator who shaped this land.

A Prayer for America

No matter where Americans stand politically, perhaps one thing still remains true:

This country needs prayer. Prayer for wisdom and healing. Prayer for unity and humility. Prayer for families, communities, and future generations. Prayer for veterans carrying sacrifices most will never fully understand. Prayer for leaders, because Scripture reminds us to pray for those entrusted with authority.

America has never needed perfect people to survive. But it has always needed people willing to seek God, pursue truth, and care for one another.

Perhaps real patriotism is not found in outrage or division, but in remembering we are still neighbors before anything else.

Still human. Still connected. Still responsible for how we treat one another.

The Story We Leave Behind America’s 250th birthday is not simply about looking backward. It is about deciding what kind of nation we will continue becoming.

One of the most emotional moments for me every Fourth of July is hearing “God Bless the U.S.A.” begin to play.,“I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free…” Those words still stop me in my tracks every single time. Growing up, some of my favorite memories were spending the Fourth of July at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia, watching the laser show beneath the summer sky surrounded by thousands of people wrapped in red, white, and blue. Even as a little girl, I remember feeling proud to belong to a country built on faith, freedom, sacrifice, and hope.

And now, raising my own family, those feelings somehow run even deeper. Because freedom does not come free. Every flag waving in the summer breeze and every veteran standing quietly in the crowd represents sacrifices most of us will never fully understand.

Despite the imperfections of this world, I still feel incredibly blessed to call America home—and even more grateful to raise my children in a small town where faith, family, and community still matter. We are blessed

to worship freely, gather around supper tables in peaceful homes, and raise our families beneath these wide-open skies.

Maybe that is why songs like “God Bless the U.S.A.” still move people to tears. Because deep down, they remind us America is more than politics or headlines.

And perhaps the greatest way to honor America this Independence Day is not simply by celebrating the past, but by living in a way worthy of the sacrifices that built it.

Maybe the American dream was never meant to live only in Washington. Maybe it still lives where it always has—around dinner tables, inside churches, beneath fireworks, and in small towns filled with people still willing to believe this country is worth loving.

For 250 years, the American story has endured. And now, the next chapter belongs to us.

Left: The Lincoln Memorial with July 4th Fireworks. Right: Mackinaw Island host a beautiful July 4th Parade with Horse Drawn Carriages.

Kristin West and her family, Brandon, Riley, Carver and Colton.

Left: The Lincoln Memorial with July 4th Fireworks. Right: Mackinaw Island host a beautiful July 4th Parade with Horse Drawn Carriages.

Kristin West and her family, Brandon, Riley, Carver and Colton.

Red, White & Blue

SUMMER POPSICLES

Fresh, Wholesome, And Made with Ingredients You Can Actually Feel Good About

There is just something magical about summertime in the South- these naturally colored Red, White & Blue Popsicles are the perfect patriotic treat for all those sunny Fourth of July celebrations, while still being simple enough to enjoy all summer long.

Made without artificial dyes, food coloring, or overly processed ingredients, these popsicles get their bright patriotic colors straight from fruit and natural ingredients. They are cool, refreshing, lightly sweet, and incredibly kid-friendly- the kind of treat moms feel good about serving and kids get excited to eat.

Makes: 6 popsicles

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Freeze Time: 4–6 hours

INGREDIENTS

Red Layer

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

2 tablespoons white grape juice or pure maple syrup

White Layer

1 1/2 cups white grape juice

2 tablespoons coconut milk

1/2 ripe banana

Blue Layer

Remaining white mixture

1/4 teaspoon blue spirulina powder

DIRECTIONS

To make the red layer, blend the strawberries and white grape juice until smooth. Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons into the bottom of each popsicle mold. Place in the freezer for about 1 hour, or until partially set.

For the white layer, blend together the white grape juice, coconut milk, and banana until creamy and smooth. Carefully spoon about 2 tablespoons over the frozen strawberry layer in each mold. Since the red layer is partially frozen, the colors should stay separated beautifully. Return the molds to the freezer for another hour.

Reserve any leftover white mixture in the refrigerator while the popsicles chill.

Once the white layer has partially frozen, stir the blue spirulina powder into the remaining white mixture and blend briefly until evenly combined. Pour the blue layer gently over

the white layer and insert popsicle sticks into the center of each mold.

Freeze for 4–6 hours, or overnight for best results.

To remove the popsicles from the molds, dip the outside of the mold into warm water for about 10 seconds. The popsicles should slide out easily and be ready to enjoy.

A FEW SWEET NOTES

These popsicles are naturally colored with fruit and spirulina instead of artificial dyes.

Store tightly covered in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Perfect for Fourth of July parties, pool days, lake weekends, or simply cooling off on a hot Southern afternoon.

WHERE SOUTHERN CHARM MET ISLAND TIME ON THE SHORES OF JAMAICA.

The Gibsons

There are weddings that feel perfectly curated… and then there are weddings that feel completely alive.

For Savannah Swanson and Cody Gibson, their April 2026 destination wedding at Excellence Oyster Bay was never about creating something overly formal or pictureperfect. It was about creating a feeling. And somehow, beneath swaying palms and watercolor Caribbean skies, they created what guests would later call over and over again: “The best weekend ever.”

Their love story had already stood the test of time. After years of dating and a long engagement, Savannah knew exactly what she wanted when it came time to say “I do.” She wanted calm. Peace. Joy. Sand on her feet. Most of all, she wanted a wedding that felt like them.

Savannah and Cody have always shared a love for travel, water, and making memories with the people they love most, so a destination wedding felt natural from the beginning. Jamaica gave them more than a beautiful backdrop. It gave them time to slow down, celebrate with family and friends, and turn their wedding into a shared adventure. In many ways, the trip reflected exactly who they are as a couple - easygoing, joy-filled, and happiest when surrounded by the people who make life feel full.

The result was a Tennessee fairytale softened by ocean breezes, island sunsets, and carefree celebration.

The design embraced effortless coastal elegance. White florals mixed with lush greenery and tropical palms while soft blue bridesmaid dresses mirrored the ocean itself. Pearls, seashell textures, warm sand tones, and airy fabrics created a timeless island aesthetic that felt light, organic, and intentionally relaxed.

Savannah’s bridal style embodied that same energy perfectly. Her gown was simple, chic, and impossibly elegant against the bright Caribbean coastline. Flowing fabric moved effortlessly with the ocean breeze while her cathedral veil drifted behind her in the sand.

Delicate pearls and diamonds added a classic touch without overpowering the laid-back atmosphere surrounding her.

And then there were her eyes. Blue as the ocean behind her. In every photograph, the palette of the weekend seemed to come alive through her—soft ivory, sea glass blue, warm sunlight, and the greens of the tropical landscape wrapped into one breathtaking coastal vision. The details never screamed for attention, but quietly told the story instead. Hydrangeas and eucalyptus gathered loosely in hand-tied bouquets. White draping danced beneath the ceremony arbor. Nothing felt stiff. Nothing felt forced. Even the candid moments felt cinematic.

Mermaids & Matrimony

Themed events became part of the magic as the celebration unfolded over several days.

Their welcome cocktail hour, Mermaids & Matrimony, introduced the week with tropical drinks and carefree energy. One of the most talked-about events was the Tequila Sunrise Pool Party, filled with bright neon colors and bold island vibes.

Something Blue Before “I Do”, turned into the perfect pre-wedding pool party, bringing everyone together for an afternoon of sunshine, laughter, and island-style celebration.

And somehow, through all the celebration, the weekend never lost its sense of intimacy.

Before the ceremony, Savannah and Cody privately exchanged handwritten vows during their first look—just the two of them, taking in the weight of the moment before stepping into forever together.

Tequila Sunrise Pool Party

The ceremony itself took place just before sunset, when the sky softened into pale blues, peach tones, and gold light reflecting across the water. Guests sat oceanside as warm breezes moved through flowing white drapery and waves crashed softly behind them.

Then came the rooftop reception at sunset— elegant, joyful, and wildly fun all at once. Exactly as Savannah had envisioned. Exactly as Cody hoped too.

Because while Savannah carefully dreamed through every detail, Cody simply showed up ready to celebrate, laugh, and enjoy every second of it. That carefree spirit became part of the entire atmosphere of the wedding itself.

No stress. No pressure. Just good times, beautiful people, and a love story worth traveling for.This wasn’t a cookie-cutter destination wedding.

It was a Tennessee love story rewritten along the coast of Jamaica, full of pearls, seashells, ocean air, tequila sunrises, barefoot dancing, and memories that will live on far beyond the photographs.

The Gibsons truly know how to create moments that will feel just as alive years from now as they did beneath the Jamaican sun.

Something Blue Before I Do The Reception

ABUNDANT PHOTOGRAPHY

Halea Lingerfelt Gibby of Abundant

Photography captured the celebration with an intimacy only a lifelong friend could, having known Savannah since preschool.

www.abundantphoto.co

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) can be seen along the back roads and highways here in Tennessee. She may have originated in Europe but obviously likes it on this side of the pond, especially in the South. Queen Anne’s lace has delicate fernlike foliage and dancing umbels of crisp white flowers. An umbel is a cluster of flowers with stalks of nearly equal length, which spring from about the same point, like the ribs of an umbrella. She also has a tiny little red floret in the center of the bloom. In many ways it is the ideal garden flower. This beautiful flower selfsows and needs no care. I know some of you consider this plant a weed, but it is a versatile long-stemmed flower to me.

The root is edible if you like carrots, but I don’t grow Queen Anne’s lace to eat; it makes a great cut flower. The tiny white cluster blooms blend with almost any flower. I especially like the contrast of Queen Anne’s lace arranged with roses. It’s pollen sheds like crazy on the dining room table. Spraying them with hairspray before arranging can slow this shedding. I have also put food coloring in the water and the Queen Ann’s lace will pick up the coloring and change from a creamy white to tints of blue, red, green or the color of your choice.

This plant cannot be found in seed catalogs. Queen Anne’s lace seeds are everywhere free

for the taking. Seeds can be collected in late summer or fall as soon as they have dried completely. If you don’t have a friend growing this graceful plant just look for it along the roadside. Cut off the dried seed heads and sprinkle wherever you want this prolific plant next year. You can sow them directly in the garden or any sunny spot. These plants are tough and will survive in poor soil, but they prosper where the earth is loose, fertile, and well drained. Seeds can be planted in either fall or spring. When they first sprout, the new plants look like parsley. They can be either annual (blooming the first year) or biennial (coming up one year then blooming the next). They grow up to 4 feet tall.

All types of insects pollinate the flowers, which may be the reason I remember this regal plant being called ‘chigger weed’ as a child. In fact, I tried to avoid standing by them when out picking blackberries. My brother has a strong aversion to this plant so you can imagine his dismay when arriving for a visit to find Queen Anne’s lace blooming along my driveway. When entering my house, he spotted a large arrangement using its creamy white flowers on the kitchen table. He politely asked me to please take the arrangement outside that “he was itching just looking at them.” I immediately removed the Queen to the outdoors; she looked especially happy sitting on the porch.

Gayle Fisher MASTER GARDENER

KNIT THROUGH TIME

A STORY STILL BEING TOLD IN NIOTA

TJULY 4th, 1908

here’s something powerful about time.

This year, as America approaches its 250th anniversary, we pause to reflect on the people, the places, and the quiet legacies that helped build this country. The stories that didn’t just witness history, but became part of it.

And in a small town with one traffic light and a population of only a few hundred, one of those stories is still being written.

For 124 years, nearly half the life of this nation, Crescent Sock Company has stood its ground. Not in a bustling city. Not backed by corporate giants. But rooted firmly in a place where everyone knows your name, where families grow together, and where work still means something.

As America prepares to celebrate 250 years, it’s worth pausing to recognize what it truly means to endure. Through wars. Through

economic change. Through the rise and fall of industries.

The Burn family didn’t just survive it. They worked through it. They built through it. They stayed. And in doing so, they became something rare, a living example of what American resilience truly looks like.

It didn’t start as a grand vision. It started like many American stories do, with grit, belief, and a willingness to build something that lasts.

AMERICA’S OLDEST OPERATING HOSIERY MILL . . .

YEARS

James Lafayette “Jim” Burn, Jams Lane “Jack” Burn and William H. “Bill” Burn

A Legacy of Courage and Commitment

The year was 1902, and America was moving forward in bold, inventive ways. Pepsi-Cola opened its doors. Crayola crayons made their way into homes for the very first time. Nabisco introduced Animal Crackers. Even the gas-powered lawn mower was changing everyday life.

Progress was everywhere. But in Niota, Tennessee, progress looked a little different. It looked like a group of local men gathering at a train depot, led by James L. Burn, the depot stationmaster, asking a simple question: How do we create opportunity here. They weren’t chasing headlines. They were building livelihoods.

Inspired by the Crescent train route that passed through Niota, destined for New Orleans, they named their new venture Crescent Hosiery Mills, known today as Crescent Sock Company, a business rooted in purpose from the very beginning.

What started as a way to provide jobs would become something far greater. A legacy. Not every company can say its story helped shape a nation. But Crescent can.

The 19th Amendment

Craft You Can Feel

There’s a difference between making a product and standing behind it. Crescent has built its name on that difference.

From the everyday comfort of the World’s Softest® Sock, to the heritage-driven design of Hiwassee Trading Company, to the high-performance precision of Omni-Wool Tactical, every product reflects something deeper than materials and machinery. It reflects care. Because for Crescent, it all begins at the fiber.

In 1920, as the United States stood on the edge of change, the vote to ratify the 19th Amendment came down to a single moment. A single decision.

Harry T. Burn, a young Tennessee legislator and part of the Crescent founding family, held that decision in his hands. In his pocket was a letter from his mother, Febb Ensminger Burn, urging him to stand for what was right. And he did.

With one vote, Tennessee became the deciding state to grant women the right to vote.

And what no one could have imagined in that moment – what couldn’t have been written into history – is that a century later, the company his family helped build would be led by the great-granddaughters of Febb Burn herself.

Today, Crescent Sock Company is led by President and CEO Cathy Allen, a fourth-generation member of the founding Burn family, alongside her sisters, Sandra Boyd (Executive Vice President) and Pat Cotton (Majority Stockholder and founding family member), as they continue the family legacy in Niota, Tennessee. It now stands as a woman-owned business, guided by the same strength, courage, and conviction that Harry’s mother so boldly embodied.

The words of Febb Burn didn’t just change history. They shaped a future. That legacy lives on through Febb’s Boutique, a collection designed to honor her courage and inspire the next

For their Omni-Wool Tactical line, that means looking beyond convenience and sourcing materials with intention – partnering with American sheep farmers in Montana for premium wool fibers, while sourcing additional materials from Texas, where the land and climate help produce fibers known for both resilience and performance. Fibers are chosen not just for softness, but for durability, moisture control, and the ability to perform in the toughest conditions.

That same respect for fiber carries across every brand they create.

With Hiwassee Trading Company, the focus shifts to nature’s original performance material, Merino wool. These socks are built for those who live and work outdoors, where comfort isn’t about luxury, it’s about reliability. Naturally moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and even antimicrobial, the fibers work with the body, keeping feet warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and dry through it all. It’s not synthetic comfort. It’s natural function, refined through generations of craftsmanship.

And then there’s the product that made people stop and say, “How is that even possible?” The World’s Softest® Sock. What sets it apart isn’t just a name, it’s the way it’s made. Crescent uses denser, ultra-soft yarns engineered to feel almost weightless, while still holding their shape and durability over time.

The result is a sock that doesn’t just feel soft the first time you wear it, but stays that way, wash after wash, wear after wear. Softness with substance. Comfort you can trust.

Across every brand, every pair, and every purpose, Crescent builds with the same philosophy: start with the best materials available, refine them, respect the process, and never lower the standard. Because for Crescent, excellence isn’t accidental, it’s intentional.

As President and CEO Cathy Allen shares, “Quality checks and a quality-first product are at the heart of everything we do.” It’s not just a standard, it’s a promise. One she carries with pride, knowing each pair of socks represents more than comfort, it represents craftsmanship.

The Choice to Stay –and What It Built

Time has not been easy on American manufacturing. Across decades, mills closed. Jobs disappeared. Communities like Niota felt the weight of an industry slowly fading away. Crescent had a choice. Leave… or stay. But staying meant more than keeping the lights on. It meant fighting for something that couldn’t be replaced, people, purpose, and place.

So they stayed.

They stayed for the families who depended on those jobs. They stayed for the employees who had given years, sometimes lifetimes, to the company. They stayed because they believed what they were building still mattered.

And over time, that decision became something more than survival – it became identity.

Because at the heart of Crescent Sock Company is something you can’t manufacture. Family.

For more than 100 years, the Burn family has led with a simple but powerful belief, that business isn’t just about what you produce, but who you take care of along the way. Employees. Their families. The community. That belief has never changed.

Even as the company has grown, reaching beyond Niota, building a reputation that stretches far beyond its small-town roots, Crescent has never tried to become something different. Growth didn’t pull them away from who they were. It anchored them deeper into it.

Stronger. Steadier. More Rooted.

They haven’t chased trends. They’ve stayed true to tradition, while still finding ways to move forward, one intentional step at a time.

Inside the mill today, that choice is still alive. You can hear it in the hum of machines and feel it in the rhythm of the work. You can see it in the faces of those who have spent decades there, people who didn’t just build a career, but a life.

And then there’s Jack Ewing, more than 60 years with Crescent, still showing up, still giving back, even standing behind the grill at employee cookouts, serving the very people he’s worked beside for half a century.

That’s more than loyalty, it’s what happens when a company chooses people, again

Today, Crescent carries that same foundation forward with strength and intention. The leadership may look different than it did in 1902, but what it stands for remains unchanged.

“We at Crescent are all working hard, but having a good time,” Cathy says with a smile.

Because when people enjoy what they do, and who they do it with, it shows in the final product. That sense of family isn’t something written on a wall. It’s something lived out daily.

Executive Vice President Sandra Burn Boyd describes it simply:

“Here at Crescent, we love each other. We cry together, pray together, and celebrate together.”

It’s a rare kind of workplace, one where people aren’t just coworkers, but part of each other’s lives. And maybe that’s the real reason they stayed.

Crescent isn’t just honoring where they’ve been, they’re building for what comes next. They’re growing. They’re hiring. They’re continuing a story that began more than a century ago, and they’re inviting others to step into it.

Not just for a job. But for something meaningful. A place where your work matters. Where your effort becomes part of something bigger than yourself. Where what you do each day connects back to a legacy that has stood the test of time, and will continue long after.

A place where you’re not just an employee. You’re part of the story.

The Final Thread

You can buy socks anywhere. But you can’t buy 124 years of commitment.

You can’t buy a family that chose to stay. You can’t buy a story woven through nearly half the life of America.

But you can choose to support it. You can choose to wear it. You can choose to be part of it. And in doing so, you carry forward something bigger than a product, a legacy, still being written, one stitch at a time.

“Cathy Burn Allen, CEO, Sandra Burn Boyd, EVP, and Pat Burn Cotton, majority stockholder like her sisters, are the fourth-generation members of the founding Burn family who are continuing the legacy.”

EBy Ray Hill

Senator Estes Kefauver

stes Kefauver had quite nearly managed the impossible by getting himself elected to the United States Senate in 1948. Kefauver took advantage of E. H. Crump’s mistake in refusing to back Senator Tom Stewart for reelection.

The state of the national Democratic Party that year was divided beyond all hope. President Harry Truman had been opposed by many Democrats for renomination and virtually nobody believed he could win the general election. Florida U. S. Senator Claude Pepper urged fellow Democrats to reject Truman and draft General Dwight D. Eisenhower as the nominee. Truman did receive the Democratic presidential nomination, but unhappy Southern Democrats bolted the convention. Southern Democrats, bitter about the civil rights plank adopted at the convention, rallied around South Carolina Governor Strom Thurmond. The far left of the Democratic Party was already supporting the presidential candidacy of yet another candidate, former Vice President Henry A. Wallace who was the nominee of the Progressive Party. Harry Truman would have to face not only the Republican candidate, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, but also Strom Thurmond and Henry Wallace in the general election.

In Tennessee, Henry Wallace would not be a factor, but E. H. Crump, leader of the Shelby County machine, was preparing to compound his previous political mistakes. Once having been notorious for not only allowing black folks to vote inside Democratic primaries, but actually encouraging them to do so, Crump was preparing to support the ‘Dixiecrats’. For years, the Shelby County organization had extended government services to the black community and the machine paid the poll taxes for those African-Americans who wished to vote. Of

course they were expected to vote the Crump ticket and they did.

Crump, a millionaire businessman, liked the way things were and felt threatened by the civil rights plank in the Democratic Party platform. E. H. Crump was not interested in changing the fundamentals of the Southern way of life. The Memphis Boss announced he would support Strom Thurmond and the Dixiecrats.

Tennessee Republicans believed the split in the Democratic Party might well pay dividends for them and they nominated serious candidates for both governor and the United States Senate. Legendary country music star Roy Acuff was the GOP nominee for governor and B. Carroll Reece was the nominee for the Senate.

Reece had been the Congressman from Tennessee’s highly Republican First District off and on since 1922. In 1946, Reece retired from Congress as he had been elected as Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Reece presided over the election that returned Republicans to power, albeit briefly. The GOP took control of both houses of Congress in 1946 with a slogan that resonated with voters weary of sacrifice and deprivations relating to the recent world war, “Had Enough?”

Reece was quite wealthy and began touring the state in a shiny new Cadillac, leaving his campaign advisers horrified. They quickly changed vehicles to give Reece the appearance of a man of the people.

Tennessee Democrats were nervous, not only because the party was divided, but Roy Acuff was drawing enormous crowds. The gubernatorial candidate and his Smoky Mountain boys would entertain the audiences

with music while Carroll Reece usually made the speeches. Reece, like Crump in the recent Democratic primary, charged that Congressman Kefauver was too sympathetic to Communism. Kefauver hit back that Reece, who had served in Congress for twenty-six years, had never given the Tennessee Valley Authority the support it deserved; in fact, Kefauver told Tennesseans, Reece had been opposed to the TVA.

Some believed that Crump might be induced to support the Republican ticket, such was the Memphis Boss’s antipathy for Gordon Browning and Estes Kefauver. Crump’s personal friend and political partner, Senator K. D. McKellar, had already endorsed the Democratic ticket, including President Truman, as well as Browning and Kefauver. McKellar was a loyal Democrat and refused to budge regardless of what Crump himself did. McKellar even made a personal financial contribution to the state campaign fund. Senator McKellar also raised some $30,000 for the Democratic campaign. E. H. Crump never gave the Republicans any help in the general election and 1948 proved to be a terrible year for Republicans. Harry Truman beat Thomas E. Dewey and the Republicans lost control of the Congress. The Republican ticket fared no better in Tennessee. Estes Kefauver defeated Carroll Reece for the United States Senate by almost two hundred thousand votes. Gordon Browning returned to the governor’s mansion after beating Roy Acuff by a margin of two to one.

The biggest loser in the 1948 was E. H. Crump who had lost not only both the gubernatorial and senatorial elections, but had alienated himself from the national Democratic Party by backing the Dixiecrats. Crump’s only tie to the national party was his old friend McKellar. Of course Crump still ruled in Memphis and Shelby County. Hopeful opponents, thinking Crump’s power and influence had seriously diminished, fielded a slate of candidates

against the Crump ticket in the next election. To their surprise, the Crump ticket won easily.

Estes Kefauver had not yet taken the oath of office before running afoul of his powerful senior colleague, Senator Kenneth D. McKellar. McKellar had been dining at the elegant Mayflower Hotel, where he lived while in Washington.

Evidently one of Kefauver’s supporters and friends approached the old senator and suggested that he and Kefauver would take care of some of the political patronage, if McKellar didn’t mind. McKellar did mind and the famous McKellar temper erupted. The gentlemen left in quick retreat and Senator McKellar sent a blistering seven-page letter to Kefauver accusing the Congressman of dishonesty. McKellar pointed out Kefauver had assured him that the Congressman wanted to “cooperate” with him. Senator McKellar sarcastically noted that Kefauver’s idea of cooperation was to do all the operating and leave the “co” to McKellar.

McKellar also likely embarrassed Kefauver by noting that the Congressman had campaigned in the general election without supporting the candidacy of Harry Truman and had anticipated Truman’s defeat by having recommended a Republican for an important federal appointment.

Kefauver, apparently sensing trouble with the irascible McKellar, had sent word that he wished to come by McKellar’s office and the old senator closed his letter saying he was still welcome to come. McKellar, once retired from the Senate, related the spat with Kefauver and claimed to have chased the surprised Kefauver out of his office while brandishing his cane. It was certainly in character for the old senator.

Evidently Kefauver somehow managed to placate McKellar, if only briefly, as McKellar observed Senate decorum and escorted his new colleague down the aisle to be sworn into office. Kefauver was the eighth senator from Tennessee to serve with K. D. McKellar.

The personal relations between the two men did not remain cordial for long. The two constantly bickered over patronage and McKellar was infuriated by one of the few instances when Kefauver got his way. McKellar was backing the reappointment of Reed Sharp as U. S. Marshal for Middle Tennessee, while Kefauver supported another individual. Kefauver claimed Sharp had supported Strom Thurmond and the Dixiecrats, which was apparently enough for Harry Truman to refuse to reappoint him.

Kefauver also managed to thwart McKellar’s desire to give former senator Tom Stewart a plum in the form of an appointment as attorney for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in Nashville. Senator Kefauver wasn’t keen on giving any kind of position to his former opponent and the appointment never came through.

McKellar demonstrated his power inside the Senate when the two disagreed over judgeships in Tennessee. McKellar had introduced a bill to provide Tennessee with a fourth federal judge. Kefauver wanted the new judge to be a “roving” judge and hear cases in different parts of the state, a notion which displeased McKellar. Despite being a member of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, Kefauver found himself routed by McKellar, who took the dispute to the floor of the United States Senate.

Although aging and increasingly more often ill, Senator McKellar had lost none of his shrewdness in managing a bill inside the Senate and his disdain for his younger colleague was plain for all to see.

According to Kefauver’s biographer, Charles Fontenay, Kefauver’s Administrative Assistant, Charles Neese, believed the dislike of Senator McKellar helped to isolate Estes Kefauver in the Senate. Kefauver would never be personally popular with his colleagues; quite to the contrary in fact. Kefauver’s reputation as a loner and a maverick was, according to Neese, largely

due to the dislike of the powerful McKellar during the four years to two served together.

The Southerners were especially powerful inside the United States Senate and most of the powerful committee chairmanships were held by Southerners. Southern senators tended to be reelected by their respective states and in a body where seniority brought increased power and influence, the Southerners occupied positions of real power. By and large, Estes Kefauver was detested by his fellow Southern senators.

Having the luxury of running once every six-years rather than every two-years as he had to do while in the House of Representatives, Kefauver invested in a home for his family. New Mexico senator Carl A. Hatch (author of the famous Hatch Act) was returning home after having retired to accept a federal judgeship and Kefauver bought the Hatch house. It was a comfortable home, one which the Kefauver children enjoyed tremendously. The Kefauver household was an informal one and the Kefauver children’s friends came and went as they pleased, which apparently never bothered either senator or Mrs. Kefauver. The house was chock full of happy children and pets.

The Kefauvers enjoyed a pleasant life in the nation’s Capitol and Estes bought himself a new Packard sedan, although he rarely ever drove himself, save for when he led family excursions. The senator also bought his wife Nancy a sporty new Studebaker convertible.

Life in Washington was good for Estes Kefauver and his family.

Beyond The Adjustment Table

A New Era of Wellness at Smiley Family Chiropractic & Wellness Center

There was a time when most people only visited a doctors office when something hurt – a stiff back, a lingering injury, or a moment when the body finally demanded attention.

But healthcare is shifting. More individuals and families are realizing wellness is not simply about reacting to illness – it is about caring for the body before breakdown happens. It is about recovery, restoration, stress support, nervous system regulation, and creating a healthier foundation for everyday life.

At Smiley Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Madisonville, that philosophy has become part of the wellness center’s heartbeat – a calling Dr. Jessica Smiley continues to live out as she celebrates her 24th anniversary in practice this June.

While many know Dr. Jessica Smiley for chiropractic care, what many may not realize is that the practice has evolved into a full wellness destination designed to support the body naturally through every stage of life. And perhaps most importantly, patients do not have to be chiropractic patients to experience many of these restorative therapies.

A New Kind of Wellness Experience

The experience begins the moment the doors open – a slower pace, a calm and welcoming atmosphere, and a feeling that healing is approached differently here. Patients are encouraged to slow down, breathe deeply, and begin listening to what their bodies may have been trying to say for years.

Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, the wellness center supports the body as a whole – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It is an approach rooted in the belief that the body was designed to heal when properly supported.

That mindset is especially important in today’s world, where chronic stress, burnout, inflammation, poor sleep, and nervous system overload have become part of everyday life.

Many people are not necessarily “sick,” but they also do not feel well. And that is where restorative wellness therapies can make a meaningful difference.

Supporting the Nervous System & Whole Body

Supporting the nervous system remains one of the practice’s central priorities, as it

influences everything from stress response and sleep to digestion, recovery, energy, and emotional wellbeing.

When the nervous system stays in a constant state of stress, the body often struggles to fully rest and recover, leading to increased fatigue, disrupted sleep, and rising inflammation.

Dr. Smiley and her team believe wellness should involve more than masking symptoms. Their goal is to help patients create an environment within the body where restoration can naturally occur.

Advanced Wellness Therapies Designed for Restoration

The therapies offered at the practice are designed not only to support physical recovery, but to create moments of restoration in the middle of busy, overstimulated lives.

The hyperbaric oxygen chamber supports cellular repair and recovery by increasing oxygen delivery throughout the body, while the HOCATT ozone sauna combines heat, ozone, detoxification, and circulation support into one deeply restorative experience

Another patient favorite is Hugo, a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy

With these advanced therapies Dr. Smiley can help patients create an environment within the body where restoration can naturally occur.

designed to calm the nervous system, improve circulation, and support emotional and physical recovery. Many patients report feeling more relaxed, balanced, and rested following sessions.

The practice also offers Zerona laser therapy, a non-invasive treatment supporting gut health, fat loss goals, metabolic health, circulation, and overall wellness. Patients are often surprised by the additional benefits they experience beyond body contouring alone.

Massage therapy provides another layer of restoration, helping release tension while supporting relaxation and recovery.

Together, these therapies reflect the practice’s mission: helping people care for their bodies proactively instead of waiting until exhaustion, illness, or pain become unavoidable.

Wellness for Everyday Life

One of the biggest misconceptions about wellness therapies is the belief that someone must already be sick or injured to benefit from them. Many patients come to the practice simply because they want to feel better, manage stress naturally, recover more fully, or support long-term wellness before larger health concerns arise.

Some are busy parents balancing full schedules. Others are athletes, business

owners carrying constant stress, or individuals who simply want to age well and remain active for years to come.

The practice encourages patients to view wellness not as a luxury, but as stewardship – caring intentionally for the bodies God entrusted to us. For many families, restorative therapies have become part of their regular routines through wellness memberships, helping prioritize recovery, detoxification, nervous system support, and preventative wellness throughout the year.

Because sometimes wellness is not about fixing something broken. Sometimes it is about protecting peace, preserving health, and building a stronger foundation for the life still ahead.

Stories of Hope & Restoration

For Mandy N., the difference became undeniable after an injury.

“Honestly, I can’t even remember life before coming to see Dr. Smiley,” she shares. “I’ll never forget when I fell and hurt my ankle. I spent time in the HOCATT and Hugo, and just two days later I was walking on the beach with no pain. That’s when I realized how different this place is.”

She says what stands out most is the wellness center’s focus on addressing root causes rather than simply masking

symptoms. “I’m just so thankful for Dr. Jess and everyone here.”

For Nichole L., the journey was equally emotional.

“Before my first visit, I felt bad most of the time,” she explains. “There were moments when things honestly felt hopeless.” After several weeks of care, something began to shift. “I started feeling less anxious and realized my quality of life was getting better.” What impacted her most was the personalized care and kindness she experienced throughout the office. “Everyone is so friendly and takes such good care of you. You can actually feel the difference.”

Imagine waking up feeling healthier, more vibrant, more rested, and more like yourself again. To learn more about restorative wellness therapies, wellness memberships, and the healing experiences shared by patients throughout the community, visit www.smileyfamilychiro.com and discover a wellness approach rooted in restoration, compassion, and caring for the whole person.

Summer HAPPENINGS

MOOFEST

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Downtown Athens

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Free Admission

Live Entertainment all day on the Market Pavilion stage and the Courthouse steps and many food trucks, vendors and events for the kids.

www.friendlycityfestivals.com

SOUNDS OF SUMMER

Every Other Saturday, June thru August Market Park Pavilion Athens, TN

7 p.m. – Free Admission

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the Sounds of Summer in Athens every other Saturday, presented by Friendly City Fesitvals. Jun 6, Cole Sitzlar; Jun 13, September Song; July 4, Mendingwall; July 18, Dexter Thomas Band; Aug 8, Scenic City Sound; Aug 15, Confederate Railroad.

www.friendlycityfestivals.com

OOTN AMERICA 250

TN AMERICA 250

June 18 thru July 28, 2026

Nancy Cantrell Dender Art Gallery next to Gem Theater

Downtown Etowah

The Etowah Historical Commission and Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association will Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our nation by presenting “Our American Story: Voices from Tennessee” – a Tennessee State Museum traveling exhibit that highlights the lives and legacies of remarkable Tennesseans whose stories connect with and contribute to the nation’s history. Free of charge – the exhibit invites visitors to explore how individual actions have helped shape the nation.

www.TennesseeOverhill.com

n July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past and honor the contributions of all Americans. Our goal is to engage all 350 million Americans by our nation’s 250th Anniversary. Join us in celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial by sharing your story through “Our American Story or America’s Invitation,” inviting students to describe what America means to them as part of America’s Field Trip, or helping make 2026 a record setting year for volunteer service through America Gives. For a schedule of Special Events throughout the country check out the website – www.America250.org.

McMINN

2026 ENGLEWOOD CELEBRATES

Saturday, June 27, 2026 beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Downtown Englewood

Join us at 7:30 a.m. for the Boy Scouts pancake breakfast and stay with us all day as we celebrate our 40th Annual June Days in Englewood with games, entertainment, vendors and food trucks. The evening ends with a concert on the Main Street stage.

ETOWAH’S OLD FASHIONED JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

Saturday, July 4, 2026 beginning at 7 a.m.

Downtown Etowah Depot

Join us at 7 a.m. for the Boy Scouts pancake breakfast and stay with us all day as we celebrate our nation’s birthday with games, entertainment, vendors and food trucks. Fireworks will be at 10 p.m. including a laser light show and Skynfolks, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band will keep us rocking.

Facebook: Etowah 4th of July

5K INDEPENDENCE DASH

Saturday, July 4, 2026 beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Downtown Etowah Depot

Start off our nation’s birthday with a 5K road race or 1 mile fun run/walk held annually in Etowah before our Old Fashioned July 4th Celebration begins. Meet at the Etowah Depot for Registration at 7:30 a.m.

Facebook: Etowah 4th of July

ATHENS JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Regional Park

Fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

Regional Park

Join us as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday with a better than ever Fireworks show at the Regional Park in Athens. We are planning a 600 unit drone show along with our fireworks this year. You will also be able to see the show at nearby shopping centers as well as at the Regional Park.

ATHENS SOAP BOX DERBY

Saturday, May 30, 2026

7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keith Lane, Athens

The Athens race is a qualifier for the All American Soap Box Derby World Championship, which will be July 11-18, 2026 in Ohio. We have a stock division and a super-stock division. Go to our website below to register.

www.secure.rec1.com/TN/athens-tn/catalog

LIVING LEGACY TRADE FAIR

August 21-22, 2026

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Living Heritage Museum, Athens, TN

The McMinn Co. Living Heritage Museum celebrates the trades and handmade skills. Experience blacksmithing, basket weaving, leather work, loom demonstrations, live music, handcrafted goods, and artisans sharing skills.

www.livingheritagemuseum.org

MONROE COUNTY

PINTS WITH PATRIOTS VETERANS SOCIAL

Wed, June 3, 2026

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

700 N. Main St, Sweetwater, TN

Sweetwater Taps. Join us for another Pints with Patriots Veterans Social. Veterans will be treated to a delicious dinner from the Aiza Kusina Food Truck! Invite your friends, family and of course Veteran friends!

www.visitmonroetn.com

CHEROHALA CHALLENGE

June 6, 2026

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Charles Hall Museum, Tellico Plains, TN

The event offers three distinctive bicycle rides that almost anyone can find a ride that will fit their skill level with rides of 35, 62, and 115 miles. Presented by The Smoky Mountain Wheelmen. For more information see our website.

www.smwbikeclub.org

POP-UP MARKET AT THE NOTCH

Saturday, June 13, 2026

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 162 Harrison Rd, Madisonville, TN

162 Harrison Rd, Madisonville, TN

Join us Saturday, June 13th from 12pm-3pm for Tsali Notch Vineyard’s Pop-Up Market! Shop with local crafters & artisans at this quaint “farmer’s market style” pop-up event. So grab some friends and family and join us for a fun day at The Notch.

www.visitmonroetn.com

FATHER’S DAY MURDER MYSTERY LUNCH

Saturday, June 20, 2026

1 p.m.

Whistlestop Manor, 134 Head of Creek Rd, Sweetwater, TN

Whistleshop Manor. Murder Mystery Lunch for fathers! Tickets include appetizers, lunch, dessert, beverages, costumes and a 2.5 hour highly interactive experience.

www.visitmonroetn.com

TELLICO TROUT FESTIVAL

Saturday, June 13, 2026

10 a.m. til 5 p.m.

Downtown Tellico Plains

Come enjoy your love of trout fishing with us in Tellico Plains, TN! We will have fishing vendors, trout sandwiches, craft vendors, an art show, a kids zone, and more! Friday, June 12th join us for Live Music and Beer Garden at the Gazebo from 6 p.m. til 9:30 p.m. – bring your lawn chair!

www.visitmonroetn.com

GREAT TELLICO HISTORY

Saturday, June 20, 2026

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Charles Hall Museum, Tellico Plains, TN

Charles Hall Museum, Tellico Plains, TN

Experience 18th century life in Tellico Plains from the Revolutionary era through the foreced Cherokee Removal of 1838. America 250. www.visitmonroetn.com

Experience 18th century life in Tellico Plains from the Revolutionary era through the foreced Cherokee Removal of 1838. America 250.

www.visitmonroetn.com

“RED, WHITE & BOOM” TELLICO PLAINS

Saturday, June 27, 2026

6 to 10 p.m.

Historic Town Square, Tellico Plains

A fun, filled family festival with free admission and parking. Fireworks, Live Music, Axe Throw, Kids Zone with bounce house, waterslide and carousel rides, Food Trucks and lots of arts/craft Vendors. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a fun, filled night. Contact: Joyce McDaniel, 615-3470086, jamcdaniel@tds.net.

JULY 4 CELEBRATION MADISONVILLE

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Begins at 6 p.m.

Houston Park, Madisonville, TN

Bring the family to Houston Park in downtown Madisonville, TN on July 4th, at 6 p.m. to enjoy an evening of food, entertainment, activities and fun as the City of Madisonville gets ready to light up the sky in celebration of Independence Day. Fireworks will be at Dusk.

www.visitmonroetn.com

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Race Begins at 7 a.m.

Kefauver Park, Madisonville, TN

August 27, 2026

5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

400 Kahite Trail, Vonore, TN

Welcome back to the 1776 Merica run! New and exciting things are coming back for 2026! This is the official 5th year unofficial 6th year of the 17.76 Merica run. Pick up info packet from 5:30-6:45 a.m. There will be a hot dog cookout post event. www.runeastcoastadventures.com/

www.runeastcoastadventures.com/

Saturday, August 8, 2026

3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

338 Fort Loudoun Rd, Vonore, TN

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park. Discover what life was like at Fort Loudoun, the western most point of the British Empire during the French and Indian War, as reenactors bring the fort back to life www.visitmonroetn.com

Kahite Community Center. Enjoy an evening of food, wine, and fun, and support the arts! Check back for details.

www.visitmonroetn.com

MONROE RODEO

September 11-12, 2026

8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

170 Rarity Bay Parkway, Vonore, TN

Bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing, great music in the VIP Lounge, delicious food. Family-friendly fun for all ages This isn’t just a rodeo — it’s a celebration with a purpose. Every ticket sold supports CASA Monroe’s mission to advocate for abused and neglected children right here in our community. When you show up, you’re making a difference in the life of a child.

www.casamonroe.org/casa-monroe-rodeo

CASA

MACA WORLD OF WINE

SIEGE GARRISON

17.76 MERICA RUN

CASA MONROE RODEO

MACA WORLD OF WINE

SIEGE GARRISON

17.76 MERICA RUN

FARRAGUT

SCIENCE FAIR

May 22, 2026

4-6 p.m. Friday – Ages 8-13; $10

Show off your scientific knowledge at our Science Fair! Kids can submit one project on a scientific topic of their choice. There will be age categories according to the ages of those who apply. View more information at our website.

www.visitfarragut.org/

FARRAGUT’S KID TRY-ATHLON

Saturday, June 13, 2026

8 to 10 a.m. – Ages 4-6, 7-10; $20 per child

Registration deadline: May 7

Bike, run and splash your way to the finish line! This non-competitive event allows young athletes to experience aspects of

a triathlon. No swimming takes place, but participants will encounter water obstacles as they head towards the finish line. A parent/guardian must accompany participants in the 4-6 age group on the course. Participants will receive a t-shirt and medal. Registration is required; the deadline to register is Thursday, May 7.

www.visitfarragut.org/

RED, WHITE AND BLUEGRASS CONCERT

June 13, 2026 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

June 13, 2026

6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza 101 N. Campbell Station Rd, Farragut

To join in on the America 250 celebrations we will be hosting Red, White & Bluegrass at McGill Plaza just outside the Campbell Station Inn. Celebrate the United States Semi-quincentennial with one of Tennessee’s oldest musical genres! Variety of food trucks onsite, serving up delicious bites so you can focus on the music and fun. More details announced soon!

www.visitfarragut.org/event/red-whiteand-bluegras/

YOUTH DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT

June 16, 2026

Tuesday, 4-6 p.m. – Ages 8-12 $10 per team (5 players per team)

Duck, dodge, and dive into the action! This youth dodgeball tournament is open to youth of all skill levels. Teams compete in a double elimination format, giving everyone multiple chances to play and advance. Register for the Youth Dodgeball Tournament.

www.visitfarragut.org/

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

Saturday, July 4

9:30 a.m. til 12:00 noon

Kingston Pike/Stadium Dr to Boring Road

9:30 a.m. til 12:00 noon Kingston Pike/Stadium Dr to Boring Road

Join us at our annual Independence Day Parade! Enjoy floats, dancers, bands, antique cars and more as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday!

www.visitfarragut.org/

FUN WITH FARRAGUT’S FLEET

Sunday, August 23, 2026

9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Mayor Bob Leonard Park, 301 Watt Road, Farragut, TN 37934

Kids have the opportunity to see, touch and climb on big trucks and equipment at Farragut’s Mayor Bob Leonard Park. This family-friendly free event in East Tennessee brings out the kid in all of us!

visitfarragut.org/event/fun-with-the-fleet/

GATLINBURG

BREAKFAST WITH A MERMAID

5 Thursdays this Summer 8:00 a.m., Ripley’s Aquarium

Have you ever wanted to meet a mermaid? Now is your chanxce! Join us for Breakfast with a Mermaid at Ripley’s Aquarium in

Gatlinburg. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, potatoes, juices and coffee. After breakfast snap a shell-fie with our mermaid. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. for a hot breakfast and coffee in Feeding Frenzy. Kids can take pictures and talk with a Mermaid. After you are free to enjoy the Aquarium. Your ticket purchase also includes admission to the Aquarium. Dates: June 4, 18; July 2, 16; and Aug 6.

www.ripleys.com

JULY 4 PARADE

Sunday, July 4, 2026

12:01 Midnight (Saturday night)

Gatlinburg has the First Independence Day Parade in the Nation. Starting just a minute past midnight on Sunday, July 4th. For more than 40 years, the parade has honored our nation’s veterans & other U.S. military heroes with this classic, small town American parade. Then join us all day July 4 for events throughout the city and don’t miss the Fireworks finale show at 11:00 p.m. in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg! This 20 minute fireworks show earns rave reviews and it’s a great way to finish a perfect 4th of July in the Smokies. Be sure to arrive early to find parking and get a great spot for viewing this popular nighttime celebration.

www.pigeonforge.com/july-4th-events

RIVER RAFT REGATTA

July 4, 2026

1:00 p.m.

July 4, 2026 1:00 p.m.

The Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta race starts at 1:00 pm at the old Christ in the Smokies bridge and ends at Ripley’s Aquarium. In addition to the two classic categories, Trash (not hand-made) and Treasure (handmade), this year offers a new Duck category. You can bring your own rubber ducky or purchase one for $2 onsite. Awards will go to the top 3 in each category.

www.pigeonforgepatriotfestival.com

PIGEON FORGE

PATRIOT FEST 2026

July 3-4, 2026

Patriot Park

July 3-4, 2026 Patriot Park

Celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary at Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Festival, now expanded to a two-day event on July 3 and 4. This free, family-friendly celebration kicks off the holiday weekend with live entertainment, food, and a festive atmosphere leading up to the Fourth of July. Fireworks will be at 9:50 p.m. on July 4th. Check our website for the schedule. www.pigeonforgepatriotfestival.com

www.pigeonforgepatriotfestival.com

Pinks and Sweet William

Currently blooming for a limited time here in Tennessee are two showy plants from the same family, Pinks and Sweet Williams. Dianthus is a large genus with over 300 species and literally thousands of cultivars. “Pinks” are hardy perennials that are easy to grow in full sun with well-drained soil. I have had them growing in a formal bed for years but in the last three years they have been shaded by a holly and are not getting enough sunlight. My Pinks are dianthus gratianopolitanus, they come in all shades of pink but they do not get their name from the color. The name comes from the fringed or ragged edge of the petals, which appears to have been trimmed with pinking shears.

Blooms can also be white, maroon, and red. They can be single, semi double, or fully double. These plants are generally low growing and mound shaped. The foliage is evergreen with grass like blades of blue, or gray-green color. Bloom time is late April into summer.

They make an attractive edging plant for beds and borders. If you need a specific color for your garden, it is best to buy plants that have been propagated by division, cuttings or layering. Dianthus tends to die out in the center and need dividing every 2 to 3 years to keep them attractive and vigorous.

This is a spicy scented flower and in a large grouping it provides for a sweet-smelling garden in late afternoon and early morning. You should remove spent blooms or shear back plants after the main flush of flowers to encourage continued blooming. These beautiful mounds need little care to look their best. They would like a spring feeding high in phosphorus (bone meal) or an annual dose of wood ashes helps to keep the soil slightly acid (ph 6.5). With the way this year has started we are lucky that this plant is heat tolerant.

Sweet William is a sister plant, Dianthus barbatus, it is another old-fashioned flower.

Popular in cottage gardens for hundreds of years this short-lived perennial is commonly grown as a biennial. Biennial means that they set plants one year and bloom the next. These plants are prolific self-sowers. I have had a spot of Sweet Williams in my bed for 10 years and have always had plenty of blooms in May. This species of dianthus aren’t fragrant at all. They have strong stout stems with glossy, dark green leaves. The flowers are showy flat-topped clusters and can grow two-feet-tall. Colors are red, pink, white, multi-color, and fuchsia. They make excellent cut flowers.

My sister-in-law who lives in Kahite has Sweet William growing in a wooden barrel. The deer in her neighborhood think they taste delicious. This forced her to jail her Sweet Williams on her deck. This year she said they had never been prettier. Her mother gave her the starter plants 15 years ago. Even though they have sissy little names Pinks and Sweet Williams are tough plants.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8r6ZJQoPHw&list=LL www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeX380B1nWE&list=LL&index=2 www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-FlHFeVfbI&list=LL&index=3

THE MOST EXCITING ROADS IN AMERICA!

The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway from Tellico Plains Tennessee to Robbinsville North Carolina.

THE MOST EXCITING ROADS IN AMERICA!

The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway from Tellico Plains Tennessee to Robbinsville North Carolina.

The Tail of the Dragon is a twisting serpent of a road on the TennesseeNorth Carolina state line, famously said to have 318 curves in 11 miles. It can be dangerous as testified by the tree at the beginning of the route decorated with pieces of crushed cars and bikes but it’s also exciting. It’s a beautiful road that we covered in our Summer 2024 issue that you can find on our website.

DRIVING EVENTS:

June 10-12

Spring Rennsport Dragon Rally (Porsche specific)

June 20th

Dragon Rally® 54 by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all sports car models)

The Tail of the Dragon is a twisting serpent of a road on the TennesseeNorth Carolina state line, famously said to have 318 curves in 11 miles. It can be dangerous as testified by the tree at the beginning of he route decorated with pieces of crushed cars and bikes but it’s also exciting. It’s a beautiful road that we covered in our Summer 2024 issue that you can find on our website.

DRIVING EVENTS:

June 26-28

Invading the Dragon ( BMW specific)

July 18th

September 12th-14th

Vettes Versus the Dragon

Dragon Rally® 55 by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all sports car models)

Three-day event open to all Corvettes www.smokymountaindrives.com

August 1st-2nd

Mountain Peaks Rally by Smoky Mountain Drives (a woman's driving event)

September 20th

August 15th

Dragon Rally® 56 by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all sports car models)

Dragon Rally® XLVIII by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all makes of sports cars)

September 11-13

Vettes versus the Dragon (Corvette specific)

October 18th

Dragon Rally® XLIX by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all makes of sports cars)

September 19th

Dragon Rally® 57 by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all sports car models)

October 17th

November 7th - 9th

Dragon Rally® 58 by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all sports car models)

October 23-25

Fall Rennsport Dragon Rally (Porsche specific)

November 7th

Dragon Rally® L by Smoky Mountain Drives (three-day driving event to celebrate our 50th Dragon Rally,® open to all makes of sports cars) www.smokymountaindrives.com

Dragon Rally® 59 by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all sports car models)

October 24th-26th

Rennsport Dragon Rally Three-day events open to all Porsches www.rennsportdragonrally.com

Brandon Johnson Photo