Real Estate Blog

For the 12th consecutive year, the Williamson County Fair is back and better than ever! This year's theme is "Barnyard Mardi Gras." After winning the "State Premier Fair" in the AAA Division for 2014, this past year the Williamson County Fair won the first-place award for promotional merchandise and top prize for their scrapbook. At the international level they won several awards, including third place for their website.

As usual, the schedule will be packed with something for everyone including musical shows of difference genres, midway rides, competitions, educational events, and a local favorite, the Little 1's Farming Exhibit. More specifically, this year will include: BMX Pros Trick Team, Lady Houdini, Kids Celebration: The #1 Family Game Show, Balloon Magic, the Little Big Shots Show, and fireworks, just to name a few!

The Seattle Wheel will be making an appearance again. From the fair website: "The Seattle Wheel was created by the Valarie Brothers for the Worlds Fair in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Wheel stands at over 90' tall and is capable of accommodating two adults or three children in one of its 16 spacious tubs. To this day, we currently operate the only Seattle Wheel on the road." 

The Williamson County Fair began in 1857, and that year it was held near the Carnton Plantation in Franklin. The next year it moved to what is now Fair Street and then to Fairground Street. The fair took a 21-year hiatus, started up again, and then took a 55-year hiatus until it made its much-needed comeback in 2005. 

Although county fairs in the United States were initially held to display or trade produce or to display or parade animals in our then mostly rural country, fairs today hold those traditional components plus much more. The Williamson County Fair's Web page states, "Fairs offer a link between urban and rural Tennessee. They serve as tools for educating Tennesseans about the importance of agriculture and introducing young people to both traditional and innovative aspects of life on the farm. Fairs reach far beyond their agrarian roots and encourage industries and individuals to strive for excellence through competitions. Winning the blue ribbon at a fair competition is a great incentive to showcase the best of Tennessee. Through their social and cultural impacts, fairs embody the community spirit and highlight the diversity of Williamson County and Tennessee."

Come to see and be seen at Williamson county's largest social event of the year!

Ag Expo Park, 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, Tenn.ʉ۬(Take exit #61 off I-65 at Peytonsville Rd.)

Parking is free and there are several ways to get discount tickets on each night. For a complete list of discounts, click here.

The Schedule is as follows:
August 5-13, 2016
Monday  Thursday â€¨6:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 
(Midway open until 11)
Fridayʉ۬6:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 
(Midway open until 12)
Saturday
 10:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m.
 (Midway open until 12)
Sunday
 12:00 a.m. 10 p.m.
 (Midway open until 11)

Visit the fair's award-winning Web Site for a complete list of scheduled events, competitions, and other general information.

Photo credit: Freedigitalphotos.net by Simon Howden

Whether you are rejoicing (inside, of course) or sad that school is just around the corner, it never hurts to be well prepared for a new school year if you have kiddos headed off to one our fabulous schools in the area. For the purposes of this post, I will focus on info for our award-winning public schools in the Williamson County School system, Franklin Special School District, and Metro Nashville, but some of the same advice can be used for other schools in the area.

1. Check updated zoning and bus routes. With continued growth in the area, it's super important to make sure you know the current zoning for your neighborhood and the current bus routes and stops if your children use the bus.

For Williamson County School zoning and bus routes, click here and enter your street address.

For Franklin Special School District, click here.

For Metro Nashville School District, click here.

2. Once you know your district, download the current calendar to your desktop and enter the important dates into your personal calendar. You can find the Williamson County calendar here. 

And the FSSD calendar here.

And the Metro Nashville calendar here.

3. Now, follow the tabs at the top of the page from the main sites, and find each child's school website. There you can download supply sheets for each grade, a cafeteria menu (might have to wait a few days on that one), student and parent handbooks to review, and before and after care program information.
 

4. To stay informed throughout the year in multiple ways, be sure to sign up for the official Facebook and Twitter feeds of your district, if applicable, and any internal newsletters such as inFocus with Williamson County Schools.

5. Head out this weekend for tax-free weekend in Tennessee! This coming Friday, July 29^th through Sunday July 31^st is the designated time to shop til you drop for school supplies and clothes without paying sales tax! Click here to read the guidelines.

We are so privileged to live in a country that values education. Have a great school year, students!

Jarod
jarod@realtracs.com
615-669-8265

photo credit: Tanya3597 on freedigitalphotos.net