(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.

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 [email protected] or 731-599-9749.

(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 [email protected] 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

(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.

May 4, 2023

(Union City, Tennessee, May 4, 2023) — Discovery Park of America is now a Blue Star Museum. This collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums like Discovery Park, provides free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families each summer.

“We thank the 2023 Blue Star Museums like Discovery Park who invite military personnel and their families to experience the many wonders they have to offer, whether it’s a glimpse into the past, an encounter with awe-inspiring innovation or a moment of hands-on learning,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D., chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The free admission program is available from Armed Forces Day, May 20, through Labor Day, Sept. 4, for those currently serving in the United States Military–Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard–including Reservists, National Guardsmen (regardless of status), U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card, DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID) or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for free admission.

“Discovery Park is excited to support the men and women who are serving our country,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “Our military exhibits and related events make us a natural fit for the Blue Star Museum program. In fact, we just wrapped up our annual Military History and Armed Forces Symposium, which was the best attended in our organization’s history.”

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

To plan a visit to Discovery Park or for more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/visit.

Photo Caption: Staff Sgt. Dillon Ezernack, Air Force enlisted accessions recruiter and Staff Sgt. Anthony Daniels on a recent visit to Discovery Park. The museum and heritage park will be offering free admission to active-duty military personnel and families this summer.

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About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 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 9 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, Twitter and TikTok.

(Union City, Tennessee, May 3, 2023) Discovery Park of America announced new major gifts today to help fund a $1 million permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway.” It will open for the public on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at the 100,000-square-foot museum and 50-acre heritage park in Union City, Tennessee.

The family of William A. (Bill) Homra has made a significant gift for the exhibit in memory of Homra, a businessman who had a passion for the sport of duck hunting.

Homra was born and made his home in Fulton, Kentucky. His successful business ventures included Fulton’s Leader Sporting Goods, The Sportster, Capone’s Restaurant, Buck’s Party Mart and the Hollywood Showcase Theater. An avid hunter and fisherman, Homra began his career selling fishing gear from the back of his van to small grocery stores from Hickman, Kentucky to Reelfoot Lake. Homra was a charter member of the Fulton and South Fulton chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

The Homra family joins Ducks Unlimited, the world’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, as a premier sponsor of the exhibit, which was designed and built by Louisville, Kentucky firm Solid Light. Under the leadership of George Dunklin, Ducks Unlimited past president, the exhibit will include the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Theater in memory of William A. (Bill) Homra and his late son, Allen Homra.

“Allen was one of my closest friends,” Dunklin said, “and I believe he and his father having such a prominent role in the creation of this exhibit on conservation and waterfowl is a tribute and legacy in which they would take great pride.”

Allen Homra moved to Stuttgart, Arkansas on a temporary assignment with Edward Jones in 1988, shortly after graduating from the University of Mississippi. He made the area his home for the remainder of his life. Homra built one of the country’s Top 10 Edward Jones financial consulting practices. He was a passionate duck hunter and, in addition to supporting numerous nonprofit and faith-based organizations in his community, was a Ducks Unlimited sponsor for 25 years.

Other significant contributions to the exhibit have been made by The George H. Dunklin Jr. Family Foundation, the Deupree Family Foundation, Commercial Bank and Trust Company, Ann and Steve Reynolds, Marisa and Collin Cahill, Dr. Amy and Doug Cahill, Sam Hamra, Todd Endl, Doug Leech, Lisa and Kent Hutchins and Janet and Mike Gossum.

Partners in the exhibit also include the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Five Oaks Lodge, Final Flight Outfitters Inc.,  First Choice Farm and Lawn, Parker’s Outfitting, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation.  For a complete listing of all donors, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/duck.

At a recent update with exhibit stakeholders, including associates from Discovery Park and Ducks Unlimited, the designers and exhibit production team at Solid Light presented some of the early exhibit details. The general theme is an exploration of the intersection of waterfowl hunting and conservation and the importance of the Mississippi Flyway. Featured in the exhibit will be:

• Research provided by the Cohen Wildlife Research Lab, leading conservationists and researchers in waterfowl migration, illustrating migration patterns and other facts about waterfowl
• Interactive touch stations that bring cutting-edge data to life in a fun way
• Immersive experiences that give visitors an opportunity to discover waterfowl biology and habitats, along with the sights and sounds of the various types of ducks and geese
• The Ducks Unlimited Conservation Experience in memory of William A. (Bill) Homra and Allen Homra, an immersive, scenic world where the latest technology brings to life the stories of the people of Ducks Unlimited and the conservation values for which they are known
• An exploration of the art of waterfowl hunting featuring duck and goose calls and decoys that are as much works of art as they are tools
• A look at hunting gear used in the sport and its evolution through the years
• A recreation of Theodore Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Cabin telling the story of “the conservation president” and his enduring impact on the sport of hunting
• A recreation of a “Reelfoot Lake-style” duck blind on the museum’s North Lake, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors, especially those unfamiliar with hunting

One stakeholder who participated in the presentation was Kelley Powers, one of the founders and owners of Final Flight Outfitters Inc., a mail-order catalog company, e-commerce site and waterfowl retail store in Union City, Tennessee, and a partner in the exhibit.

“I’m very impressed with the work Solid Light has done and how they are presenting the information in a fun, interactive way,” Powers said. “I’m sure many will leave with a new appreciation for waterfowl hunting and the work being done in the field of conservation. I’m especially grateful this will be in my hometown to add to the overall experience of our visitors from around the world.”

Visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/duck to learn more about the exhibit. To partner with Discovery Park on this exhibit or for more information, email Mary Nita Bondurant at  [email protected]  or call 731-676-3556.

Photo Caption: Discovery Park staff members begin preparing for the installation of “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway.” The new exhibit will open Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Pictured l to r: Tom Terrell, maintenance; Sam Minyard, information technology; and Jennifer Wildes, collections and exhibits.

Duck duck goose rendering photo caption: Artist’s rendering of “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” a new permanent exhibit opening at Discovery Park Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

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About Discovery Park of America

The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 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 9 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, Twitter and TikTok.

April 6, 2023

Union City, Tennessee— Discovery Park of America has announced the lineup for the 2023 free summer concert series, “Rhythm on the Rails.” It will begin on Fri., May 5 with a celebration featuring the first performances on the new Total Tech Solutions Stage.

This is also the first festival at Discovery Park presented in part with support from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The mission of the Tennessee Arts Commission is to stimulate and encourage the presentation of the visual, literary, musical and performing arts and to encourage public interest in the cultural heritage of Tennessee. The concert series is also sponsored by Blue Bank Resort, Volunteer Distributing, Williams Sausage and The Citizens Bank.

Two popular headlining acts, Clark Beckham and Texas Hill, will kick off the festival. Beckham, returning to Discovery Park for his fourth performance, was “American Idol” runner-up on season 14. Texas Hill is led by artists Adam Wakefield and Casey James. Wakefield was runner-up on season 10 of NBC’s “The Voice,” and James won third place on season 9 of ABC’s “American Idol.”

Discovery Park recently announced a new partnership with Total Tech Solutions that included naming rights of the museum and heritage park’s new performance venue. The Total Tech Solutions Stage is located on the south side of the park near the Train Depot.

Total Tech Solutions is a provider of burglary and fire alarms, surveillance cameras, access control and data and managed information technology. They serve commercial, educational, industrial and residential customers throughout Tennessee and Kentucky.

Another new addition to this year’s music festival will be a themed menu with different food available for purchase each night. A cash bar will also be open.

“Our festival is now in its fourth year, and it’s become a real draw for music lovers from out of town as well as locals,” said Lauren Jones, director of events at Discovery Park. “With mouth-watering food and beverage, fishing and outdoor activities, a beautiful venue and talented artists, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at ‘Rhythm on the Rails.’”

Families are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and  fishing gear. The gate near the Train Depot will open at 5:30 p.m., and music will begin at 6 p.m.

Thanks to the support of our partners, admission is free.

The headliners and opening acts for the concert series are:

May 05: Clark Beckham and Texas Hill

May 12: Ghost Town Blues Band with opening act Jargon

May 19: Lenox Creek Bank with opening act Jim Bondurant

May 26: Memphis Jones with opening act Tyler Goodson

June 02: Seeing Red with opening act Tips in a Jar with John and Harrison Fry

June 9: Reverend Jessie and the Holy Smokes with opening act Tatum Shappley

June 16: Valli Kelly with The UT Martin Big Band featuring

June 23: Paula Bridges with opening act Tracy Walker

June 30: AC 43 with opening act Evie Grace

For more information, discoveryparkofamerica.com/rhythm2023

Union City, Tennessee—Discovery Park of America has announced details for the return of the popular Singer-Songwriter Night featuring Phillip Coleman. Coleman’s special guests will be Dave Berg and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. The performances will take place in Discovery Park’s ATA Traveling Exhibit Hall on Thursday, May 18. Tickets and sponsor tables will go on sale to Discovery Park members on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Any remaining tickets will become available to the public on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 10 a.m. Premier sponsor tables are $2,500, a sponsor table is $1000 and individual tickets are $50.

Dave Berg is an American country music songwriter, known primarily for writing number-one country hits, “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)” and “These are my People” by Rodney Atkins, “Somebody” by Reba McEntire and “Moments” by Emerson Drive. Berg has also written over a dozen top ten country hits for artists such as Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Chris Cagle and Bucky Covington.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter. Johnson co-wrote Chely Wright’s number one hit, “Single White Female” in 1999 and signed with record label Arista Nashville in 2000. She then released her debut album, “Room with a View,” with several top ten hits.

Unlike previous years’ Singer-Songwriter events, there will be four premier sponsor tables at the front of the venue, close to the stage, and eight sponsor tables that will be located near the stage. All other seating will be theater-style and will be very limited for this event.

“The reason so many of us love this fundraiser is because it’s one of the rare opportunities to enjoy hearing Phillip and the other musicians in a close, personal setting,” said Mary Nita Bondurant. “It’s almost like our own little Bluebird Café right here in Obion County.”

Active members will receive a link to purchase tickets in advance of the public at 1 p.m. on April 5, 2023. You may become a member online or at the Discovery Park ticket counter. If you are a member who wants to purchase tickets and needs to check the current status of your membership, please check with the ticket counter, call the membership department at 731-885-5455 or email [email protected].

The doors open at 6:00 p.m. with a cash bar and complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres outside the ATA Traveling Exhibit Hall. The show begins at 7 p.m.

(Union City, Tennessee – March 30, 2023) On Thursday, March 30, 2023, Discovery Park of America welcomed a record-breaking number of students to the museum’s National Ag Day celebration. More than 2,000 students experienced a day full of events and activities that focused on the impact of agriculture in today’s economy.

Students from the University of Tennessee at Martin Agriculture Education Department gave interactive presentations on such topics as soil science, butter making, hydroponics and career opportunities in agriculture. Jarrod Jordan, director of customer success at VEEO LLC, an expert working in the energy savings sector, spoke on “Planting the Seeds of Success: An In-depth Look at the Agriculture Industry.” Jordan has spent most of his 20+ years in the agriculture industry focused on equipment technology designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Guests were also able to explore Discovery Park’s newest permanent exhibit, “AgriCulture: Innovating for Our Survival” in the museum’s Simmons Bank Ag Center where members of the UT Martin Beta Theta Chapter of Sigma Alpha read agriculture-based stories on the Nutrien Ag Solutions Main Stage.

“We are thrilled to celebrate National Ag Day at Discovery Park of America,” said Emalee Buttrey, Ph.D., Discovery Park’s director of education. “This event is a great opportunity for our visitors to learn about the important role of agriculture in our daily lives and to gain a deeper appreciation for the hard work and dedication of those in the industry.”

Guests also networked with 25 different agriculture vendors and organizations. Visitors included members of the National Delta Tau Alpha Agriculture Honor Society, which comprises a select number of top-performing agriculture students who travel the country promoting and recognizing high standards of scholarship, leadership and character among agriculture students.

View photos from the event here.

Begun in 1973, National Ag Day is held by The Agriculture Council of America and is an event dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in society.

Photo Caption: Henry County dairy farmer, Veronica Steer shares her passion of dairy farming with local students.