Communities across southeast Tennessee, northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia are preparing to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with parades, patriotic ceremonies, live music, family activities, food vendors and spectacular fireworks displays throughout the Independence Day holiday. Below is SValleyNow’s growing guide to America 250 celebrations across the Tennessee Valley. Wednesday, July 1st Marion County Town of …
Category: Outdoors
Nickajack Amateur Radio Club to Host ARRL Field Day, Parks on the Air Event at Foster Falls
Residents interested in emergency communications, technology, outdoor recreation, or amateur radio will have an opportunity to see radio operators in action during a special ARRL Field Day event later this month at Foster Falls. The Nickajack Amateur Radio Club (NARC) and the Southern Plateau Amateur Radio Club (SPARC) will host the public event on Saturday, …
Tennessee Among Nation’s Leaders in Motorcycle Helmet Safety, Study Finds
Tennessee has one of the lowest rates of unhelmeted motorcycle fatalities in the nation, according to a new study examining motorcycle crash data from across the United States. The report found that only 8.3% of motorcyclists killed in crashes in Tennessee between 2020 and 2024 were not wearing a helmet at the time of the …
Tennessee Tourism Unveils What’s New This Summer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Soak in the sunshine, relax on a rooftop patio, take a moonlight hike, hit the road for a summer festival or mark off a new, immersive experience. Here’s a look at what’s new and happening this season in Tennessee. NEW ATTRACTIONS, EXHIBITS & EXPERIENCES Memphis – Opening this summer, the Memphis Flyway …
South Pittsburg to Host Community Independence Day Celebration on July 3
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — The City of South Pittsburg is inviting residents and visitors to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with an evening of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, food, and fireworks during its annual Independence Day celebration on Friday, July 3. The event will take place from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Tower Stage …
Marion County 4-H to Offer Aim Smart Youth Shooting Sports and Hunter Education Program
JASPER, Tenn. — Marion County 4-H is inviting area youth to take part in its upcoming ‘Aim Smart: Youth Shooting Sports and Hunter Education’ program this summer, offering hands-on instruction in firearm safety, responsible shooting practices, and outdoor ethics. The three-day program will be held July 13-15 and is designed to help young participants develop …
Tennessee Drivers Warned About Common Items That Can Become Dangerous in Hot Vehicles
As temperatures across Tennessee continue to climb toward the upper 80s and beyond, safety experts are warning motorists not to leave certain everyday items inside parked vehicles, where extreme heat can quickly create dangerous conditions. Researchers have found that a vehicle parked in direct sunlight on an 80-degree day can reach temperatures of 120 degrees …
TDOT Prepares for 2026 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, June 11-14
Once again, Manchester, Tennessee, will host the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which is one of the most popular live music events in the country. Since 2002, the event has featured a diverse assortment of performers on a 700-acre Middle Tennessee farm that becomes the temporary home for thousands from across the country. Over …
TWRA’s Summer Wild Turkey Survey Underway Through August 31
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is inviting Tennesseans and visitors to take part in the Agency’s 2026 wild turkey summer observation survey. The survey is open to the public and will continue through Aug 31. Agency staff have conducted this survey annually since the 1980s, with public participation set for its fifth …
A Summer Tradition Returns: Why Lake Winnie Still Feels Like Home After Generations of Memories
For many people across the Tennessee Valley, summer simply doesn’t feel complete without a trip to Lake Winnepesaukah — better known to generations of locals as simply “Lake Winnie.” And while it’s also easier to spell this way, so many of us can spell it perfectly thanks to the radio and TV commercials of the …



