We’re excited to share a look ahead at just some of the fun and exciting things happening at Discovery Park for you and your family in 2024.

Thanks to a partnership with Magnolia Place Assisted Living, children 17 and younger will receive free admission to Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee throughout the month of January 2024. There are also many other unique exhibits, experiences and programs taking place during the year.

A series of sculptures built with more than 250,000 LEGO^® bricks will be on display throughout Discovery Park’s 50 acres from May 3 to September 2, 2024, with the award-winning traveling exhibition “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks.” Featuring works created by artist Sean Kenney, “Nature Connects” presents 18 displays of sculptures made from LEGO bricks that were specially curated to enhance a visit to Discovery Park. This one-of-a-kind LEGO exhibit is brought to you by Leaders Credit Union. Leaders is insured by the NCUA.

For more than 15 years, Kenney has been creating contemporary sculptures with LEGO bricks for high-profile clients including museums around the world. His multiple-award-winning traveling exhibitions have been touring globally since 2012, he has authored 9 children’s books and guest-judged the hit TV show “LEGO Masters.”

Included in this collection is a monarch butterfly built with 60,500 LEGO bricks that took 377 hours to build, a life-sized gardener built with 37,400 LEGO bricks that took 320 hours to build and various giant plants, animals and insects. An educator guidefor the exhibit is now available online for parents or educators who would like to provide lessons before or after experiencing the exhibit. The temporary exhibit will be free with admission or membership, and there will be several week-long Lego camps this summer.

The newest permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” will be open in 2024. Created in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, the $1.1 million exhibit uses artifacts, interactive elements and hands-on experiences to tell the story of waterfowl hunting, conservation and the ecosystem of the Mississippi Flyway. It’s located both inside Discovery Center and outside in The Settlement at the William A. (Bill) Homra and Allen Homra Lodge and Landing.

This is not the only place waterfowl can be found at Discovery Park in 2024. Now through Jan. 21, 2024, a temporary exhibit, “Capturing Waterfowl: Seth Dortch Photography,” takes viewers on a waterfowl hunt through a collection of photographs taken by photographer and outdoorsman, Seth Dortch of Union City, Tennessee. The photography showcased will provide snapshots into the world of waterfowl hunting and provide a visual journey through the eyes and lens of Dortch. 

From Feb. 27 to Aug. 11, 2024, the Southern Artist Showcase will feature the art of Jubie Henderson. A self-taught artist and cabinet maker from Fulton, Kentucky, Henderson was an artist with a disability whose paintings and carved birds of the southern United States won accolades and fans among art collectors and others. Although bedridden for many years, he found art was a way to remember the hills and farm country where he lived. He also painted many scenes of Reelfoot Lake as he remembered it from his youth. Henderson died in 1999 leaving behind an impressive collection of artwork.

A unique opportunity will occur on April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. An alternative to traveling to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Paducah, Kentucky or one of the other nearby points of totality, is experiencing the eclipse at 12:41 p.m. at Discovery Park where there will be 99.2% sun coverage. There will be fun activities and educational opportunities to provide a comfortable space for families to witness the eclipse and learn more about the science behind it.

Discovery Park recently opened the Farm Credit Mid-America Education Pavilion and two new greenhouses. In 2024, they will provide hands-on opportunities for guests to learn about growing cycles, garden design, soil health and other topics relating to the basics of plant science. 

The popular Canstruction event has been moved to February 1, 2024. This event is open to local students 10 to 18 years of age. Each team will design a 3-D structure, using only canned goods and other limited, approved materials. Teams will receive money to purchase canned food for their sculptures. The sculptures will be judged and awards presented to the winners. They will be on display in the ATA Temporary Exhibit Gallery Feb. 1 to Mar. 4, 2024.

“Pumpkin Village” returns in October 2024 with a section of the park enhanced with pumpkins, mums and other festive fall decorations.

Other popular events will return in 2024 including “Singer-Songwriter Night with Phillip Coleman,” the “Rhythm on the Rails” spring concert series on the Total Tech Solutions Stage, “Discovery Park’s Military Expo,” “The Northwest Tennessee Educational Powwow,” The “Let it Glow” Drive-thru and Walk-thruand more. In addition to the powwow, there will be other opportunities for children and adults to engage in unique ways with specific cultures including the return of Juneteenth and Hispanic Heritage Day.

Timed to be on exhibit during Discovery Park’s annual Military Expo is a traveling photography exhibit, “Vietnam: 2 soldiers. 2 Artists. 2 Journeys Then & Now.” The exhibition, on loan from Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee, spotlights the work of David Wright and Chuck Creasey. Both were soldiers on the ground during the Vietnam War who wrote about and drew illustrations of their experiences. The exhibit includes these early artworks and works painted later from photos taken in Vietnam during the war and from a trip to Vietnam fifty years later. The exhibition will be displayed in the ATA Temporary Exhibits Gallery from March 6 – May 31, 2024.

The Northwest Tennessee Photography Club Showcase in Art Hall will be updated in June and December 2024.

For a complete list of exhibits, programs and events in 2024, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/calendar, and for helpful reminders and details about events throughout the year, be sure to sign up for the museum and park’s weekly enewsletters and follow Facebook.com/DiscoveryParkofAmerica.

Discovery Park’s newest permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway” has been featured on the popular podcast “The Fowl Life” with host Chad Belding.

Episode 352 is titled “The Intersection of Conservation and Waterfowl Hunting – Discovery Park Of America.” In the episode, Discovery Park’s CEO Scott Williams, discusses details of the exhibit, the role of the regional waterfowl hunting conservationists and hunters and more.

In each episode of his podcast, Belding follows waterfowl migration, providing listeners with behind-the-scenes experiences relating to waterfowl hunting and conservation and advice on choosing the right gear, new hunting strategies, duck calling techniques, how to prepare wild game and more. “The Fowl Life” features industry leaders, expert waterfowl hunters, professional athletes and others who are passionate about waterfowl hunting.

Born in 1974 in Reno, Nevada, Chad Belding is a lifelong sportsman and outdoors enthusiast whose love of the lifestyle was instilled at a very young age by his father the late outdoorsman Orville “Orv” Belding.

Chad’s passion eventually led him to predator and waterfowl hunting, and soon thereafter he became involved in competitive duck and goose calling in the late 1990’s while attending college at The University of Nevada, Reno. In college, he was a member of the competitive Division I baseball team and studied business, public speaking and history. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree he put his background in business to good use, co-owning and operating several businesses across Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

The call of the wilderness never left Belding, and in 2008 he founded Banded, a video production and merchandising company that specializes in waterfowl hunting gear and accessories as well as a selection of turkey hunting products. He also originated “The Fowl Life” television series, which went to air in 2009. “The Fowl Life” continues today as one of the top waterfowl hunting shows on the Outdoor Channel.

You can download and list to Belding’s podcast featuring “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway” on his website, Spotify, iHeartRADIO, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud and wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode is brought to you by Final Flight Outfitters, Banded Brands, Avery Outdoors, Greenhead Gear Decoys, Jargon Game Calls, The Provider, American Almond Beef, Napa Valley Olive Oil, Cowboy Choice Feeds, The Nashville Palace and Corning Ford.

Several Discovery Park of America items including an assortment of original, vintage gas station signs and petroliana items are being auctioned off online by Aumann Auctions, Inc. All items being auctioned off were from purchases made by the museum several years ago that have been kept in the museum’s off-site storage. By rehoming these items, the museum is keeping with best practices to periodically evaluate and retain a manageable collection to ensure that it can properly care for, store, and display the artifacts within it, as new items continue to come into its possession.

Some of the funds generated from the auction will be utilized to grow and care for the artifacts in Discovery Park’s permanent collection.

Aumann Auctions, Inc. of Nokomis, Illinois was founded in 1962 and conducts over 100 auctions annually throughout the country and online.

The online auction will go live at aumannauctions.com on Friday, Nov. 16, and remain open until Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

The second sale of various signage and petroliana will take place on November 22 and remain open until December 18, 2023.

Celebrate Discovery Park of America’s 10th birthday with $10 admission at the ticket counter on Saturday, Nov. 4. 2023. Family memberships will also be discounted to $100.

Since Discovery Park of America opened its doors on Nov. 1, 2013, millions of children and adults have benefited from the big idea of Robert Kirkland and the community of Union City, Tennessee to create a place where inspiration would happen every single day.

To celebrate, the entire museum and park will be activated that day. Included free with admission or membership will be:

Schedule:

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Dino Hall

Kids Karaoke with DJ Deb

1-2:30 p.m.

Live music with Roger Alexander and Jim Bondurant

3 p.m.

10th anniversary ceremony with the burial of the time capsule that will be opened on Discovery Park’s 50th anniversary

Hosted by CEO Scott Williams and former CEO Jim Rippy

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Encounters with animals who have been with Discovery Park for 10 years

Other fun activities happening throughout the day:

Living historians, reenactors and demonstrations throughout the park

Hands-on fine art stations to create works of art

Vibrant displays of balloons to add to the celebration

Indulge in delicious cookies specially prepared for the occasion (Free while supplies last)

Premiere of video featuring some of those who were present as Discovery Park was being built

A display of photos, articles and other early memorabilia from the museum and park’s inception

Photo caption: Discovery Park of America under construction.

Discovery Park’s 10th birthday is sponsored by: Leaders Credit Union

Guests and Native American vendors and participants traveled to Northwest Tennessee to Discovery Park to take part in the inaugural Native American Powwow held Oct. 27 – 29, 2023.

This event, unique in Northwest Tennessee, provided 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.

Friday’s performances and exhibitions were planned with students in mind and included a “Birds of Prey” demonstration by a ranger from nearby Reelfoot Lake State Park.

The 2023 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow included competitions and displays of Indigenous storytelling, drumming, singing and competition dancing. Native American artisans, craftsmen and traders displayed and sold their original work and food vendors provided opportunities for guests to enjoy traditional cuisines like fry bread, tacos and hominy.

The event also included several performances by Arvel Bird. With his violin, fiddle, Native flutes and Irish whistles, Bird’s performance featured a powerful and entertaining mix of music and stories.  No stranger to live entertainment, Bird has toured worldwide with Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, Louise Mandrell and Clay Walker.

You can see pictures from all three days of the Powwow on Discovery Park’s Flickr page.

Winners of the competition portion of the Powwow were:

 

Men’s Grass 

Dancer: Stephan White Eagle

Dancer: B.C. Daugherty

Dancer:  Tim Clifft

Men’s Straight 

Dancer:  Ronald Monoesessy

Dancer:  Aaron Partin-Rogers

Dancer:  Nick Behan

Girl’s Jingle 

Dancer:  Lena Tsosie

Dancer:  Harmony Bl

Dancer:  Ashtyn Terry

Women’s Traditional 

Dancer:  Jaida Whitecloud

Dancer:  Nicole Pavateo-Santos

Dancer:  Jennifer Tsosie

Men’s Traditional

Dancer:  Kerry Reed

Dancer:  Charles Mesteth

Dancer:  Gabe Cleveland

Women’s Jingle 

Dancer:  Mikah Whitecloud

Dancer Brianna Printup

Dancer:  Roxy Evans

Men’s Fancy 

Dancer:  Adam Bell

Dancer:  Marcus Gardner, Jr.

Dancer:  Robin Jumper

Girl’s Traditional

1st Place:  Skye Poola

2nd Place:  Lauren Jennings

Boy’s Grass 

Dancer:  Eli Poola

Boy’s Traditional 

Dancer: Kayden French

Boy’s Fancy 

Dancer:  Ehren Bell

 

On Thursday, Oct. 19, Discovery Park of America recognized employees who have celebrated five and ten-year anniversaries with the museum and heritage park. All 10-year honorees received a solid-brass, early Victorian-style telescope. All 5-year honorees received a solid-brass compass in a hand-made wooden box that featured an inlaid compass rose.

These four celebrated their fifth year at Discovery Park.
Left to right: CEO Scott Williams, Kaitlyn Sanders, Sarah Glass and Ginger Ogden.

Here from the beginning, thanks for inspiring others to see beyond for 10 years.
From left to right, top to bottom: David Eastep, Tammy Ursery, Glenn Heatherly, John Watkins, Hugh Wade, Tom Pyron, Art Chivers, Lisa Love, Samantha Simbeck, Gloria Harris and Lisa Sears.
Not pictured: Mary Nita Bondurant, Judy Anding, Mike Ramsey and Jeanne McMillen

Several Discovery Park of America tractors and an assortment of original, vintage gas station signs are being auctioned off online by Aumann Auctions, Inc. All items being auctioned off were from purchases made by the museum several years ago that have been kept in the museum’s off-site storage. By rehoming these items, the museum is keeping with best practices to periodically evaluate and retain a manageable collection to ensure that it can properly care for, store, and display the artifacts within it, as new items continue to come into its possession.

The funds generated from the auction will be utilized to grow and care for the artifacts in Discovery Park’s permanent collection.

Aumann Auctions, Inc. of Nokomis, Illinois was founded in 1962 and conducts over 100 auctions annually throughout the country and online.

The tractors from Discovery Park are being auctioned as part of Aumann’s 2023 Fall Harvest auction. The auction ends on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Tractors from Discovery Park included are:

Lot 32: Farmall Super M

Lot 33: Minneapolis Moline UTC Highcrop

Lot 34: Gibson Model I – Six Cylinder

Lot 35: Rare Gibson Model E Widefront

Lot 36: Silver King Model 42

Lot 37: John Deere Model BR

Lot 39: Oliver 70 w/ Rare Raby Cab and Widefront

Lot 40: John Deere 630 Row Crop

Details and dates of the assortment of original, vintage gas station signs will be announced soon.

Discovery Park of America is joining in the celebration of Obion County’s 200^th birthday by creating a line of merchandise featuring each of the nine municipalities in the county. The illustration, created by Discovery Park’s award-winning graphic designer, Dylan Schaefer, features illustrations relevant to the area including wildlife, notable landmarks and other icons that are associated with Obion County and its history.

The image will be available for purchase on apparel, note cards, posters and tote bags.

Schaefer, originally from Milan, Tenn., graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While at the university, he received the first-place award for digital art/photography in the 2022 Visual and Fine Arts Exhibition.

“We’re thrilled to be able to participate in the celebration of Obion County’s 200 years,” said Calista Drone, Discovery Park’s gift shop director. “Thanks to Dylan’s unique design, I think this will be a best seller in our gift shop for years to come and will help fund our mission to inspire children and adults to see beyond.”

The products will be available for purchase at Discovery Park beginning Tues., Oct. 24, 2023, two hundred years to the day after the county was born.

The original act establishing Obion County was passed on October 24, 1823, entitled “an act for the establishment of a new county in the northwest part of the State.” It was given the name Obion from the Obion River, a Native American word thought to translate to “many prongs.” The county was organized on January 19, 1824, at the home of William M. Wilson, three miles southwest of Troy.

Discovery Park of America is included among 25 of Tennessee’s biggest attractions including Pigeon Forge’s Dollywood, Memphis Zoo, Chattanooga’s Ruby Falls, Bristol Motor Speedway, Navitat Knoxville, Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and others in a travel-inspired toy catalog from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. While 100,000 families will find the catalog in mailboxes this week, printable versions are now available for download and catalogs can be ordered at www.Tennesseeplaycation.com.

In addition to the collectible toy builds, the catalog offers 88 pages of fun and games to keep children entertained on a road trip.

“More than ever, we know parents want to gift their kids memorable experiences and yet they still want something to unwrap,” said Mark Ezell, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Tennessee Playcation bridges the gap and makes it easy to do both in a fun, kid-inspired package that is the first holiday catalog of its kind.”

Developed by advertising agency VMLY&R, Tennessee Playcation is part of a larger holiday campaign hitting key markets this fall to spotlight family attractions across the state.

“This promotion is certainly well-timed for us here at Discovery Park as we also prepare to launch next year’s big temporary exhibit, “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects: Made with LEGO Bricks,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “With this exciting new toy catalog from our friends at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the LEGO bricks exhibit coming Summer 2024 and numerous camps and other activities, there will be many fun and creative ways Discovery Park will inspire children and adults to see beyond.

Dates and details of “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects: Made with LEGO bricks” at Discovery Park will be announced soon.

A Tyrannosaurus Rex Fossil building block is available for purchase online or will be available for purchase in Discovery Park’s gift shop on October 9, 2023.

“Tennessee Playcation” follows the state’s award-winning 2019 campaign, “Kid Reviewed.” The department introduced special wearable technology called the Laugh Tracker to scientifically prove where kids have the most fun by measuring laughs and heart rate. In addition to the data, reviews were recorded and posted at www.Kidreviewedtn.com to help parents make kid-informed decisions.

 

Discovery Park was honored to be selected for inclusion as an Interpretive Center on the Great River Road National Scenic Byway last week at the 2023 Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC) annual meeting in Alton, Illinois.

Celebrating 85 years in 2023, the Great River Road was established in 1938 when governors of the 10 river states opted to use existing roads and highways rather than building a new continuous road, as a means of conserving land, time and money.

Stretching for 3,000 miles through and beside 10 states—including Tennessee—the Great River Road has a separate commission in each state. These commissions coordinate through the MRPC, founded to preserve and improve the natural resources, cultural heritage, economic viability, scenic quality, recreational amenities and other features significant to economic development in the Mississippi River Valley.

Interpretive Centers must first apply to be included and then go through an evaluation process after which they are voted on by the Culture and Heritage Committee of the MRPC.

Edmond McDavis III, director of the TN Delta Alliance, which is funded through a grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, is the point person for interpretive centers in Tennessee.

As one of more than 100 Interpretive Centers, Discovery Park will now be included in the free 10-state Great River Road map that shows the Great River Road’s route through all 10 states and highlights the Interpretive Centers along the way. Travelers can plot their route and find scenic overlooks, agritourism attractions, museums and more. Maps are distributed to tourists at various locations and can also be ordered on the Great River Road website. Discovery Park will also be included on future signage that indicates the locations of Interpretive Centers along the Great River Road.

For more information, visit www.discoveryparkofamerica.com/greatriverroad

 

Photo Caption: Tennesseans at the 2023 Mississippi River Parkway Commission annual meeting in Alton, Illinois included (l to r): Mike McClanahan; transportation manager, Tennessee Department of Transportation Highway Beautification Office; Christian L. Treglia, director of brand promise fulfillment, Tennessee State Parks; Scott Williams, president and CEO, Discovery Park of America; Dale Dozier, building official, Dyer County, Tenn.; and Edmond McDavis III, director of TN Delta Alliance.

 

 

Beginning with the summer 2024 trips to Europe and Washington, D.C., the Union City Rotary Club’s Student Travel Program will be open for application to Obion County juniors who are homeschooled in addition to those at Obion County Central High School, Union City High School and South Fulton High School. The Union City Rotary Club also announced they will begin working with Global Citizen Adventure Corps, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to cultivate global citizen leaders through education, travel, and service opportunities. The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation fund the trip to Europe, and an anonymous donor funds the trip to Washington, D.C.

Selections of students for the trips are made after an application and interview process that begins with the student and at least one parent or guardian attending one of two information sessions that will take place at Discovery Park of America on Sun., Oct. 22, 2023 at 2 p.m. or Mon., Oct. 23, 2023 at 6 p.m.

The partnership with Global Citizens Adventure Corps will also allow participating students the opportunity to earn three hours of transferable college credit via Bethel University.

“The Union City Rotary Club’s student travel program has sent more than 200 students to Washington, D.C. and countries throughout Europe for a life-changing experience,” said Donny Bearden, the 2023 president of the Union City Rotary Club. “Having heard from many of these young people after their trip, I know it enriches their lives as they are exposed to people, places and things they’ve never even imagined.”

After an application is submitted, students will participate in an interview with members of the Union City Rotary Club’s student travel program selection committee on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The 12 students selected for the Europe trip and 10 students selected for the Washington, D.C. trip will be notified that evening. The trips to Europe and Washington, D.C. are scheduled for late June or early July 2024.

Who: High School and Home School Juniors and at least one parent

What: Rotary Club’s Student Travel Program Information Session

When: Sun., Oct. 22, 2023 at 2 p.m. or Mon., Oct. 23, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Where: Discovery Park of America, 830 Everett Blvd., Union City, TN 38261