🎉 The best small-town festivals in Mid TN

💰 Nashville Speaks Out About Proposed City Budget

More than one hundred people spoke at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting about Mayor O’Connell’s proposed budget, asking for better city employee pay, housing programs, youth and safety initiatives, and mental health programming. The public hearing lasted almost four hours. Councilmembers will turn in budget wish list items today, and a final vote will take place on June 17. [Nashville Banner]

• Tips for contacting your councilmember and speaking at Metro Council [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🚲 Street Safety Report

Local nonprofit Walk Bike Nashville has released its “State of Our Streets” report. The report recommends several improvements, including constructing more sidewalks and bike lanes downtown. [WPLN]

• The report also endorses the four-lane option for East Bank Boulevard. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

💸 Current Lawmakers Might Be Involved in Kickbacks

In the fallout of former Speaker of the House Glen Casada and his then-aide Cade Cothren’s conviction on more than a dozen charges related to political kickback schemes, evidence suggests brothers Rep. Timothy Hill and Rep. Matthew Hill might have been involved in a similar scheme, though they deny it. [Nashville Banner]

• Inside the Casada/Cothren drama [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🎶 3rd and Lindsley’s Iconic History

As CMA Fest takes over downtown, one of Nashville’s most iconic independent music venues, 3rd & Lindsley, just signed a lease extension ahead of its 35th anniversary. On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, we talk with owner Ron Brice about how the venue helped launch some of country music’s biggest stars. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

These country festivals are a great way to explore Middle Tennessee’s rural side, and most are only an hour or so from Nashville. From pet pickle competitions to bluegrass fiddlin’ and MoonPies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at these small-town festivals.

🖤 Promise Land Music & Arts Festival

When: June 7, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Where: Promise Land Historic Site in Charlotte

Cost: Free

Details: This festival celebrates the Promise Land Community, established by formerly enslaved Black folk from 1870-1875. Hear live music, attend a parade of hats, and shop at a silent auction. There will also be live tours and a children’s area.

☀️ SunDrop Fest

When: June 14

Where: Downtown Pulaski

Cost: Free

Details: This small-town festival includes a corn hole tournament, SunDrop chugging competition, milk drop, SunDrop pageant, axe throwing, live music, food trucks, and heaps of vendors.

🫐 Highland Realm 7th Annual Blueberry Bash

When: June 14, 3-8 p.m.

Where: Highland Realm Farm in Hampshire

Cost: $5

Details: Pick blueberries, listen to live music, and ride horses at this country farm festival. There are plenty of kid activities, as well as lots of vendors. It’s Hampshire’s biggest festival.

🚜 Ag & Arts Tour

When: June 20-21

Where: Hickman County

Cost: Free

Details: This is a self-guided tour of Hickman County’s farms, eateries, markets, artisan shops, and more. Check out the participating tour stops!

🌝 RC Cola-MoonPie Festival

When: June 21, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Downtown Bell Buckle

Cost: Free

Details: This festival has been around for about 30 years. It starts with 10-mile and 5k races. The parade begins at 11 a.m., and there will also be clogging, a “Musical Entertainer” contest, and the world’s largest MoonPie.

🎻 Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree

When: July 4-5

Where: Downtown Smithville

Cost: Free

Details: Since 1972, this music and arts festival has attracted thousands of visitors. If you love bluegrass, it’s the place to be.