“Nature Fest is less than two weeks away, and we are very excited for the event,” City Community Relations Coordinator Richard Ross shared as a reminder.
Ross hopes all of Fairview is counting down the days as the 37th Annual Fairview Nature Fest is returning to Bowie Nature Park on Saturday, September 23! The longest running annual event in Fairview, Nature Fest will bring family-friendly, nature-related exhibits, arts and entertainment to the 700-acre park.
After months of planning, Ross confirmed there will be over 70 vendor booths, several food vendors, bounce houses, petting zoo, bee exhibit, guided hikes and a few new attractions.
One new Nature Fest attraction will be Fred Acker, a chainsaw carver who owns and operates Whittle Bit of Everything. Acker will be doing live wood carving during Nature Fest along with selling some of his best works including a few Bowie Bears.
“I will bring several finished pieces to sell,” said Acker, who referenced a Bowie Bear playing a guitar as one of his larger pieces.
Another new Nature Fest offering will be a plein air painting competition organized by the Fairview Arts Council. A plein air event is an outdoor painting competition with exhibition and sale to follow. Artists of all levels can register by 9:30 a.m., pick a spot, paint until 2 p.m., await judging and enjoy a wet sale to follow.
There is a $15 fee to paint, cash or check made out to Fairview Arts Council, a tax deductible, non-profit. For more information on the plein air event, email lmichellemurakami@gmail.com or call 615-830-1827.
The Bowie Park Stage will offer opening remarks by Mayor Lisa Anderson, followed by a rare “Dr. Bowie” presentation on the history of Bowie Nature Park. Live music takes over the main stage at 10:30 a.m. with Fairview native Matthew Lester. Ted Meek will be performing at 12 noon with event headliner Kolby Oakley on stage at 1 p.m.
Festival goers are encouraged to come hungry with lots of food and refreshment options including Mason’s Hotdogs, Big James Kitchen, Colton’s Steakhouse, Fairview Police Department and Kona Ice.
Nature Fest is being organized by the City of Fairview to offer all ages the opportunity to explore nature at its best with lakes, walking trails, a nature center, museum and community playground. For more information on Nature Fest, email Richard Ross at rross@fairview-tn.org.
