July 17th - July 24th, 2025

July 17, 2025

Cookeville’s servin’ up syrupy stacks, pony portraits, and pedal steel soul! 🐝
This week’s bubbling over with coffee connections, hot rod mornings, and pony-powered paint parties. From backyard BBQ beats to kids crafting coastal canvases, summer’s in full swing across the Upper Cumberland!

Sip some punch, ride a balloon, or catch a bluegrass groove—Cookeville’s got your weekend cookin’! 🎨🚗🥞🎶☕🎈

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wax-Painted Taper Candles Craft
Friday, July 18th | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm | $28
Edison Hills – 127 W Broad St, Cookeville

Let your creativity flicker and glow! Families can paint their own taper candle set using colorful wax—easy enough for beginners and peaceful enough to melt your stress away. Supplies run out at 6:30, so don’t dilly-dally.

Sparta Green Market
Saturday, July 19th | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm | FREE
Liberty Square – Downtown Sparta

Fresh veggies, handmade treats, and small-town charm—this open-air market’s a Saturday morning must. Bring the kiddos, fill your tote, and taste a little Tennessee grown with love.

Baxter MomCo Family Bonfire
Saturday, July 19th | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | FREE
Exact address upon RSVP

S’mores by the fire, hot dogs on the grill, and stories under the stars—this backyard bash has all the fixin’s for a cozy family night. Just bring your appetite and your campfire tales.

Food Around the World Dinner – India
Saturday, July 19th | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | $65
The Putnam Room - 10 S Jefferson Ave, Cookeville, TN

Spice up your Saturday with a four-course Indian feast! A tasty trip for your taste buds—perfect for adventurous families lookin’ to try something new without leavin’ town.

Summer Vibes Market
Saturday, July 19th | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | FREE
Cookeville Community Center – 240 Carlen Dr, Cookeville

Local vendors, ice cream, music, and an open pool? Y’all, it’s a summer block party inside! Swing by for sweets, crafts, and cool tunes—your family won’t wanna leave.

Fundraiser Pancake Breakfast & Car Show
Saturday, July 19th | 8:00 am - 1:00 pm | Donation-Based
Putnam County Convention Center – 940 S Walnut Ave, Cookeville

Start your Saturday with hot cakes and hot rods! Remax balloon rides floatin’ 7:30 to 9:30, plus flapjacks, classic cars, and a good cause—what more could a family ask for? Directly benefits Helping Hands of Putnam County.

Plant Bingo
Saturday, July 19th | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | FREE
Putnam County Library – 50 E Broad St, Cookeville

Win a plant, grow your luck! This bingo game is great for curious kiddos and green-thumbed grown-ups alike. It’s good clean fun, with leafy little prizes to bring home.

Free Shoes for Kids and Teens
Saturday, July 19th | 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm | FREE
Wonderfill Refillery – 17 W Spring St, Cookeville

One free pair of shoes for every child under 18—no strings, no catch. First come, first serve, while supplies last. A little kindness goes a long way, especially this back-to-school season.

Dough Bowl Candle Workshop with Ashton Hitchcock
Saturday, July 19th | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm | $32
Edison Hills – 127 W Broad St, Cookeville

Make your own dough bowl candle in this cozy hands-on workshop. Ashton will show ya the ropes—perfect for craftin’ families or folks wantin’ to gift something homemade.

Rooster’s National Ice Cream Day
Sunday, July 20th | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | $10
Rooster’s – 27 W 1st St, Cookeville

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a sweet scoop and a cool patch! A short n’ sweet treat for the little ones—and maybe a cone (or two) for the grown-ups too.

Chamber Coffee Club
Tuesday, July 22nd | 7:00 am - 8:00 am | FREE (for members)
Electronic Express - 1300 N Interstate Dr, Cookeville, TN

For all you busy-bee parents who own a business, this is a fine way to start the day. Sip some coffee, have a bite, and chat with other local folks. It’s good to connect with the hive!

Pony Paint & Punch Party
Tuesday, July 22nd | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | $25
Jordan Creek Farm - 530 Stacy Cemetery Lane, Gainerboro

Lil’ artists pick a pony canvas, paint it while ponies play nearby, then snap a photo with your new furry friend! Hawaiian Punch and all supplies included—fun for every age!

KIDS CORNER

BonDeCroft Fire Dept – Community Day
Saturday, July 19th | 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm | $5 meal
BonDeCroft VFD – 8023 Crossville Hwy, Sparta

Fried bologna or a hot dog with chips n’ a drink, plus fun kiddo activities all afternoon. Your little ones’ll love the fire trucks, and your wallet’ll love the price.

Kids Paint Class
Wednesday, July 23rd | 10:00 am | $35
West Fork Screen Printing – 531 N Church St, Livingston

Perfect for lil’ Picassos! This step-by-step class helps young painters build skills while makin’ a masterpiece. All supplies included—just bring your young’uns and a smile.

Live Music

Third Thursday Live Concerts
Thursday, July 17th | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | FREE
Dogwood Park – 30 E Broad St, Cookeville

It’s that time again—Third Thursday brings a new band to the pavilion! Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and kick back while the kiddos dance in the grass.

Starr Mountain Band at Trackside
Saturday, July 19th | 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm | FREE
Trackside Food Truck Park – 168 W Broad St, Cookeville

Blues, country, and classic rock with a side of fries and funnel cake. Starr Mountain Band’s bringin’ the sound while the food trucks bring the flavor. Family-friendly and foot-stompin’ good.

Cookeville Community Band Concert
Monday, July 21st | 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm | FREE
Dogwood Park – 30 E Broad St, Cookeville

A summer staple—these open-air band nights are full of charm and cheer. Bring the whole gang and let the music float ya into a perfect evening.

We are always trying to improve your experience, so if you have any suggestions or feedback, just respond to this email and let us know your thoughts!

Have a great week,
The Cookeville Buzz 🐝