Let’s look back at some awesome memories made by visitors during their trip to Sumner County, Tennessee, in 2017!
Premier Girls Fastpitch Softball Championship
On Monday, July 17, girls from 13 states and 2 countries gathered for the opening ceremonies of the 2017 Premier Girls Fastpitch Futures National Championship. Jessica Campbell, a Nashville-based musician, was the featured entertainment, food trucks provided delicious eats, and vendors were set up with softball memorabilia; the ceremony ended with a spectacular show of fireworks.
When the tournment began the next day, the weather was unbelievably hot over the following five days of play but the spirit of the 97 competing teams was undeterred!
Ultimately, the winners of the tournament by division were:
| 10u: | Huntsville Sparks Elite 06 |
| 12u: | LIDS Indiana Dreams 04 |
| 14u: | Tennessee Illusions 2021 |
| 16u: | Huntsville Sparks Elite 01 |
| 18u: | Alabama Kraze McCluskey |
Read more about the 2018 PGF at Drakes Creek Park and the results of the 2017 tournament
2017 American Bass Anglers Ray Scott National Championship
The weather started off a little dicey for the Ray Scott National Championship and a large event tent even ended up mangled in some trees, but that didn’t surpress the excitment of the anglers and co-anglers there to fish! The following states were represented on Old Hickory Lake:
| Alabama | Louisiana | Oklahoma |
| Connecticut | Maryland | Pennsylvania |
| Florida | Mississippi | South Carolina |
| Georgia | Missouri | Tennessee |
| Illinois | New Jersey | Texas |
| Indiana | New York | Virginia |
| Kansas | North Carolina | Vermont |
| Kentucky | Ohio | West Virginia |
Ultimately it was Angler Tracy Robinson of Gadsen, Alabama, who took home the top prize at the championship. Second place was awarded to David Hendrick of Cherryville, North Carolina, and third place was awarded to Bryan New of Belmont, North Carolina. Matthew Robertson of Kuttawa, Kentucky, broke an Old Hickory Lake record for its largest Kentucky Spotted Bass with a certified weight of 5.01 lbs. The previous lake record of 4.14 lbs has been in place since March 1983 and caught by H. T. Rippy.
Read more about the 2017 Ray Scott National Championship on Old Hickory Lake.
Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival
For 76 years, Portland has celebrated its rich strawberry heritage by honoring its agricultural past with the Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival! Today it’s not just locals that come to celebrate, but visitors from across the nation who come to pay homage to this “berry sweet” tradition; they also enjoy the carnival rides, food, free concert, and free fireworks show that closes out the festival. The 2017 grand marshal and concert headliner was former American Idol contestant and local talent Bucky Covington, who sang to a huge crowd of fans and Strawberry Festival attendees!
The 77th Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018, and the theme is, “Stars, Stripes, and Strawberries,” honoring veterans and current military members as the grand marshal. Make plans to be there and make berry sweet memories at the Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival with your loved ones!
To learn more about the 77th Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival, follow this page!
Gallatin Named Nicest Place in America by Reader’s Digest
Not too many people can say they’ve visited the Nicest Place in America, but folks who have visited Gallatin, Tennessee, now have the honor of saying they have visited the Nicest Place in America! Reader’s Digest named the seat of Sumner County the Nicest Place in America and featured Gallatin on the cover of the November 2017 Reader’s Digest.
Visitors often compliment the hospitality and warmness they encounter when meeting the locals at establishments of great shopping, delicious dining, and awesome attractions in Gallatin. The town’s motto is, “True Grit, Amazing Grace,” and it is evidenced by this high honor from Reader’s Digest that Gallatin strives to embody the phrase that symbolizes their city.
Read more about Reader’s Digest Nicest Place in America: Gallatin, Tennessee
Path of Totality & Total Solar Eclipse
August 21, 2017, was a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse event and thousands upon thousands of visitors from all over the globe made their way to Sumner County, Tennessee, to witness the totality of the moon blocking the sun for upwards of 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
Visitors from 40+ states centered in Gallatin, Tennessee, for the event, and visitors worldwide also chose Sumner County as the spot to see this celestial event. American Idol alum Kimberley Locke returned to to her hometown of Gallatin to perform a free concert at the Gallatin TN Eclipse Encounter event. Countries represented in Sumner County to see the total solar eclipse included:
| Canada | Japan | Colombia | Dominican Republic |
| Denmark | Italy | Ireland | United Kingdom |
| Netherlands | Switzerland | Mexico | Germany |
| Austrailia | France | Puerto Rico | Belgium |
| Panama | Bermuda | Belize | El Salvadore |
| Venezuela | Ecuador | Peru | Brazil |
| Austria | Hungary | Poland | Finland |
| Spain | Côte d’Ivoire | India | United Arabs Emirates |
| Israel | Thailand | China | Malaysia |
| Indonesia | New Zealand | Taiwan | Kyrgyzstan |
| Russia | Sweden | Syria | Jamaica |
It was a beautiful experience to share with so many people from all over the globe!
Read more about the August 21, 2017, eclipse over Gallatin, Tennessee