Fast facts

• Opryland was open from May 1972 to December 1997. At its peak, the park was drawing in over 2 million visitors annually.
• The final time the park expanded in 1981, it introduced the “Grizzly Country” area home to the Grizzly River Rampage. The ride was to be promoted by the Grizzly River Boys (now known as Diamond Rio) for a one-time TV special, but it ended up becoming an ongoing attraction.
• “Family Feud” taped several episodes at Opryland in 1993 during host Ray Combs’ final season, which featured notable figures like Brenda Lee and the Mandrells.
• In 1995, the whitewater rafting Grizzly River Rampage was also used as the course for qualifying rounds for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• The Roy Acuff Theater featured a live version of “Hee Haw” during the day — read more about the TV series. This theater was located outside of the park gates, so anyone could buy tickets to watch the musical productions without having to pay park admission.
• The Hangman, an inverted roller coaster that debuted just two years before the park’s closure, cost $8.5 million to build and was the last major attraction installed. The Hangman now operates under the name “Kong” at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California.

When the rides stopped rolling

• Two Hands to Give: A Night Out to Support Covenant | Monday, June 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Two Hands, 606 8th Ave. S. #400 | $65 | Entry includes passed appetizers and a welcome glass of prosecco — a portion of ticket proceeds and additional food sales will be donated to support The Covenant School.
• 2023 NHL Awards | Monday, June 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway | $55+ | Nate Bargatze, Trisha Yearwood, WWE’s Sheamus, and Jelly Roll are among the presenters.

• Spirits of Summer, “Symphony Royale” | Tuesday, June 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Pl. | $100+ | Spirits of Summer is a fundraiser blending the experience of a live orchestra performance and a cocktail competition.
• Blackberry Sunset Pick & Stroll | Tuesday, June 27 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway, 1900 Davidson St. | Learn how to safely harvest wild blackberries and sample some blackberry lemonade — registration required.

• Art Wire: An Inspired Evening of Writing | Wednesday, June 28 | 7 p.m. | OZ Arts Nashville, 6172 Cockrill Bend Cir. | Free | Hear writers share poetry and prose sparked by this season’s performances and celebrate a year of inspired writing.

• Author Talk: “100 Things to do in Nashville Before You Die” | Thursday, June 29 | 6-7 p.m. | Nashville Public Library, Green Hills Branch, 3701 Benham Ave. | Free | Join travel writer and native Tom Adkinson as he discusses the newest edition of this Nashville-centric book.
• Marionettes and Margaritas: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry | Thursday, June 29 | 7-8:15 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | Free | Marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow animation, and an ever-changing set tell the story of country music as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City.

• Sober & Social Patio Happy Hour | Friday, June 30 | 4-6 p.m. | The Loading Dock, 2028A Lindell Ave. | Free | Join Killjoy at this weekly meetup for a chance to wind down + enjoy alcohol-free drinks from a small, curated menu.

• Prince’s Hot Chicken and Red Bicycle are set to open this fall at the Tanger Factory Outlets Center at Antioch’s Century Farms development. The businesses join as many as 70 other retail and restaurant chains like Ralph Lauren, Shake Shack, and American Eagle. (Nashville Post)

• Brothers Osborne + Mitchell Tenpenny (today), Kip Moore + Maddie & Tae (Tuesday), and Jo Dee Messina (Wednesday) are set to perform as part of the Nashville Predators’ Broadway Block Party. See the lineup of events.

• Ranger Station, a fragrance store, is now open in 12 South. Located across from White’s Mercantile — where you’ve likely seen some of the shop’s products before — you’ll be able to shop candles, room sprays, lotions, and more.

• Hot diggity dog, Daddy’s Dogs is expanding to Franklin. The eatery is expected to open sometime in late summer or early fall at The Factory at Franklin. Outside of its signature hot dogs, guests can expect a variety of sides + local craft beer on the menu. (Williamson County Source)

• The West Nashville building home to Smokin Thighs (4400 Charlotte Ave.) is for sale, listed at $3.495 million. It’s also available to lease. While the eatery is still open for now, owner Matthew Carney said he wants to focus solely on the original Smokin Thighs in Wedgewood-Houston. (Nashville Post)

• The Predators traded away center Ryan Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, the Preds received center Alex Galchenyuk. The 29-year-old will be a free agent, and the team has not said whether they plan to re-sign him.

• Another Nashville pick. Former Belmont Bruins guard Ben Sheppard was selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Sheppard was the only player this season named to the All-MVC First Team and MVC All-Defensive Team. (Nashville Post)

• Dan + Shay will join NBC’s “The Voice” on the coaching panel as the singing competition’s first “double chair.” The duo will be in good company with John Legend, Reba McEntire, and Chance the Rapper. (The Tennessean)

• Calling all pet parents — L&E Research is looking for dog + cat owners around Music City to participate in an upcoming focus group. Bonus: Earn up to $350 for your time while you share your opinions on the products you use and love. Answer some pre-qualifying questions to get started.*

• Thinning hair? You’re not alone. This No. 1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand is physician-formulated with science-backed ingredients to target root causes of thinning for faster-growing, visibly thicker hair. (Pro tip: This five-minute quiz will help you get to the root of your thinning.)*

• Support skin elasticity, joint health, bone strength, and muscle growth with NativePath’s Certified Grass-Fed Collagen Powder. Bonus: It contains 18 grams of protein per serving.*

• Weekend musts — Luogo
• Hotel hotspots — Mimo Restaurant and Bar
• On the rooftop — The Hampton Social