The Glasgow family has become one of Town Center Saturday's biggest fans.

Artists, food, costume contests all part of the fun
By KERRI BARTLETT
For Brentwood Home Page
Town Center Saturdays seasonal street fairs have been a hit with the Brentwood community this year and have left residents craving more unique goods, art, food, music and fun activities in a family atmosphere.

Town Center Saturday’s inaugural season comes to an end this Saturday, when it returns to the heart of “downtown Brentwood” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for its fourth and final run.

Held one block east of Franklin Road along Town Center Way, the street fair runs two blocks, from Pewitt Drive to past Wilson Pike Circle and the Town Center Roundabout.

 “We really wanted to establish this as a new tradition for Brentwood. With each fair under our belt, we learn how we can make the next one better. We have decided that it is important to keep things fresh and interesting,” chairperson Alicia Helms said. The idea for TCS was birthed from Helms’ observation that Brentwood lacked a community street festival that exhibited its local artists and business owners. She formed a committee, and Town Center Saturdays has been gaining momentum ever since.

The all-volunteer TCS Committee hopes to hold five fairs next year.

“I am so amazed at how much organic support I have gotten from the community since the idea for this started,” Helms added. “I believe that Brentwood has been ready for this, and momentum has started for some exciting changes throughout the city.”

Brentwood resident Bernadette Glasgow, whose five children range from a kindergartener to a high school junior, said the street fairs have already become a family tradition.

“My family just loves the event. It is an ideal place to see new and different items created by talented individuals and innovative businesses in the community,” Glasgow said. “The goods aren’t typically what you would see every day at larger commercial stores or the mall. The event provides residents with a chance to find something unique.”

Glasgow added that the fair has also provided the opportunity to learn more about established businesses in the community.

“I have driven by Hobby Lobby a thousand times but never knew that they had remote control cars with a race track in back. However when we saw the cars at the fair, we decided to have my son’s birthday party there,” she offered as an example.

Early on, organizers decided to give local business owners and artists a place to showcase and sell their works and wares for free, though there is an application and approval process.

TCS vendor Julie Cox owner of Massey Hall Designs, a contemporary style interior décor shop located on Wilson Pike. “It is so wonderful to be around such creative, smart-minded business people,” she said.

About a year ago, Cox and collaborator Jeanie Rowland, owner of Sew What?, decided to start a second business venture -- Greek Graffiti, a Greek apparel business serving the college-aged Greek community.  The fair has been a vehicle in helping to spread the word about the new business and reach their targeted population. The entrepreneurial pair even designed a stylish T-shirt sporting Brentwood’s zip code, which proved to be very popular at an earlier Town Center Saturday.

Vendor and independent artist Amber Wallace, who creates mixed media art by using recycled items and surfaces, has also enjoyed being a part of the event. “The fair has helped me to reach an untapped area with my art. I am beginning to see the same people at each fair, so I feel like a sense of family and community is beginning to form,” she said,

This week’s Town Center Saturday will feature dozens of vendors including local farmers, businesses and artists as well as children's activities and live music throughout the day. A family-friendly costume contest will be held with prizes awarded for the following categories: best costume for children, adults, and pets. Winners will receive prizes including gift cards to local restaurants and retail establishments.

 “I am a Franklin native, but I have been so proud to call Brentwood my home for the past 10 years,” Helms said. “We all know that the schools are amazing and the people are wonderful, but I believe that Brentwood is ready to embrace an identity that also includes community events, great restaurants, fun boutiques, art, music, and the whole bit -- right in the heart of the city.”

For more information, please visit http://towncentersaturdays.org.