With a mission to create a celebration that facilitates educational, recreational, environmental and cultural events during Redbud bloom which brings together the communities and people in Putnam and surrounding counties, the Redbud Celebration Committee set March 26 at DelMonaco Winery and Vineyard as the kick-off date for the start of activities.
The Highlands Redbud Committee embraced the task of providing an umbrella for more folks, throughout the area and the country, to be aware of and have the ability to find information in one place for the numerous activities taking place in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Area. A great place to start is at the website: http://redbuds.org.
The Kick-Off highlights the Redbud Celebration’s intent by allowing each participating activity to present a display promoting their activity. It also gives all patrons a chance to meet and network with area businesses, local leaders, and organizations.
Tickets for the Kick-off are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Redbud Celebration committee members will be at each activity to distribute Redbud saplings suitable for planting in front of your home or business. Samplings of the activities occurring during Redbud bloom include the following:
Tennessee Technological University’s 12th annual Celebration of Craft at the Appalachian Center for Craft on Saturday, April 10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Here you can experience narrated studio demonstrations of blacksmithing, ceramics, weaving, fabric dyeing, glass blowing fine metals and woodworking
Saturday, April 17, begins with a 5K Fun run/walk through the beautiful park areas in Cookeville. It is followed by TTU’s Window on the World Festival. This is an international festival celebrating cultural diversity and global harmony. Come share the exciting sights, sounds and culinary delights which showcase some of the best in international culture from the Tennessee area and beyond.
The same weekend, April 16-19, the City of Cookeville and Putnam County will hold the fith annual Nature Fest. This event celebrates our natural world and is designed to educate the citizens of the region and beyond about the abundance of opportunities to enjoy nature right here in the Upper Cumberland.
White County will have a bike race on Saturday, April 17.
Standing Stone State Park’s seventh annual Spring Naturalist Rally is also during the Redbud bloom. This three-day event is full of fun and learning about the natural and cultural beauty of Standing Stone State Park.
The second annual Redbud Bicycle Rodeo fun Festival is free for children ages ten and under. This festival is designed to help children learn the importance of safe bicycling habits. Bring your children along with their bicycles and helmets and have a wonderful time learning safety issues.
Hidden Hollow transforms its beautiful 52-acre park into the historic medieval era of Kings, Queens and Knights for one weekend to celebrate the Dragon Days Renaissance Festival. You can enjoy period entertainment, authentic vendors and tasty food of the era.
In conjunction with Arbor Day, the Elementary schools in the area are participating in a Poster contest with the Redbud Tree as the main theme. Winning entries from each county receive a $100 savings bond with the overall winning entry receiving $250. These posters are framed and put on display during the Kick-off for all to see their beauty.
The Redbud Celebration concludes with a Beauty Pageant scheduled for May 1.
The website is updated as the details for each event are finalized. Log on to http://redbuds.org to get the latest details of Tennessee Highland’s 2010 Redbud Celebration.
Donors and sponsors are needed to help build the program and promote the Celebration. Your tax deductible donations and sponsorships will help fund tree plantings and further promote the mission of the Highlands Redbud Celebration. To learn more about donations and sponsorship contact Redbud Celebration 370 South Lowe Ave, Suite A-231, Cookeville, Tn. 38501, visit the website http://redbuds.org, or phone 931 528-0621.