Helping Hearts Fundraiser Pageant to benefit Waggin’ Tails set for August 29, 2020
This year’s Helping Hearts Fundraiser Pageant will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020, at the Smith County Ag Center. Proceeds from this year’s pageant will benefit Waggin’ Tails. This organization was chosen in memory of fallen Officer Steve Reece, who had a passion for animals and was affectionately known as the “animal whisperer” because of all the animals he rescued while on duty. The Entry Fee for the Helping Hearts Fundraiser Pageant is $40. The pageant is open to females of all ages and males up to the age of 6. Contestants can participate in these additional electives for $5 each: - Prettiest Eyes
- Best Dressed
- Best Smile
- Best Personality
- Most Beautiful/Handsome
- Most Photogenic
Press Release: Mark Your Calendars for Two Sales Tax Holidays!
The following press release was submitted to Smith County Insider by a representative from the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
First Holiday is July 31 -August 2 ; Second Holiday is August 7-9
NASHVILLE ⎯ Mark your calendars! For 2020 only, the Tennessee General Assembly has approved two sales tax holiday weekends to help Tennesseans save money and support the economy amid the COVID- 19 pandemic.
The first tax-free holiday weekend focuses on clothing and other back-to-school items. It begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31, and ends Sunday, August 2, at 11:59 p.m. During this time, consumers may purchase clothing, school supplies, and computers and other qualifying electronic devices without paying sales tax. Certain price restrictions apply. For school supplies and clothing, the threshold for qualifying items is $200 or less. For computers and other electronics, the price threshold is $3,000 or less. Download our list of tax-exempt items here.
Exempt items sold online are also eligible. Consumers must purchase items for personal use, not business or trade.
The second sales tax holiday weekend focuses on restaurant sales. It begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 7 and ends Sunday, August 9, at 11:59 p.m. During this time the retail sale of food and drink by restaurants and limited service restaurants, as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. §57-4-102, is exempt from sales tax.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense economic strain on Tennessee families. These sales tax holidays will allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money and support Tennessee businesses,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
“We want to remind everyone about these opportunities for tax relief,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. “It’s a good opportunity to save money during these difficult times.”
For more information about the sales tax holiday weekends, visit www.tntaxholiday.com. You can also read our frequently asked questions, as well as this important notice.
The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws, as well as the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department collects around 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2019 fiscal year, it collected $15.3 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $3 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.
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Smith County Fair extends carnival until Sunday, July 5

The Smith County Fair Board just announced that the Carnival at the 2020 Smith County Fair will be remain open one additional day. The Carnival is set to be open on Sunday, July 5, beginning at 5pm.
There will be no admission fee to enter the fair gates. Armbands for unlimited rides will be $15 each.
The Carnival Midway at the 2020 Smith County Fair on the River is provided by James Gang Amusements. James Gang Amusements is famous for providing great rides, honest games of skill, and extraordinary midway food. Whether you visit during the day or night, your experience will be filled with joy, laughter, and fun times. Guests enjoy the smell of freshly popped popcorn and hot and ready Polish and Italian sausage ready to be covered by freshly cooked onion and peppers, as well as the sights and sounds of the exciting carnival rides. At night, the midway comes to life with thousands of LED lights that can be seen from miles away. James Gang Amusements’ goal is to create a family friendly atmosphere by providing the best midway out there with professionally trained employees.
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American Legion Post 57 BBQ Fundraiser set for July 11

On July 11, 2020, the American Legion Post 57 will be hosting a BBQ Fundraiser on the Historic Smith County Courthouse Lawn in Downtown Carthage, TN.
The event will be from 12pm until 8pm. From 12pm-4pm will be carryout plates only, and from 4pm-8pm there will be seating available along with live music, cornhole boards, and activities for kids. Local bands The Victors and Wild Country are set to perform beginning at 4pm.
The menu will consist of pulled pork, chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad and desserts. The price will be $10 per plate or $6 for a sandwich and drink only.
If it rains the day of the event, it will be relocated to the Smith County Ag Center underneath the pavilion.
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2020 Smith County Fair has officially started, Fair Board urges attendees to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines

The 2020 Smith County Fair on the River officially began yesterday evening. The Fair Board has worked diligently to make sure that the 2020 fair is safe and fun for everyone. Watch the video below to learn more.
Go to the Official Smith County Fair website, http://smithcountyfairtn.net/ for the most up-to-date information about this year’s fair.
The Smith County Fair Board asks that you adhere to the CDC guidelines and remain socially distanced while at the fair. Masks are encouraged and hand sanitizer will be readily available.
You can check out the complete schedule of events below or at https://smithcountyfairtn.net/schedule/.
Some events have been canceled or changed due to COVID-19, but this year’s fair promises to be as exciting as ever! You don’t want to miss classic events like the Demolition Derby, the Fireworks Show, and Fairest of the Fair Pageants.
The 2020 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 2, Jake Hoot, winner of Season 17 of The Voice, will take the stage inside the Smith County Ag Center.
There’s something for everyone at the Smith County Fair on the River! See you there!
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Carthage Community Blood Drive to be held July 6, 2020
A Community Blood Drive will be held inside the Activities Room of the Smith County Chamber of Commerce from noon until 6 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2020.
The Smith County Chamber of Commerce is located at 939 Upper Ferry Road in Carthage, Tennessee.
To schedule your donation appointment in advance, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code Carthage19.
Save time on the day of your donation appointment by completing your pre-donation reading and health history questions with Rapid Pass online.
Download the Blood Donor App today to get your digital donor card, schedule your next appointment, track your lifetime donations, view your blood pressure, and follow your donation on its way to a hospital.
Your donation makes a difference!
To learn more about the American Red Cross and the blood donation process, click here.
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Enjoy Fireworks on the Cumberland in Granville, Tennessee this Saturday
On Saturday, June 27, 2020, head to historic Granville, Tennessee, for a day of family fun and fireworks!
Guided and self-guided tours will be held at various times throughout the day, and live entertainment at the Sutton Ole Time Music Hour & Bluegrass Show will begin at 5:00 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. Please note that reservations are required.
Then, Ken Underwood will perform at the Granville Event Center beginning at 8:00 p.m.
The main event kicks off at 9:00 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show over the Cumberland River!
Bring a lawn chair, tailgate, or stay in your vehicle for extra safety!
Come early for the bluegrass music, and stay late for the fireworks!
To learn more about historic Granville, Tennessee, and other upcoming events visit https://www.granvilletn.com.
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Get ready! The 2020 Smith County Fair on the River begins next week!
We hope that everyone plans to attend the 2020 Smith County Fair on the River! The fair will be held June 29 thru July 4, 2020.
Go to the Official Smith County Fair website, http://smithcountyfairtn.net/ for the most up-to-date information about this year’s fair.
Please adhere to the CDC guidelines and remain socially distanced while at the fair. Masks are encouraged and hand sanitizer will be readily available.
You can check out the complete schedule of events below or at https://smithcountyfairtn.net/schedule/.
Some events have been canceled or changed due to COVID-19, but this year’s fair promises to be as exciting as ever! You don’t want to miss classic events like the Demolition Derby, the Fireworks Show, and Fairest of the Fair Pageants.
The 2020 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 2, Jake Hoot, winner of Season 17 of The Voice, will take the stage inside the Smith County Ag Center.
There’s something for everyone at the Smith County Fair on the River! See you there!
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Jake Hoot to perform at the Smith County Fair – July 2, 2020

Jake Hoot, winner of Season 17 of NBC’s The Voice – Jake will perform at the Smith County Fair on Thursday, July 2, 2020.
One week from tonight, Jake Hoot will take the stage at the Smith County Fair on the River!
Jake Hoot will perform inside the Smith County Ag Center at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2. Seating opens at 6:00 p.m.
The show is FREE with paid fair admission.
You don’t want to miss this incredible acoustic concert from the winner of Season 17 of NBC’s The Voice.
In 2019, Jake Hoot entered the 17th season of The Voice. In his blind audition, He sang “When It Rains It Pours” by Luke Combs. Only Kelly Clarkson turned her chair and Jake was defaulted to Team Kelly. He made it to the finale and won the competition on December 17, 2019.
Be sure to follow Jake Hoot on Facebook, and visit https://smithcountyfairtn.net for more information about the show, as well as the other incredible events happening at this year’s fair!
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