Throughout May – Tennessee Renaissance Festival
Travel back to 16th-century England at Tennessee’s Annual Renaissance Festival at Castle Gwynn (2124 New Castle Rd., Arrington) every weekend in May as The Village of Covington Glen comes alive with the bustle of a Renaissance Marketplace. For more information, visit tnrenfest.com.
May 3 – Purple Paws for Russell Rescue
Let’s Make Wine (109 E. Main St.) hosts Purple Paws, a monthly fundraising event for specific animal projects to bring awareness, networking and socializing to those who enjoy good wine, good people and a love for animals. For more information, contact purplepawstn@gmail.com or (615) 530-0551. Admission is $20 at the door and includes wine samples and light apps.
May 6 and 7 – Main Street Jazz Fest
Enjoy a ’Boro tradition Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7, with jazz artists surrounding the historic Rutherford County Courthouse offering a large children’s activity area and multiple local food vendors. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 895-1887 or visit mainstreetjazzfest.net.
May 6 – Blazefest 2016
Blackman High School (3956 Blaze Dr.) invites you to a rock music festival from 4–11 p.m. Friday, May 6, to benefit its JROTC, featuring 8 live bands, vendors and emcees Woody and Jim from iHeartRadio. Tickets are $20. For more information, call (615) 904-3850.
May 6 – “T” it Up for Kevin
Come out for a fun day of golfing to benefit the King family at noon on Friday, May 6, at Cedar Crest Golf Course (7972 Mona Rd.). Kevin King, a husband and father of two, suffered injuries in an automobile accident in March. All funds directly benefit the King Family with recovery and living expenses. The $400 entry fee includes: team of four in the 18-hole golf scramble, lunch and opportunities to participate in a long drive contest, closest to the pin contest and a $5 putting green contest. Lunch is served at noon with the shotgun start at 1 p.m. Prize donations and hole sponsors are welcome! For more information, contact csjackson33@yahoo.com, danfrantzconcrete@gmail.com or (615) 642-5152.
May 6 – Shakesbeer at Discovery Center
Enjoy the 4th Annual Shakesbeer at the Discovery Center (502 SE Broad St.) from 7–10 p.m. Friday, May 6, for a night of fun and revelry featuring local craft brewers serving samples while guests enjoy theatrical performances and outstanding cuisine. For more information, call (615) 890-2300.
May 6 – Boro Beach Party
Tons of white sand will be dumped in the parking lot of Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) on Friday, May 6, with a beach party from 5–10 p.m. Festivities include sand castle contests, limbo, face painting and more. Bring your buckets and beach shovels. For more information, call (615) 890-5333.
May 7 – Kelton’s Pet Day in May
Kelton’s Hardware and Pet (2870 Old Fort Pkwy.) invites you to its annual Pet Day in May from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, with family fun, free food, big giveaways and entertainment. For more information, contact (877) 791-7353 or visit keltonsinc.net.
May 7 – The Dewdrop Jamboree VIII
The Dewdrop Jamboree VIII, a family-friendly evening of local talent, is a true variety show featuring classic country, bluegrass, gospel, rock ’n’ roll, Americana, and blues set for 6 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Washington Theater at Patterson Park (521 Mercury Blvd.). Guest artists include Emma Rhea Tenpenny, Brenda Lynn Allen, Scott Sharp, Bobby Howard, Larry Martin, The James Stembridge Family, The Martin Family Circus and more. For more information, call (615) 254-2868.
May 7 – March for Babies
Walk with people who share the desire to improve the health of babies beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic (1272 Garrison Dr.). The event includes donation turn-ins, free food and fun, family-friendly festival activities, and a two-mile walk kicking off at 10 a.m. For more information, visit marchforbabies.org.
May 7 – Thai/Laos Food Fair
Barfield Crescent Park will host a Thai/Laos Food Fair from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. Enjoy all the Thai and Lao food you can eat, including tom yum kung, pho, egg rolls, chicken satay, pad Thai, fried rice and more. The event will also include Thai cooking demonstrations, an open stage for musicians and performers and a Muay Thai kickboxing exhibition. For more information, find a Facebook page for the Thai/Laos Food Fair.
Steve Spurrier
May 10 – Stake & Burger
Tueesday, May 10, beginning at 6 p.m. join “Stake & Burger” featuring Coach Steve Spurrier at World Outreach Church (1921 New Salem Hwy.) The event benefits the Boys & Girls Club with food from Toot’s. For more information, contact (615) 890-2582 or michelle.clifford@bgcrc.net, or find a Facebook event page for the 29th Annual Stake & Burger.
May 12 – Mental Illness Support Group
The second Thursday of every month, join the nonprofit National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) from 7–9 p.m. at Trustpoint Hospital, 1009 N. Thompson Lane. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. For more information, call (615) 896-6812 or visit namitn.org/rutherford0.aspx.
May 12 – Beyond the Bells Luncheon
Join Honorary Chairs Bonnie and Debbie Price for the Inaugural Beyond the Bells lunch for The Salvation Army Murfreesboro from noon–1 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at Embassy Suites (1200 Conference Center Blvd.). Learn more about The Salvation Army’s role in Murfreesboro. Admission is free with RSVP and an opportunity to give will be available. For more information, contact JohnR.Mitchell@uss.salvationarmy.org.
May 12–14 – Crafters Exchange Consignment Sale
Get rid of items you no longer need or accumulate ones you do at the consignment sale for crafts of all types at Lane Agri-Park Community Center (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) Thursday and Friday, May 12 and 13, from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday, May 14, (half-price day) from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Tennessee Fisher House. There will also be a donation box so you can drop off items the organization needs. For more information, call (615) 542-1669 or visit crafters-exchange.blogspot.com.
May 13 – 2016 North Rutherford YMCA Golf Scramble
Take part in the 2016 North Rutherford YMCA/Smyrna Ready Mix Golf Scramble to benefit the North Rutherford YMCA Summer Day Camp program at Cedar Crest Golf Course (7972 Mona Rd.) from 8 a.m.–noon Friday, May 13. For more information, call (615) 220-9622.
May 13 – Dining in the Dark
The Murfreesboro Lions Club invites you to Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 13, for a new kind of sensory dining, Dining in the Dark, where guests can experience life from the visually impaired perspective. Lights are dimmed, and all of the diners have the opportunity to be guided and instructed throughout the evening by blind guests who will also act as their hosts and teachers. Enjoy fun and lively music, entertainment, and special speakers throughout the night alongside food from Christie Q BBQ. For more information, contact (615) 893-2582 or diningindark@gmail.com.
May 14 – Franklin Hot Air Balloon Festival
May 14 – Franklin Hot Air Balloon Festival
The Franklin Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held in Franklin’s Westhaven Community from 3–9 p.m. Saturday, May 14. Middle Tennessee Hot Air Balloon Adventures will supply balloons for the event, and give attendees the chance to get up close and personal with the gentle giants. Tethered rides will be offered, and the event also includes live music, food trucks and a KidZone. For more information, call (615) 584-6236 or visit franklinballoonfestival.com.
May 14 – Free Heart Health Education Day
The heart health specialists at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center (300 StoneCrest Blvd., Smyrna) and first responders representing local EMS invite everyone to a day of free heart screenings and valuable health and wellness education from 8 a.m.–11 p.m. where onsite clinicians answer your cardiac questions, offer free risk assessments and provide life-saving education on heart disease. To register, call (615) 342-1919 or visit TriStarHealth.com/HeartHealth.
May 14 – TN Radio Hall of Fame Gala
Come out to the 2016 Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center (1200 Conference Center Blvd.) from 5–10 p.m. Saturday, May 14, WGNS’ Bart Walker was elected to be included in this year’s “Career” category. To purchase tickets, visit tennesseeradiohalloffame.wildapricot.org or contact tennrhof@gmail.com.
May 14 and 15 – Music City Open Paintball Tournament
Teams travel from Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Illinois to compete in paintball at Sharp Springs Natural Area (1000 Espey Dr., Smyrna) in the Music City Open held May 14 and 15. No admission charged for spectators. For more information, visit msxlevents.com.
May 15 – Tennessee Vintage Base Ball
May 15 – Tennessee Vintage Base Ball
Enjoy games that bring the history of baseball to life at the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd.) with the Stewart’s Creek Scouts vs. Phoenix of East Nashville at noon on Sunday, May 15. Bring a chair or blanket. Admission is free. For more information, call (615) 459-2341 or visit tennesseevintagebaseball.com.
May 15 – Square Dance Rehearsal
Before the attempt for the World’s Largest Square Dance at this year’s Uncle Dave Macon Days, there will be a communitywide square dance rehearsal at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at the Rutherford County Courthouse Inner Circle. Organizers ask all interested in participating as a either a dancer or volunteer to come. For more information, call (615) 893-2371 or visit uncledavemacondays.com.
May 15 – Ride for Kids
Come out to Barfield Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) at noon on Sunday, May 15, for the 7th Annual Ride for Kids, a national series of motorcycle charity rides that has helped the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Thanks to the generous support of the motorcycling community, progress is being made in the fight against one of the deadliest forms of childhood cancer. For more information, call (615) 260-5966 or email midtnrideforkids@gmail.com.
May 19 – The Connection, Business Networking at Mayday
The Connection: an Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming will be held from 5–7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Mayday Brewery, 521 Old Salem Rd. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, no-obligation event, where they can meet other small-business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. An open roundtable discussion will encourage participation from those in attendance, asking them to articulate their vision for their business and calling for examples of some of the business challenges and solutions they are experiencing. The series will continue the third Thursday of each month.
May 20 – 3rd Friday Night Concert at Cannonsburgh
Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) hosts a fun night of live music and dancing with John Winters from 7–9 p.m. Friday, May 20. For more information, contact shodges@murfreesborotn.gov or (615) 890-0355.
May 21 – Parkinson Support Group
Join the Parkinson Support Group the third Saturday of every month from 1:30–3 p.m. at St. Clair Street Senior Center (325 Clair St.) with educational programs and guest speakers for family members and those afflicted with Parkinson’s disease. For more information, call (615) 848-2550.
May 21 – 9th Annual World Turtle Day
May 21 – 9th Annual World Turtle Day
Have a blast and get educated at the 9th Annual World Turtle Day at the Wilderness Station in Barfield-Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) from 3–5 p.m. Saturday, May 21, and learn about the challenges faced by turtles in this area and learn how to plant gardens and create water features for turtles. For more information, call (615) 217-3017.
May 21 – Red, White & Bayou
The annual Red, White and Bayou at Oaklands Historic House Museum (900 N. Maney Ave.) from 7–10 p.m. Saturday, May 21, benefits the United Way. For tickets or more information, contact (615) 893-7303 (ext. 111) or lisbeth.couser@YourLocalUW.org, or visit yourlocaluw.org/redwhiteandbayou.
May 21 – Circus Day at Stones River Mall
Come one, come all to Stones River Mall! Stones River Mall will present “Kids Club: Circus Day” from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, in Center Court. Children are invited to enjoy an afternoon of fun featuring circus performers, stilt walkers, carnival-themed games, and a variety act with juggling and fire-eating, along with complimentary face painting and balloon art during this family-friendly event. Stones River Mall Kids Club provides engaging and educational events to elementary school-aged children and their families throughout the year. Events are free, and no registration is required. Stones River Mall is located at 1720 Old Fort Pkwy. For more information, call (615) 896-4486.
May 23–27 – TSSAA Spring Fling
Murfreesboro hosts state championships in high school track and field, tennis, baseball, boys’ soccer and softball. For more information, call (615) 889-6740 or visit tssaa.org.
May 28–30 – 8th Annual Flags of Remembrance Healing Field
May 28–30 – 8th Annual Flags of Remembrance Healing Field
Take a walk through this awe-inspiring 1,500-flag display in the First Methodist Church Field (265 W. Thompson Ln.) saluting the strength and unity of Americans as it honors all the men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation’s security and freedom. For more information, call (615) 641-0121 or visit noonexchange.org.
May 29 – Free Clothes and Food
Free food and clothes are given away the fourth Sunday of every month from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Oakland Park 7th Day Adventist Church (711 N. Maney Avenue).
May 31–June 3 – Youth Football Camp
Join Coach Rick Stockstill and the Middle Tennessee football staff for Youth Football Camp at MTSU for rising first-grade through eighth-grade students May 31–June 3 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Camp includes individual instruction, offensive and defensive fundamentals, and ends the week with a Raider Ball Tournament. For more information, contact (615) 494-8735 or visit coachstockstillcamps.com.
June 2 – Help Hope Live
Party for a purpose to benefit the South-Atlantic Kidney Transplant Fund by helping Kevin Riddle, a fun-loving music enthusiast in need of a kidney transplant, at Mayday Brewery (521 Old Salem Rd.) from 6–9 p.m. Thursday, June 2. Admission for all-you-can-eat is $15 for adults and $5 for children. There will be a silent auction, and entertainment from Chasin Jaymie, Nathan Belt & the Buckles and Artist Green. Donations can also be made to support Riddle’s financial hardships during this trying time. For more information, call (615) 971-7346.
June 2–4 – Secret Garden Party and Tour
The Discovery Center’s premiere event of the season, Secret Garden Party, includes a brunch at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, with Rickman Freeman of Baker Arboretum and floral designer Phillipe Chadwick; a Secret Garden Party Cocktail Stroll at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the home of Suzanne and Chad Curry; the Secret Garden Party at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 3; and the
Secret Garden Tour from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, June 4. For more information, visit explorethedc.org/sgp.
June 3–5 – The Great Tennessee Air Show
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be performing in the 2016 Great Tennessee Air Show at the Smyrna Airport on June 4–5. For tickets and more information, visit www.greattennesseeairshow.com. On Friday, June 3, representatives from the Blue Angels be speaking at MTSU in the State Farm room (Business and Aerospace Building, room S102) from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.
June 4 – A Stones Throw Away
Help clean up your Stones River and Murfreesboro Greenway. Participants are invited to meet at Old Fort Park Pavilion #3 between 9 a.m. and noon. Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation and Friends of the Greenway will provide gloves, trash bags and snacks. What a great opportunity to teach your youngsters about keeping our water clean! No pre-registration necessary; although, if you plan to bring a large group, please call the Greenway office prior to the event day to give us a heads-up: (615) 893-2141.
Tuesdays and Fridays – Rutherford County Farmers’ Market
Eat healthy and support Tennessee producers selling a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, baked and canned goods, flowers, plants and more at Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) from 7 a.m.–noon on Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information, call (615) 898-7710.
Saturdays – Bicycle Tours of the Stones River National Battlefield
Join a ranger for a 90-minute bicycle tour of the Stones River National Battlefield (1563 N. Thompson Ln.) at 9 a.m. each Saturday. Admission free. For more information, call (615) 893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.
