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Summer SOULstice Full of New Events, Attractions



New attractions, events and a whole new layout are in store for downtown Pulaski's Third Annual Summer SOULstice Festival.

Summer SOULstice 2018 is set for Saturday, June 16, beginning at 5 p.m., with one event starting at 3 p.m.

Giles County Relay For Life will again be part of the festival along with many other returning favorites. Look for this year's returning favorites in an upcoming edition of the Pulaski Citizen.

"One of the things that has made Summer SOULstice so successful has been adding new and exciting events and attractions, and this year is no exception," Pulaski Main Street Director Olivia Officer said. "I am so excited about the new additions this year and with the new layout everything has been pulled closer together. It's going to be a lot of fun."

The new layout leads a long list of first time events and attractions for this year's Summer SOULstice.

First Street north of the Pulaski Square has been removed from the festival route, which now includes the entire Pulaski Square and Second Street south from the square to the First National Bank Gazebo at West College Street.

Vendors will be on First Street on the east side of the Square. Relay For Life will fill the entire south side of the square. Kids activities, including a mobile zip line are on the north side of the square. The Summer SOULstice main stage will be located at the intersection of Madison and Second streets. More kids activities will be along South Second as will food trucks and activities at the First National Bank gazebo.

Milk Drop

Cash Milk Drop may not be new, but the prizes definitely are.

First National Bank is sponsoring cash prizes for the top three teams in this year's Milk Drop. First place will win $200, second place $100 and third place $50.

The event is free to enter, but is limited to the first 15 teams. Reserve your two-man team by calling 363-3789 or find the online registration form at pulaskisummersoulstice.com.

Drumming and Picking

A secret artist will perform inside The Outlook on the east side of the square from 3-5 p.m. From 7-8 p.m. the music moves outside for a Drum Circle at The Outlook.

"Anybody can bring your drums and there will drums here if you can't bring yours, so come and join us," The Outook owner Jeff Harwell said. "The GCHS drum line will part of it. There will be a lot of improv and a lot of fun."

Local musicians performing at the Picking Station along South Second Street will include local performers with violins, Austin Blade, the Liberty Hillbillies (Jethro and Joyce Morgan) and Damon and Brian Schrader. The music will flow from 6-8 p.m.

Beer and Wine Tasting

STAAR Theatre will host craft beer and wine tasting on the east side of the square.

Cardin Distributing will provide the craft beer and Big Creek Winery will provide the wine.Beer will be available for purchase at STAAR Theatre.

Pending a June 12 public hearing and vote of the Pulaski Board of Mayor and Aldermen, patrons of the event at STAAR Theatre will be allowed to take their beverages into an area outside to take in the sights and sounds of the Summer SOULstice festival.

Zip Line

For the first time in Tennessee a festival will have a mobile zip line, which Officer said will be fun for children and adults.The zip line will be located on Jefferson Street on the north side of the square beginning at 5 p.m.

Tyler Smith Elite Hoop Shoot

Former Giles County High School great Tyler Smith and former GCHS basketball Bobcat Chris Bledsoe will be on the north side of the square with their Tyler Smith Elite youth basketball squads. They will sell snow cones and chances to win an autographed Tyler Smith jersey. Basketball goals will be set up for a chance to shoot hoops with Smith and the team.

Food Trucks

While Relay For Life booths will continue to sell food as part of their fund raising efforts, area food trucks will be part of the Summer SOULstice festival for the first time this year to help meet the food demands of the crowds the festival has attracted.

The food trucks scheduled to be at Summer SOULstice are:

• Cajuns of Pulaski, which serves traditional Louisiana cajun cuisine.

• The Copper Kettle of Lawrenceburg, which serves sweets and other refreshments.

• Grub on Hubz of Lawrenceburg, featuring burgers, quesadillas, grilled cheese specialties and more.

• The Dotted Lime of Columbia, featuring organic, gluten free and holistic fare.

• Hillbilly Seafood Company of Pulaski, which serves fresh seafood like shrimp and oysters.

"The food trucks will be selling their delicious food on South Second Street," Officer said. "What makes it even better is they will all be donating portions of their sales to Relay For Life."

Photo Booth

Giles County's own Mike Venable will be at Summer SOULstice with his photo booth with a green screen that allows for a variety of backgrounds. Get your family and friends together for a group photo, have the photo sent to you or uploaded directly to your social media complete with hashtags.

Giles County Public Library

The Giles County Public Library's "Libraries Rock!" Summer Reading Program will host a special booth during the Summer SOULstice festival.

The booth, located at the library on South Second Street, will also be a fun clue to an upcoming event at the library.

Go by and play in their "Peek at the Putt" mini golf course and while you're there make a donation to Relay for Life for a chance to play GCPL Library Plinko.

"Summertime is here, and everyone at the Giles County Public Library are so excited for what's coming up," said GCPL Program Coordinator Jonah McCurry. "We are also excited to be a part of the 2018 Summer SOULstice event. We can't wait to see you all there."

GCSD Mini Jail Cell

Have your photo made in the Giles County Sheriff's Department jail cell replica that will be on the square. You can also stick your face in the carnival cutout of a police officer with his K9 for a fun photo.

PACE Car Club

As many as 20 of the club's unique cars will be on display on South Second Street behind First National Bank.

Temple of Praise Choir

The Temple of Praise Choir will lead the transition from the festival to the Relay for Life luminary service, turning everyone's attention to the visually moving ceremony that remembers cancer victims and honors cancer survivors.

The luminary service will begin at 9 p.m.

Vendors

Many new and unique vendors will be around the Pulaski Square, including demonstrations.

Among the new vendors are a boutique truck with clothing and jewelry, cast iron skillet refurbishing, wood turning bowls and many more.

"We are so excited about the great line up of new events and attractions for this year's Summer SOULstice," Officer said. "If you're are among the thousands who have enjoyed Summer SOULstice over the last two years, you will want to come and experience what we have in store this year. If you've never been to Summer SOULstice, June 16 will be a great time to start your new tradition."

For more information about Summer SOULstice 2018 see upcoming editions of the Pulaski Citizen and visit Main Street Pulaski Facebook page or visit the website at pulaskisummersoulstice.com.