Biscuit Bazaar and Gravy Gala
The first weekend of October, when the mornings get crisp and the leaves start to turn along the ridges, Shadow Ridge gathers round the griddle for one of its most mouth-watering traditions: the Biscuit Bazaar & Gravy Gala — a flaky, savory celebration of the South’s favorite comfort food.
At the heart of the gala is a simple idea that everything is better with a biscuit and a ladle of gravy on top. Locals and out-of-towners alike come hungry for a day filled with warm buttered layers and family recipes. Highlights for the event include:
Biscuit Bake-Off: Home cooks and seasoned chefs alike battle for the coveted title of Biscuit Boss of Shadow Ridge.
Biscuit Toss Challenge: See how far you can fling a day-old biscuit across the town square (prizes for distance and style).
Biscuit Sculpture Showdown: Watch local artists carve towers, animals, and downright questionable creations — all out of biscuits.
Bluegrass Show: Spread a quilt on the courthouse lawn and enjoy live tunes from local pickers while you pile your plate high. Last year, a dynamic duo from Springfield, She's My Sister, headlined the festivities.
For the kids, there’s a Lil’ Biscuit Bakers tent, face painting, and the ever-popular Butter Churn Race. Vendors line Main Street selling biscuit-themed crafts, jams, and hot coffee to wash it all down.
Tomato Queen Festival and Crowning
Right before school starts in late August, Shadow Ridge hosts the Tomato Queen Festival. The sun-ripened celebration of our town’s rich agricultural roots and its unofficial claim to the best tomatoes this side of Granger County.
At the heart of the festival is the Tomato Queen Crowning, where local contestants vie for the honor of donning the rhinestone-studded tomato tiara. The coronation takes place on the courthouse lawn, complete with a storytelling competition, slightly off-key musical tributes, and the tossing of tomatoes into the crowd.
The festival is as juicy as it sounds, featuring:
Salsa Showdown: Local cooks bring the heat in a quest for the Golden Ladle.
Heirloom Beauty Pageant: This event isn't for people, it's for tomatoes competing for oddest shape, deepest color, and best tasting.
Tomato Art & Crafts Market: This one is better than the other Tomato Art Thing in the big city. Here, you can find everything from hand-painted tomato birdhouses to novelty tomato hats.
Kids can bob for tomatoes, join the tomato decorating tent, or hop on the barrel train pulled by the town’s trusty old tractor, Old Red.
Founders Day Parade
The third weekend of March, Shadow Ridge residents come together to honor the pioneers who carved out our little corner of Tennessee. The Founders Day Parade rolls down Main Street, led proudly by the Volk High School's marching band. Families line the sidewalks to cheer on local floats, vintage tractors, and community groups. After the parade, folks gather at the town square for live music, hearty food, and plenty of neighborly catching up. This event is a tribute to our past and a toast to Shadow Ridge's future.
Moonshine Madness
Shadow Ridge tips its hat to its unofficial heritage with the Moonshine Madness Festival — a spirited nod to the old days when backwoods stills kept the ridges lively. Historically, this was a way to drink away the horrors of hog killin', but now Shadow Ridge uses it as a crutch the weekend before Thanksgiving. Folks come out to test their skills at quirky contests like Moonshine Barrel Rolling and the Cornstalk Javelin Toss, while sampling a wild variety of flavored ’shine from smooth classic corn liquor to bold local experiments best sipped with caution. Good music, hearty food, and a few tall tales shared under the stars.
