NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s 2023 Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 10 in Tennessee and all state residents and visitors of any age may fish free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters. Additionally, those youth ages 15 or younger may fish free the entire week, beginning on Free Fishing Day and continuing through the following Friday, June 16.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the annual free day and week in hopes of introducing children to fishing and also to increase interest in fishing. Fishing is not only a great family activity but helps brings awareness to the natural environment.

The TWRA is among several organizations planning special fishing events, primarily for youngsters. Various events are scheduled across the state. A special thanks goes to Academy + Sports for its statewide sponsorship for Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day. Visit the TWRA website, www.tnwildlife.org for the latest updates. The TWRA annually stocks several thousand pounds of fish for events.

Free Fishing Day was named in honor of Bobby Wilson who retired last year after more than 40 years of service to the TWRA. He served in the Fisheries Division for 35 years, before being named TWRA Deputy Director in 2015 and Executive Director in 2020.

Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day and Free Fishing Week applies to Tennessee’s public waters, TWRA owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities. Some privately owned pay lakes continue to charge during this special day and week. Anglers will need to consult with those operators if there are any questions about a facility.

Healing the Stigma of Mental Health will host a Mental Health Awareness Drive Event on June 11th at the Smith County Ag Center from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. There will be plenty of family fun.

During the event they will be accepting donations of clothing, books, puzzles, crayons, playing cards and other school related supplies.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  To celebrate Tennessee’s Statehood, the Tennessee State Library & Archives is hosting free events on Thursday, June 1, and a family-friendly celebration event on Saturday, June 3.

“The mission of the Library & Archives is to preserve Tennessee’s history and make it accessible to our fellow Tennesseans,” said Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “It’s a rare opportunity to see our state’s original founding documents. I encourage my fellow Tennesseans not to miss this chance to have history come alive by viewing these irreplaceable documents up close during our Statehood Day Celebration.”

On Statehood Day, June 1, at 8 a.m. Debbie Mathis Watts will perform her song, “The Tennessee in Me,” an official state song of Tennessee. Tennessee’s three priceless original constitutions, first written in 1796 and revised in 1843 and 1870, will be on display in the Library & Archives lobby, guarded by the Tennessee Highway Patrol Honor Guard from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Library & Archives will also feature rarely seen historical documents, including the Cumberland Compact, Governor John Sevier’s Address to the first Tennessee General Assembly, the Cherokee Nation 1827 Constitution and the founding documents of the State of Franklin.

“Our staff has spent months planning for our Statehood Day Celebrations,” said State Librarian and Archivist Jamie Ritter. “Our family-friendly Statehood Day celebration on June 3 will have so much to offer families that are both fun and educational.”

The Library & Archives will host a family-friendly Statehood Day Celebration on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Statehood Day Celebration will have a children’s scavenger hunt, games, crafts and living history interpreters. Guests can also see Tennessee’s three original constitutions and the new exhibit showcasing rarely seen historical documents in the Library & Archives lobby from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Library & Archives is joining Bicentennial Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Museum for a variety of events to celebrate Statehood Day. Park Rangers will offer a free guided tour of Bicentennial Mall State Park starting outside the Tennessee State Library & Archives at 9 a.m. on June 1. For more information, visit tnstateparks.com.

The State Museum is celebrating Statehood Day with a children’s story time, statehood artifacts on display, family crafts and a Statehood Anniversary Commemoration at noon on June 1. For the Tennessee State Museum’s full schedule of Statehood Day activities visit TNMuseum.org/Statehood.

The Statehood Day events at the Library & Archives, Bicentennial Mall State Park and Tennessee State Museum are free to the public.

The Library & Archives’ Statehood Day Celebration events will take place at their new building, 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., on the northeast corner of the Bicentennial Mall State Park.

For more information about the Library & Archives Statehood Day events, visit sos.tn.gov/tsla/statehoodday 

This year’s Smith County Fair on the River will be held July 3-8, 2023. You can check out the complete schedule of events below or at https://smithcountyfairtn.net/schedule/.

You don’t want to miss classic events like the Demolition Derby, the Fireworks Show, and Fairest of the Fair Pageants.

The 2023 Fair on the River will have no shortage of live entertainment. Check out the Carthage Rotary Club Stage and the Wilson Bank & Trust Community Kid’s Stage for nightly performances! On Thursday, July 6, country music star, C. Thomas Howell, will take the stage inside the Smith County Ag Center along with special guest Ty Gregory.

There’s something for everyone at the Smith County Fair on the River!

Beatles4Sale will perform at The Event Center in Carthage. Doors open at 5 p.m. BBQ plates will be available for $10 and hot dog plates for $5. Carry-out will also be available. Music starts at 7 p.m. Several items will be available for auction.

100% of the proceeds will be donated to help Jude with expenses related to his medical expenses and continued car. Jude has been diagnosed with Attenuated MPS1 and is undergoing weekly infusion treatments.

Some seating will be available but feel free to bring your own chairs or blankets to enjoy the concert.

The Southside Lions Club of Gordonsville is holding their 16th Annual “Drive for Sight” 2 Man Golf Scramble on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the Southern Hills Golf Course in Baxter, Tennessee.

The scramble will begin at 8 am with a shotgun start. Entry fee is $60 per man – bring your own team.

• Free Lunch & gift bag
• Longest Drive Contest
• Numerous Door Prizes
• Gift Bag for Each Player
• 50/50 Drawing
• Closest to the Pin
• Closest to the Line
• Flights Established after play
• Lucky Ball Drop
• $10 Red Tee (1 per player)

Call the club house, Tom Irwin or Chad Williams at the numbers listed above. Proceeds go to the Southside Lions Club for community service and to help those with visual handicaps. Participants will enjoy a fun filled day with chances to win multiple prizes for play and door prizes.

The Smith County Events Committee will host a Community Field Day, Handmade Market and Yard Sale on Saturday, June 17th 2023 at the Smith County Agricultural Center from 10 am. to 4 p.m.

The fundraising event will support two major upcoming event that are free to the community including the Back-2-School Bash (school supply give-away) and Hometown Halloween. The Community Field Day will feature many nostalgic activities and fun races for high school students and adults. Registrations for participants is $5.

Spaces for the Community Yard Sale and Hand-made market are still available. It will be a fun filled day for the family.

Sign up to participate now!

Field Day: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdz0C89NLvWIK…/viewform

Yard Sale: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSeMoHXsbKy…/viewform

Handmade Market: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSeXkT7ca6UPgq…/viewform

Local artists were asked to submit original works of art representing vintage travel posters highlighting various attractions, events and the natural splendor of Smith County. Come see some of the top entries at the Carthage Junction Depot on May 13, 2023. The display will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Citizens Bank in Carthage, TN and is free to the public.

Wildwood Resort & Marina at 7316 Granville Highway in Granville will host a Meet Your Neighbors Festival on Saturday, June 24th from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guest admissions is free. Vendors booths are still available. Contact Wildwood Resort & Marina to register 931-653-4360

Beatles 4 Sale, a tribute to the Beatles proudly presents “Hey Jude.” The live concert will be held at the Event Center in Carthage, TN on May 27th. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. BBQ plate will be sold for $10. All proceeds will benefit Jude Thayer McCaleb.