By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — The Frontier Days Festival is a Moore County tradition that dates back to 1962. It’s the highlight of the summer in Lynchburg and an event that draws folks from all over to enjoy some old-fashioned rural life fun.

The Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event and I sit on both the Lynchburg Chamber Board of Directors and the Frontier Days Committee. I’ll also volunteer during the two day event — and man-oh-man will all of us volunteers sleep well on Sunday.

Since I’ve been front row during the planning of the event, I thought I’d share what I think are some of the “don’t miss” activities happening this weekend. There truly is something for everyone.

1 | The Car Cruise In on Friday — Classic cars, hotrods, custom builds, and muscle cars are cool but we’ve moved the Frontier Days car show from Wiseman Park to the Lynchburg Square this year — giving it an added cool factor and tons of Insta-ready photo ops.

2 | Kids Pedal Tractor Pull on Friday — I’ve volunteered at this event for two years in a row and I can tell you from first-hand experience that these kiddos experience pure bliss trying to beat each other. The boys versus girls rivalry in particular gets adorable. If you’ve got a tractor loving kiddo, this is a don’t miss for them. It’s sponsored by the Lynchburg Renewable Fuels. And there will also be a Vintage Tractor Show and a Tractor Parade.

3 | 90 Proof Band at the Gazebo on Friday —Many of my childhood Frontier Days memories revolve around being on the square on Friday night listening to the band and watching the older folks dance — lawn chairs for days. This year, the Frontier Days Committee decided to try and recreate that scene with the 90 Proof Band at the Gazebo beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday. They are sponsored by First Community Bank.

4 | Lodge Skillet Toss is Wiseman Park on Saturday — Lots of ladies pump iron these days and you can show off all that hard work with the Lodge Skillet Toss in Wiseman Park. It will be pretty much happening all day long on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Five dollars gets you three throws and you can buy additional throws to defend your ranking. Winners will receive Lodge Cast Iron skillets and you do not need to be present to win. You’ll be contacted after.

5 | MoonPie Eating Contest — What would a small town festival be without an eating contest and Frontier Days offers a fun and delicious one, the MoonPie Eating Contest at the Gazebo at 1:30 p.m. It’s sponsored by the Lynchburg MoonPie Store.

6 | America 250 Events — 2026 celebrates America’s 250th birthday and several Frontier Days events pay homage to the celebration. Veterans will get a chance to show off their grilling skills with a Veteran’s Battle of the Wings cookoff on Saturday — sponsored by Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Local bakers can flex their Apple Pie making skill on Saturday from 1-2 p.m. at the IBIS Building with a Homemade Apple Pie Contest — sponsored by Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant. The students of Magic Voice Studio will present an America 250 Concert at 3:30 p.m. at the Gazebo on Saturday — sponsored by Farmers Bank.. There will be a patriotic kid’s parade on Saturday beginning with a 4:30 p.m. line up. A kid’s patriotic costume contest will take place right before the parade making it easy for kiddos to participate in both. The Lynchburg Historical Society will sponsor the costume contest and EXIT Noble Reality will sponsor the kid’s parade.

7 | Hot Air Balloon Rides Over Lynchburg — The Frontier Days Committee added Hot Air Balloon Rides to the schedule last year and they were a big hit. However, just to clear up any confusion, a hot air balloon can not travel around Lynchburg and then return to the same spot. That’s not how they work. The hot air balloon will go straight up while being tethered to three very large pickup trucks. The view is incredible. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 13 and under. It’s sponsored by Company Distilling.

8 | Eian Rivera on Square on Saturday — Who says a small town festival can’t be modern? We’re injecting a little joy into this year’s event with an appearance by Texas-based viral social media influencer, dancer, and entertainer Eian Rivera. He’ll dance his way through Lynchburg on Saturday and a little birdie tells us he may nudge Lynchburg Chamber President Marsha Hale into shaking her groove thang. He’ll start around 6 p.m. on Saturday. Check him out on Tik Tok at @t.eian.

9 | Cody Cozz on the Square on Saturday —The Nashville up-and-coming artist to Frontier Days pipeline is strong thanks to our friends at The Jack Daniel Distillery marketing team and country crooner Cody Cozz will play on the square on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Cody sings about simple things and simpler times — Friday nights with your crush, cruising down backroads, and love that soars then eludes your grasp — all with steel guitar dripping slow melodies. Learn more about him here.

10 | Fireworks Over Lynchburg — Traditionally, Frontier Days took place around the Fourth of July and in a nod to those beginnings, a fireworks show over historic Lynchburg concludes each event. They’ll begin around 9 p.m. and should be viewable from anywhere around the historic Lynchburg Square. The fireworks are sponsored by Lincoln Paving and International Book Import Service.

There will also be chicken bingo, an SCA Ribeye Steak Cookoff, the annual Lynchburg Chamber Auction — with a cool item directly from Jimmy Bedford’s personal Jack Daniel memorabilia collection — carnival rides, plus lots of vendors and food trucks. For more information, check out the Lynchburg Chamber’s Facebook page. •

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