United in Spirits returns to BBQ Hill
June 13 fundraiser will support United Way programs and nonprofit partners across South Central Tennessee
12:12 p.m. May 6, 2026
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
On a June evening in Lynchburg, BBQ Hill at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery will again become more than a scenic overlook. It will become a gathering place for food, music, fellowship, and a seven-county mission.
United in Spirits, the signature annual fundraiser hosted by the United Way of South Central Tennessee, is set for Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Jack Daniel’s BBQ Hill in Lynchburg.
Proceeds from the event support United Way programs and nonprofit partners serving Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Lincoln, Moore, Rutherford, and Warren counties. The money helps children succeed in school and beyond, connects families with critical health resources, and supports individuals working toward financial stability and independence.
The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Guests will check in at the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead and Lynchburg Welcome Center, 133 Lynchburg Hwy., before being transported by bus to BBQ Hill.
A sponsor-only VIP gathering will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Trailhead before the main event.
The night pairs one of Lynchburg’s best-known settings with United Way’s regional work. Guests can expect a gourmet dinner catered by Strawberry Moon Catering Co., three drinks per attendee, live music sponsored by Common John Brewing Company, a 2026 commemorative wooden event coaster, a silent auction, and a live program focused on United Way’s impact in South Central Tennessee.
The setting is part of the appeal, but the purpose is the point: turning one evening in Lynchburg into a show of support for families across South Central Tennessee.
Tickets are limited, and organizers say United in Spirits typically sells out. They are available now at yourlocaluw.org/UIS26.
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