What's happening in Rutherford County in September? Here are the places to eat and things to do.

UPCOMING

'Miss Nelson is Missing'

This year marks the 60th year for Murfreesboro Little Theatre, and it kicks off with a comedy: "Miss Nelson is Missing."

All it takes is one teacher to change a classroom. Viola Swamp is turning Miss Nelson’s Room 207 from a class that can’t add, subtract, spell, or even find its way to the bathroom into a class that can add and subtract like computers, be better at geography than explorers, and know all the state capitals. The only thing is, can she do it in time for the big test on Monday?

“Miss Nelson is Missing,” runs Sept. 18-19 at Linebaugh Library, 105 W. Vine St. 

Throughout the productions of "Miss Nelson is Missing" at Mills-Pate Arts Center, MLT will be collecting books for the First Noelle. They are requesting only new books at this time, but books at Pre-K to first-grade level can be purchased at discount stores. For each donation given, a complimentary concession item will be provided. If you have any questions, contact Emma Hawkins at emma@mltarts.com or visit The First Noelle Facebook Page.

'The Music Man'

Springhouse Theatre, 14119 Old Nashville Highway in Smyrna, presents "The Music Man" on stage Sept. 17-26. Show times are 7:30 p.m. each weekend and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Tickets are $12 for students, $15 for military and seniors, and $18 for adults. Purchase online at springhousetheatre.com/the-music-man/.

Greenway Art Festival

Peruse and shop with local artists exhibiting in a variety of mediums at the next Greenway Art Festival, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 18 at Old Fort Park. "Celebrating Hope" is the event's theme. Tennessee Valley Winds, The Pilots, Bethany Trainor, Ernest Newsom and the 2021 Laureates will perform. There is no charge for parking or admission.

Beatles tribute band

The Arts Center of Cannon County, 1424 John Bragg Highway in Woodbury, presents English Rain Beatles tribute band on stage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18-19. Visit artscenterofcc.com for details and tickets, which start at $15.

Hammer Down for Habitat

Ride, drive and run to benefit Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity at the 13th annual Hammer Down for Habitat on Sept. 18. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the poker run leaves from HFH at 850 Mercury Blvd. at 8:30 a.m. for a 100-mile motorcycle drive, which wraps up at Hop Springs, 6790 John Bragg Highway. Cost is $35 per person and includes a T-shirt and "poker hand" for prizes. You can also purchase a lunch-only ticket for $10. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit rchfh.org/hammer-down/ or call 615-890-5877.

Downtown on the Farm

Locally Owned Murfreesboro under the stars for Downtown on the Farm Sept. 19 at Oaklands Mansion, 900 N. Maney Ave. in Murfreesboro.

The farm-to-table dinner features items sourced from local farms that will be transformed into a culinary adventure by local chefs. The meal will be prepared by some of Murfreesboro’s finest culinary minds: The Butchareon family from Bangkok Thai Cuisine, Shawn & Christy Hackinson from The Alley on Main, Chantell Kennedy-Shehan from Simply Pure Sweets, Mitchell Murphree from Five Senses and Steakhouse Five, and Jeff and Scarlett Murphy from Domenico’s Italian Deli.  

The evening will start with signature cocktails that will be served at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.

Money raised at the event will be used to fund LOM’s annual scholarships for students from Rutherford County in the Entrepreneurship Program within the Jones College of Business or School of Agriculture at MTSU.

Every ticket holder will also be given a commemorative, handmade cup made by several local potters. Visit locallyownedmurfreesboro.org to purchase tickets, which start at $75 per person or $125 per couple.

Gr8t Chase

The sixth annual Gr8t Chase 5K is set to step off at 7 a.m. Sept. 25 at Gateway Island, 1875 W. College St. in Murfreesboro. Proceeds benefit families whose children have a terminal or life-limiting illness. Tickets are $25 each. Visit thegr8tchase.org to purchase.

Discovery Center

Hispanic Heritage Day is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 25 at Discovery Center, 502 S.E. Broad St. in Murfreesboro. Visit explorethedc.org to learn more.

Other weekly activities continue this month, too. New instruments and immersive experiences have been added to the "Science of Music" exhibit. In addition to awesome new stage lighting, there are instruments that highlight African and Afro-Cuban music.

Depot Days

Smyrna Depot Days is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 25 on Front Street downtown. Over 100 vendors selling food, crafts and services will be set up. There will also be a beer garden and live music, train rides, class car show and other family-friendly activities. The event is free.

Orchestra concert

The Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra Woodwind Quintet will perform at 11 a.m. Sept. 25 at at Discovery Center, 502 S.E. Broad St. in Murfreesboro.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is set for 3-7 p.m. Sept. 25 at Oaklands Mansion, 900 N. Maney Ave. in Murfreesboro. 

Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy an afternoon on the historic grounds of Oaklands while you sample craft beers. A variety of food trucks will sell on site. The Knott Brothers Band hits the stage at 4 p.m. 

Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for designated drivers who are 17 and older. Ages 16 and younger get in free. No tickets will be sold at the gate. Visit oaklandsmansion.org to purchase.

Journey Home fundraiser

Jonelle Mosser and Jesse Labelle will headline Pickin' at Puckett's, 114 N. Church St. in downtown Murfreesboro, Sept. 30. Admission is free but donations will be accepted.

The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a reception followed by the performances at 6:30 p.m. Puckett's requires a minimum $15 purchase. Proceeds benefit The Journey Home, a Christian outreach center that strives to help the homeless and disadvantaged of Rutherford County.

ONGOING

Weekly food truck fest

Friday Night Market in the Boro, a food truck and vendor fest, is set for 5 p.m. each Friday at Cannonsburgh Village, located at 312 S. Front St. in Murfreesboro. The weekly event will feature vendors selling a variety of products and services, as well as area food trucks. Admission and parking are free. Visit the group Facebook page to keep up with weekly vendors. 

Farmers markets

Farmers markets are open for the season in Rutherford County.

Here's what to know about each of them if you're a customer or prospective vendor.  

• Rutherford County Farmers Market, 315 John Rice Blvd. in Murfreesboro, runs each Tuesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to noon through Oct. 29. Educational classes are at 9 a.m. Topics range from sustainable gardening, cooking, food preservation, crafts, and environmental education.
• The La Vergne Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through Sept. 11 on the walking trail at Bicentennial Park next to La Vergne City Hall, 5093 Murfreesboro Road.  
• Lascassas Farmers Market, 7684 Barlow Lane in Lascassas, is 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday all year. Keep up with events and vendor highlights by following the Facebook page.  
• Smyrna Depot Farmers Market is 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through Sept. 18 in the downtown Smyrna Depot area along Front Street. 

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com. Keep up with restaurant news by joining Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook and follow Murfreesboro Eats on TikTok.