DUANE SHERRILLEditor

The 13^th annual 41A Music Festival returns to its roots this weekend as the eagerly anticipated two-day event rocks downtown Tullahoma Friday and Saturday.

The return to downtown comes after a short hiatus in which the music festival was held as a one-day event at the high school due to COVID concerns.

City officials announced there will be closures of parking lots used by the festival and parking spots along NW Atlantic Street between Lincoln and Grundy and also along Lincoln and Grundy, east of Wall Street Alley, starting Thurs, Sept. 28, at 10 p.m. Downtown streets in the festival area will be blocked off to through traffic at 8 a.m. Friday morning. Road closures for the duration of the festival will be at: Grundy at NE Atlantic; Lincoln at NE Atlantic; Grundy, eastbound, at Wall Street Alley; Lincoln at Jackson, east of Jackson; and NW Atlantic at the north side of Grundy and the south side of Lincoln. Roads will reopen Sun, Oct. 1, at 1 a.m. 

Gates open at 5 p.m. for the opening of the festival Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Streets should be back open for through traffic early Sunday morning once cleanup is completed.

Along with musical entertainment, which will be happening on both days, the event will have numerous vendors, concessions and food and fun things such as a Kids Zone that will be up and running Saturday.

“Your favorite downtown businesses will be working extended hours to be part of the festival,” said Kiwanis President Emily Raths who spearheaded an organizational meeting with downtown merchants to make sure they were onboard with the return of the festival to downtown. “These businesses as well as food trucks will be participating and spanning Lincoln and northwest Atlantic Streets this year.”

The event is free to the public and is being presented by the Kiwanis Club of the Highland Rim.

“We will ask for donations at the gate,” Raths said. “All proceeds from the festival go right back into the community to support local children’s charities. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”

Raths praised sponsors of the event who will be prominently thanked during the whole of the festival.

“We would like to thank our Platinum Sponsors Michelob Ultra proudly distributed by L & H Distributing Company, Miller Lite proudly Distributed by Cherokee Distributing Company, Master of Ceremonies, City of Tullahoma, City of Tullahoma Police and Fire Department, The Duck WDUC 93.9 and The Rooster 101.5,” she said. “We would not be able to do this without the help of all our sponsors.”

The Kids Zone will be available Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. and will feature things like bounce houses, face painting, Lowes wood building kits, corn hole, Dolly Parton book sign up, and more.

Those attending the festival are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, cash, sunscreen, bug spray and to dress in layers as it might get cool after dark. Attendees are discouraged from bringing coolers and dogs.

A color map of locations of events, vendors and features for 41A can be found here: