Oak Ridge Today





Santa, Mrs. Claus plus Christmas carols in Jackson Square

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Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in Jackson Square from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, December 18, and members of the Oak Ridge Choral Society will lead people in Christmas carols at 4 p.m.

The celebration is being sponsored by the merchants of Jackson Square.

“Come join us as we gather around the tree,” a press release said.

“Giving and receiving are an important part of the holiday season and our ‘Lights of Hope Tree Decorating Contest’ is currently going on until December 30,” the press release said. “There are seven trees secured to lamp posts around the Square. Each tree was decorated by a nonprofit in our area. You cast votes by donating dollars. Each vote is worth one dollar.”

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Farm Fest in Jackson Square on Saturday

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Farm Fest in the Square is in Oak Ridge on Saturday.

The festival will be in Jackson Square from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 18.

“The event will be a celebration of life down on the farm,” organizers said. “We have a pie bake off, square dancers, animals from Little Ponderosa Zoo, music from Liza Jane and Curly Fiddler, an open bluegrass jam, and vendors! The Oak Ridge Farmers Market will be right across the street, so come get some great eats and learn a bit about the history of farm life.”

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Jackson Square merchants have Papapalooza to honor fathers Saturday

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Jackson Square businesses are having a Papapalooza to honor fathers on Saturday.

Papapalooza is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 19.

“The Square will be hopping,” a press release said.

The United Way of Anderson County will be hosting the first cornhole tournament in the Square. Prizes will be awarded to the winners and “bragging rights secured for the year,” the release said. The tournament will begin at 12 p.m. To register online, visit the following link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0849A4AD29AAF58-cornhole.

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New online farmers’ market in Jackson Square, with curbside pickup

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Market-To-Go, a new online farmers’ market in Oak Ridge, is now located in Jackson Square, with weekly curbside pickup at Dean’s Restaurant, across from the in-person farmers’ market. Local grass-fed beef, fresh and local produce, gourmet mushrooms, honey, and even edible pansies are just a few of the products featured in Market-To-Go. (Photo courtesy Grow Oak Ridge)

Market-To-Go, a new online farmers’ market in Oak Ridge, is now located in Jackson Square, with weekly curbside pickup at Dean’s Restaurant, across from the in-person farmers’ market. Local grass-fed beef, fresh and local produce, gourmet mushrooms, honey, and even edible pansies are just a few of the products featured in Market-To-Go, a press release said.

“We hope to attract new customers to try and love locally grown foods, people who may not have time to shop at a traditional farmers’ market,” said Rebecca Williams, director of Grow Oak Ridge, the nonprofit organization that produces Market-To-Go.

“Customers can also reserve local products ahead of time, or may enjoy the convenience of seeing all the products laid out in one easy platform,” said Williams. “Plus, Market-To-Go is an important source of income for our local farmers. Our farmers asked us to continue this program for the summer.”

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Lavender Festival postponed to next year

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2017 Lavender Festival (Image Credit: Shawn Millsaps)

The Lavender Festival, one of Oak Ridge’s most popular festivals, has been postponed to 2021 as the city, state, and country try to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“After consulting with Oak Ridge city officials, and in light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, we regret to announce that Lavender Festival 2020 will be postponed until June 19, 2021,” said Barbara Ferrell, a Jackson Square business owner and Lavender Festival Committee member. “We agree with city officials that Lavender Festival’s crowd and limited area make it an unsafe event as the COVID-19 virus continues to circulate in our community.

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Taste of Anderson County is Oct. 17

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An aerial view of Taste of Anderson County in Jackson Square. (Submitted photo)

Taste of Anderson County will be in Jackson Square this month. It’s scheduled from 5-10 p.m. Thursday, October 17.

“The annual food festival and fundraiser for United Way of Anderson County is the perfect way to spend a fall evening, with free activities for the kids, live music, alcohol tastings, and of course, tastes from your favorite local restaurants,” a press release said.

Soup Kitchen, Burchfield’s, Sassy Pants, Volunteer Dogs, Murray’s Oak Ridge, Freddy’s, Sicilia Pizza, Aubrey’s, and Panda Express are just a few of the restaurants to choose from, the press release said.

In addition, several local breweries and distilleries will be at the event to provide tastings. Beer tastings will be provided by Fanatic Brewing; Seven Springs Farm will be offering wine tastings; Sugarlands Distilling Company will have moonshine to sample; and Postmodern Spirits will be providing tastes of some of their vodkas, gins, and whiskeys. [Read more…]

Lavender Festival features herbs, crafts, food, music Saturday

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2017 Lavender Festival (Image Credit: Shawn Millsaps)

Tennessee’s only Lavender Festival returns for its 21st year in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge on Saturday, June 15. The festival is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Celebrating all things herbal, crafts, local foods, and more, the Lavender Festival is free to customers, and last year attracted an estimated crowd of 11,000,” a press release said. “In addition to free admission, Lavender Festival also offers plenty of free parking in city and business lots surrounding Jackson Square.”

The festival is full of tradition and fun, and it always features something new, the press release said. For example, a traditional bagpipe player will open the festival at 8 a.m., playing from upper Blankenship Field into Jackson Square. Also keeping with tradition, Alan McBride will follow with the hammered dulcimer in the bandstand, the release said. A complete music schedule is included below.

The highlight of Lavender Festival will be the group of 150 artisan, herb, and floral vendors that will line the covered walkways of Jackson Square, the parking lot, and both sides of Broadway Avenue, which will be closed to traffic.

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Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge’s annual gala is back in the swing with A Tribute to the 1940s!

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The tradition of the Lawrence A. Hahn Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge’s annual gala is back in the swing with A Tribute to the 1940s!

“The Board of Directors is excited to host this elegant dinner dance gala on May 4 at 6 p.m. in Oak Ridge’s historic Jackson Square,” a press release said.

“Let the 1940s flair, décor, and music take you back in time for a magical evening at Oak Ridge’s Historic Jackson Square,” the press release said. “Bear Stephenson will emcee the evening’s festivities, featuring Ensemble Swing Time, a local brass band specializing in ’40s era, and contemporary dance music.”

This premier gala will provide a memorable evening of delectable food, desserts, entertainment, including professional swing dancers, an open bar, and a live and silent auction, the press release said.

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Farmers Market opens Saturday

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Farmers Market
The Oak Ridge Farmers Market opens for the season in Jackson Square at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2019. It will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays though November, and a Holiday Market is planned for December. (File photo)

The Historic Oak Ridge Farmers Market presented by East Tennessee FARM will open for the 2019 season on Saturday, April 13.

The market will be held 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday through November in Jackson Square. The markets operate rain or shine. A Holiday Market is planned again for December. The previously held Wednesday market in Jackson Square has been discontinued.

FARM is a historical agricultural co-op operating in Oak Ridge since 1976, making it one of the oldest farmers markets in the state of Tennessee, a press release said. Area farmers have been working together to bring locally grown food and other farm products to the Oak Ridge community for 43 years, the release said.

“The Saturday morning market in Jackson Square is a popular gathering place for Oak Ridgers and visitors,” the press release said.

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Fiberology Lab has grand opening today

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The Fiberology Lab

A new business in Jackson Square, The Fiberology Lab, has a grand opening today (Saturday, March 30).

The grand opening is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled at 9 a.m. with the Jackson Square Business Association.

Demonstrative activities will be available throughout the day for all ages, including spinning, sewing, scissor sharping, making a mini project, and more, a press release said.

“The Fiberology Lab is a locally owned business that will cater to all fiber enthusiasts,” the press release said. “There will be yarn and fabric in a variety of colors and textures. The Fiberology Lab will offer classes to learn techniques for all skill levels.” [Read more…]

Manhattan Project: Ranger walk in Jackson Square area on Wednesday

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

Join a National Park Service park ranger for a ranger-led walk in the Jackson Square area on Wednesday.

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present this free program at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 3. The program will begin at Jackson Square just outside the Oak Ridge Playhouse. The walk will be about one half mile, so wear comfortable walking shoes, a press release said.

The stops will include the tennis courts, the Guesthouse, and the Chapel on the Hill. There will be stories about the development and significance of each site, the press release said. [Read more…]

Sham-Rock in the Square features music Friday

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Sham-Rock in the Square will feature music in Jackson Square from 5-7 p.m. Friday evening, March 15, 2019. The spotlight band is the dynamic duo Ruby and Chloe. They will be in Southern Bliss Boutique. (Submitted photo)

Sham-Rock in the Square will feature music in Jackson Square from 5-7 p.m. Friday evening, March 15, 2019. The spotlight band is the dynamic duo Ruby and Chloe. They will be in Southern Bliss Boutique. (Submitted photo)

 

Sham-Rock in the Square will feature music in Jackson Square on Friday evening.

The spotlight band is the dynamic duo Ruby and Chloe, a press release said.

“Can’t get any better than this—two best friends creating music together!” the press release said.

They will be at Sham-Rock in the Square from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 15, in Southern Bliss Boutique. Ruby Amanns is currently a student at Pellissippi College, and Chloe Weaver is a senior at L&N Academy, the press release said. [Read more…]

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