Carthage, TN – Smith County Events Committee (SCEC) is excited to announce the return of
its annual Back-to-School Bash! This beloved community event is gearing up to provide local
families with resources and support as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

SCEC is currently working diligently to streamline the planning process to ensure this year’s
Back-to-School Bash is even more helpful and efficient for all attendees. This year’s event is
going to look different from previous years. We have taken time to factor in feedback and notes
from the last 4 years. There will be no waiting in line in the heat this year!!

This year we will be opening an application ahead of supply pick up day. Parents and Guardians
will need to complete the application in order to utilize the supply drive. The criteria for receiving
help remains the same: students must live in and/or attend school in Smith County. Applications
will be processed in the same format as if you were showing up to wait in line: First Completed
First Served. Applications will open on Wednesday, July 15th. On or before July 28th you will
receive an email with your “spot-in-line,” anticipated supplies to be provided for your student(s),
and instructions for pickup date and time. Pick up day will be August 2nd, but the time frame for
pick ups will vary for each family. Pick up format will be a drive-through method and supplies will
be pre-gathered for you. You will be able to list alternate pick up adults on your application. You
will need to show a valid government issue ID and either know your assigned number or have
your spot-in-line email ready to show our volunteers. Applications are relatively simple and only
collect the information necessary for us to package and track the supply requests appropriately.
No financial or demographic information will be requested.

Recap:
-Applications Open July 15th
-Be on the look out for Spot-In-Line email by July 28th
-Be prepared to pick up supplies drive-through style August 2nd at assigned time
(Spot-In-Line emails will include anticipated supply support so families can utilize tax free
weekend to obtain their other school supplies!)

There will NOT be a wait-in-line style event this year. You must fill out an application and pick up
supplies at your assigned time. Applications will open to everyone at the same time on July 15th
at 1:00 PM. The link will be posted on social media and on our website.

The success of the Back-to-School Bash relies heavily on the support of our community. SCEC
is accepting the help of enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various tasks leading up to, during,
and after the event. This is a fantastic opportunity to give back to our community and be a part
of a positive and impactful event.

Individuals interested in volunteering their time and skills are encouraged to reach out to the
Smith County Events Committee directly at smithcountyevents@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for further updates and announcements regarding Smith County Events Committee’s
Back-to-School Bash!
About the Smith County Events Committee (SCEC):
The Smith County Events Committee is dedicated to organizing and supporting events that
benefit the residents and enhance the community spirit of Smith County.
Contact: Smith County Events Committee at smithcountyevents@gmail.com

Residents and visitors alike are invited to step back in time and explore their roots during the Upper Cumberland Family History & Genealogy Festival on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Granville United Methodist Church.

The festival will feature a full day of genealogy presentations, historical archives, preservation resources, and family research opportunities designed for both beginners and experienced researchers.

Special presentations throughout the day will include “No Birth Certificate? No Problem!” presented by Jeffrey Bockman at 10:30 a.m., followed by “How to Preserve Family History Without Genealogy Research” at 1 p.m. and “Genealogy Research: Beginners and Pros Alike Meet at the Dead End” at 2 p.m.

Festival organizers say attendees will have access to a variety of genealogy and historical archive resources, including cemetery restoration and preservation information, genealogy society booths, lineage societies such as DAR and SAR, Civil War resources, and family search assistance from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Several special family booths will also be featured, highlighting research and history connected to numerous Upper Cumberland families from White, Warren, Van Buren, Overton, Putnam, Jackson, and Smith counties. Hosts and featured family researchers include Jenifer Crone, LaChelle Norris, Suzanne Wheeley, and Brenda Cowan Francis.

This year’s event will honor the Woodard family, with Mike Maggart and Carmelita Woodard Walker serving as table hosts. Historical photographs of the Herman Woodard family making molasses in 1933 will also be displayed as part of the festival exhibits.

Admission fees are the same as standard Granville tour pricing, with adults admitted for $7, children ages 6-12 for $5, and children under 6 admitted free. Family pricing is also available.

For more information about the festival, visit Granville’s website or call 931-653-4151.

This year we have focused on teaching the youth in our church about stewardship, responsibility, and community. We’ve done this through various quarterly projects. The youth are having a yard and bake sale! All proceeds will go towards building and stocking a blessing box that will be built in South Carthage community. What better way to give back locally?!

There will be lots of good stuff and a little something for everyone.

*baked goods *lemonade *home goods *books *clothes/shoes for men, women, and kids of all sizes.

Saturday, July 18th – 8am – 2pm at the South Carthage Missionary Baptist Church fellowship hall front yard.

The Carthage Junction Depot will host its annual Artist Co-op event this Saturday, July 11 from 10-4pm. Stained glass, jewelry, ceramics, paintings, drawings, photography, furniture and more handcrafted goods by local artisans will be available to shoppers to enjoy. The growing list of Featured artists include CubKnob Creations pyrography art and jewelry, Kadence drawings and more, Tetiana Suzi oil painting , Michelle McRae origami and crafts, Hershel Woodworks, Samantha Dettinger photography, Vine &Branch Sawmill cedar creations, Keith Williams photography and crafts, Anne Ramsey quilted fiber arts, 1447 Customs, Jim Hyde stained glass.

Rokabilly Coffee and the Overflowing Cup will also be on hand to keep shoppers refreshed. The Carthage Junction Depot is located right next door to the Crump Paris ball fields at 185 Gordonsville Hwy, Brush Creek, TN. Stop by and support our local art community!