The 13th Annual Tennessee Soybean Festival will be bigger and better than ever, according to Martin City Mayor Randy Brundige and Martin City Community Development Director Karami Hagan. “I urge UTM to come on out and enjoy the festival,” said Mayor Brundige.

“We’ll have the very best variety of live music from country to rock and contemporary to religious. It’s sure to appeal to every sector.”

Hagan says that the carnival will also be bigger than ever, having twice as many rides than in years past, and also including the largest inflatable slide, which will be four stories high. “We’ve got to find somewhere to put all these rides! I’m not sure Martin is big enough for this year’s festival,” says Hagan.

Martin locals are also encouraged to attend the Soybean Festival Parade, which will start at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5. Local school marching bands and businesses will participate in the parade.

Coinciding with the parade, an art exhibit will be held by the Visual Arts Society at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Weldon Library on Main St. Artists including craftsmen, potters and painters from everywhere are expected to attend.

On Wednesday, September 6 at 6:45 a.m., the First United Methodist Church will host the Soybean Festival Prayer Breakfast in which the public is invited for a free breakfast. Also on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., a demonstration will be held by the Weakley County Election Commission on how to use the new Tennessee election machines.

WPSD-TV News Channel 6, out of Paducah, will host a live antique show called “What’s it Worth?” The show is similar to the Antiques Roadshow and locals will be able to get free appraisals on their antiques and collectibles. Registration begins at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and appraisals begin at 11 a.m. and will be featured live on the air.

On Thursday, September 7, the Street Fair and Carnival will kick off and last through Saturday, September 8. Vendors from all over the United States will begin setting up booths at 1 p.m. along Lindell St. in downtown Martin.

The 13th Annual Chicken Crazy, Hog Wild Barbecue Cookoff, sponsored by Tyson Foods, will be held in Weldon Park at 6 p.m. on Friday. Everyone can enjoy free barbecued chicken while supplies last.

In addition to the events listed above, there will be a car show, a quilt show, a pet show, a golf tournament, patriotic meetings, games, motorcycling, fundraisers, health fairs, and even more music, including religious bands, funk bands, bluegrass bands and Beatles impersonators to entertain the expected 50,000 people in attendance.

“We expect the 13th Annual Tennessee Soybean Festival to be a huge success for the city of Martin and all of Northwest Tennessee,” said Hagan.

“The festival will not only be economically beneficial to the city and local businesses, but will also provide the region with insight into what the city of Martin has to offer,” said Hagan.

Soybean Festival Main Events

Tuesday •Mayor’s Kickoff Luncheon. 11:30 a.m., UC Duncan Ballroom •Soybean Festival Parade. 6:30 p.m., University Street. •Radio Daze Big Band Concert. Immediately following the parade, Downtown Stage

Wednesday •Soybean Festival Prayer Breakfast. 6:45 a.m., First United Methodist Church •Salute to Veterans. 2 p.m., Weldon Park •The Peacemakers Concert & The Cobb Family. 5:30 p.m., Downtown Stage

Thursday •Soybean Festival Farmers’ Breakfast. 6:30 a.m., Vincent Implements •Spin Doctors. 9:30 p.m., Downtown Stage

Friday •13th Annual Chicken Crazy, Hog Wild, Barbecue Cookoff. 6 p.m., Weldon Park •The Return: Bringing You the Best of the Beatles. 7 p.m., Downtown •38 Special. 9:30 p.m., Downtown Stage

Saturday •Soybean Festival 5K Road Race/ 1 Mile Fun Walk. 8 a.m., Martin Recreation Complex (softball parking lot) •Soybean Festival 10th Annual National Car & Truck Show. Martin Recreation Complex •Community Health Fair. 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., C.E. Weldon Library •Art Show. 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., Downtown •Barbecue Cookoff Award Presentation. 12:30 p.m. Weldon Park Stage •Funk de Ville. 7 p.m., Downtown Stage •Diamond Rio. 9 p.m., Downtown Stage

Sunday •Bicycle Rodeo. Registration at 1:30 p.m. Events at 2 p.m., Martin Recreation Complex