May 4 and 5 - Redneck Rumble

May 4 and 5 – Redneck Rumble
The Spring 2018 Redneck Rumble—one the South’s biggest, baddest hot rod, custom car and rat rod shows—returns to the James Ward Agricultural Center at the Wilson County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5. The weekend includes the car show, the swap meet and lifestyle show with lots of vintage memorabilia, a demolition derby, live music and more. Camping is available at this grand gathering of gearheads. Performers include Alexander King, Jane Rose and Val West. The James Ward Agricultural Center is located at 945 W Baddour Pkwy., Lebanon, Tennessee. For more information, find the Redneck Rumble on Facebook or visit bothbarrels.us.

May 4–13 – Lucky Seven Quarter Horse Circuit
Come enjoy one of the largest horse shows of the year in Middle Tennessee. Lucky Seven Quarter Horse Show at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304 W. Thompson Ln.) features Western and English-style classes as well as over fences. Admission is free. For more information, call 615-494-8961 or visit the Facebook page at lucky7classic.

May 6 – Tennessee Valley Winds Concert
Spend a relaxing afternoon in the park listening to familiar tunes with the Tennessee Valley Winds concert on Sunday, May 6, from 2–3 p.m. at Old Fort Park. There is picnic table seating under the pavilion or bring your own chair. Admission is free. For more information, visit tnvalleywinds.org.

Jody Powers

May 8 – Business After Hours
The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce presents Business After Hours, an informal business networking event, on Tuesday, May 8, from 5–7 p.m. at Ferguson Enterprises, 540 New Salem Highway. Bring plenty of business cards. Admission is $5 for CoC members and $15 for future members. No registration is required. For more information, visit rutherfordchamber.org.

May 9 – Living Sent Ministries Luncheon
Living Sent Ministries, an organization that aims to inspire and equip business and professional leaders to live out their Christian faith all week long, will hold its next Murfreesboro luncheon at The Experience Community, (521 Old Salem Rd.) from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9. Dawn Rae, the morning radio host at WFCM radio in Smyrna, will speak and Jody Powers, President of Amelia’s Closet, will share her God story. A free lunch is provided by Budget Blinds of Murfreesboro. RSVP to bob.williams@alhambrapartners.com or 615-447-2520. For more information, visit livingsentministries.org.

Deadline May 10 – Focus on the Boro Photography Contest
Focus on the Boro, a photography competition and exhibit spearheaded by Murfreesboro Photography Laureate Jessica Goings Nelson, is open to photographers of all ages, styles, and experience levels who live in Rutherford County. Categories include people, landscape, still life, animals, flora, architecture, sports/action, abstract/special effects and Murfreesboro, and there will be separate awards for youth (17 and younger) and adults. Visit culturalartsmurfreesboro.submittable.com for more information and to submit your work. Deadline to enter is Thursday, May 10. The winners will be on display from June 1–22 at the Rotunda Gallery at City Hall (111 W. Vine St.). For more information, contact photoconnectmboro@gmail.com.

May 10 and 11 – Days on the Farm
This popular living history field trip features more than 20 historical demonstrations with hands-on activities and captivating reenactors for students to learn about 19th-century life. Join The Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation (1399 Sam Davis Rd., Smyrna) Thursday and Friday, May 10 and 11, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. For more information, call 615-459-2341 or visit samdavishome.org.

Jaykon Brunk tries to take a bite out of beach ball at Murfreesboro Parks & Rec Barfield Beach Party.
photo by Jim Davis/Murfreesboro Parks & Rec.

May 11 – Barfield Beach Party
Before it’s used in the park system this year, over 60 tons of sand will be used to create a temporary “beach” in the parking lot of the park. Come out to Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) on Friday, May 11, from 5–7 p.m., for music, dancing, games, activities and a lot of fun in the sand. Admission is free for all ages.

May 12 – Backyard BBQ Festival
Smell the smoke, join in a rib-eating contest and watch some of the top cookers in Middle Tennessee compete in the KCBS-Sanctioned Backyard BBQ Brawl at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information, contact btboro@comcast.net or visit backyardbbqfest.com.

May 12 – Oaklands Mansion Free Day
Enjoy Oaklands Mansion (901 North Maney Ave.) for free on May 12 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Step into the past as you experience civilian demonstrations on the grounds from the 19th Alabama Civilian Civil War Re-enactors. Learn the story of what civilians traveling with occupation forces would have been doing in and around Murfreesboro during the Civil War. In Maney Hall, the Tennessee State Button Society will display their collections of vintage buttons of all varieties. Guests are invited to experience period games on the lawn, children’s dress-up, nature walks to the spring, visit the heritage vegetable garden and tour the mansion. Grab a bite to eat from That’s My Dawg food truck. A vintage baseball exhibition will be provided by members of the Tennessee Association of Vintage Baseball at 2 p.m.. For more information visit oaklandsmansion.org, or find Oaklands Mansion on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

May 12 – Boro Art and Craft Festival
The inner circle of the Rutherford County Courthouse will host the inaugural Boro Art and Craft Festival from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. This will include handmade jewelry, leather work, fiber arts, quilts, paintings, baskets, photography, pet items, body scrubs and more. Food trucks, musicians, fire engines and police cruisers will all be on hand. For more information, find a Boro Art and Craft Festival page on Facebook or email baharker@netzero.net.

May 17 – The Connection
Local small business owners will gather for The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, at United Real Estate, 1602 W. Northfield Blvd. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, 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 17 – Project One Four Golf Tournament
Come out for the Project One Four A David Price Foundation golf tournament (18 holes) at Indian Hills Golf Course (405 Calumet Tr.) on Thursday, May 17, with registration at 10:30 a.m. and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Help raise funds for Bradley Academy to purchase computer and educational tools for classrooms. Enjoy lunch by the Alley at 11:30 a.m., sweet treats by Dunkin’ Donuts and wings from Slick Pig afterwards. The cost for the tournament is $400 per four-man team. For more information, call 615-478-0007 or 865-384-3973, or visit Project14.org.

May 17 – Book Signing with Bill Jakes
Join Quinn’s Mercantile (301 N. Spring St.) for a book signing party with local historian Bill Jakes on Thursday, May 17, at 5:30 p.m. Books are available for purchase alongside a meet-and-greet with Jakes. Read about the history of Murfreesboro, from its rich agricultural community to its numerous colleges and academies. Murfreesboro played a decisive role in the Civil War and suffered the loss of many of its people and much of its architecture. However, in the early 20th century, Murfreesboro regained its momentum and began to rebuild. Admission is free. For more information, call 615-318-4247.

May 18–20 – Spinning in the Rain
The Tennessee Reining Horse Association (TNRHA) was founded in 2003 as an affiliate of NRHA. Since its inception it has built a reputation for quality reining horse shows and clinics, consistently attracting participants from more than fifteen states. Admission is free to this year’s Spinning in the Rain, May 18–20, at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304 W. Thompson Ln.). For more information, call 615-494-8961 or visit tnrha.org.

May 19 – Alive Hospice Butterfly Release

May 19 – Murfreesboro Butterfly Release
Alive Hospice will hold its Murfreesboro Butterfly Release, a memorial benefit to honor loved ones and support the services given to those in need regardless of the ability to pay on Saturday, May 19. Everyone is welcome to join Alive Hospice Residence (1629 Williams Dr.) at 10 a.m., even if you do not purchase a butterfly. Children receive a special coloring page and crayons. Butterflies can also be purchased by those unable to attend, and they will be released on behalf of the donor. Special butterfly event tribute packages, which include special recognition for your loved ones during the ceremony and in the program, will be available. Services by Alive Hospice include community education throughout Middle Tennessee, physician and health care professionals’ training on end-of-life care, a safe place to grieve for kids and teens at special summer camps and comfort and support for patients and their families. For more information, visit alivehospice.org/community/annual-events or call 615-327-1085.

May 19 – World Turtle Day
Celebrate World Turtle Day with fun for all ages on May 19 from 3–5 p.m. at Barfield Crescent Park Wilderness Station (697 Veterans Pkwy.). Take the World’s Slowest Hike and stop at each turtle station to learn about different species of turtles, and learn ways to help care for our planet. There will be live music by Michael Jacobs, local vendors, activities, crafts, animals, and puppet shows. Admission is free.

May 19 – Bass Fishing for National Kidney Foundation
Support the 2018 Bass Fishing Tournament fundraiser For the National Kidney Foundation on Saturday, May 19, safelight until 3 p.m., at Old Hickory Lake (Bull Creek Landing). Enjoy a friendly competition and raffle tickets with $1000 1st place. To sign up or for more information, contact 615-651-9824, 803-526-3254 or matt.garvin@deangelisdiamond.com.

May 22–25 – TSSAA Spring Fling 2018
TSSAA Championships in boys soccer, track and field, baseball, softball and tennis kick off May 22–25 at various times and locations. For more information, visit tssaasports.com/springfling.

May 26 – Memorial Day Flag Placement and Memories

May 26 – Memorial Day Flag Placement and Memories
Boy Scouts and other youth organizations will place American flags on more than 7,000 graves in Stones River National Cemetery (3501 Old Nashville Hwy.) on Saturday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Arrival is at 9:30 a.m. with flag placement at 10 a.m. Following the decoration of Stones River National Cemetery, guests can roam through the hallowed ground and learn more about the stories and sacrifices of the men and women interred there. Exhibits feature items used by the military from the Civil War through the Vietnam War. Living historians and veterans stationed throughout grave sites help visitors connect to the cost of our freedoms through the experiences of soldiers and their families. Admission is free. Enter at 1563 N. Thompson Ln. and follow the signs to the Memorial Day parking area in front of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. For more information, call 615-893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

May 26 – Opening Day of ’Boro Beach
Celebrate the beginning of summer relaxing by the pool, swimming, diving, playing games and listening to music at ’Boro Beach at Sports*Com (2310 Memorial Blvd.) Saturday, May 26, from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. For more information, contact 615-895-5040 or csaffel@murfreesborotn.gov. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for youth.

May 26–28 – Flags of Remembrance

May 26–28 – Flags of Remembrance
Healing Field, Murfreesboro’s iconic Memorial Day salute returns for its annual tradition May 26–28 at First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Ln.) beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday and ending at 5 p.m. Monday. Noon Exchange Club of Murfreesboro holds an inspiring formation of U.S. flags in tribute to the U.S.’s veterans, military and personal heroes Memorial Day weekend. Donations appreciated. For more information, call 615-641-0121, or visit healingfield.org/murfreesboro18 or noonexchange.org.

May 27 – Memorial Day Program
Visitors are invited to gather at the national cemetery rostrum of Stones River Battlefield (3501 Old Nashville Hwy.) at 1:30 p.m. to remember the sacrifices of soldiers, past and present, featuring patriotic music, a wreath laying ceremony and a reading of the names of veterans who have passed away since last Memorial Day. Admission is free. For more information, call 615-893-9501 or visit nps.gov/stri.

June 5 – Grief Camp for Kids
Each year around 40–50 kids attend each of Alive Hospice’s grief camps. Any child who has experienced a significant loss, regardless of whether the person they are mourning received care from Alive Hospice, is welcome to participate. Tuition is paid by donations and grants. No child is turned away. Registration is available by calling 615-346-8680 or visiting alivehospice.org. Camps include: Camp Evergreen, June 5–7, serving the metro Nashville area at Hillmont Camp in White Bluff; Camp Forget Me Not, June 20–22, serving the Murfreesboro area; and Teen Retreat, Oct. 19–21, serving Middle Tennessee at a lakeside camp in Rutherford County.

Tuesdays – Chess Club
The Murfreesboro Chess Club meets each Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the McDonald’s at 1706 Memorial Blvd. Chess players of all levels are invited to come out and meet and play against other local chess enthusiasts. For more information, call 615-713-9256.

Wednesdays – Boro2Square Runners
Boro2Square Runners is a running group for individuals looking to get out and run and socialize with other runners. Weekly runs begin at 6 p.m. each Wednesday, starting from the Boulevard Bar and Grill, 2154 Middle Tennessee Blvd. Distances are between 3 and 5 miles, with runners of all paces. For more information, visit facebook.com/boro2square.