Plus, a Nashville park system score card.
 
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81º | 71% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 5:30 a.m. | Sunset 8:02 p.m.
 

What you didn’t know about Lebanon

Lebanon secures spot among nation’s fastest-growing cities
A brick wall with "Greetings from Lebanon Wilson County Tennessee" painted on it in various colors with scenes from downtown.
Don’t forget to snap your pic in front of this mural by Sun Graphics Signs when you’re in town. | Photo by @jennifermccaleb_realtor
We often talk about Nashville’s population growth, but you might be surprised to hear that another Middle Tennessee community grew at a much more rapid pace this past year. Recent population estimates from the US Census Bureau confirm Lebanon is the 12th fastest-growing city in the US with an 8.9% growth rate between July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023.

Looking at the larger picture, the South makes up 13 of the top 15 fastest-growing cities with a population of at least 20,000. Of those 15 cities, over half of them are in Texas. Metro Nashville’s population grew 0.8% with its 5,600 new residents.

Zooming back in, there’s no exact science as to why Lebanon’s population increased so significantly during that time frame — but we can make an educated guess. The Wilson County city has become a hub for corporate expansion and financial investments in recent years, attracting companies such as Bridgetown Natural Foods LLC, REI, NewBasis LLC, and New Balance.

Of course, it’s also home to plenty of gems, from restaurants to things to do. If you find yourself that way on a day trip, here is a short list of some stops to make:
 
Events
Wednesday, June 5
  • Gulch Dog Park x King of Pops | Wednesday, June 5 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Gulch Dog Park, 1216 Pine St. | Free | The first 25 pups will receive a free pup cup courtesy of King of Pops.
  • Grand Ole Opry | Wednesday, June 5 | Times vary | Opry House, 2804 Opryland Dr. | $88+ | Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Alexandra Kay, Craig Morgan, and Warren Zeiders take the stage.
Thursday, June 6
  • CMA Rising Stars Meet & Greet | Thursday, June 6 + Sunday, June 9 | Times vary | The Finch, 111 10th Ave. S. #310 | Free+ | Enjoy specialty CMA-themed cocktails while you mingle with Gowa Gibbs and Larysa Jaye (Thursday) + Dillon Carmichael (Sunday).
Friday, June 7
  • Student and Teacher Appreciation Days | Friday, June 7-Sunday, June 9 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Rd. | $29 | Present your student or teacher ID, badge, or report card at any ticket window and receive discounted admission (plus tax).
Saturday, June 8
  • National Outlet Shopping Day | Saturday, June 8-Sunday, June 9 | Times vary | Opry Mills, 433 Opry Mills Dr. | Cost of purchase | Over 80 retailers will offer savings + expect live music and activities like a LEGO make and take and a spin-to-win prize wheel on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
  • Tom Dreesen | Saturday, June 8 | 8 p.m. | The Franklin Theatre, 419 Main St., Franklin | $70+ | In this evening of stand-up comedy, Dreesen will take you from his childhood of shining shoes to one day touring the nation as Frank Sinatra’s opening act.
Sunday, June 9
  • Family Drop-In ARTlab: Be a Fashion Designer | Sunday, June 9 | 1-4 p.m. | Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway | Free | Inspired by the exhibition “Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous,” participants will use fabrics and paper to create unique outfits for two-dimensional paper dolls.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Plan Ahead

Local kids visit free all summer at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Two children stand in the Country Music Hall of Fame holding brochures. A family looks at an exhibit.
Not going to lie — we might be most excited by the Museum’s Line Dancing Workshop. | Photo provided by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
It’s a country music summer, y’all.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is rolling out the welcome wagon for all locals through Monday, Sept. 2, offering free admission for kids 18 and under + 25% off admission for up to two adults who tag along.

Residents in Davidson and bordering counties (including Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson) are eligible to participate.

Plus, in addition to the current Museum programs, families will find daily interactive activities centered around learning, exploring, and hands-on crafts.

The rotating lineup (think: multiple dates) includes:
Pro tip: Even with free admission, per-day spots are limited, so we recommend reserving timed entry tickets in advance.
Plan your summer visit
News Notes
Traffic
  • 2nd Avenue’s north block is back open to traffic. See it for yourself. New features between Union Street and Church Street include wider sidewalks, a mid-block pedestrian crossing, and fresh landscaping.
Biz
  • Tantísimo, a farm-to-table restaurant that began as a farmers market pop-up, is on its way to Sylvan Park this year — 306 46th Ave. N. The business serving Latin American dishes will operate as a breakfast, lunch, and espresso cafe during the day before transitioning to seasonal small plates and cocktails in the evening. (Nashville Business Journal)
Watch
  • Belcourt Theatre is celebrating Nicole Kidman’s recent AFI Life Achievement Award by showing eight films the star selected from Wednesday, June 26 through Sunday, July 7. Get tickets for “To Die For,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Moulin Rouge,” and more.
Read
  • Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown is partnering with Reese’s Book Club on Tuesday, June 11 (6-8 p.m.) for a book swap happy hour at its culinary concept, Library Restaurant & Lounge. Bring a novel to trade while you sip on book-themed cocktails — plus, a couple of Reese’s Book Club authors might be in attendance.
Try This
  • Cruisin’ Tikis Nashville is expanding to West Nashville’s Rock Harbor Marina, which is undergoing renovations. The second location on the Cumberland River launches on Saturday, June 15 and joins the Old Hickory outpost. Book one of four cruises: Morning Mimosas, Sunset Cruise, Tiki Fun Cruise, and Private Party Cove Excursions.
Home
  • Forgetting to change air filters can be more costly than you think since dirty filters result in higher energy bills + a harder-working HVAC. That’s why FilterEasy keeps track of your filter changes for you + delivers a fresh set of filters to your door right when you need them.*
Travel
  • It’s not too late to plan a trip this summer. The ultimate (and affordable) destination? Lexington, KY. So, what’s on the itinerary for this unexpectedly cool and conveniently-located destination? We’re glad you asked. Here’s what to do + where to go in Lexington (just a three-hour drive from Nashville).*
Finance
  • You know a restaurant’s good if other chefs eat there, and you can trust a gym where athletes train. So, we’ll trust this rec: This card recommended by The Ascent has no annual fee and offers up to 5% cash back, a sign-up bonus, and 0% intro APR into 2025.*
 
Outdoors

🌳 A report card for Nashville’s parks

How Nashville’s park system compares nationwide
A navy and light blue playground set on an astroturf, fenced in area.
Nashville earned 29 out of 100 points for its playgrounds, which is factored into the amenities category score. | Photo by NASHtoday
It’s no secret that Nashvillians love spending time outdoors — but how does our park system compare to others across the US?

The 2024 ParkScore Index by nonprofit Trust for Public Land gives us some insight, ranking Nashville No. 78 nationwide, eight spots behind Memphis. This is a 15-spot improvement from last year, though Metro Parks doesn’t agree that the score is reflective of the park system’s overall impact.

The scores are based on five traits: acreage, access, investment, amenities, and equity. Take a look at a few local statistics:
  • Nashville is home to 248 parks, making up 8% of the city’s land.
  • 46% of Nashville residents live within a half-mile or 10-minute walk to a park.
  • Nashville’s median park size is 16.7 acres, landing it “among the highest” of the cities ranked.
Want more information? View the full report.
Asked

Speaking of acreage... how many acres does Warner Parks consist of alone?
A. ~3,100
B. ~930
C. ~4,300
D. ~1,250
Measure with your heart
The Buy

The Buy 6.05.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The ultimate summer grill accessory: a wireless smart thermometer. Stick it in your food, cook as usual, and the thermometer will notify your smartphone when your meat has reached the ideal internal temp. Hello, perfectly cooked steaks…
 
The Wrap
 
Skylar

Today’s edition by:
Skylar
From the editor
If you haven’t made it over to Crumbly Corner Cafe yet (in the former The Loading Dock space) — let this be your sign. Stay up-to-date on The Loading Dock’s progress at its forthcoming Jefferson Street location by following along on Instagram.
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