Things to Do in Tullahoma

Jose Santisteban’s artistic path has been paved with glass. He began working with it as an artistic medium in 1999 and, after earning his master of fine arts in glass sculpture in New York, chased his passion to locales around the country and globe.

Today, Jose shares his love of this ancient art at Franklin Glassblowing Studio. During lessons that focus on the basic skills of glass blowing, he demonstrates how the material can be used for more than just windows and temporary houses. Students then put theory into practice, flexing their creative muscles to create personalized keepsakes from scratch. When not hosting classes, Jose and others at the studio design their own glassy pieces, including lighting and home decor.

Fireworks, carousels, and chocolate-dipped bananas can mean only one thing: the Williamson County Fair is in town. This year it rolls in to celebrate the summer with rides, exhibits, and live entertainment from top acts from around the country. Thrill-seekers may want to start at the midway, which corrals all of the adrenaline-pumping, eye-popping attractions into one convenient location. The Enterprise dares riders to experience its 85-degree angled high-speed twirl, and the Pirate swings them back and forth in a full-size ship that re-creates the excitement of the high seas, from mounting colossal waves to mouth-feeding a seagull. Plenty of family-friendly rides, such as the classic carousel, ensure fun memories for visitors of all ages.

A trip to the fair wouldn’t be complete without exploring live events, exhibits, and competitions. Musical guests including The WannaBeatles, a Beatles cover band, and Pearl Heart, a song-writing sister trio, take to the main stage to serenade attendees. Further exploration of the grounds leads visitors to daily exhibits, from an agricultural equipment display and a BMX trick team to a petting zoo and nightly fireworks. Judges critique entries in various competitions, such as bread and pie baking, the Fairest of the Fair Pageant, and the contest to see whose dad can sneeze the loudest.

As calendars flip from February to March, Chattanooga Ducks' fleet of amphibious transports growls to life in preparation for a new season of tours by land and water. Originally designed in 1942, the DUKW military vehicles ushered soldiers through hostile battlefields and harsh weather conditions during WWII operations. Some cruisers, now referred to as Ducks, have since retired to more calm careers as tourist transports. Recalling their training as ducklings in overflowing bathtubs, the Ducks prowl both rocky terrain and aquatic areas to provide passengers with scenic tours. Duckfuls of passengers trek to points around Maclellan Island and awe-inducing spots throughout the Chattanooga riverfront during narrated tours that edify both minds and eyes.