The city of Martin, the University of Tennessee at Martin, and other sponsors have again partnered to bring the 26th annual Tennessee Soybean Festival to Martin on Sept. 1-7.
More than 100 events for children, adults and families are scheduled during the festival this year, including appearances by the Sea Lion Splash traveling show and the Incredible Chinese Acrobats. Labor Day children’s events include Touch-A-Truck in downtown Martin and the annual sidewalk chalk art contest at the C.E. Weldon Public Library, both from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Magical Martin Day from 3-7 p.m. in Virginia Weldon Park.
A full concert lineup is expected on the main stage, and tickets are on sale now at tnsoybeanfestival.org. Runaway June and Walker Hayes will perform beginning at 8 p.m., Sept. 5; the Oak Ridge Boys will take the stage at 7 p.m., Sept. 6; and Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx will perform at 7 p.m., Sept. 7. Several free concerts are also scheduled, including Seven Bridges at 8 p.m., Sept. 3, and the Bethel Renaissance Choir at 7 p.m., Sept. 4.
“The Tennessee Soybean Festival is as much a part of our local heritage as the university itself,” said UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver. “Every year I get excited to see thousands of people return to our city to introduce their parents, children and spouses to the festival they knew as children or as students here at UT Martin. The list of activities has grown exponentially since that first festival 26 years ago, and I can only imagine what kind of regional event we will have in another 26 years. UT Martin is proud to partner with the city of Martin and other area businesses to make sure this iconic event continues every September.”
The Tennessee Soybean Festival Hall of Fame includes many with UT Martin connections, including the late Dr. Jerry Gresham, former festival director, festival founder and UT Martin professor emeritus of animal science; Steve Vantrease, former festival director and current director of the UT Martin Ned Ray McWherter Institute; and David Belote, current festival director, former UT Martin assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and current co-director of the university’s First-Year Initiative Program.
A complete schedule of events and concert ticket prices are available at tnsoybeanfestival.org.
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