Maury County, TN, Events Provide Fun Year-Round
Maury County residents love to gather and celebrate in style, fostering a true sense of community and belonging throughout the year. Food, music, friends and family – all of these are in abundance at the fairs and festivals that take place in Maury County throughout the year. Here are three local favorite festivals that illustrate just how enriching this region’s cultural landscape really is:
Maury County Fair
The Maury County Fair in Columbia has been a community staple since 1950, when it started as a civic project. Today, it continues to provide entertainment and education to attendees, many of whom consider it a family tradition.
The fair offers a variety of events and activities, all at a very low price – children aged 12 and under get in for free. Fairgoers can enjoy livestock shows, hands-on agriculture education, motorsports, carnival rides, a food court, petting zoo, rodeo and more.
“We focus on keeping the fair a family-friendly, wholesome environment,” says William Simpson, treasurer for Maury County Fair & Exposition Inc. “We are a nonprofit, and net proceeds from the fair are given back through donations to groups in our community.”
In fact, in 2024, the fair gave back $75,000 to 31 different local nonprofits.
But the giving back doesn’t stop there – the fair has an entire day specially dedicated to giving back, called My Day, which drew over 1,200 participants in 2024. Started 15 years ago, My Day provides an opportunity for special needs members of the community to attend the fair for free, before the fair opens to the general public. In 2025, an inaugural My Day 5K and 1 mile run were added specifically to raise funds for the special needs community.
Highland Realm’s Blueberry Bash
Agriculture is an important part of Tennessee’s heritage and culture, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with the annual Blueberry Bash, hosted by and on Highland Realm Blueberry Farm, located in Hampshire.
Though the farm has been operational since 2010, the festival is a newer addition to the calendar, celebrating its seventh year in 2025. Blueberries are, of course, at the forefront of this event, with buckets and weigh stations provided for pick-your-own adventures. There’s also a blueberry dessert contest with cash prizes, and attendees are encouraged to enter and bring their best blueberry-infused sweet treat.
Beyond blueberries, plenty of food trucks come out, and there is also great live music.
“It’s lots of fun,” says Deanna Naddy, owner of Highland Realm Blueberry Farm. “It’s amazing to see kids out there in the field, back to nature, seeing where their food comes from – that’s what brings me joy.”
The Blueberry Bash truly is a family-friendly festival, combining agritourism with celebration, laughter and delicious treats and eats. The festival takes place each June, as that’s prime blueberry picking season.
The Whole Hog Festival
Hosted at the lovely Oaklawn Mansion in Spring Hill each October, the Whole Hog Festival is organized by The Well Outreach, a local nonprofit. The event is an energetic, pulsing hub of food, music, contests and more. All day long, performers grace the stage with their musical talents, filling the air with sounds of country, bluegrass and rock. A fun kids’ zone includes a petting zoo, circus and more, while kids and adults alike go crazy for the Foamboree foam pit.
Of course, food is the highlight of the event, with multiple pork dishes being served up by food trucks encompassing a variety of cuisines. In addition to the great food, games and music, there are multiple contests taking place throughout the day, including a hog calling contest and a bacon eating contest.
“The Whole Hog Festival is truly a community event, which brings artists, artisans and residents together at a beautiful time of year in Middle Tennessee,” says Timothy Sassen, communications consultant for The Well Outreach. “It’s also an important revenue generator for our ministry.”
Proceeds from the festival benefit some of The Well Outreach’s programs, such as their food pantries, family coaching and more. The Whole Hog Festival serves double duty, offering up fun and giving back to the community, all in one delicious, entertaining day.
Get to Know Maury County, TN
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