Mary Hance

mscheap@tennessean.com

There is plenty of fun for free in all these weeks between now and Labor Day.

My "2016 Ms. Cheap Guide to Summer" is loaded with information on free concerts, festivals, movies, family programs, outdoors opportunities, ideas for learning new things and places to get wet and cool off.

Everything listed in my guide is free. I hope it helps you have a wonderful summer on the cheap.



The popular Saturday night Big Band dances in the Centennial Park event shelter run through August. They are 7:30-10 p.m. and include dance lessons at 7 and 8:30 p.m. The lineup: July 9: The Lynn Beal Band (waltz); July 16: J. Bradley Big Band (swing); July 23: The Moonlighters (rumba); July 30: The Jerry Vinett Band (tango); Aug. 6: Debi Bailes & Her Band (cha-cha); Aug. 13: The Paul Ross Orchestra (foxtrot); Aug. 20: The Establishment (waltz); Aug. 27: Music City Swing (swing). Details: www.nashville.gov/parks. 615-862-8440. For weather cancellations, check www.twitter.com/bigbandances.



There will be a full day of public performances (plus singing lessons) at Music City Center, and a “Saturday Night Spectacular” with free admission at Bridgestone Arena, on July 9 as part of the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2016 International Convention. Reservations: www.barbershop.org/nashville/a-better-world-singing.

The fifth annual Jazz on the Cumberland Concert Series on the riverfront (Nashville Cumberland Park, 592 S. First St., next to Nissan Stadium) features smooth and traditional jazz on various Sundays through October, 5:30-8 p.m. There are food trucks and you can bring your lawn chairs or blanket. Lineup includes: July 17: Dara Tucker Band; and Aug. 21: Stacy Coake Band. www.jazzonthecumberland.com or call 615-731-9001.

The Music for Seniors Free Concert Series, sponsored by Metro Arts, FiftyForward and others, offers monthly concerts for seniors and their caregivers. Dates include: July 22: Mike Scott Bluegrass Duo, 10:30 a.m.,Delmas Long Community Center, 105 S. Main, Goodlettsville; and Aug.15: Larry and Nancy Mechem at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, 10:30 a.m., 1319 Adams St.,Nashville. RSVP, email sarah@musicforseniors.org or call 615-330-1937.

The Littlestone Summer Music Festival, which offers a conservatory-level program for young musicians in July, has several performances open to the public, including July 20-22 at Montgomery Bell Academy. LiSMF.org.

Gallatin's Third Thursdays on Main is a summer series of outdoor downtown concerts, Gary Morris with special guest Georgette Jones on July 21 and Michael Vance Trio on Aug. 18. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. www.mainstreetgallatin.com.

Goodlettsville has a Music on Main series on the third Thursday of each month, with live music and a kids zone in Goodlettsville City Park, 105 Main St. The lineup includes: July 21: Harpeth Hill Band; and Aug.18: The NashTones Band. goodlettsvillechamber.com.

Portland's Music on Main series includes: The WannaBeatles on July 14 and Channel Cats on Aug. 11. All are at 7 p.m. on Main Street. www.portlandcofc.com.

A Brown Bag Lunch jazz concert series is held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays through October at Centennial Park's event shelter. 615-731-9001.

The 60-member Williamson County Community Band, sponsored by the Williamson County Parks & Recreation Department, will have a concert July 23: 6:30 p.m., at Jim Warren Park, Franklin; and Aug. 14: 3 p.m., Brentwood Library. 615-790-5719 or www.wcparksandrec.com.or 615-373-0601.

The Smyrna Parks Summer Music Series at the Smyrna Event Center, 100 Sam Ridley Parkway East, features music and children's activities. Bands include: the Jason Lee McKinney Band on Aug. 12. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and music starts at 6:30 p.m. 615-459-9742, ext. 2622, or www.townofsmyrna.org.

Several Middle Tennessee wineries offer concerts this time of year. Take a picnic, buy a bottle (or not) and enjoy good, live outdoor music; some also have free wine tastings.

Arrington Vineyards, 6211 Patton Road in Arrington, has the largest offering with its Music in the Vines concert series 4-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2-6 p.m. Sundays. It's jazz in the Tasting Room and bluegrass in the barn. www.arringtonvineyards.com or call 615-395-0102.

The Sumner Crest Winery in Portland has concerts 6-9 p.m. about twice a month through October: Rock & Roll Revival on July 16; and Flashback to the '70s and '80s on Aug. 13. 615-325-4086 or www.sumnercrestwinery.com.

Beachaven Winery in Clarksville holds its "Jazz on the Lawn" concert series on various Saturday nights through October. The lineup includes July 9, South Street Players; July 23, Richard Waters and Friends; Aug. 6, Bicho Brothers; Aug. 20, Eight-O-Five Jive; and Sept. 3, Tina Brown. Beachaven, 1100 Dunlop Lane, also has DJ on the DOCK Summertime Happy Hour on June 16 and Aug. 25with tunes played on the loading dock 4-7 p.m. and beach games, dancing and food trucks. 931-645-8867 or www.beachavenwinery.com.

Murfreesboro's Friday Night Live, its first Friday concert series on the downtown square. The July 1 concert is Mosaic Rhythm and on Aug. 5, C.J. Vaughn and Highway 58. These concerts start at 6:30 p.m. 615-895-1887 or www.downtownmurfreesboro.com.

Murfreesboro's Cannonsburgh Village has a Third Friday Outdoor Concert and Cruise In series featuring bluegrass and/or country bands each month from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 312 S. Front St., iMurfreesboro. July 15 and Aug. 19. 615-890-0355.

Murfreesboro Parks' Aug. 12 concert, at 6 p.m., features Grizzly Goat, a band with a bluegrass/rock and roll vibe, at Pavilion #7 in Barfield Crescent Park. 615-217-3017.

Crockett Park in Brentwood has a series of 7 p.m. Sunday concerts in the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater through mid-July: Who's Bad: Michael Jackson Tribute Band on July 10; and the Bicho Brothers on July 17. 615-371-0060 or www.brentwood-tn.org.

Mt. Juliet Parks and Recreation has live music at Charlie Daniels Park from 4 to 7 p.m on July 16 and Aug. 20. www.MJParksandRec.org or 615-758-6522.

Perry County's Music on Main Street Saturday night concert series is back for its seventh year, alternating weekly between Linden and Lobelville, Tenn., through August. The concerts are at 7:30 p.m. and include an array of musical styles and performers, 931-593-2285 or 931-589-2736 or Music on Main Street on Facebook.Lightning 100's "Live on the Green" concert series takes place at Public Square Park, downtown Nashville, on Aug. 11, 18 and 25. The lineup will be announced in late June. www.liveonthegreen.net.

The Nashville Public Library's Concerts in the Courtyard series, in which people bring a lunch and enjoy a different type of music each week, takes place in the courtyard at the main library, 615 Church St., from 11:45 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, Aug. 9 through October. The lineup should be announced in mid-July. library.nashville.gov.

Ms. Cheap's guide to free summer movies in Nashville

Movies Under the Stars in Murfreesboro, a mainstay since 1947, has family-oriented flicks that will be shown at 8:30 p.m. at various locations July. The free outdoor shows are at Cason Lane Trailhead on Monday nights, Cannonsburgh Village on Tuesdays, Siegel Neighborhood Park on Thursdays, Mitchell-Neilson Primary on Fridays and Hobgood Elementary School on Saturdays. 615-893-2141.

Mt. Juliet Parks has "Music & A Movie" on first Fridays with live music followed by a family-friendly film at Charlie Daniels Park amphitheater. Aug. 5: "Minions." Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and pack a picnic dinner. www.MJParksandRec.org or 615-758-6522.

Wilson Bank & Trust in Lebanon has a Family Entertainment Series with movies and family activities planned for July 28. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. at the vacant lot across from the main office at 623 Main St., Lebanon. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. 615-444-2265, www.wilsonbank.com.

The city of Franklin offers free, outdoor family movies at 8 p.m. at Pinkerton Park, Murfreesboro Road. July 8: "Back to the Future"; July 29: "Inside Out." Pack a picnic and a lawn chair. 615-550-6947.

Jailhouse Industry's outdoor Lawnchair Theater, 4144 Old Hillsboro Road,Leiper's Fork, features classics and family movies at dusk on Fridays through August. www.jailhouseindustrys.com.

The Nashville Public Library will show movies all summer at many of the branches. Here is a sampling: July 7, 10:30 a.m.: "12 Angry Men," Hermitage; July 9, noon: "ScoobyDoo! Abracadabra-Doo," North; July 12, 6 p.m.: "Winter in July: Frozen," Bellevue; July 30, noon, "The Dog Who Saved Summer," North; Aug. 25, 3 p.m.: "Tomorrowland," East. There are also some movie series at Edgehill, Hermitage and Southeast. library.nashville.org.

Nashville Public Library also has more than 170,000 DVDs that you can check out, plus music , movies, magazines and e-books that you can stream or download to your devices. www.library.nashville.org or 615-862-5800.

movies, magazines and e-books that you can stream or download to your devices. www.library.nashville.org or 615-862-5800.

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park fountains, which represent Tennessee's 31 rivers, run from about 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily with a light show after dark. The fountains are a great place to cool off and learn a little history and geography. 615-741-5280 or www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/bicentennial-mall.

The riverfront at Cumberland Park at 592 S. First St. has an interactive splash pad that is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 5. The park has an amphitheater, walking trails, a wading pool and picnic area. The park is between the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge. 615-862-8400.

Ms. Cheap's guide to free water events

Little ones love the Watkins Park and Kirkpatrick spraygrounds. These are small, fenced playgrounds with lots of water-spraying features. Watkins is on 17th Avenue North across from M.L. King Magnet School, and the Kirkpatrick Sprayground is at 620 S. Ninth St., East Nashville. Hours are 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through July 30, and then weekends only through Labor Day. nashville.gov/parks or 615-862-8480.

Most of our area lakes' swimming beaches have a $5 access fee, but Lock 3 Beach on Old Hickory Lake off Walton Ferry Road, Hendersonville, is free and has a small swimming beach and picnic tables (615-847-2395). For information on other lake access for Old Hickory, see http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/Locations/Lakes/OldHickoryLake.aspx.

Several nearby state parks have free swimming beaches: Montgomery Bell in Burns (615-797-9052), Rock Island (931-686-2471) and Long Hunter State Park (in the Bryant's Grove area of the park) near Hermitage/Mt. Juliet (615-885-2422). www.tnstateparks.com.

Metro Parks' community pools (Cleveland, Looby, Rose and Napier Center) have open swim times, but hours vary. The regional recreation centers, including Coleman, Hartman, Hadley and East, and Napier Center have indoor community pools that are open year-round. For times go to www.nashville.gov/parks or call 615-862-8400.

At Boat Day with the Stones River Watershed Association, you can learn about boats and boat safety and try different canoes and kayaks, June 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is at Manson Pike Trailhead, 1208 Searcy St., off Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro. 615-893-2141 or mtate@murfreesborotn.gov.

Enjoy water fun at the Don Fox Community Park, 955 Baddour Parkway,Lebanon, where there's a wading pool designed for young children with water umbrellas and other fun spray features. There's a 2½-mile paved trail, two playgrounds, a track and plenty of picnic tables. 615-449-0303.

Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation's "Splash Out" events feature the Murfreesboro Fire Department spraying its hoses 1:30-3 p.m., and July 14 at Old Fort Park, pavilion 1. 615-893-2141.

Mt. Juliet has a "Splash Day" on July 30, when Charlie Daniels Park turns into a water park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The wet fun includes inflatable water slides and a water gun area. www.cityofmtjuliet.org/parkevents.cfm.

Charlie Daniels Park also is home to Ava's Splash Pad sprayground, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2-4 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 4. Other free spray parks are at Gregory Mill Park,Smyrna, and at L.L. Burns Park, Kingston Springs.

There are dozens of free activities and outings planned by Paddle Adventures Unlimited, a free paddling meetup. www.meetup.com/paddleadventuresunlimited.

Take a canoe float at Radnor Lake. This state park, 1160 Otter Creek Road, offers ranger-led hikes and canoe floats several times a week during the summer. Registration required. You also can check out Radnor's Barbara J. Mapp Aviary, which is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 p.m.-sunset Saturdays. 615-373-3467 or radnorlake.org.

Warner Park Nature Center (615-352-6299), Bells Bend Nature Center (615-862-4187), Shelby Bottoms Nature Center (615-862-8539) and Beaman Nature Center (615-880-2238) all have great naturalist-led programs for families, as well as trails for hiking or walking. See www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Nature-Centers-and-Natural-Areas.aspx for a list of free programs.

A sampling of Warner Nature Center programs includes "Insects of the Night," July 29, 7-9:30 p.m., a family festival with insect night hikes, garden explorations, puppet shows and fun with entomologist Dr. Steve Murphee of Belmont University; and "Celebrate Hummingbirds," Aug. 27, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with crafts, puppet shows and games. This nature center has a full calendar of programs, including Wednesday morning school-age programs and Family Friday nights, creek walks, hikes, a mountain biking introduction and campfire nights.

Warner's StoryWalk is a fun outing. This is a park feature in which you can take a short hike and read a favorite children's book along the Little Acorn trail behind the Learning Center. Warner is at 7311 Highway 100. 615-352-6299.



Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, on the Cumberland River, 1900 Davidson St., has a beginner painting lesson (including supplies) on July 16 at 1 p.m.

Owl's Hill, 545 Beech Creek Road, Brentwood, has a monthly free day, with offerings including a hike day on July 16, 1-3 p.m. www.owlshill.org or 615-370-4672.

Metro Parks has six dog parks, for some leash-less fun. There are parks at Warner, Centennial, Shelby, Two Rivers and William A. Pitts Dog Park in Tusculum, and the newest dog park downtown next to Ascend Amphitheater. www.nashville.gov/parks.

If you are interested in astronomy, there are several great options for star gazing: July 9, at 9 p.m., Edwin Warner Park; Aug. 5 at 9 p.m., Bells Bend Outdoor Center (www.nashville.gov/parks-and-Recreation/Nature-Centers-and-Natural-Areas.aspx); andAug. 12, 9 p.m., Bowie Nature Park. These "parties" are a great chance to see and learn about the night sky, with astronomers from the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society with telescopes to share. Call the AstroLine, 615-401-5092, or visit www.bsasnashville.com/calendar.

There is an "Astronomy Weekends" at Fall Creek Falls State Park, with discussions on constellations, lunar lore and our brightest star, the sun, and telescope viewings, Aug. 5-6 http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/fall-creek-falls.

Burgess Falls State Park's 12th annual Butterfly Garden Celebration is July 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with nature hikes, children's activities, staff-led educational programs, creek studies and landscaping sessions during which you can learn about native plants. 931-432-5312.

Murfreesboro Parks and Rec has an Animal Encounter series for all ages at Wilderness Station Saturdays, 1:30-2 p.m.,July and August. Each session includes a mini-lesson on native Tennessee animals. Nature Play Days on July 7 and 21 and Aug. 4 and 18 are set up like a "play date with nature" for children a year old and older at Wilderness Station. 615-217-3017.

Another good introduction to nature for little ones is the Nature Story Time series for children 3 and older on Mondays at 10 a.m. at Old Fort Pavilion 3 on July 11, 18 and 25. 615-893-2141.

Murfreesboro Parks has a "Trail Worms" program on Fridays at 10 a.m. in June and July; preschoolers meet at a greenway trailhead and go for a short walk, do a craft, sing songs and read a story. The General Bragg Trailhead days include: At Old Fort Park Trailhead, July 8 is Reptile and Amphibian Day, July 15 is Fish and River Day, July 22 is Weather Day, and July 29 is Worm Day. 615-893-2141.

Wilderness Station is hosting a "Wild Arts Day" . on Aug. 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., with student and professional art, puppet shows, art scavenger hunt, walking trail, wild animals and live music. 615-217-3017. Wilderness Station also has puppets shows on the front porch every Saturday at 3 p.m. in July and August. You can laugh and sing along with these wild animal puppets as they teach about their daily lives and habitats. 615-217-3017.

The Murfreesboro Bird Club has monthly hikes to search for resident birds. Bring your own binoculars if you have them! There are hikes to various locations, including: July 7, Oaklands; and Aug. 6 on Thompson Lane Trailhead. All start at 8 a.m. 615-217-3017.

The Tennessee Association of Vintage Baseball games take place all summer at various locations. These fun-to-watch games use the rules, equipment, costumes and culture of the 1860s. www.tennesseevintagebaseball.com. The Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association also has lots of free games, many of which take place at Shelby Park. www.otbaseball.com.

The Nashville Hiking Meetup has dozens of organized hikes every month (www.meetup.com/nashville-hiking). Details on hikes, group walks and biking options: www.walkbikenashville.org.

Walk, bike or skate on Middle Tennessee greenways. Nashville has more than 80 miles of greenways (www.nashville.gov/greenways). Murfreesboro's greenways system along the Stones River includes almost 12 miles of paved trails with several trailheads (615-893-2141 or www.murfreesborotn.gov/parks — click on the "greenways" page).

Roll out to the skate park at Two Rivers Park, where you can skate on a street course or in the skaters' bowls. Skateboards, inline skates and BMX bikes are welcome. 615-862-8400.

There are more mountain biking options than ever, including a two-mile beginner trail at Bells Bend Park and trails at Percy Warner, Hamilton Creek and Cane Ridge in Nashville. You also can enjoy a serious bike ride at the Lock 4 Bike Trail in Gallatin, off Lock 4 Road off Highway 31, where you can try the challenging mountain bike trail known for XTERRA mountain bike races and triathlon events. There's a nine-mile USA Cycling-sanctioned base course and a three-mile kids course. The Lock 4 Park also has picnic areas, and you can walk along the shores of Old Hickory Lake. 615-822-2512 of thebikerschoice.com.

Other good mountain biking spots are Long Hunter State Park's Jones Mill Mountain Bike Tail, a 3.5-mile loop for hiking or mountain biking (615-885-2422), and more than 23 miles of mountain bike trails at Montgomery Bell State Park (615-797-9052).

Play tennis. There are more than 100 free Metro courts in Nashville, and many are lighted. The Centennial Sportsplex courts are the only Metro outdoor courts that charge a fee. And if you want to see some great tennis, it's free to watch the tournaments there. 615-862-8490 or www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Athletics/Tennis.aspx. There also is a tennis meetup with get-togethers (www.meetup.com/Nashville-Tennis-Meetup).

Try out Frisbee golf at one of the Metro Parks Frisbee golf courses at Cedar Hill Park, Two Rivers Park or Seven Oaks Park (615-862-8400 or www.nashville.gov/parks). There also is a good Frisbee golf course at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville (www.hendersonvilleparks.org/Recreation_Programs.html) and one in Murfreesboro at Barfield Crescent Park (www.murfreesborotn.gov) and one at Henry Horton State Park.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is always free for ages 18 and younger and free on Thursday and Friday nights for college students. It also is part of the Blue Star Museum program, which offers free admission to military personnel and their families on Memorial Day and Labor Day. Don't miss the Martin ArtQuest area upstairs, where all ages are invited to create art while visiting the museum. The Frist also has Artful Tales story times on the last Monday of each month, with a story connected to the current exhibits and ArtQuest with exhibition-inspired art activities. There are also free architectural tours Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., when you can learn about this landmark building. www.fristcenter.org or 615-244-3340.

Ms. Cheap's guide to free summer culture and education

One of the most popular monthly art events is the downtown First Saturday Art Crawl. The festive "crawls," via free shuttle, visit the Fifth Avenue galleries plus as many as 20 other downtown galleries. Most of the galleries have free snacks and wine, as well as great art on exhibit. www.5thavenueofthearts.com.

The downtown Franklin Tour of the Arts is 6-9 p.m., the first Friday each month around downtown Franklin. The Franklin Art Scene includes more than 30 galleries and working studios. www.franklinartscene.com.

The Wedgewood-Houston first Saturday art event works the same way with lots of great art and receptions in several locations. www.am-wh.com.

Take a downtown art tour with the Nashville Downtown Partnership's "Make Your Own Art Walk," which lets you create your own tour and map. Just go to nashvilledowntown.com/art-walk and make your plan, choosing galleries, outdoor sculptures, historic churches, architectural gems and whatever else strikes your fancy from a long list of options.

Vanderbilt's Fine Arts Gallery in Cohen Memorial Hall, 1220 21st Ave. S., has exhibit "Out of the Vault: Stories of People and Things" that features 12 objects from the Fine Arts Gallery collection. Also coming is "Pastorals, Landscapes, and the Arcadian Vision," which will be open until Sept. 9. 615-322-0605, www.vanderbilt.edu/gallery.

The Centennial Art Center Gallery, in Centennial Park 25th Avenue North and Park Plaza, has the "Summer Dreams" exhibit with paintings by Jonathan Richter and Didi Foster, and clay sculptures by Amy Krimsier Sterling. The exhibit runs through July 21. www.nashville.gov/cac.

Check out local art galleries such as Art & Invention Gallery (www.artandinvention.com), Local Color (www.localcolornashville.com), The Arts Company (www.theartscompany.com) and York & Friends (www.yorkandfriends.com).

The Tennessee State Museum in the James K. Polk Building, 505 Deaderick St., houses artifacts from the 18th century and has a particularly strong showing of prehistoric Indian pieces and Civil War and military material. Don't miss the mummy. This museum, which is closed Mondays, will open two exhibits on July 1: "Celebrating a Life in Tennessee Art: Lloyd Branson 1853-1925" and "Through Appalachian Eyes: The Fine Art Photography by Benjamin Walls." 615-741-2692 or www.tnmuseum.org.

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park on James Robertson Parkway is a treasure for a walking outdoor history lesson. You can "tour" the state via a 200-foot granite map. The history wall takes you through Tennessee history, and there is a World War II memorial and beautiful carillon. The fountains, which represent the 31 rivers in our state, are up and running for summer. Rangers offer free hour-long walking tours, starting under the train trestle, at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. each Wednesday. Tours last about an hour and start under the train trestle. Just show up and enjoy a nice half-mile to one-mile walk through Tennessee history. The park plans other history-related programs June-August. . http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/bicentennial-mall or 615-741-5280.

Learn Civil War history at the Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro. With a map at the visitors center, enjoy a self-guided tour of this historic 700-acre battlefield. There are Saturday morning bike tours led by rangers, caravan tours on Saturday and Sunday and ranger talks on most days. The Battlefield's popular free hour-long Hallowed Ground Lantern Tours are offered on select Saturdays through early September. You need a reservation, which they start taking Mondays at 9 a.m. preceding tours. Limit is 35 people, and the spots fill fast. 615-893-9501, www.npca.org/parks/stones-river-national-battlefield.html.

Attend a Metro Council meeting and learn how your city government works. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays on the second floor of the Metro Courthouse. Get the agenda at www.nashville.gov; click on "Metro Council." 615-862-6780.

The Brentwood Library, has a number of adult programs including: Reducing Kids' Screen Time, Youth Sports and how to have a balance, a workshop on how to start a business, bridge nights at the library, a genealogy workshop on using land deed and records ; and an author talk featuring Andra Watkins (her memoir "Not Without My Father" is a New York Times bestseller). www.brentwood-tn.org/library or 615-371-0090.

Cannonsburgh Village is a living history museum of early Southern life at 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro. It's open Tuesday through Sunday. There's a gristmill, one-room schoolhouse, town hall, a log home, general store and other reminders of pioneer times. 615-890-0355, www.murfreesborotn.gov.

Visit Fort Negley, 1100 Fort Negley Blvd. The 154-year-old fort's visitors center offers interpretative exhibits, interactive touch screens, artifact displays and two 20-minute videos about the Civil War and the fort. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday, but you can take a self-guided tour almost any time during daylight hours. The park also has an outdoor hands-on fossil collection site where visitors are encouraged to dig and explore our region's marine past, and if you find a fossil you like, you get to keep it. 615-862-8470, www.nashville.gov/parks.

Volunteer. Hands On Nashville offers an easy way for anyone to get involved. It pairs volunteers with projects in all segments of the community. 615-298-1108, www.hon.org.



Enjoy a library summer reading program. Just about every county library system has one, and they're a great way to entertain and educate children.

Ms. Cheap's guide to free summer family fun

Nashville Public Library's "Summer Challenge" program for preschoolers through high schoolers offers a ton of prizes and perks for reading lots of books and doing other "cheap" stuff, such as visiting a park or museum, getting a free library card or making a craft. Read for 10 hours to win a "choose your own prize" certificate to one of nine area attractions. There are also weekly prize drawings and tons of fun events, including puppet shows, magic shows, science days, storytelling and more. You don't have to register to attend these free Summer Challenge events. But it's worth it to register and start earning points for prizes. The program runs through Aug. 13. Register at any NPL location or at http://library.nashville.org/summerchallenge.

Summer reading isn't just for kids. Bookstores have book clubs for grownups, too, and Nashville Public Library has a multifaceted program for all ages, with clubs including Great Books, Killer Thrillers, Novel Conversations and Page Turners Book Club. 615-862-5800, www.library.nashville.org.

Nashville Public Library also has regular storytimes at the main library, 615 Church St., featuring Library Pete, The Professor and Mary Mary singing, juggling and reading at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. library.nashville.org or 615-862-5800.

The Nashville Public Library's professional Wishing Chair Productions puppeteers are bringing a musical telling of "Cinderella" to the main library,with shows at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, July 22- Aug. 13. www.library.nashville.org for dates, times and locations.

The popular "String City," the original puppet show chronicling the history of country music, is back for 22 performances in the Country Music Hall of Fame auditorium. This all-age production uses marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow/animation puppetry and an ever-changing set to tell country music history as it relates to Nashville's transformation into Music City. The show was created by the Nashville Public Library's Wishing Chair Productions, in partnership with the Hall of Fame. The shows are at 10 and 11:30 a.m. on July 2, 4, 5-9 and 11-15. www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

The Nashville Ballet has teamed with the Nashville Public Library to present "Cinderella" in 10 performances at various branches: July 2, 10:30 a.m., Inglewood and Donelson.

The library will also bring in some music. The Country Music Hall of Fame will let budding musicians try instruments, including an auto harp, banjo and drum, with Instrument Petting Zoos, at the Green Hills on July 6, 10:30 a.m..

The Nashville Symphony's Petting Zoo will introduce little ones to a variety of brass, woodwinds, strings and percussion instruments July 9, 10:30 a.m., at Southeast.

The Metro Library's Puppet Truck will feature performances of "Aesop's Fables." Dates include: July 9, 2:30 p.m., Thompson Lane; July 16, 10:30 a.m., East; July 16, 2 p.m., Goodlettsville; June 25, 10:30 a.m., Main; July 20, 10 a.m., North; July 21, 3 p.m., Edgehill; July 23, 2 p.m., Southeast; July 27, 10:30 a.m., Green Hills; and Aug. 13, 2 p.m., Bordeaux. Another fun library option is "Magic! with Dr. Gary Flegal" who will perform: , Bordeaux; July 20, 10:30 a.m., Green Hills; Aug. 2, 2 p.m.,Goodlettsville; and Aug. 13, 2:30 p.m., Edmondson Pike.

Other Nashville Public Library programs include Scott Tripp the Balloon Guy, who has performances at various branches in June and July; "Science Saturday" with hands-on science at the Inglewood branch at 10 a.m,. Aug. 27; and two "Weird Science" days at the Hermitage branch at 4:30 p.m.,and Aug.11.

You can also explore the Metro Library Archives on the third floor of the main library with nearly 5 million historic items from Davidson County. . library.nashville.org.

The Brentwood Library has a lively calendar for children, with one of its biggest events, the Harry Potter Birthday Celebration at 1 p.m., July 31, with an afternoon of Quidditch!

The Brentwood Library's summer performance lineup includes: ventriloquist Jill Thatcher on July 12, Runaway Puppet Theater on July 19, puppeteer Steve Pennington on July 21, magician Rodney Kelley on July 26, magician Barry Mitchell on July 28, live animals on June 21 and July 7, and several sessions of "Lego Mania." All performances are at 1 p.m. at the Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Road. There are also regular Saturday story times at 10:30 a.m. for all ages and preschool story times at 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 615-371-0090, ext. 8380, or www.brentwood-tn.org/library.

Parnassus Books, 3900 Hillsboro Road, has two storytimes every week for children ages 6 and younger, 10:30 a.m. Saturdays with various readers/storytellers, and 3:30 p.m. Thursdays featuring WSMV's Nancy Van Camp. Children are always invited to come in and pet the store dogs, Belle, Bear, Opie and Mary Todd Lincoln. www.parnassusbooks.net or 615-953-2243.

Barnes & Noble bookstores at Cool Springs, Murfreesboro and Hendersonville have regular storytimes aimed at primarily 2- to 5-year-olds. For programming, www.bn.com and click on Find a Stores and Events.

Metro Parks will present "Tales at Twilight" performances at Cumberland Park at 7 p.m. on four Fridays in July. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic and enjoy an interactive evening of magic, stories, dance and music, as well as a spectacular view of downtown and the Cumberland River. The lineup: July 8: The Happy Racers; July 15: Mr. Chris Hip Hop Dance; July 22: The Nashville Public Library Puppet Truck; July 29: Sir Crazy Pants, www.nashville.gov/ParksandRecreation/CulturalArts/Music/SummerConcerts.aspx

The Kidsville component of Musicians Corner is loaded with fun activities for children, including musical meet-and-greets, crafts and art projects, plus fitness fun. The programs take place between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturdays in August at Centennial Park. You can get an early start with the free weekly "Kidsville at the Parthenon" story and activity time that takes place at 11 a.m. inside the Parthenon. http://musicianscornernashville.com/#/kidsville.

The city of Franklin has a popular "Kids Show" series with music and other activities. On July 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m., there's a Music and Dance Kids Show. www.franklintn.gov/parks or 615-550-6947.

Mr. Bond the Science Guy has dozens of free performances in the summer at libraries and other locations, and 10:30 a.m. July 16, 10:30 a.m., at the Nashville Public LIbrary Main branch. www.mrbondscienceguy.com.

Mt. Juliet's Play Day: Kid's Expo is Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Charlie Daniels Park, with entertainment by local talent and activities including Laser Tag, zip line and inflatables. www.mjparksandrec.org.

There is a back-to-school bash for Murfreesboro City Schools Aug. 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.,Cannonsburgh Village, 312 Front St., Murfreesboro, with entertainment, games and giveaways, plus a chance to learn some history of Cannonsburgh. 615-890-0355.

Tour the Tennessee Executive Residence. Free historical tours of the home and beautiful grounds are offered most Tuesday and Thursday mornings, when you can see where Gov. Bill Haslam and first lady Crissy Haslam live. Students can participate in special field trip programs, including hands-on activities in the garden. Requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. http://tn.gov/firstlady/article/residence-tour.

Enjoy a hands-on kids' clinic one Saturday a month at The Home Depot, or every other Saturday at Lowes. www.homedepot.com or https://lowesbuildandgrow.com.

Visit Hatch Show Print at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In business since 1879, Hatch was the printer of choice for "Grand Ole Opry" stars for many decades. The shop moved from Broadway to the Hall of Fame in fall 2014, and it is fun to walk through and look at the printing process. The shop offers a free monthly family program, typically the first Sunday of every month. 615-256-2887 or www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

The Tennessee Agricultural Museum at Ellington Agricultural Center offers a hands-on look at the 19th and 20th centuries from a farming perspective through its "Summer Saturdays" series. On July 16, the theme is "Wild Wings and Creeping Things," with insect exhibits, beekeepers and a chance to have your photo taken with a gigantic ant or praying mantis. On July 23, the theme is "Hold Your Horses" with free wagon rides, Metro Mounted Police Patrol training demonstrations, grist mill, farm animals and the Grand Old Dulcimer Club playing music. These are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 615-837-5197, www.tnagmuseum.org.

Check out one of our Midstate farmers' markets.

The Nashville Farmers' Market, 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., has local and regional produce and Tennessee products; there are also some seasonally themed monthly third Friday Night Markets, which are a "shop and sip" experience under the stars, with live music, cocktails, wine, beer and food. There is also a "Silly Grandpa" program for children the second Saturday of the month with music and family entertainment. Edible Kitchen the first and third Saturday of each month features cooking demonstrations with local chefs and cooks. Monthly events include: Community Farm Day on July 16, with tomatoes, a corn shucking contest and bluegrass music. On Aug. 13, it is Watermelon Throwdown with samples, and a watermelon eating contest and live music. www.nashvillefarmersmarket.org.

The Franklin Farmers Market is Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at the back of The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road, and features live music and children's events some weeks, in addition to the local produce. The summer schedule includes a Tomato Festival on July 16 and a Watermelon Festival on Aug. 27. www.franklinfarmersmarket.com.

The Hip Donelson Farmers Market is a music and market combo with plenty of produce and a different band every Friday night, 2730 Lebanon Road (the old Two Rivers Ford, now Ace Hardware parking lot). The market opens at 4 p.m., and the music starts at 5 p.m. www.donelsonfarmersmarket.org.

Murfreesboro's Saturday Market is open 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday on the Murfreesboro Public Square on the west side of the courthouse. 615-895-1887, www.downtownmurfreesboro.com.

Mt. Juliet has a music and market event — Farmisan's Market & SummerFest — 4-7 p.m. on select Saturdays, including July 16 and Aug. 20. These offer live music, vendors selling produce, meats, food, dairy, beverages, crafts, soaps, and kids' activity station. www.mjparksandrec.org.

For a full list of markets in Tennessee, including East Nashville, Market, Richland Park, Lebanon, Brentwood and Gallatin, check the state Department of Agriculture's website at www.picktnproducts.org.

Enjoy one of the horse, cattle or dog shows. Williamson County Ag Expo Park, 4215 Long Lane, Franklin (615-595-1227, www.agexpopark.info), Canine Sports Show on July 7-10 and a dog training agility show on July 14. The Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro has several barrel racing and horse shows, including International Grand Championship Walking Horse Show on July 24-30. www.mtsu.edu/tmc or 615-494-8961. The Tennessee Livestock Center in Murfreesboro has several shows, including the Clarksville Kennel Club agility trials. www.mtsu.edu/TLC or 615-898-5575.

Mt. Juliet has a Play Day: Kids Expo on Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Charlie Daniels Park with entertainment and kids activities (inflatables, laser tag, etc.), plus information on doctors, dentists, youth sports, chidlren's clothing stores, etc. www.mjparksandrec.org.

Watch the Tennessee Titans practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park, 45 Great Circle Road There are open practices in late July and early August, with times to be announced. You can watch, and often get some autographs. www.titansonline.com.

Metro's Regional Community Centers at Hadley, Coleman, Hartman, McCabe, Sevier, Southeast and East parks have free indoor walking tracks and gymnasiums, as well as affordable fitness classes and workout centers. Hadley, Coleman, Hartman and East also have free indoor swimming pools. 615-862-8400, www.nashville.gov/parks.

Kids can bowl free. Register online at www.kidsbowlfree.com and receive vouchers via email every Sunday for two free bowling games each day that week, all summer at local alleys including Donelson Plaza, Tusculum Strike & Spare and Oak Valley Lanes.

The Franklin Family Entertainment Center in Franklin has free deals for kids ages 18 and younger all summer through its "Incredabowl" program. www.franklinlanes.com.

Festivals

Free festivals make for summer of fun in the Nashville area



Cumberland River Compact is having a Water Fest family festiva l from 1 to 4 p.m. July 10 at Cumberland Park, 592 S. First St. The event, which aims to connect children to our local waters, includes water-related educational activities, fun games, a dance party, prizes and a water slide! http://cumberlandrivercompact.org.

from 1 to 4 p.m. July 10 at Cumberland Park, 592 S. First St. The event, which aims to connect children to our local waters, includes water-related educational activities, fun games, a dance party, prizes and a water slide! http://cumberlandrivercompact.org. The 162nd annual Irish Picnic on the St. Patrick's Church grounds in McEwen will be held July 29-30, with games, music and food. It is said to be the oldest continuously running festival in the state, with proceeds benefiting the school. More than 4,200 chicken halves and 20,000 pounds of pork will be served. Call 931-582-3417.

The 13th annual Tomato Art Fest takes place 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 12-13. There is a free concert Aug. 12, and the following day brings the family-oriented, costume-friendly festival with plenty of tomato eating, tomato-themed games, contests, a parade, art and business booths, music and children's activities in and around Art & Invention Gallery in Five Points in East Nashville. Last year, an estimated 55,000 came to celebrate the beloved fruit/vegetable and enjoy the day's festivities. www.tomatoartfest.com or 615-226-2070.

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival's "Shakespeare in the Park" is celebrating its 28th year of theater under the stars at the Centennial Park band shell with two shows this year — "Macbeth" plays Aug. 11-14 and Thursdays and Fridays until Sept. 9. "The Comedy of Errors" opens Aug. 20 and plays Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 11, as well as Sept. 15-18. Patrons can bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. There is a pre-show Shakespeare "insights" called Talking Shakespeare at 6 p.m., followed by family-oriented pre-show entertainment at 6:30 p.m. and the Shakespeare performance at 7:30 p.m. It's all free, but the Shakespeare Festival suggests a $10 donation. They also offer VIP seating for $50 and $60. www.nashvilleshakes.org.

There are, of course, lots of Fourth of July festivals coming up, including Nashville's award-winning Let Freedom Sing! festival featuring the Nashville Symphony and a fireworks extravaganza downtown. More later.

Reach Ms. Cheap at 615-259-8282. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/mscheap, at Tennessean.com/mscheap and on Twitter @Ms_Cheap, and catch her every Thursday at 11 a.m. on WTVF-Channel 5’s “Talk of the Town.”