Join us for the William Walton Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 28th, 2024! This event promises a day filled with fun and festivities for the entire family.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy live music on the stage at the Historic Smith County Courthouse, showcasing a variety of talented performers that will keep you entertained throughout the day.The courthouse lawn will be alive with energy, featuring engaging demonstrations, fun games, and inflatable bounce houses for the kids to enjoy. Main Street and 3rd Avenue will be bustling with vendors and food trucks offering a selection of delicious treats and unique crafts.

Looking for a little friendly competition, don’t miss the exciting contests scheduled throughout the day! Join the cotton candy eating contest at 11 a.m. and see how much you can devour in a fun-filled race. Then, at noon, take part in the pie eating contest to showcase your skills and satisfy your sweet tooth! Additionally, come dressed in your best pioneer-era attire for a chance to win cash prize.

Additionally, young ladies aged 0-18 are invited to shine in the annual Harvest Queen Pageant, taking place at 4 p.m. It’s a wonderful opportunity for participants to showcase their smiles and talent in front of a supportive community.

Throughout the day, don’t miss the chance to participate in the DTC Minute Man Call, where cash prizes will be given away! If you register to win and can make it to the courthouse stage within one minute of the call, you could walk away with some extra cash in your pocket!

Whether you’re in the mood for some music, tasty snacks or looking for that perfect handmade gift, you’ll find it at the William Walton Harvest Festival! Mark your calendar and come join us for a fun-filled day Saturday, September 28th 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Riverview Regional Medical Center will host an Italian Day Luncheon benefit for the Emmanuel House on Tueseday, October 1st. Pre-orders for delivery to Carthage and Gordonsville businesses are due by Tuesday, September 24th.

The meal includes Spaghetti with choice or meat or veggie sauce, side salad, garlic break and a cookie. Meals are $7. Pick-up meals will be available from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. you can pre-order via phone, email or fax as indicated on the flyer above.

The Justified Riding Club and Caney Fork CMT Abate are excited to host their 11th Annual Izzy Cruz-In Benefit and 10th Annual Scott Allmon Memorial Poker Run on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Izzy Cruz-In Benefit
Join us on Saturday, October 5, for a family-friendly event at the Smith County Agricultural Center. Enjoy live music, cornhole, auctions, vendors, bounce houses, and more! Gates open at 10:00 a.m., and admission is free.

• Cornhole Tournament: Registration is $15 per person or $30 per team. A cash prize of $100 will be awarded to the 1st place team, with additional prizes for 2nd place.
• Car and Bike Show: Registration is $10 per vehicle. There will be 25 trophies and plaques awarded in various categories, generously provided by O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Scott Allmon Memorial Poker Run
On Sunday, registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Shell Station in Gordonsville, located at 482 Gordonsville Highway. The ride will kick off at 11:00 a.m. and conclude at the Smith County Justified Clubhouse.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Gordonsville High School Baseball is excited to host a family fun event featuring the Harlem Wizards on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the GHS Gym. Known for their high-energy performances and entertaining basketball tricks, the Harlem Wizards promise an unforgettable evening of sports and comedy for fans of all ages.

Tickets for this event can be purchased from any GHS Baseball player or online at Harlem Wizards Tickets. Don’t miss out on this chance to enjoy a night of spectacular hoops and laughter while supporting the GHS Baseball team!

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands held across the United States each year on the fourth Saturday in September. Join the efforts at Defeated Creek Campground. The first 50 volunteers who regiser will receive a free commemorative T-shirt.

Last year, over 130 national parks hosted events with 7,600 volunteers donating an impressive 41,500 hours of service.

All national parks that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone on September 28, 2024 in celebration of National Public Lands Day.

Lace up your boots and celebrate the annual National Public Lands Day this Saturday by coming together and giving back to Cordell Hull Lake. Friends members plan to focus on the Periwinkle Trail volunteers hand built and opened March 2023. Volunteers will be tasked with lopping back the 2.5 mile trail and remarking with paint and signs. Lunch will be provided at Defeated Creek after the work day. RSVP encouraged, but not required. More information can be found at the link as well! Meeting location.

The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition has postponed the annual GLOW WALK to celebrate recovery to Thursday, October 264h at 6:30 p.m. This is a FREE event, no need to register. Just meet at the Rails to Trails in South Carthage at the Gazebo across from the Town Hall.

It is a glow walk, glow sticks will be given away and the path will be lit up. Individuals may want to bring a flashlights since there may be dark areas on the trail. 

There will be food available for purchase, vendors, free face painting, and free glow in the dark t-shirts for participants. It’s a great time to come out and walk with your family and show support to the recovery community in Smith County! This is all about breaking the stigma surrounding addiction and supporting those doing their best to overcome it! 

The Second Harvest Food Truck will visit the Smith County Agriculture Center on Wednesday, September 25th. The truck typically arrives around 10 a.m., and volunteers will promptly unload and prepare the food for distribution. The food will be distributed until supplies run out.

To ensure you receive food, it is recommended to arrive and be in line no later than 10 a.m., as cars often begin lining up early around the Ag Center.

This food distribution is sponsored by the Hunger Relief Fund of Smith County and supported by grants from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Contributions from local churches, businesses, and individuals to the Hunger Relief Fund make this event possible. Typically, two distributions are scheduled each month.

For more details, please contact the Smith County Chamber of Commerce at 615-735-2093.

The Annual Community Appreciation Day for the Forks River Fire Department, District II will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Forks River Fire Hall!

Enjoy a free meal, featuring hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, beans, and drinks. While there is no cost for the meal, donations are appreciated. All donations benefit the Forks River Station. Bring your family, check out the fire equipment, and chat with our dedicated firefighters.

The Forks River Fire Hall is located at 598 Cookeville Highway, Elmwood, TN. If you can’t make it but would still like to support the station, you can mail your donation to Forks River Fire Department, P.O. Box 114, Elmwood, TN 38560.

The William Walton Harvest Festival is back for its 12th consecutive year, and this year’s event promises to be a grand celebration as we honor the 225th Anniversary of Smith County. Set against the historic backdrop of the Smith County Courthouse grounds in Carthage, Tennessee, this much-anticipated festival will take place on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, starting at 10:00 AM and culminating with the Harvest Queen Pageant at 5:00 PM.

Festival Highlights: The festival will feature an array of activities for the whole family, including:

• Local Music: Enjoy performances from talented local artists.
• Craft Vendors: Browse unique crafts and goods from local artisans.
• Rides and Pioneer Demonstrations: Experience the fun of carnival rides and the charm of pioneer-era demonstrations.
• Historical Displays: Engage with exhibits that bring the rich history of our area to life.
• Authentic Costume Contest: Dress in your best 1799-era attire and compete for prizes in our Authentic Costume Contest.
• Cake Walk: Participate in the popular Cake Walk for a chance to win delicious homemade cakes.
• Pie Eating Contest: Test your eating skills in our fun and competitive Pie Eating Contest.
• Harvest Queen Pageant: Watch as contestants compete for the crown in various age categories.

Pageant Details: The Harvest Queen Pageant will be a highlight of the day, starting at 4:00 PM. Contestants must meet the following criteria:

• Categories:
  • Tiny Miss (1-3 years)
  • Little Miss (4-6 years)
  • Petite (7-9 years)
  • Junior (10-12 years)
  • Teen (13-15 years)
  • Miss Harvest Queen (16-18 years)
• Entry Fee: $25
• Optional Electives:
  • $10 Most Photogenic (two awards: under 10 years and 11-18 years; photos due by 3:30 PM)
  • $5 Best Dress (each age category)
  • $5 Best Smile (each age category)
  • $1 Votes for People’s Choice (crowd favorites)

Registration Details:

• Application Deadline: September 24th, 2024
• Check-in: Begins at 2:45 PM in the Historic Courthouse lobby. Contestants must check in by 3:30 PM to receive a number.
• Preparation: Contestants should arrive with hair and makeup done; dressing areas will be provided.
• Judging Criteria: Eye contact, poise, stage presence, and appearance.

How to Apply: Contestant forms are available at:

• Smith County Chamber of Commerce, 939 Upper Ferry Road, Carthage, TN
• Smith County Register of Deeds Office, 122 Turner High Cir #113, Carthage, TN

For more information or to submit your application, please contact:

• Smith County Chamber of Commerce: 615-735-2093
• Jerri Lin Vaden-Malone: 615-489-5570
• Emails: jvaden@titlesearcher.com or bbriggs@smithcountychamber.org

Historical Background: William Walton, the first settler of the area now known as Carthage, Tennessee, played a pivotal role in the region’s early development. Awarded land for his Revolutionary War service, Walton’s contributions included donating land for the town and establishing the Geneva Academy. His legacy continues to be honored through events like the William Walton Harvest Festival.

We look forward to celebrating our community’s heritage and enjoying a day full of fun and festivity with all of you!

To register online use the QR codes below

U.S. Representative John Rose of Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District will host his Fourth Annual Rose Family Farm Fish Fry on September 21, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rose Family Farm in Lancaster, TN.

Admission is free but RSVP is requested johnrose.com/fishfry. John Rose’s Family Farm is located at 693 Lancaster Highway, Lancaster, TN.