Get ready for Red, White and Boom! Cookeville’s fifth annual Independence Day celebration is underway this week with lots of patriotic activities, including a bicycle/wagon parade for kids and veterans July 4 at 10 a.m. at the Putnam County Courthouse and Tennessee’s second-largest fireworks show that night at 8:45 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Then experience the Air National Guard Band July 5 at 7 p.m. at Dogwood Park and a 1,000-foot waterslide, SlideCKVL, on Broad Street July 6 and 7. And that’s just for starters. July is full of leisure opportunities for all – outdoor movies and concerts, a new skate park, fitness classes, youth athletic camps, boat rides and more. Have fun!
World Cup Soccer
Wear your red, white and blue and join the Cookeville High School soccer team and Leisure Services as we host a World Cup Soccer semi-final viewing party July 2 at 2 p.m. at Cookeville Performing Arts Center. Your admission “fee” is a non-perishable food item to be collected by CHS soccer players in the CPAC lobby. Then, if Team USA makes it to the finals, we’ll have another viewing party July 7. We are excited about the opportunity to provide the community a chance to fall in love with soccer and cheer on the USA during America’s birthday week.
Patriotic concert
Enjoy a relaxing night under the stars with Air National Guard Band of the South July 5 at 7 p.m. at Dogwood Park, 30 E. Broad St. They will play a patriotic set augmented with jazz and rock ensembles as part of the City of Cookeville’s Red, White and Boom celebration. This is a free concert. Concessions are available. For more information, call 528-1313.
Slippery fun
SlideCKVL, a 1,000-foot waterslide, is returning to Broad Street below the Courthouse Square July 6, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and July 7, noon-8 p.m., as part of Cookeville’s fifth annual Red, White and Boom celebration. Tickets are $10 for two slides, $20 for five slides, $25 for a two-day unlimited pass or $15 for unlimited Sunday slides. Sliders must be at least 3 years old, sign a waiver and slide on an inflatable tube that is included with ticket purchase. Tickets may be purchased in advance (except for unlimited Sunday slides) or on site. For more information, call 528-1313.
Stay active this summer
Friday nights in July are flickering to life with free classic movies at the Cookeville Depot Museum, 116 W. Broad St. The series kicks off with 1993’s “The Sandlot” on July 5, followed by 1950’s “Father of the Bride” and 1952’s “Father’s Little Dividend” on July 12, 1964’s “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” on July 19 and “Superman” Fleischer cartoons from the 1940s on July 26. Movies begin at 8 p.m. on the patio. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy popcorn and drinks for $1 each. For more information, call 528-8570.
Cookeville Community Band
Two opportunities remain to see the Cookeville Community Band this summer at Dogwood Park – July 8 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event at 30 E. Broad St. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concessions will be available. For more information, call 528-1313.
Play ball
This camp has it all – basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, football, golf, lacrosse, pickleball, disc golf and a variety of gymnasium games. It’s the ultimate camp for children ages 7-12 who want to improve in the sports they play as well as build knowledge and ability in sports they are unfamiliar with. It will be offered July 8-12 and July 22-26 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Cane Creek Gymnasium, 180 C C Camp Road. Cost is $80 per week. For more information, call 931-526-9767.
‘I Spy a WestSide Mural’
This month’s History Hike, themed “I Spy a WestSide Mural,” is going to be super fun since it coincides with the Cookeville History Museum’s current “I Spy Cookeville” exhibit. Stop by the history museum, 40 E. Broad St., or Cookeville Depot, 116 W. Broad St., July 13 for refreshments and an entry form between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Participants will walk around the WestSide, observe the art on the walls and answer trivia questions. Return forms to be entered in a prize drawing. This self-guided activity is free, fun and family-friendly. History Hikes are also planned for Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12. For more information, call 520-5455 or 528-8570.
Improve skills
This camp, a partnership between Leisure Services and 1Shot Athletics, is for children ages 7-15 who would like to improve their skills on the basketball court. One more camp is being offered this summer: July 15-19 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Cane Creek Gymnasium, 180 C C Camp Road. Campers will engage in various drills and shooting techniques with Coach Jermaine McElvain. Cost is $80 if registered by July 12 or $20 per day drop-in. For more information, call 931-526-9767.
Park View Skate Park open
The ribbon has been cut. Now it’s time to skate. Park View Skate Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk at 570 Scott Ave. Cookeville’s first skate park was designed by Seattle-based Grindline Skateparks and Nashville’s HFR Design and features everything skateboarders could want – concrete wall rides, ramps, rails, bowls and more. For more information, call 520-4386.
Summer music
Join music lovers July 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Dogwood Park, 30 E. Broad St., for the next concert in the Third Thursday in the Park series. The performing band will be announced soon. (See the Cookeville Leisure Services Department Facebook page for updates.) Admission is free, and concessions are available. The season’s final Third Thursday concert is Aug. 15. For more information, call 528-1313.
Community Day
Pokemon Go Community Day is July 21 from 4-7 p.m., and Dogwood Park’s concession stand will be open for the occasion at 30 E. Broad St. Stop by and enjoy the park along with fellow players as you try to capture Shiny Mudkip.
Can you find…?
It’s been a great summer so far at the Cookeville History Museum as visitors have been exploring the new exhibit, “I Spy Cookeville.” It continues through Aug. 24 at 40 E. Broad St., featuring picture riddles and other fun, interactive activities for all ages. See what you can find. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 520-5455.
Sign up by July 26
Fall softball registration is open through July 26 for men’s league teams, who play Mondays beginning Aug. 5, and co-ed recreation league teams, who play Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Aug. 6. Teams play a 12-game schedule at 6, 7, 8 or 9 p.m. at Cane Creek SportsPlex, 2200 W. Jackson St. Games are National Softball Association slow-pitch. Players must be at least 18 years old. Co-ed teams will consist of five males and five females. Fees are as follows: $285 team fee, $80 team player fee and $25 sanction fee. A coaches’ meeting is scheduled for Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. at the SportsPlex. For more information, call 520-5224.
Open house July 29
Want to learn more about the Leisure Services School of Dance? An open house will be held July 29 from 4-6 p.m. at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, 180 C C Camp Road. Classes, which meet August through May and conclude with performances at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, are designed for ages 3 and up in the classic disciplines of ballet, jazz and modern dance. For more information, call 528-1313.