Good morning, Cookeville.

Spring has arrived and Saturday is going to be a lot. The Upper Cumberland Tulip Festival opens at Little Creek Flowers Farm this weekend — thousands of tulips in bloom, pick-your-own tulips, Easter egg hunts, and a full kids zone all celebrating the farm's 50th anniversary. It's the kind of day you plan around.

In today's Scoop: the CRMC 4 West ribbon cutting is this afternoon if you're around downtown (three years in the making — it's finally here!), Drake's flips to Opening Day baseball specials starting Thursday, and Saturday also brings the Hello Spring Market at the fairgrounds — 100+ vendors, the Easter Bunny, and free everything. Big week.

Let's get to it.

— The Cookeville Scoop Team

Ribbon Cutting: CRMC 4 West — New Inpatient Floor — We teased this one last week, and today's the day. The community is invited to Cookeville Regional Medical Center this afternoon for the official opening of the new 4 West inpatient floor — a nearly three-year renovation that adds 20 beds and brings the hospital to 309 total. Open house runs 3:30–4:30 PM on the fourth floor, ribbon cutting at 4 PM. Free and open to the public. Full story via UCBJ.

Race to Build Hope 5K — Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity — If you want to start Saturday with something meaningful before the weekend festivities, the Race to Build Hope 5K starts at 8 AM in Livingston (about 30 minutes from Cookeville). Chip-timed, open to runners, walkers, strollers, wheelchairs, and dogs on leash. Proceeds benefit Overton County Habitat for Humanity. Packet pickup is this Friday, March 27 from 4–6 PM right here in Cookeville at ReStore, 560 S. Jefferson Ave. Register at RunSignUp.

Bryan Symphony Orchestra — featuring Joshua Hauser, trombone — Close out the weekend Sunday afternoon with the Bryan Symphony Orchestra at Wattenbarger Auditorium on the Tennessee Tech campus. Trombone soloist Joshua Hauser is featured. It's a nice way to end a full weekend — live orchestral music, Sunday afternoon energy, beautiful auditorium. 3:00 PM. [VERIFY: ticket price — check TTU or BSO website before attending].

Drake's is officially done with the Shamrock menu and baseball season is here. Starting Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, Opening Day specials are running: $3 Coors Light in a souvenir glass and a $12.99 hot dog combo — your choice of Detroit Coney or New York style, served with a side and Cracker Jacks. It's a proper Opening Day celebration at 1010 S Walnut Ave. drakescomeplay.com.

Irrationale Kitchen+Taps has happy hour this Tuesday and Friday — twice a day. Afternoon window is 2–4 PM, and they open it back up at 8 PM through close. $3 select drafts, $6 well spirits, $5 house wine, half-price select appetizers. If you want a weeknight out that doesn't require a big commitment, this is the spot. irrationalekitchen.com.

The Putnam Room runs Whiskey Wednesdays every week, 5–9 PM — half off all whiskey, bourbon, and scotch. This Wednesday, March 25 qualifies. Downtown, walk-in friendly, good atmosphere. If your week needs a midpoint reset, you know where to find it. theputnamroom.com.

Fifty years is a long time to be growing flowers in one place.

Little Creek Flowers Farm has been part of what spring means in the Upper Cumberland for half a century — and this Saturday, they're marking that milestone with the first-ever Upper Cumberland Tulip Festival. Thousands of tulips in full bloom, a pick-your-own experience, a local makers market, food on site, and a kids zone built out by Imagine Foundry and UC Makerspace. If you've been waiting for spring to feel like spring, this is the day.

The festival runs Saturday, March 28 from 10 AM to 5 PM at 3520 Gainesboro Grade. The Cookeville Bunny Trail runs Easter egg hunts at 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, and 2:00 PM, so you've got some flexibility on timing — four chances to catch one, which also means you can stagger your arrival and avoid the thickest crowds on the front end if you'd rather.

The kids zone has hands-on art activities designed for all ages (Imagine Foundry and UC Makerspace behind it, so expect something actually engaging). Local vendors are set up alongside the tulip fields, there's food to keep everyone fueled, and the pick-your-own experience means you can bring a bouquet home.

Tickets are available online now and we'd recommend buying them before you go — gate tickets are limited and this one is going to draw a crowd. Children under 12 are free. The festival is presented by Hip Cookeville and Banner Built Homes — get tickets now while they're available online.

There's something different about a farm that's made it 50 years. It becomes part of the landscape, part of the rhythm of the seasons, part of what people around here just know about spring. This Saturday is a good one to show up! Get tickets and full details at hipcookeville.com.

Story & a Craft: Houdini's Birthday at the Putnam County Library — Tuesday, March 24, 10–11 AM. The library celebrates Harry Houdini's birthday with magical storytelling and magic trick lessons for kids. No registration needed — just show up at 50 E Broad St. Free.

Tall Tale Roundup: Annie Oakley at the Putnam County Library — Wednesday, March 25, 10–11 AM. The library's American tall tales series continues with Annie Oakley: video, cowboy hat crafting, and bean bag target practice. Great for kids, drop in anytime. Free.

Roland Justice at Red Silo Brewing — Friday, March 27, 7:00 PM. Kick off the weekend with live music and a pint. Roland Justice takes the stage Friday evening at Red Silo. Check their page for details.

6th Annual Hello Spring Market at the Putnam County Fairgrounds — Saturday, March 28, ~9 AM–4 PM. Over 100 artisan vendors, food trucks, Easter Bunny photos, a petting zoo, train rides, face painting, and yes — helicopter rides and bungee activities if the kids need more convincing. Free admission, free parking, free kids zone. Just show up at 155 Fairground Lane. (If the Tulip Festival is on your Saturday list too, both are doable — the market and the farm are separate stops and the market's hours give you flexibility.)

Knoxville Dub Allstars + Carteret's Mojo Band + Analog Daydream at Roasted Hemp Co. — Saturday, March 28, 8:00 PM. Three bands to close out the big Saturday at 1068 E 10th St. A full night of live music if you've still got energy after the day. roastedhempcookeville.com for ticket info.

Chess Club at the Putnam County Library — Tuesday, March 24, 4:00–5:30 PM (weekly). Open to teens and adults 13+. Guardians required for ages 16 and under. All skill levels welcome, no registration needed. Free.

Know someone who needs to get out this Saturday? Forward this their way — between the Tulip Festival and the Spring Market there's genuinely no reason to stay home. And if you've got an event or story tip for next week's Scoop, reply to this email — we read every one.

Thanks for being here with us, Cookeville. It's a great weekend to be in this community. Enjoy the tulips. 🧡

— The Cookeville Scoop Team