College Town Kickoff
August 22, 2026
2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Downtown Cookeville in the Historic Westside District
Get ready for a day on the town, as Cookeville and Tennessee Tech come together for a unique and exciting event. Discover your favorite restaurants and shops, win fun prizes, learn more about ways to get involved in your community, and listen to live music in beautiful downtown Cookeville. This event is open to the public.
Event Information
WestSide Block Party
2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Shop and Dine on the Westside, Carnival Games & Prizes, Rides, Business & Community Booths, Block Party DJ, Kids Zone activities, Food Trucks, and more.
Concert on the WestSide
- 6 p.m. - Altitude Band
- 7 p.m. - Welcome from Tech & Community Officials + Special Performance by the Golden Eagle Marching Band
- 7:20 p.m. - Dawson Anderson
- 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Headliner: Dustin Lynch
Tennessee Tech’s ‘College Town Kickoff’ set for Aug. 22, featuring concert from multi-platinum
country music superstar Dustin Lynch
Event Map
- » Map Details Outlined
Road Closures:
W. Broad St. (multiple blocks) and S. Cedar Ave. between W. Broad St. and W. Spring St. are closed from 6 a.m. until midnight. S. Cedar Ave. south of the event footprint has a separate closure from 4 p.m. until midnight.Parking:
A designated event parking lot is located off Church Ave., between S. Cedar Ave. and S. Walnut Ave.Map Key:
- Welcome Tent
- Main Stage
- Carnival Games
- Tents/Tables
- Axe Throwing
- Battle Bar
- Ferris Wheel
- Air Brush Hats
- Bumper Cars
- Mini Golf
- Face Painting & Balloon Animals
- First Aid & Cooling Station
Additional map icons indicate food trucks, beverage trucks, business and community booths, a DJ booth, a Pepsi station, event t-shirt sales, and portable restrooms, distributed along W. Broad St.
Booth Numbers:
Booths 1–10 are located along W. Broad St. near N. Oak Ave. Booths 11–24 are located along N. Oak Ave. Booths 25–36 are located along S. Cedar Ave. Booths 37–44 and Booths 45 and above continue along W. Broad St. toward S. Walnut Ave.
Business & Community Involvement
Check out our business and community partners!
- » Business & Community Booth Participants
College Town Kickoff hopes to connect students with community resources, groups, and opportunities that align with their interests.
Booth # Business or Community Organization Name 1 The Bike Barre Ckvl 2 Grade A Catering 3 Cookeville Pregnancy Clinic 4 Red Cross: Heart of Tennessee Chapter 5 Cumberland Heights 6 Putnam Properties 7 Regions Bank 8 Campus Wellness Initiative (new grant on campus located in J.J. Oakley Health Clinic Services) 9 Raising Canes 10 Tech Athletics 11 One Bank of Tennessee 12 Hunt Family Agency 13 Ford of Cookeville 14 Picasso's Gift Shop 15 AXEN Realty 16 Holiday Inn Express 17 Revolver of Cookeville and Tiger Bay 18 Eagles Landing Apartments 19 Twin Lakes 20 Putnam County Young Republicans 21 In Motion Wellness Studio 22 McDonalds 23 Kiwanis of Putnam County 25 Pepsi Beverage Company 26 Rock N Roll Sushi 27 Goodwill Career Solutions 28 Grifols Biomat 29 Drakes 30 Willow Avenue Church of Christ 31 Oaks Church 37 Hip Cookeville 38 Art Round Tennessee 39 BRIK All Good Nutrition 40 Daisy Lane Boutique 41 Wilson Bank & Trust 42 Dollywood Parks & Resorts 43 Freedom Lemonade 44 Tennessee Tech University Herpetology Lab 45 Crafting hands - Face painting, Fairy hair and henna mobile boutique Near Depot Lite Rock 95.9 Near Welcome Tent City of Cookeville Leisure Services Outside the Storefront World Foods Outside the Storefront UC Stars Dance Outside the Storefront 11 Oak Nutrition - » Participating Food Trucks
Food Trucks coordinated in partnership with Trackside:
- A Taste of Tad
- Dave's Old Fashioned Burgers
- El Parisio Catracho
- Southern Rock Bouncing BBQ
- Strong Kitchen
- Sweet Street Treats
- The Rolling Spud
- » Shop & Dine Guide
A full list of businesses located in the WestSide Business District. Download PDF Version »
Type Business or Community Organization Name Address Social Media CTK Hours Discount or Promotion Dine World Foods 22 N Cedar Ave Instagram: world.foods.cookeville 11 AM - 10 PM Tech specials on pizza Dine 11 Oak Nutrition 11 N Oak Ave Insta- 11oak_nutrition 20% off with a Tech ID, Tech-themed Teas, &giveaways Dine Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House 119 W. Broad St. Instagram - creamcity_ 11 AM - 11 PM Tech students save 10% with a Tech ID Dine Trackside Food Truck Park 172 W. Broad St. Instagram - Tracksidecookevilletn 11 AM - 8 PM Official Food Truck Partner - Food at Trackside - The Rolling Spud, Dave's Old Fashioned Burgers, El Parisio Catracho, Sweet Street Treats, A Taste of Tad, Southern Rock Bouncing BBQ, Strong Kitchen Dine Jamie's Eats & Sweets 50 W Broad St, Instagram: @jamieseatsandsweets 9am to 6pm BOGO 1/2 off Drinks & $2 Cupcakes Dine Seven Senses Food & Cheer 32 W. Broad St. https://www.facebook.com/SevenSensesFood 11 AM - 9 PM $2 Cupcakes Dine Savor Cookeville 35 W. Broad St. https://www.facebook.com/SavorCookeville/ 11 AM - 9 PM 15% off food for Tech Students and Faculty/Staff with a Tech ID all day long Dine Soul Craft Coffee 43 W Broad St Instagram - soulcraftcoffee 8-5pm Tech-Themed Pastries & Special Items Shop The Bike Barre Ckvl 161 W Broad St. Instagram - thebikebarre.ckvl (leave blank) Membership discounts for Tech students & giveaways Shop Synergy Herbal Works 44 S. Cedar Ave Instagram - synergyherbalworks 9-4 P.M. 20% Tech student discount Shop The Hitch Cookeville 161 W. Broad St. Instagram - thehitchoutfittersckvl 10 AM - 6 PM Check in store to specials and promotions Shop Male Room Brotique 24 W. Broad Street instagram.com/themaleroom_brotique 10 AM to 8 PM 15% off excluding clearance items to Tech students, faculty and staff. Shop True Love Tattoo 104 N. Cedar Ave. Instagram - truelovetattootn 12 - 5 PM Check in store to specials and promotions Shop Glass Tangerine 48 W Broad St Instagram - glasstangerine 10am-6pm %15 off discount with current Tech student ID. Shop Uptown Boutique 37 W. Broad St. Instagram - uptownboutiquetn 10 am - 5 PM Check in store to specials and promotions Shop The Boutique by Brooklyn Paige 13 N. Cedar Ave. Instagram - theboutiquebybrooklynpaige 10 am - 4 pm Check in store to specials and promotions Shop In Bloom Barre & Wellness 44 W. Broad St instagram.com/inbloom.barreandwellness 2:00–7:00 PM special in-store discounts, free drink samples, and first 100 guests recieve a free In Bloom Wings Up Koozie Shop Broadway Boutique Mall 107 W Broad Instagram - broadwayboutiquemall 10am to 8pm 10% Tech student discount w/ ID & Vendor sales with 10-30% off items Shop The Silver Fern 46 W. Broad St. Instagram - the.silverfern 12-7pm 20% off for all tech students (must show student ID), $5 collage button making station, and free samples Shop American Farmhouse 31 W. Broad St. Instagram - american_farmhouse 12-7pm Check in store to specials and promotions Shop Edison Hills New & Old 127 West Broad Street Instagram - edisonhills 12-8pm 20% off retail for those with TTU ID - Tech students can customize their own free sunglasses Short Walk Vertical coffee company 8 W. Spring Street Instagram - verticalcoffeecompany 8 am - 5 pm $1 off a drink with a Tech Student ID Short Walk Picasso's Gift Shop 18 W. Spring Street Instagram - picassosgiftshop 10 am - 6 PM Check in store to specials and promotions
Make the Most of College Town Kickoff
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Tech students, bring your Eagle Card to take advantage of shopping and dining specials.
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Want to ride the rides? Stop by the Welcome Tent at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Broad Street, near the Cookeville Depot Museum, early to complete the Assumption of Risk and receive an event wristband. The wristband is required for rides. Parents/guardians must complete the form for those under 18 years of age. A digital form can be sent to parents or guardians who are not present at the event.
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If you plan to ride, close toed shoes are recommended
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Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and take advantage of free water at the event to stay safe and comfortable.
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If you have questions or concerns during the event, please visit the Welcome Tent.
Event Policies
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Prohibited items include: Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives, illegal drugs or substances, and alcoholic beverages.
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Tennessee Tech cares deeply about the safety of children. Parent(s) or others in similar roles are solely responsible for the supervision, oversight, and protection of minors attending this event.
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All participants or their parent/guardian if under 18 years of age are required to sign an assumption of risk (waiver)for rides. See the Welcome Tent for instructions.
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Dogs are permitted in outdoor areas only and must be on a leash at all times. Owners are solely responsible for their dog’s behavior, and Tech reserves the right to require the removal of a dog in violation of these policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- » What is College Town Kickoff?
The purpose of the College Town Kickoff event is to welcome students, faculty, and community members to the new academic year. The event includes various activities and entertainment. Additionally, the event helps to showcase the campus and town's offerings, promote local businesses, and encourage community involvement.
- » What time does the event start and end?
College Town Kickoff will be held on August 22, 2026, from 2pm-10pm.
- » Where is College Town Kickoff happening?
College Town Kickoff takes place in the Downtown Cookeville area West Broad Street at the Depot in front of Cream City and Cedar Ave. A Welcome Tent will be located at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Broad Street near the Cookeville Depot Museum.
- » Is it free or do I need a ticket?
College Town Kickoff is FREE and open to the public—no ticket is required. However, wristbands and waivers are required for certain rides/attractions. While admission to the event is free, vendors, including available food trucks, may require you to pay for goods and services.
- » How will I know where to go?
Directional signs and maps will help guide you to the main areas and parking.
- » What time does the concert start?
The concert begins at 6 PM with Altitude Band, followed by a performance by the Golden Eagle Marching Band and a welcome from Tech & Community officials at 7 PM. Support act Dawson Anderson takes the stage at 7:20 PM, followed by headliner Dustin Lynch at approximately 8 PM.
- » Where do I park?
Directional signs will help guide you to available nearby parking areas, though downtown parking is very limited. We encourage student attendees to park at Tech and walk to the event or ride the free shuttle. Shuttles will run from Tennessee Tech's campus to the event from 2 pm until 10:30 pm. Pick-Up and Drop-Off locations include the Roaden University Center shuttle stop, the south end of the Main Quad (near Bell Hall), and the Leslie Town Centre.
- » Will there be food and beverage available?
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event.
- » Is this event open to the public?
Yes, this event is open to the public.
- » Are there any age restrictions for attending the event?
No, all ages are welcome for College Town Kickoff.
- » What items are prohibited?
1) weapons of any kind (including pocket knives) and 2) illegal drugs or substances, any alcoholic beverages.
- » Is there a rain date or contingency plan in case of bad weather?
In the event of weather, the event will be canceled. Follow Tennessee Tech social media for any inclement weather updates.
- » How can I contact the event organizers if I have additional questions?
For questions or how to get involved, contact us at collegetownkickoff@tntech.edu.
- » Will there be a shuttle to the event?
Yes! Shuttles will run from Tennessee Tech's campus to the event from 2pm until 10:30pm. Pick-Up and Drop-Off locations include the Roaden University Center shuttle stop, the south end of the Main Quad (near Bell Hall), and the Leslie Town Centre.
