Good morning, Cookeville.

March is doing that thing it always does — making you wonder if spring might actually stick around this time. With warmer afternoons in the forecast and St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, this weekend is a good one.

In today's Cookeville Scoop:

Let's get to it.

Travis

Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers are at the Park Theater this Friday, March 13 at 7:30 PM — and this one is worth clearing your schedule for. We've dedicated the full feature story below to the Wooten Brothers, because it deserves it. Get your tickets early — the Park Theater is intimate, and this is a rare chance to be close to a world-class act.

Journey from the Heart is performing at the Park Theater on Saturday, March 14 at 7:00 PM. Details are limited, but with the Park Theater coming off Friday's Wooten Brothers show, this is shaping up to be a big weekend on that stage. Check the venue for ticket availability and pricing.

Good Stand Up Comedy featuring Dan Alten is at Roasted Hemp Co (1068 E 10th St) this Friday, March 13 at 8:00 PM. If you've been looking for a reason to check out this East Cookeville events venue, a Friday night comedy show is a pretty good one. Adults-only vibe — bring a friend.

The 2nd Annual Pie Festival hits the Cookeville Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 14 starting at 10:00 AM. Pie competitions, local vendors, and everything sweet you can imagine — this event is building a real following.

Cousins Maine Lobster — yes, the one from Shark Tank — is stopping at Trackside (172 W Broad St, downtown) on Saturday, March 14 from 11 AM to 7 PM. Fresh Maine lobster rolls, bisque, and more, right in the heart of downtown Cookeville. Cash is not accepted (debit, credit, and Apple Pay only), and you can order ahead on their app to skip the line.

Drake's is running a St. Patrick's Day menu through March 22 — which means all weekend is your window to try the Big Arse Reuben Sandwich and the Paddy Melt Burger. (Those names alone are reason enough.) A fun way to get your Irish food fix a few days early. More at drakescomeplay.com

Crawdaddy's West Side Grill (53 W Broad St) has a different drink special every day this weekend. On Friday: Pink Flamingo cocktails. Saturday: made-to-order long island iced teas. And Sunday brunch starts at 10:30 AM with mimosas, Bellinis, and Zing Zang Bloody Marys. Three days, three good reasons to stop by this New Orleans-inspired spot in one of downtown's best old brick buildings. crawdaddysgrill.com

If you've never heard of Victor Wooten, here's what you need to know: Rolling Stone has named him one of the greatest bass players of all time. He's won five Grammys with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. He's shared stages with Branford Marsalis, Dave Matthews, and dozens of others at the top of their fields. And this Friday, March 13 at 7:30 PM, he's playing the Park Theater.

With his brothers.

Victor, Regi, Roy, and Joseph Wooten are four brothers — all accomplished musicians — who perform together as the Wooten Brothers. Victor on bass, Regi on guitar, Roy on drums and vocals, Joseph on saxophone and guitar. Together they're a family act in the best sense of the phrase: tight, joyful, and full of the kind of musical conversation that only comes from a lifetime of playing together.

What makes Friday especially worth mentioning is the venue. The Park Theater isn't a stadium. You won't be watching this from the upper deck of an arena. You might be 15 rows back from one of the most gifted bassists to ever pick up the instrument. That closeness matters — it's the kind of show that turns into a story you tell people for years.

Whether you're a lifelong music lover, a parent looking for a proper date night, or just someone who wants to experience something genuinely special on a Friday in Cookeville — this is the one. Make a dinner reservation somewhere nearby first, get a sitter if you need to, and make a full night of it.

Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers · Friday, March 13 · 7:30 PM · Park Theater, Cookeville.

Here's what's happening around Cookeville this weekend — most of it's free:

Read, Play, Grow at the Putnam County Library — Friday, March 13 at 10:00 AM. Story time and intentional play for babies and toddlers (birth through age 3). No registration needed — just show up with your little one. Free. 50 E Broad St. Questions? (931) 526-2416.

The library also has a Friday Matinee at noon on March 13 — a free screening of Predator: Badlands (PG-13, 1 hr 47 min). A solid afternoon option for older kids, teens, and adults who want a free way to spend a Friday. Free. Same location: 50 E Broad St.

Pot o' Prizes Pursuit: WestSide Scavenger Hunt Finale — Saturday, March 14, 10:30 AM–2:30 PM. This is the monthly second-Saturday downtown scavenger hunt, and this month's Finale edition has a perfectly-timed name for the pre-St. Patrick's Day weekend. Follow clues, photograph matching images at participating downtown businesses using your phone, and submit your entries for a prize drawing. A genuinely fun way to spend a Saturday morning — works just as well for families as it does for couples or friends. Free. Starts at the Cookeville Depot Museum, 116 W Broad St. More info

Erin McLendon is playing live at Town Square Social on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 PM. A good pick if you want live music on Friday night on a slightly more low-key note — and there's no shortage of great options this particular weekend.

REVERI3 takes the stage at Mean Mel's (5760 Hwy 111 N) on Saturday, March 14 at 7:00 PM. Mean Mel's has one of the most consistent live music schedules in Cookeville — worth adding to your regular rotation if it's not already.

Know something happening in Cookeville that we missed? Reply to this email or tag us on social — we read every tip and love finding new local gems. And if you've got a friend who'd love staying in the loop on what's happening in town, forward this along. The more neighbors who know what's going on, the better.

Thanks for being here with us this week — we love sharing this community with you. Have a wonderful weekend, Cookeville, and if you make it to the Park Theater Friday night, we hope it's everything. 🧡

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