Category: WilCo

As we approach this long weekend to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, I hope we all pause to reflect on those individuals who promote human rights and equality around the world. In honor of Martin Luther King Day, here are some activities and events that you and the family can enjoy this weekend that promote the education of civil rights and African American history in and around Wilson County!

Centerstage Theatre Co. Presents “The Meeting”

The Centerstage Theatre Company will be presenting a production called “The Meeting,” which depicts a conversation between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X taking place approximately one week prior to the assassination of Malcolm X. The play will take place Saturday, January 12th at 7:30PM, and Sunday, January 13th at 2:00PM. The production will be performed at the June and Bill Heydel Fine Arts Center located at Cumberland University. Tickets are $15 and are available to purchase HERE. Following the performance on January 13th, A.C. Wharton (former Mayor of Memphis and Lebanon resident) will be hosting a talk-back session to discuss his experience with the civil rights movement here in Tennessee.

Unity March

The sixth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March will be held this Saturday, January 13th at 9:45AM. The march will begin at Cedars of Lebanon Baptist Church (located at 211 Beard Ave. Lebanon, TN) and end at Pickett-Rucker UMC (located at 633 Glover St. Lebanon, TN). The march symbolizes the community coming together in unity to promote equality and civil rights for all. Participants can bring signs with them during the march, but please note that any participants under the age of 12 will need to be accompanied by an adult. The annual Unity Brunch and short program will follow the Unity March at Pickett-Rucker UMC. (Photo Courtesy of WKRN; Read about the 2016 march HERE)

“We’re Better Together” Event

The NAACP Sumner County Branch presents their annual MLK Unity Day event on January 15th. This year’s theme “We’re Better Together” highlights the following activities:

9AM – 11:30AM – We Learn Together youth workshop will include creating signs for the march as well as provide information on Martin Luther King Day. This portion of the event will take place at Gallatin’s City Hall located at 132 Main Street.

12:00PM – We March Together walk to take place from Gallatin City Hall to Gallatin High School (located at 700 Dan P. Herron Drive).

1:00PM – We Gather Together celebration to take place at Gallatin High School featuring special speakers and live performances.

Gray Line – African American History Tour

In honor of the upcoming Black History Month, join this Nashville city tour highlighting African American history and heritage in Nashville, TN. This narrated tour will feature stories of the people, places and events that have contributed to the African American history in Music City. The tour covers popular attractions such as Fisk University, Greenwood Cemetery, Jefferson Street, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, The Ritz Theatre and more. Gather your family and friends to book this private tour by calling 1-800-251-1864. (Photo courtesy of Fisk.edu)

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This Florida girl is COLD!

But that doesn’t mean I am going to barricade myself inside my house this weekend. My daughter and I would surely drive each other mad if we were confined to our living room for longer than approximately three Daniel Tiger episodes. If you are anything like me, you struggle to find inside activities during the winter months, which inspired me to write today’s blog:

5 Things To Do In Wilson County This Weekend With The Kids (That Doesn’t Include Freezing!)

1. Bowling at Pro Bowl West

This place is a gold mine for keeping the kids (and the adults) entertained for hours! With 16 lanes, arcade games, air hockey, pool table, and a full food and beverage offering, Pro Bowl West is the perfect remedy for the winter blues!

Oh, and did I mention COSMIC BOWLING every Friday and Saturday after 7:00PM?! Grab the family and head to Pro Bowl West for some family friendly competition!

2. Resolution Revolution at Capitol Theatre

Resolution Revolution is a worship event held TONIGHT, January 5th, at the Capitol Theatre located on the square in downtown Lebanon. This event focuses on the middle school, high school and college crowds and promises to be an enlightening and entertaining evening!

Resolution Revolution begins at 7:30PM with opening act, comedian Jeremy Rochford, followed by a local worship band, and ending with guest speaker Brian Earley with Think 2 Change. This is a one-time event, so don’t miss the chance for your kids to participate!

3. Let’s Go To The Movies!

There are some AWESOME movies playing right now, and if you haven’t seen the new Star Wars movie yet, what are you waiting for? Grab the kids and head to one of Wilson County’s incredible movie theaters – and may the force be with you!

ROXY

Roxy is the perfect “boutique” movie theater experience. They have the MOST COMFORTABLE SEATS I have ever seen in a movie theater (think big, plush recliners) and TONS of leg room! There’s also something about Roxy’s décor that feels retro and nostalgic. So gather the family, and head to Roxy this weekend! For movie times, click HERE.

Regal Cinemas Providence 14

This modern movie theater also has plenty of shopping and dining nearby, making it a great option for a day’s worth of activities! With 14 screens, you are sure to find a movie with plenty of time to enjoy some of the Providence shops and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants near the theater (I highly recommend The Goat if you haven’t tried it yet!) For movie times, click HERE.

4. Pottery painting at FIRED UP!

With little ones, the key is to keep them busy (what’s that saying about idle hands?) or else they will FIND something to get into. Leave the cleanup for someone else, and let your kids get creative at FIRED UP! Here’s how it works….

You select a piece of pottery that is “unfinished.”

You then get to paint the piece of pottery however you choose.

Fired Up will then put a special glaze on the pottery to make it safe for food use, and then begin the final processing of the pottery.

A week later, your artwork is complete and ready for use!

This is EXACTLY where I will be with my daughter this weekend – we need a perfect gift for grandma, and Lucy’s little hand prints on a serving platter will be a big hit! Plus, if you mention this blog post (Whats Up Wilco) this weekend, you will get 50% off your paint fee!

FIRED UP!

1233 N. Mount Juliet Rd., Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Weekend Hours: Friday & Saturday 10AM – 9PM, Sunday 1PM – 6PM

5. Support an awesome cause at the Vietnam Veterans of America Pancake Breakfast!

Tomorrow, January 6th, the Vietnam Veterans of America Lebanon Chapter will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast benefiting Wilson County Veterans.

The event will be held from 7:00AM – Noon at the Lebanon National Guard Armory at 1010 Leeville Pike. Menu items will include pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy. Eating pancakes for a good cause? This is a no-brainer! Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children (children 5 and under are free!).

There you have it – five things to do this weekend in Wilson County with the kids!

Stay warm, and I’ll see ya around town!

P.S. If you see a frozen Floridian wandering around, don’t worry, it’s just me… please point me to the nearest hot chocolate…

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Amy Nichols – Wilson County CVB DirectorHowdy, Wilson County! Did I say that right?

I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it…

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Amy Nichols, and I’ll be exploring Wilson County and sharing my experiences and findings with all of you guys (I mean ya’ll) right here on our “Whats up Wilco” blog and our social media pages (here is where I insert my shameless plug to like our Facebook page and to follow us on Instagram and Twitter!)

I was born and raised in a faraway land known as southern Indiana, where my family still resides. I graduated from Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana and spent the last nine years in the hospitality and tourism industry, starting with Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, KY and most recently with the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL.

As a recent transplant to the Wilson County area, I am thrilled to experience all the amazing events, activities and entertainment that Wilson County has to offer and to develop new and exciting ways we can share these experiences with people who visit us! I have a unique opportunity to view our county through the eyes of a tourist and to use this insight as a tool to grow our tourism (and economy) for years to come.

One thing I’ve learned from my experience at “the most magical place on earth” is that we can have amazing entertainment, dining, shopping, attractions, etc., but what makes a truly great guest experience is the people who make the area come alive. Without “characters” who live in these worlds, it is just a façade. It is the people who make it a real, living and breathing immersive experience that people will come to visit again and again.

That’s where you come in…

You are the business owners, the politicians, the retailers, the servers, the museum ticket collectors, the concession stand cashiers, the bartenders, the local artists, the hotel lobby staff…YOU are who our guests will interact with. YOU will make a lasting impression on our tourists, and it is YOU who represent who Wilson County is as a culture and destination.

So I want to hear from YOU…

Stop by and say hi – I’m here at the Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau next to the Wilson County Courthouse. Send me an email at tourism@wilsoncountytn.gov, or send me a message on Facebook.

I want to hear from all of you! Tell me who we are here in Wilson County.  Tell me the local stories, the “must see” attractions, where the BEST cupcakes are, tell me EVERYTHING!

Until then – I will start exploring and experiencing!

See ya around town!

Amy Nichols

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The Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited about everyone coming to Wilson County for a unique holiday experience.  We’ve got Christmas tree lightings, parades (Lebanon & Mt. Juliet), Christmas dinners, caroling and the North Pole Express Train with Santa.

You can build your own holiday party at Venue 142, Jug Creek Distillery, Capitol theater, and the wonderful Wilson County Expo Center.  You’re only as limited as your imagination for your party theme and will have expert event planners to assist.  You can feel like a guest at your own Christmas/New Year party (corporate or personal) and leave the work to the experts.

Wilson County’s shopping experience is extraordinary. We have two malls (Lebanon & Mt. Juliet).  Dozens of boutiques on the Lebanon Square and along Mt. Juliet Road to locate those rare gifts for your special loved ones.  Wilson County offers handmade jewelry (Thornton Metal Works, & The Lucky Pearl), pottery (Silver Ridge Pottery), and several dining options when you need that break.  Be sure to visit Jug Creek Distillery for all your holiday spirits, gift options and stop long enough for their tour.  Another great tour is the new Wilson County Veteran’s Museum.  It’s a great reminder of all we have to be thankful for this season.

Holidays are a special time of year and in Wilson County, we specialize in making it the BEST ever!

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