We all need to put down our phones, get out there, and experience this wonderful place we call home. Every Thursday, The Times scours the Internet and social media looking for the most interesting ways to spend our weekends. We call it the Hometown Bucket List. Whether you are a native, transplant, or just visiting, we guarantee these events will give you a proper small, southern town experience.

Here are our recommendation for Thursday, March 20 through Sunday, March 23:

MULBERRY • Fresh lavender is such a useful plant. It aids in stress relief and sleep. Lavender oil’s been known to relieve headaches. It also possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it great for soothing burns, insect bites, acne, as well as muscle soreness, joint pain, and menstrual cramps. This Sunday, the Mulberry Lavender Farm just up the road will host their annual Spring Equinox Baby Lavender Plant Sale. These plants are hardy and already regionally adapted. Plus, they come with growing instructions. It starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday and last until 3 p.m. Each plant is $20. Click here for more information.

TULLAHOMA • Lee Gibson is a talented local singer, songwriter who hails from nearby Winchester and on Friday he’ll play in Tullahoma at Whiskey Trail BBQ & Steakhouse beginning at 6 p.m. Expect classic country tunes from Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard, and George Jones plus original songs. We’re a big fan of his original song, Lincoln County Lightning. To learn more about Gibson, click here.

BELL BUCKLE • Nothing gets us in the spring mood more than the annual Daffodil Day in historic, downtown Bell Buckle. It dates back to 1978 and celebrates a local community member named Sawney Webb who – with the help of The Webb School students – planted thousands of daffodil bulbs all across the quaint, rural Tennessee town. Now, every third Saturday in March, it burst with blooms. It features the Best of the Butts BBQ Cook-Off as well as a Daffodil Flower Show, a book signing by Tennessee’s former Poet Laureate Margaret Britton Vaughn, live music, vendors, and tons of activities for the entire family. To learn more, click here.

COWAN • Did someone say brunch? Despite it’s popularity in “the big city,” opportunities for a proper, southern brunch in southern, middle Tennessee are hard to come by. So, we were beyond excited to discover that a quaint, historic, boutique hotel in Cowan called The Franklin House will host Brunch In Bloom each spring. This Saturday, The Oak Bowl Catering Company will host a pop-up dining event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a curated menu of fresh fruits, artisanal cheeses, pastries, yogurt, and granola on a grazing table plus dished like Irish Eggs Benedict, Japanese Pancakes, Khachapuri Georgian Cheese Bread, Dutch Baby Pancakes, French Toast, and Cajun Shrimp & Grits. It is a ticketed event and spots are limited, so click here to learn how to reserve your spot. Oh, and BYOB mimosas are encouraged.

SHELBYVILLE • It’s the Guinness World Record holder for Longest Bar and it’s located at The Nearest Green Distillery, a local distillery with deep Lynchburg root. Beginning today through Sunday, Humble Baron will celebrate it’s second anniversary with a four-day weekend festival packed with live music, celebrity chefs, and immersive entertainment. On Thursday, they’ll host country singer, songwriters Lucas Hoge with Rebecca Lynn Howard, Nate Kenyon, and Phil Barton followed by a night of line dancing. On Friday, they will offer a four-course meal curated by celebrity chefs Kevin Des Chenes, Adam Richman, and Bruce Kalman followed by a soulful R&B performance by GRAMMY-nominated group After 7. On Saturday, C-Wiz & Darryl Jaye will DJ a Day Party followed by and evening concert with American Idol finalist Dre Scott. Oh, and did we mention that there will be an all-day buffet filled with Southern-inspired dishes? Then on Sunday, they’ll host a Sunday Gospel Brunch with non-other than GRAMMY-winning gospel legend Bebe Winans. To learn more, click here.

{The Lynchburg Times is a nonpartisan, independent community newspaper serving Lynchburg, Tennessee and the surrounding counties. We are dedicated to public service journalism for the greater good of our community. You can support us, by clicking here.}