Chili, color, and hometown treasure hunting

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

There are plenty of good ways to spend a Saturday in Lynchburg, but Spring in the Hollow has always had a way of making the whole Square feel like it got dressed up and started humming.

This year, the beloved springtime tradition turns 30, bringing with it a full day of small-town wandering, good food, local shopping, live music, chili, school spirit, and the kind of hometown schedule that rewards folks who wear comfortable shoes.

And this year, there is swag involved.

From April 24-27, shoppers who spend $15 at participating businesses can qualify for a free, limited-edition Spring in the Hollow event poster or T-shirt.

The math is simple: spend $15 at three participating stops for the poster, or make six qualifying purchases for the T-shirt.

Just hang on to those receipts and bring them to the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead to redeem them.

Participating stops include Barrel House BBQ, BBQ Caboose, Company Distilling, Jack Daniel Distillery, Lodge Cast Iron, Lynchburg Hardware, Lynchburg Harley-Davidson, Meme & Papa’s Grill, Miss Mary Bobo’s, Prince’s Parlor, Real Deal Designs, Southern Perks, Sweet Southern Spirits, and the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead.

In other words, there are plenty of ways to make a day of it.

Three ways to chase the swag

For folks who like a little strategy with their Saturday wandering, there are a few easy ways to chase the swag.

Start with something Columbia blue from Real Deal Designs, wander over for a hand-patted burger and fries at Meme & Papa’s Grill, then finish things off with a sweet stop at Sweet Southern Spirits. That is shopping, supper, and dessert – all in one tidy little loop.

Or make it a Lodge, lunch, and milkshake kind of day. Pick up a Sugar Skull skillet at Lodge Cast Iron – and keep it handy for the May 4 paint class at Prince’s Parlor – then head to the BBQ Caboose for red beans and rice before settling in at Prince’s Parlor for a Legend-Dairy milkshake.

That route comes with seasoning, comfort food, and a pun, which is honestly hard to beat.

For the early risers, Southern Perks, Lynchburg Harley-Davidson, and the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead make a fine little trio. Wrap your hands around a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit – or The Rebel sandwich – then pull on a Lynchburg-centric T-shirt and browse the Trailhead’s unique offerings (the new Artisan Oak tumblers are on point).

And if you have time for one classic Lynchburg loop, make it the Jack-centric tour: take the tour at Jack Daniel Distillery, sit down for a homemade meal at Miss Mary Bobo’s, then load up on all things Jack at Lynchburg Hardware.

That one practically plans itself.

A Saturday that starts early

Spring in the Hollow begins with a burst of color.

Saturday kicks off at 8 a.m. with the LES PTO Color Run, “Vibin’ in the Hollow” sponsored by Lake Life Nutrition, along with the annual sidewalk sale at Miss Mary Bobo’s.

After that, the day starts moving fast.

At 9 a.m., the Lucky Duck Race takes to Mulberry Creek, where tiny ducks and big hopes will make their way downstream. From there, folks can roll over to Wiseman Park for the Barrel Planter Sale at 9:30 a.m.

From 9 a.m. to noon, the Moore County High School Band will host its Silent Auction at Prince’s Parlor. Winners will be announced at 1 p.m.

By midmorning, the food starts making its case.

Doc Morton will start serving ribeye steak sandwiches at 10 a.m., and the FCE ladies will offer Simply Salads at 11 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge. It is the kind of lineup that lets you pretend you are pacing yourself before the chili takes over the afternoon.

A good day for chili

And yes, it will be a good day for chili.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can sample chili and vote for the People’s Choice winner in the Squires’ competition. The official judging schedule begins at noon with the Squires’ Cook-Off, followed by Homestyle Chili with Jack at 1 p.m., Traditional Red Chili at 2 p.m., and awards at 4 p.m.

That gives folks plenty of time to sample, circle back, reconsider, and defend their favorite like the fate of the county depends on it.

Don’t miss the afternoon music

For anyone trying to make an easy afternoon of it, there is one especially simple route.

It is a straight shot from Southern Perks to Prince’s Parlor to Company Distilling, where Jo Yaeger will perform live music from 3 to 5 p.m.

That means breakfast, browsing, sweet treats, shopping, and live music can all fit into one easy loop.

Thirty years in, Spring in the Hollow still knows exactly what it is: a day to come downtown, linger longer than planned, spend a little money close to home, and remember Lynchburg does not need much help being charming.

But on Saturday, it gets all dressed up anyway.