Good morning, Cookeville.

Last day of April. Spring is in full swing, and Saturday is stacked.

Cookeville Storyfest turns 13 this year. It's all day Saturday at the Dogwood Park Performance Pavilion, and it's free. First Friday returns for its 2026 season tomorrow night on Spring Street. Free Comic Book Day and Moody's Flea Market are both Saturday morning.

In today's Cookeville Scoop:

Let's get to it.
-- The Cookeville Scoop Team

Hands-On Pasta Making Experience & 3-Course Dinner — Friday, May 1

Friday night date night option. Culinary instructor Lonny Balbi leads a hands-on pasta-making class at the Cookeville Community Center, followed by a 3-course dinner you made yourself. The Eventbrite listing has been going fast, so check availability before the weekend. $130 per person, 6:30 PM. Check tickets here.

Miss Royal Elegance 2026 — Saturday, May 2

Annual Tennessee beauty pageant at the Cookeville Community Center, 240 Carlen Ave. Multiple age divisions from Infant Miss through Miss (16–21), all open to Tennessee residents. Division queens take home a custom crown, sash, plaque, and cash scholarship. More info

Happy hour this week: Irrationale Kitchen+Taps + Crawdaddy's

If you're heading to First Friday tomorrow on Spring Street, Irrationale Kitchen+Taps times out well. Happy hour runs 2 to 4 PM and again from 8 PM to close on Fridays — the second window lands right when First Friday wraps up. $3 select drafts, $6 well spirits, $5 house wine, half-price select appetizers. Sunday brunch 10:30 AM to 3 PM. irrationalekitchen.com

Crawdaddy's West Side Grill runs a different special each day. Tonight (Thursday): $5 Bourbons. Friday: the Pink Flamingo signature cocktail. Saturday: Long Island Teas made to order. Sunday: brunch from 10:30 AM with mimosas, Bellinis, and Bloody Marys on the menu all day. Daily specials run 11 AM to 10 PM. crawdaddysgrill.com

Storytelling is one of the oldest things people do together. On Saturday, Cookeville gathers at the Dogwood Park Performance Pavilion to do it all day — for the 13th year in a row.

Cookeville Storyfest runs 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free. Professional storytellers from across the region take the stage throughout the day.

This year's headliner is Andy Offutt Irwin, a performer from Georgia with a background that doesn't fit into a single category. He's a national whistling champion, songwriter, and character storyteller — his most famous character is his 85-year-old Aunt Marguerite, who somehow ends up in every situation imaginable. If you've never seen him, the description doesn't quite do it. You have to be there.

Joining Irwin on the lineup are Matt Hix, Joyce Tatum, Lee Bailey, Jennie Ivey, Sanda Ayers, and Dwight Henry. At 1:30 PM, the amateur competition opens up and local residents take the stage for their shot at community bragging rights.

The format is flexible — come for one teller, stay for the afternoon, or make a full day of it. Dogwood Park is outdoors, parking is free, and the event works for all ages. The festival runs with support from the Cookeville Arts Council, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Friends of the Cookeville History Museum.

Questions? Beth Thompson has the answers at (931) 528-8570 or [email protected].

Saturday, May 2. Dogwood Park Performance Pavilion. 10 AM to 5 PM. Free.

A good weekend to be out. Here's what's on:

Art Round Tennessee's First Friday kicks off its 2026 season tomorrow, Friday May 1, on the Spring Street Arts District from 5 to 8 PM. Stroll Spring Street to find working local artists, browse original work in the shops, and catch live music by Matt Beale. Mother's Day is one week out — good time to find something personal and local. Suggested donation is $5 to support the program. Monthly series runs May through October. Free (suggested donation $5). artroundtennessee.org

Moody's Flea Market at 113 E Spring Street — Saturday May 2, 8 AM to 3 PM. First Saturday of the month market running April through September, with antiques, vintage, local makers, crafters, bakers, and food vendors. The thrift store inside is open 8 AM to 8 PM. Rain date is May 9. Free.

Free Comic Book Day at Wonderland Comics — Saturday May 2 at 1460 N. Washington Ave. Free comics for everyone who stops in. Plus the Brown Bag Sale is back: $25 gets you a bag to fill with as many back-issue comics as you can fit from 50 newly unpacked boxes. Good for kids and serious collectors both. Free (Brown Bag Sale $25). facebook.com/wonderlandcomicstn

Cookeville Green Market — Saturday May 2, 8 AM to noon. Year-round producers-only Saturday market with locally grown organic produce, baked goods, cheese, meats, and handmade crafts. Often includes live music. Free.

Mother's Day weekend is coming up May 8–10. Have a tip for what's happening? Reply and let us know.

Share this with someone who needs weekend plans.

Thanks for being here, Cookeville. Saturday is worth showing up for. 🧡

-- The Cookeville Scoop Team