LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — It’s the unofficial kick off to Spring around Lynchburg and locals and visitors alike will head to the historic Lynchburg Square on Saturday, April 25 for the annual Spring in the Hollow. It’s a Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event.

The highlight each year is a host of home and garden vendors offering perennials, annual, ferns, herbs, vegetables plants, shrubs, trees seedlings, and tons more.

New this year will be the first-ever Lynchburg Chili Cook Off. Following the tradition of the Jack Daniel’s Barbecue and Frontier Days Steak Cook Off, the Chamber’s adding a new opportunity for local and area folks to show off their cooking ability. It’s aptly named the It’s Still Chili Cook Off as a subtle wink towards the unpredictable spring weather. There will be a traditional red category, typically made without beans, as well as a Homestyle with Jack category made with a little local product, plus a Kid’s Cook and Squires only competition. It’s not just for fun. It’s also an official International Chili Society (ICS) sanctioned event, and you could win up to $500. Click here for more details and sign up instructions.

The annual Bird House Auction will also make a return. We’ve got some creative folks here in Lynchburg and they show off a bit each spring in the Spring in the Hollow Bird House Auction. Locals hand-decorate themed birdhouses built by students from the local high school. They are then sold in a live auction at the Lynchburg Gazebo. All proceeds benefit the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce. If you’d like to create one, you can pick them up beginning Friday, April 10 at First Community Bank. Be sure to return them by April 23.

It’s also a day to enjoy fresh, made-to-order steak sandwiches prepared by Steak Cookoff Association chefs. Look for them near The Lynchburg Gazebo at 10 a.m. until they sell out – which won’t take long. While you are there, be sure to talk to them about participating in the second annual Frontier Day Steak Cookoff in June.

Two additional cool events will happen that morning.

Imagine standing on the Mulberry Creek Bridge, looking up and spotting a floating mass of yellow heading your way. Upon closer inspection, you notice that each of those specks belongs to tiny, yellow rubber duckies. Welcome to the annual Moore County Resource Center’s annual Lucky Duck Race. It’s a cool little fundraiser and a heck of a lot of fun. It happens at 9 a.m. and there’s still time to sponsor a duck for just $20 via Pay Pal @moorecountyresource. You could win $350. All proceeds benefit the Moore County Resource Center’s Backpacks for Kids Program.

If duck racing isn’t your thing, how about a fun color run? The Vibin’ in the Hollow Lynchburg Color 5K and Fun Run will kick off at 8 a.m. Same day registration is allowed and will happen in Wiseman Park. It’s great for all ages and good for the soul. All proceeds benefit the Lynchburg Elementary Parent Teacher Organization.

This year to celebrate Earth Day, Jack Daniel’s will be in Wiseman Park beginning at 9 a.m. offering $15 planters made from rough-cut, unbranded, unfinished whiskey barrels with free seeds and organic planting soil. The soil will contain BioChar6 — the lightweight, black residue – made of carbon an ashes – leftover after burning wood. Barrel Man Kevin Sanders produces it on his farm from used whiskey barrels.

It can be used to increase soil health. It a carbon negative process that places carbon in the soil rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. It retains water, which improves drought tolerance, and it holds nutrients that promote strong root and plant growth. If added to a compost pile, it can also speed up the composting process and reduce odors. It does all this as a 100 percent organic material with no chemicals or synthetic additives.

For more information and up-to-the-event updates, visit the Lynchburg Chamber’s Facebook page by clicking here. •

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