Author Archives: Clare Saum

Press Release: Discovery Park of America Opens Southern Artist Showcase exhibit featuring Kimberly Greene Bugg

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(Union City, Tennessee, June 22, 2023) — Discovery Park of America’s Southern Artist Showcase featuring Kimberly Greene Bugg is open.

The Southern Artist Showcase features southern painters, photographers, sculptors and other fine artists. Rotating frequently to expose guests to the widest variety of art possible, shows feature works produced in a variety of mediums. The current exhibition includes a collection of more than twenty pieces created by Bugg, including beadwork, corn husk dolls and other traditional indigenous artwork she and her husband have loaned the museum.

Bugg is an award-winning artist and member of the Oneida Nation on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada. She is now a resident of Obion County. Bugg began dancing and competing in Pow Wows in 1994 as a Southern Traditional Buckskin dancer, which is a traditional dance among the southern nations. In 1997, she was selected as the Memphis Powwow Princess.

Bugg and her husband are leading the planning team responsible for the inaugural Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow to be held at Discovery Park of America on October 27-29, 2023. The event will include competitions and displays of Indigenous storytelling, drumming, singing and competition dancing, as well as more than 15 vendors selling authentic Native American art, jewelry and home goods. The event will also include a concert by popular Native American performer Arvel Bird, an award-winning recording and touring artist, violinist, composer and songwriter.

The exhibit featuring Bugg’s art includes corn husk dolls, two paintings, a gourd with an exterior burn design and many examples of Kim’s handcrafted beadwork. The beadwork collection includes a backpack, a women’s breastplate, a necklace, moccasins, a leather shirt, a stuffed bear wearing dancer regalia, a northern traditional cape, purses, a buffalo fur bag and more.

“At Discovery Park, we strive to share the visual arts with our guests and to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Tennessee,” said Jennifer Wildes, senior collections and exhibits director for Discovery Park. “Kim’s work certainly allows us to do that, and I look forward to sharing this special exhibit with our guests as we plan for a Native American Educational Pow Wow at Discovery Park this coming October.”

The exhibit and Powwow are intended to enhance Discovery Park’s permanent Native Americans Gallery that takes guests from the ancient past, through European contact and up to today. There are more than 4,800 artifacts on display in the gallery, including 4,652 arrowheads and spear points mounted to the walls. A Woolly Mammoth on display in the exhibit is about 12,000 years old and was found in 2000 on the Istra riverbank in Russia and took three years to excavate.

Southern Artist Showcase: Kimberly Greene Bugg will be on display at Discovery Park until October 29, 2023.

Press Release: Discovery Park of America to honor late musician Steve Short on Friday night, June 16 at Rhythm on the Rails

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(Union City, Tennessee, June 12, 2023) — Discovery Park of America will memorialize musician Steve Short of Milan, Tennessee at Rhythm on the Rails on Friday, June 16, 2023 with the dedication of a bench. Short, who died earlier this year, was a favorite of Discovery Park founder Robert Kirkland and a frequent performer at the park.

The bench will be located near the Total Tech Solutions Stage.

“Everyone knows Steve through his dedication and passionate love of music. Over his career, he performed with numerous bands, and hundreds of musicians,” said Keith Brown, one of Short’s frequent bandmates. “He spent hours practicing and planning the music so every event we played together was a success.”

Brown will be performing that evening with Danny Anderson as the opening act for Martin Big Band with Valli Kelly.

Rhythm on the Rails is a free summer music festival that takes place on Friday evenings in May and June at Discovery Park. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and live music begins at 6:30 p.m. Food and beverage are available for purchase.

Press Release: Tourism and Hospitality Leaders to Discuss Industry Needs in Northwest Tennessee

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Upcoming Meeting at Discovery Park of America will Convene a Task Force of State, Local, and Industry Stakeholders

(Union City, Tennessee, June 8, 2023) — The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development (TDLWD) is creating a tourism and hospitality task force to help cultivate partnerships that will lead to long-term support for the industry in Northwest Tennessee. State and local representatives with hold a listening session with tourism and hospitality leaders at Discovery Park of America on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 2:00 until 3:30 p.m.

The session will provide an opportunity to discuss the workplace needs within the sector in Northwest Tennessee and lead to the alignment of relevant partnerships, programs, and resources, The task force will develop long-lasting solutions that will benefit the area’s growing tourism industry, which will help bolster economic growth opportunities in the rural communities in the northwest part of the state.

“Meeting with leaders from the hospitality and tourism industry in Northwest Tennessee is critical to meeting their workforce needs now and, in the future,” said Kristie Bennett, TDLWD Northwest Tennessee Regional Director. “Listening sessions like this will allow us to address the industry’s unique needs with solutions that reflect the true dynamics of regional economies.”

In May 2023, preliminary data from U.S. Travel and Tourism Economics revealed a record $27.5 billion in travel spending across the nation in 2022. Among the top 25 states, Tennessee has been the fastest-growing state in travel spending since 2018 and has risen from 14th to 11th in the nation for travel spending.

For more information about the event and how to register, contact Scott Williams at swilliams@discoveryparkofamerica.com or 731-599-9749.

Press Release: Origis Energy is the first contributor in the campaign to raise funds to update Energy Gallery at Discovery Park of America

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(Union City, Tennessee, June 7, 2023) — Discovery Park of America announced today that Origis Energy has contributed $50,000 toward a campaign that will raise money to update the museum and park’s Energy Gallery.

In April, Origis Energy, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Google and Excelsior Energy Capital celebrated the completion of Skyhawk Solar, a 100 MW (MWac) project in Obion County located just minutes from Discovery Park.

Skyhawk Solar was developed under the TVA Green Invest program and contributes to TVA’s continued push to grow clean energy in its seven-state service territory.

“Since Discovery Park’s Energy Gallery was first designed more than a decade ago, much progress has been made in the energy sector, including creating low-cost, clean, reliable, renewable energy,” said Scott Williams, the museum’s president and CEO. “While there are many advancements, there seems to be a gap in helping the public understand the science behind and the importance of new initiatives like solar farms. We plan to create an exhibit that changes that for our 250,000 plus annual visitors.”

Natacha Standaert, Origis Energy Foundation Manager, said “Origis is very pleased to support the educational work at Discovery Park. Helping young people and their families understand how clean energy projects are shaping environmental and economic gains in the communities in which they are located is important. This knowledge will spark curiosity, contribute to a better understanding of the changing energy industry and helps students identify new career paths. The platform Discovery Park has created reaches thousands of families from a wide area around Skyhawk Solar. We invite others to join us in supporting the updated Energy Gallery initiative.”

This new initiative is just one of several ways Discovery Park is helping visitors explore the world around them. In March 2022, four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations were unveiled, allowing visitors to charge their vehicles while visiting the museum. The most recently opened permanent exhibit was “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival.” It tells the story of farming innovation in the past, present—and especially—future. Another new permanent exhibit opening November 10, 2023, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” will include much about the importance of conserving, restoring and managing wetlands and habitats for North America’s waterfowl.

Fundraising and research for the updated Energy Gallery has begun now, and the new exhibit will open at Discovery Park in early 2025.

To partner with Discovery Park on this exhibit or for more information, email Mary Nita Bondurant at mbondurant@discoveryparkofamerica.com or call 731-676-3556.

About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 50-acre heritage park located in Union City, Tennessee, is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring nine interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Origis Energy
Origis Energy is bringing clean and cost effective solar, energy storage and clean hydrogen solutions within reach for utility, commercial and industrial as well as public sector clients. The Origis team has worked to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are upheld in 170 projects worldwide totaling more than 5 GW to date of developed solar, energy storage and clean hydrogen capacity. Headquartered in Miami, FL, Origis Energy delivers excellence in solar, energy storage and clean hydrogen development, financing, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and operations, maintenance and asset management for investors and clean energy consumers in the U.S. For more information visit: www.OrigisEnergy.com

The Weakley County Reconciliation Project and Discovery Park of America Co-host free Juneteenth celebration at Discovery Park

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(Union City, Tennessee, June 7, 2023) — The Weakley County Reconciliation Project (WCRP) and Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee are co-hosting a free Juneteenth celebration at Discovery Park on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 3-7 p.m. Entrance for the free event will be through the Train Depot gate in the lower south parking lot.

Families from throughout the region will gather for an afternoon of food, fellowship and fun with a focus on the celebration of Black American freedom. More than 15 Black-owned, small-business vendors and local food trucks will be on hand, and a variety of activities are planned for all ages.

Entertainment on Discovery Park’s new Total Tech Solutions stage will be provided by artists such as saxophonist J-Wes Walker Crossfire Music of Covington, Moe Hayslett, also of Covington, and Jalen Ware of TRuSTORY Worship. Ripley native and Memphis resident, Katrina Anderson, will be the headline performer. Jessica Currie of J Poetry will bring some powerful prose to the event, while Craig Clay of Lake County will provide the keynote address.

In addition to the afternoon’s Juneteenth program, Discovery Park has put together a slate of speakers and activities for visitors to the museum earlier in the day with the theme “Looking Back, Moving Forward: The History of Juneteenth and Why We Celebrate Today.”

At 11 a.m. in the Tennessee Room, Lane College’s vice president for academic affairs, Rev. Daryll Coleman, will provide a keynote address. Following Rev. Coleman will be vocalist Brenda Davis accompanied by Kaye Hillsman with an educational performance highlighting the origins of spirituals, religious songs associated with Black Christians primarily in the South. A traditional “Jubilee Feast,” an array of foods with cultural significance dating back hundreds of years, will also be on display for visitors. Guest readers from Discovery Park will gather at 1:30 p.m. in the Tennessee Room for a children’s story time where they will read four books about Juneteenth aloud.

Discovery Park’s activities in the museum are included with park admission or membership, while the afternoon’s Juneteenth program is provided for free.

Discovery Park of America is located at 830 Everett Blvd. in Union City. For more information, visit the Weakley County Reconciliation Project on Facebook or the calendar at discoveryparkofamerica.com.

About Weakley County Reconciliation Project

The Weakley County Reconciliation Project is a diverse, nonpartisan group of Weakley County community members seeking to engage other members and organizations in an open dialogue on matters of race, racism and social injustice in Weakley County, Tennessee. For more information, visit WeakleyReconciliation.com.

About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 50-acre heritage park located in Union City, Tennessee, is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring nine interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

2023 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium

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We are hosting our annual Military History and Armed Forces Symposium on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29. Find out more about the event and schedule here.

This annual event will feature a variety of programs and interactive activities that explore the American military’s past, present and future. All active military service members, veterans and their guests will receive free admission to Discovery Park during both days of this event.

Sponsored by Union City Coca-Cola and Dixie Gun Works, the Military History and Armed Forces Symposium features presentations from special guests, static and active military equipment, vehicle demonstrations and gallery talks. Guests will also experience historical interpreters and living historians throughout the museum and park.

Friday has been planned with students in mind and will include a keynote by Cpl. John Henley. Born and raised in Boise City, Oklahoma, Henley entered the United States Marine Corps in 1969 and trained as a field artilleryman stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, with the 2nd Marine Division. In June 1970, Henley was attached to Battalion Landing Team 2/9 3rd Marine Division and served in Vietnam, Okinawa and the Philippines before he was honorably discharged in 1971. He went on to graduate from the Sunset School of Biblical Studies and served as a full-time minister for 42 years until his retirement in 2019.

A VIP reception will be held on Friday night to bring awareness to resources available to all military personnel. Operation Song, an organization of songwriters who work with veterans and active-duty military to tell their stories through song, will provide entertainment. The VIP reception is open to former and current members of the armed forces plus a guest.

Saturday’s keynote will be provided by Lt. Col. Bernard House, professor of military science at the University of Tennessee at Martin. House is also the overall leader of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps battalion at both Murray State University and the University of Tennessee at Martin. A native of Lexa, Arkansas, House was commissioned into the United States Army in 1997 from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Lt. Col. Ron Powell (Ret.) will provide educational programming in the upper military gallery on Friday and Saturday. Serving as an Army chaplain for 34 years, Powell gives presentations about the history of chaplains in the military from the Civil War through the present.

Saturday will also feature a panel discussion led by Stefan Maupin and special guest Cindy Kent, author of “Better Men: Alpha Upsilon in Vietnam.” The panel will include some of the men who are highlighted in Kent’s compilation of stories from 14 Vietnam veterans. Before they became brothers of war, they were brothers at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, the national agriculture fraternity.

“Our education team has put together two days of insightful and experiential activities that highlight the past, present and future of our nation’s armed forces,” said Emalee Buttrey, Ph.D., director of education, programming and museum experience at the museum. “For guests passionate about history and the military, this event is going to provide a lot to discover.”

Both days of the 2023 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium will also feature reenactment groups, including the 1st Infantry Division WWII Reenactors, the 52nd Regimental String Band and The Living Historians. Military equipment is on display on the grounds throughout the weekend.

A variety of military-related vendors will exhibit in Dino Hall, including the Veteran’s Museum of Halls, Tennessee, Irreverent Warriors, Special Ops Xcursions, Tennessee State Guard, Tennessee Army National Guard, UTM ROTC, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services and Wreaths Across America.

Attendees also can explore Discovery Park’s Military Gallery, which can be found on two levels of the museum. The lower level contains a collection of military vehicles and weapons, as well as displays about the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and our current military conflicts. Displays about the Civil War, World War I and World War II can be found on the entry-level along with an oral history theater that showcases stories shared by veterans.

All the programs, panel discussions and other events during the symposium are included with park admission or membership.

All active military service members, veterans and their guests receive free admission on both days of the event.

School group leaders wanting to request scholarships for student groups should email education@discoveryparkofamerica.com or call 731-885-5455.

For a full list of events and biographies on special guests, visit discoveryparkofamerica.com/military2023.

Sustainable Ag Program Presented at Discovery Park by The Nature Conservancy and Others

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Sustainable Ag Program Presented at Discovery Park by The Nature Conservancy and Others

Mitchell Hora, an Iowa farmer and the founder of the ag startup Continuum Ag, spoke about sustainable agriculture to a large group gathered in the Simmons Bank Ag Center at Discovery Park on Friday. It was not his first appearance in the exhibit on innovation in agriculture located in the center; Hora’s photo can be found on the wall behind him among the other photos of hundreds of people working in agriculture today. A video about his work is also included in the section of the exhibit on AgLaunch. The event, which covered many areas of sustainable agriculture, was held by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Corn Growers Association, Quail Forever and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

“The Nature Conservancy is tackling the dual threats of accelerated climate change and unprecedented biodiversity loss,” said Zach Luttrell, director of agriculture for Tennessee and Kentucky at The Nature Conservancy. “Science determines where we focus and equity guides how we achieve lasting results. With decades of local on-the-ground experience, we maximize our ability to affect change by bringing together real-world solutions, policy expertise, sustainable financing and collaborative partnerships like this one that took place at Discovery Park.”

Since 1978, The Nature Conservancy has helped to create or expand 31 state parks and natural areas, 20 state Wildlife Management Areas, and 9 national parks, forests and wildlife refuges in Tennessee, in addition to establishing their own system of nature preserves.

Experience New Lights and Displays at the 2022 “Let It Glow” Drive-Thru and Walk-Thru

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We are adding new lights and displays to our popular “Let It Glow” Christmas drive-thru and walk-thru light shows for the 2022 holiday season.

Opening night on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, will include a kick-off ceremony at 6 p.m. featuring performances from the Voices of Union City Elementary School, Jackson Symphony Orchestra ensemble and internationally acclaimed singers Merry Ellen Kirk and Marco Alexander. There will be refreshments and local crafts for sale, and Santa Claus will be available for photos. The “Let it Glow” kick-off is free for members and $5 for non-members. Children 3 and under are free. The Drive-thru is $10 per vehicle.

The Jackson Symphony ensemble musicians will be Keith Herris, Lydia Michelle Cronk, Ryan Nelson, Joey Moore and Brad Churchwell.

Visitors can also get a “selfie” with Santa Claus at the “Let It Glow” Walk-thru every Friday and Saturday night in the Gristmill.

We are especially excited about an ALL-NEW route for the Drive-Thru where visitors can experience never-before-seen light displays. Unlike previous years, guests will enter through the north gate for the “Let It Glow” Drive-thru. It will feature more than a million lights twinkling along with popular Christmas songs, allowing guests to get a unique look at the Titan Missile, the 199-foot-tall Discovery Center, the settlement of log cabins and more, all decorated for the holidays.

The “Let It Glow” Walk-thru will take place on the north side of the park, which will once again be transformed into the “North Pole.” Grab a snack and a drink and take a stroll through the Japanese Garden, European Garden and Mill Ridge, and enjoy the magic of Christmas.

At Mill Ridge, guests can shop for local handmade gifts for sale, hangout with Rudolph in his barn, write a letter to Santa and, new this year, a large display of more than 150 nutcrackers on loan from Edith Adcock of Martin, Tennessee. Adcock received her first nutcracker as a gift for her 16th birthday and has been collecting them for more than 45 years.

Planning a Christmas party for your workplace, friends or family? Contact Lauren Jones at ljones@discoveryparkofamerica.com or call at 731-885-5455 for more information.

A special thank you to our  2022 “Let It Glow” sponsors, McDonald’s and ATA.

Both the “Let It Glow” Drive-thru and Walk-thru are open 5-9 p.m. from Friday, Nov. 11-Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, and closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Opening night of the “Let It Glow” Walk-thru will be free for Discovery Park members and $5 admission for non-members. Admission to the “Let It Glow” Walk-thru on all other nights is $5 for all guests with ages three and under admitted free. Admission to the “Let It Glow” Drive-thru is $10 per vehicle for all guests every night. Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at the gates.

Annual Stair Climb Event on Sept. 10, 2022 at Discovery Park of America

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Annual Stair Climb Event on Sept. 10, 2022 at Discovery Park of America

Union City, Tenn. –Local Union City firefighters will once again be partnering with Discovery Park of America and the City of Union City to host the annual stair climb on Sat., Sept. 10, 2022, as a way to pay tribute to those who were lost in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

The tower stair climb, held in conjunction with The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, is open to any rescue worker who wishes to participate in climbing the Discovery Park Tower staircase 10 times in full gear, the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. The terrorist attacks killed 2,184 civilians, 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers and 10 EMS workers. Many others have died from medical complications in the years since.

The mission of the NFFF is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, to provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives and work within the Fire Service Community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.

Those who have purchased a ticket to Discovery Park that day are welcome to watch and encourage the firefighters as they climb the stairs. Once the last firefighter has completed the climb, there will be a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives.

Climbers will be given an identification tag and photo of a first responder that lost their life on 9/11 as they climb the steps, and the stairwell will be filled with posters and words of encouragement from Union City and Obion County students.

The immediate families of participating firefighters will enjoy free admission to Discovery Park. Firefighters will receive a voucher for a meal at one of the museum and park’s restaurants.

The opening ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and will feature the Presentation of the Colors, National Anthem and an opening prayer. The climb will begin at 10 a.m. Registration is now open. For more information, to register, to sponsor a rescue worker or team or to participate as a sponsor, visit the event’s landing page or contact Lt. Rick Stacks at rdstacks73@gmail.com or call (731) 885-2232.

Sustainable Ag Program Presented at Discovery Park by The Nature Conservancy and Others

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Sustainable Ag Program Presented at Discovery Park by The Nature Conservancy and Others

 

Mitchell Hora, an Iowa farmer and the founder of the ag startup Continuum Ag, spoke about sustainable agriculture to a large group gathered in the Simmons Bank Ag Center at Discovery Park on Friday. It was not his first appearance in the exhibit on innovation in agriculture located in the center; Hora’s photo can be found on the wall behind him among the other photos of hundreds of people working in agriculture today. A video about his work is also included in the section of the exhibit on AgLaunch.

The event included additional speakers from The University of Tennessee, The University of Missouri, and Quail Forever and focused on risk mitigation through on farm conservation practices. Local Tennessee farmer Matt Griggs also presented and offered his perspective and unique experiences.  The event was held by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Corn Growers Association, Quail Forever and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

“Food production makes up nearly half of our global habitable land area.  And Tennessee is no different, with nearly half of our land in farms,” said Zach Luttrell, director of agriculture for Tennessee and Kentucky at The Nature Conservancy. “Farm conservation is critical to goals that we have related to protecting biodiversity and coping with changing weather patterns.  Ultimately, we want to make conservation practices on the farm make more sense to farmers and part of achieving this objective is spreading knowledge through collaborative outreach like today’s event at Discovery Park.”

The Nature Conservancy is most known for its land protection work, having touched around 100 million acres across globe.  Since 1978 in Tennessee, The Nature Conservancy has helped to create or expand 31 state parks and natural areas, 20 state Wildlife Management Areas, and 9 national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, in addition to establishing their own system of nature preserves.  And beyond land protection, The Nature Conservancy also maximizes it ability to effect change at a scale that matters by developing real-world solutions through collaborative partnerships.

Discovery Park Announces Major 2023 Exhibits and Events Scheduled for the Museum and Park’s 10th Birthday Year

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Save the Date: Discovery Park Announces Important Dates for 10th Birthday Year

Get your 2023 calendar out, and mark the dates of some of the biggest and most exciting events in our museum and heritage park’s 10-year history. The ribbon was cut and doors opened for the
first time at Discovery Park on Nov. 1, 2013. Since that day, more than 2.5 million guests have visited and experienced the 100,000-square-foot museum and 50-acre heritage park. We are
celebrating this special date throughout the year, so make plans now to join us.

Dec. 10, 2022 – May 21, 2023
Inside the Cornerstone Box
A display of items the Discovery Park exhibits team discovered inside a cornerstone box that
was found in the rubble of Dresden First Methodist Church of Dresden, Tenn., after a devastating tornado.

Sat., March 4, 2023
Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards
An important night as Discovery Park pays tribute to a group of honorees whose lives and
careers inspire children and adults to see beyond.

Fri. and Sat., April 28 – 29, 2023
Military History and Armed Forces Symposium
This event features a variety of programs and interactive activities that explore the past, present
and future of the American military.

May 5 – June 30, 2023
Rhythm on the Rails Summer Concert Series
Live music outside at the Train Depot on Friday evenings in May and June.

Sat., May 13, 2023
Cardboard Boat Regatta
Boats can only be made out of cardboard and duct tape – nothing more. This is a fun project for
your family, friends or classmates to put their STEM skills, teamwork and creativity to the test.

June – Dec. 2023
Northwest Tennessee Photography Club Showcase
This semi-annual contest is open to all amateur photographers. The winners receive cash prizes,
and their work is displayed at Discovery Park. Visit nwtnphotoclub.com to enter.

June 1, 2023 – Feb. 4, 2024
Southern Artist Showcase: Southern Self-taught Artists
An exhibit featuring a unique assortment of painters, photographers, sculptors and other self-
taught artists living in or inspired by the South.

Sat., June 3, 2023
Discovery Park Cruise-in
Car clubs and individuals from around the region display their classic cars and trucks throughout
Discovery Park’s 50 acres.

Summer 2023
“Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway”
Our newest permanent exhibit uses three-dimensional objects, interactive elements and hands-on
experiences to tell the story of waterfowl hunting, conservation and the ecosystem of the
Mississippi Flyway.

Sat., July 1, 2023
Independence Day Celebration
Interact with living historians, be part of the Boston Tea Party, participate in the “Ringing of the
Bell” ceremony with the reading of the Declaration of Independence and enjoy colonial games
and activities throughout the park.

Fri. and Sat., August 4 – 5, 2023
Antique Tractor Show
Collectors from around the country display their tractors. Included is live music, food trucks and
a tractor parade.

Fri., Aug 11, 2023 – March 31, 2024
A special exhibit that will be announced soon.

Sat., August 12, 2023
David Crockett Birthday
Celebrate the lives of West Tennessee pioneers and the birthday of David Crockett, the folk hero,
politician and Tennessee settler who made his home here from 1822 until he departed for the
Alamo in 1835.

September 9, 2023
9/11 Stair Climb
Discovery Park partners with regional firefighters to host the annual stair climb as a way to pay
tribute to those who were lost in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Sat., September 16, 2023
Discovery Dash 5K/10K/10-Mile Fun Run and Pediatric Day
A day celebrating and exploring health and fitness.

Sat., September 23, 2023
Southern Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival
Vendors will have their unique creations displayed inside Discovery Center in the Natural
History Gallery and outside at STEM Landing. See homemade jewelry, pottery,
glassware, wood carvings and more as you walk through the galleries. This is the perfect place
for a little early Christmas shopping.

The Month of October 2023
Pumpkin Village
Explore the incredible, one-of-a-kind displays created by Discovery Park’s creative grounds
crew with more than 50,000 pounds of pumpkins along with fall flowers, hay bales and more
enhancing the decorations.

Fri. – Sun., Oct. 27 – 29, 2023
Native American Pow Wow
The goal of the event, unique in Northwest Tennessee, is to provide a place for Indigenous
people from tribes around the country to celebrate their culture while educating Discovery Park
visitors on this aspect of our nation’s past, present and future.

Sat., Nov. 4, 2023
Happy Birthday Discovery Park Celebration
A fun-filled day celebrating ten years of inspiring children and adults to see beyond.
Fri., November 10 – December 30, 2023
(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

Let it Glow Light Show Drive-thru and Walk-thru
This event has become a popular holiday tradition. Drive through more than a million lights, then
park and explore the heritage park decorated for Christmas. Make your way up to Mill Ridge at
Discovery Park for refreshments, holiday music and shopping for gifts to put under the tree.
Polar Express is considered part of this event.

Dec. 2023 – May 2024
Northwest Tennessee Photography Club Showcase
This semi-annual contest is open to all amateur photographers. The winners receive cash prizes,
and their work is displayed at Discovery Park. Visit nwtnphotoclub.com to enter.

Freedom Forum to host First Amendment Festival Featuring Special Guests Bret Baier and The Gatlin Brothers on Sept. 24 at Discovery Park of America

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Fox News anchor Bret Baier will speak about his career and the First Amendment, and country music legends The Gatlin Brothers will perform.

Union City, Tenn. – On Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, the Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation that works to foster First Amendment freedoms for all, will host its inaugural First Amendment Festival at Discovery Park of America. Visitors to the park will discover fun, freedom and fellowship, and explore the rights that Americans treasure. The festival will include a variety of family-friendly, First Amendment-themed games, trivia, crafts and conversations. Admission to the park on the day of the festival is FREE with registration.

“The purpose of the festival is to engage Americans around their First Amendment freedoms and to help them better know, value, understand and defend those rights,” said Jan Neuharth, chair and CEO of the Freedom Forum. “Our annual survey of Americans’ understanding of the First Amendment has consistently shown that we value the First Amendment, but that few Americans know what those rights are. That’s a problem we’re uniquely positioned to address in a fun, compelling and empowering way.”

During the festival, Fox News anchor Bret Baier will participate in a one-on-one conversation about the First Amendment and his career as an award-winning journalist covering politics, war zones and the White House. Following the conversation, Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, the three brothers who make up the country music band The Gatlin Brothers, will perform some of their biggest hits.

“With our mission to inspire children and adults to see beyond and an entire section of our heritage park dedicated to our American freedoms, Discovery Park is the perfect location for the Freedom Forum to hold its inaugural First Amendment Festival,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “I know visitors from throughout the region will take advantage of this one-of-a-kind event.”

During the First Amendment Festival, visitors can:

  • Set out on a scavenger hunt to discover the five freedoms the First Amendment protects for you! Visit spots in Discovery Park to solve clues and uncover our rights in action. Get a reward for completion plus entry into a drawing for more chances to win prizes.
  • Reflect and share moments when our First Amendment freedoms have come alive for you. Together, our stories will show that we have more in common than what divides us – and that these five freedoms can bring people together.
  • Check out the stories of the First Amendment! Learn about everyday heroes who used their freedoms and see how the First Amendment shows up in our lives today.
  • Join us on the grounds for fun yard games. Learn about the First Amendment while you play with friends and family for the chance to win prizes.
  • Test and grow your knowledge with a lively First Amendment themed-trivia contest with prizes for winners. You can join the game or enjoy the fun as a spectator!
  • Snap selfies with figures past and present who exercised and defended our freedoms on the First Amendment walk of fame.
  • Grab a snack and delve into First Amendment questions. Power up your knowledge of the issues you care about with answers from experts.
  • Exercise your right to creative expression! Decorate your own artwork to add to an installation at Discovery Park – and see how the First Amendment can bring us together, protecting our expression and building community.
  • Enjoy Discovery Park’s annual Southern Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival with artisans throughout the museum and park.

On Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, area students will learn the basics of the First Amendment and dive into case studies exploring the five freedoms before having the chance to creatively express themselves on what they learned. What are these rights, how can students use their freedoms and why are they important to society as well as individuals? The students’ creations during the program will be displayed at Discovery Park for visitors to see as a temporary installation at the First Amendment Festival on Saturday.

About the Freedom Forum

The Freedom Forum’s mission is to foster First Amendment freedoms for all. It works to raise awareness of First Amendment freedoms through education, advocacy and action, sharing the stories of Americans who have exercised their rights to ignite change. Established July 4, 1991, by founder Al Neuharth, the Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan 501 (c)(3) foundation that advances First Amendment freedoms through initiatives that include Today’s Front Pages, the Free Expression Awards, the Power Shift Project, the annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, the Chips Quinn Scholars and the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media. In addition to its Washington, D.C. headquarters, it has locations at the Al Neuharth Media Center at the University of South Dakota; the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics at the University of Mississippi; and the John Seigenthaler Center at Vanderbilt University.

About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and heritage park located in Union City, Tenn., is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring nine interactive exhibit galleries, with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501 (c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers

The close family harmonies of Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers have given the trio a signature sound that led to country classics like “All the Gold in California” and “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You).” The brothers won a GRAMMY® for their 1976 breakthrough hit, “Broken Lady,” and reached #1 with several other songs soon thereafter. Along with five career nominations for the ACM Vocal Group, the Gatlin Brothers picked up three 1979 trophies: Single of the Year (“All the Gold in California”), Album of the Year (Straight Ahead) and Male Vocalist of the Year for Larry Gatlin. The brothers were also nominated for multiple CMA Awards including Vocal Group of the Year, Single of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. Larry Gatlin has written songs recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, Roy Orbison, Barry Gibb and countless gospel artists including the Gaither Vocal Band, the Booth Brothers, the Isaacs and many more. Larry was formally inducted into the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in the fall of 2019. For more information on the Gatlin Brothers, visit gatlinbrothers.com or follow them on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram