Hey neighbors!

If people-watching is your sport, make a trip to Manchester this week. Bonnaroo returns June 11-14, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the region. Over at The Caverns, the team will catch its breath before hosting the sold-out PBS taping with Wynonna Judd on June 18. Meanwhile, Fourth of July plans are coming together across the mountain. This year’s America 250 celebration will be one for the history books, and I’d love to see every church, business, civic group, and family consider entering a float.

The South Cumberland Summer Meal Program is underway for children ages 2-18 throughout June and July. Pickup locations rotate through Palmer and Tracy City on Mondays, Pelham on Wednesdays, Coalmont and Beersheba Springs on Thursdays, and Altamont on Saturdays. Check Facebook for times and locations. The Coalmont Library hosts an improv comedy workshop on Thursday from 1:30-3:30 p.m., followed by a TN250 Living History practice session at 5 p.m. Free legal assistance continues at the Littell Partin Center on Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and every third Thursday thereafter. Saturday is packed with activities. Fiery Gizzard State Park offers an Introduction to Rock Climbing class at Foster Falls from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Morton Memorial United Methodist Church hosts its monthly food distribution from 8-10 a.m., which also coincides with Summer Meal Program pickup at the same location. The 5th Annual Top of the Rock Jeep Club event runs from noon until 9 p.m. at its new clubhouse on Railroad Avenue in Tracy City, featuring live music, prizes, and family fun. The Grundy County Young Farmers & Ranchers Recruitment Event begins at 2 p.m. at the UT Education Center behind Coalmont Elementary. Anyone ages 18-35 interested in agriculture is encouraged to attend. Saturday evening, Shawn Mayer performs on the Smoke House Patio from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Vacation Bible School season kicks into high gear next week with programs at Highland Church in Monteagle, Mt. Etta in Gruetli-Laager, Cumberland Baptist in Beersheba Springs, and City Lights in Monteagle. The Youth Entrepreneur Creative Summer Camp returns to Hallelujah Pottery June 15-20, culminating in a student craft fair on June 20. LIFT Grundy hosts another transportation workshop on June 16 at the Altamont Community Center from 5-6:30 p.m., with food and childcare provided. Fiery Gizzard State Park’s Junior Ranger Camp is June 22-26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. JAM Kids Summer Classes continue at the Littell Partin Center on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 4-5:30 p.m. On June 26, Plainview Community Church hosts a fellowship cookout from 5-8 p.m. The following day brings Pelham’s Independence Celebration, featuring a 10 a.m. parade, TN250 Living History program at 2 p.m., and fireworks after dark. Coalmont’s TN250 Living History event begins at noon that same day, followed by fireworks at dark. Also on June 27, the Beersheba Springs Market Music Fest returns with old-fashioned games, music, and family activities. Registration begins at 4 p.m., judging at 5 p.m., and music starts at 6 p.m. Runners can also register now for the annual Dash to the Door 5K on July 4, benefiting the Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic. Looking a little further ahead, the GCHS Golf Team Golf Scramble fundraiser is scheduled for August 22. Contact Dylan Mooney for sponsorship or team information.

The Grundy County Heritage Center’s jam sessions on Monday and Tuesday remain on partial hiatus during library renovations. Hank’s Corner Trivia continues on Thursdays at 7 p.m., while the Smoke House offers live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Caverns keeps its concert and tour schedule rolling, and the Mountain Goat Trail remains one of the best ways to spend a summer day on the plateau.

As always, shop local when you can, support the people and businesses that invest in our communities, and love your neighbors like it matters—because it does. If there’s something happening on the mountain I should know about, send it my way at ivamichellesmith@gmail.com.