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.
Our editor serves on the Lynchburg Chamber Board of Directors and the Spring in the Hollow Committee, so she’s got all the inside scoop on what’s happening that day. But first, a word about the weather. Yes, there is an 80 percent chance of rain that day, but it looks like the biggest threat with be in the morning. Temperatures will be around 60 and we’ll have hot chili you can taste. Grab a raincoat and come on down and join the fun.
Now, we’ve reviewed the schedule of events and there’s a Miss Mary Bobo’s sidewalk sale, color run, craft vendors, tons of spring plant vendors, a duck race, a barrel planter sale, steak sandwiches, homemade salads, a chili cookoff, and a bird house auction.
It’s all fabulous and worth your time and effort, but here are the things you just can’t miss to make it the best Spring in the Hollow ever:
1 | The Lucky Duck Race – Imagine you are standing on the Mulberry Creek Bridge around 9 a.m. You look up and a floating mass of yellow looks to be 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 @moorecountyresouce or Venmo @mcrcrl. You could win $350. All proceeds benefit the Moore County Resource Center’s Backpacks for Kids Program. We bought five and if we win, plan to donate the money back to this amazing cause.
2 | The Barrel Planter Sale — Guys, this is the chance of a lifetime. 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. This same planter will cost you $64.99 at a local retailer. 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. When they sell out, they are gone.
3 | Lynchburg Chamber Ribeye Steak Sandwiches — It’s also a day to enjoy fresh, made-to-order steak sandwiches prepared by Steak Cookoff Association chefs. We mean the best-of-the-best, folks with a case full of awards, cooking steaks for the public. 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.
4 | ICS Chili Cookoff — 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 that will serve as the Tennessee state qualifier. It’s serious. You can taste and vote for the People’s Choice Awards too.
5 | Bird House Auction — 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. And if you picked on up to paint, don’t forget they need to be returned by Friday.
For more information and up-to-the-event updates, visit the Lynchburg Chamber’s Facebook page by clicking here. •
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