Last Edited: September 29, 2025 @ 7:58 am

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation is excited to announce the full schedule for the first-ever BBQ Fest Across the River, presented by F&M Bank! This two-day, family-friendly event will take place at RichEllen Park on Friday, October 10, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free, with activities for all ages. 

Friday Night Kickoff – October 10 (5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) 
The festival kicks off Friday evening with live music from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. by local musician Lucian Greene, a variety of food trucks, and beer for sale. Families can enjoy the Family Zone, featuring inflatables, face painting, and other free activities. 

A highlight of the night will be the arrival of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, a one-of-a-kind attraction for photos and fun. Guests can also cheer on contestants in a Hot Dog Eating Contest.

For barbecue enthusiasts, ‘Meat the Teams,’ powered by United Rentals, offers a chance to walk around, meet the pitmasters, and learn about their techniques as they prep for competition. 

Saturday Fun – October 11 (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) 
Saturday, the celebration continues with live music from 12:00 pm.- 2:00 p.m. by local band The 1980, food trucks, and beer for sale. The Family Zone will once again be open with free kid-friendly activities. 

At 11:00 a.m., guests can take part in the People’s Choice Tasting—a chance to sample BBQ from the competing teams and vote for their favorite. Tickets are just $10 online or $12 at the door. 

Other Saturday highlights include a Home Run Derby, more family fun, and the chance to catch SEC football on the big screen while enjoying great food and community spirit. 

“There’s something for everyone at BBQ Fest Across the River—it’s a great opportunity for our residents to come together at one of our amazing County parks to enjoy delicious food, live music, and family-friendly activities. I’m excited to see this first year bring people together and look forward to many more years of this great community tradition.” – Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden 

Thank You to Our Sponsors 
This event is made possible through the generous support of F&M Bank, Wyatt Johnson, Hilltop Supermarket & Pharmacy, Visit Clarksville, and Montgomery County Parks and Recreation.

All proceeds from BBQ Fest Across the River will benefit the Tri-County Sportsman’s Association, supporting local youth and community programs. 

 For People’s Choice tickets, visit montgomerytn.gov/parks/bbq-fest. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more announcements! 

Last Edited: September 25, 2025 @ 12:35 pm

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the expansion of Fredonia Park, with a community ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, at 4:00 p.m. 

Fredonia Park has been developed in phases to meet the evolving needs of the community. Phase One focused on the renovation of a historic schoolhouse, transforming it into the Fredonia Community Center, which officially opened in March 2022. Since opening, the center has quickly become a beloved gathering place for personal celebrations, family events, and community meetings. Looking ahead, Montgomery County is excited to celebrate the building’s 100-year anniversary in 2026, recognizing its rich history and continued importance to the Fredonia area. 

The latest expansion introduces a variety of amenities designed to promote recreation, wellness, and community connection. These additions include six pickleball courts, a full-size basketball court, an open-air pavilion, and a quarter-mile paved walking loop featuring an Imagination Library Storybook Trail. 

Montgomery County is also pleased to share that the same grant funding provided by the Aspire Foundation and the CMC Community Health Foundation that made the pickleball courts possible will fund a brand-new playground for the Fredonia community, with construction anticipated to begin soon and completion expected in spring 2026. 

“This expansion is a major milestone for the Fredonia community and reflects our commitment to investing in spaces that bring people together,” said Sally Read, Parks and Recreation Director. “We are deeply grateful to the Aspire Foundation and the CMC Community Health Foundation for their incredible generosity and vision. Their support has already made the new pickleball courts a reality and will soon bring a playground that will serve families for years to come.” 

“I am proud to celebrate the Fredonia Park expansion and the addition of pickleball courts, trails, and gathering spaces that are going to give the families and neighbors out in the county more opportunities to enjoy recreation close to home,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden. “And thank you to the Aspire Foundation, the CMC Community Health Foundation, and the Friends of Fredonia Park for their generous support in helping to make these improvements possible for our residents.”

Community members are encouraged to join the celebration on Tuesday, September 30, at 4:00 p.m. at Fredonia Park. The ribbon cutting will highlight the park’s newest features and recognize the foundations and individuals whose dedication and support made this project possible. 

To learn more about Montgomery County Parks and Recreation visit, montgomerytn.gov/parks. 

Last Edited: September 22, 2025 @ 11:17 am

The Montgomery County Information Technology Department and Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library are proud to announce new public Wi-Fi additions at RichEllen Park, Woodlawn Park, along with a technology expansion at Downtown Commons, and digital literacy tool offerings at the Public Library, made possible by the Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program. 

Montgomery County received a $100,000 Broadband Ready Communities Grant, with no local match required, to expand public Wi-Fi access and support digital literacy programs for underserved residents. Of the total grant, $50,000 was dedicated to installing and expanding public Wi-Fi at County Parks, with service focused on parking lots and hard-surface areas. This ensures residents, especially those underserved or without reliable home internet, can easily connect from their vehicles or nearby gathering spaces and have convenient options for online services like completing schoolwork and accessing healthcare. 

The remaining $50,000 is dedicated to supporting digital literacy initiatives through the Public Library with programs designed to help residents—especially those with limited technology experience—develop practical skills, build confidence using online resources, and gain access to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services. 

“Expanding public wi-fi and digital literacy offerings for our underserved residents is a big step forward in making sure folks right here in Montgomery County have access to the digital tools they need. These options make it easier for them to stay connected to online services and provide the support they need through our Public Library,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.  

“For many of the families I represent, reliable internet and digital skills seem to be a luxury—this investment will serve as a lifeline for them. Our elderly and immobile constituents can access healthcare video calls, students from kindergarten to post-secondary can complete schoolwork, and job seekers can apply for opportunities that require online applications without being left behind. I’m proud to see resources going directly to the communities that need them most, because true progress means everyone in Montgomery County gets equal access to live better.” said Rashidah A. Leverett, Montgomery County Commissioner, District 5. 

“Expanding public Wi-Fi to RichEllen Park ensures that families in District 6 have another reliable source of internet close to home. This addition will help students with schoolwork, support parents with essential services, and create new opportunities for connection, education, and access in our community,” said Michael Lankford, Montgomery County Commissioner, District 6. 

“Montgomery County IT is proud to have played a role in expanding the coverage of publicly available Wi-Fi for our community through this grant funding. This investment provides residents with reliable, high-speed broadband access at three different parks throughout Montgomery County, with the goal of enhancing connectivity and opportunities for those in our underserved areas.” said Skip Burchett, Montgomery County Information Technology Director. 

“At the North Branch Library, we are committed to expanding access and opportunity through inclusive digital literacy initiatives. Our hands-on programs help individuals with limited technology experience build practical skills, gain confidence using online resources, and explore interactive tools—that empower our community to learn, connect, and thrive in a digital world,” said Christina Reidel, Clarksville-Montgomery County Library Director. 

For more information about Montgomery County Information Technology, visit: montgomerytn.gov/it 
For more information about the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, visit: montgomerytn.gov/publiclibrary 

About the Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program  
The Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that bring digital access and connectivity directly to constituents, helping communities leverage technology for education, business, healthcare, and public services. The program empowers counties to develop local solutions that address the unique broadband needs of their residents. 

About the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act (TBAA) 
Enacted in 2017, the TBAA seeks to expand broadband access across the state, particularly in underserved and rural areas, promoting economic growth, educational opportunities, and improved quality of life. 

At the annual Conference of the Tennessee Association of Property Tax Professionals (TAPTP) in August, TAPTP honored members whose work has advanced the profession and improved statewide practices. Among those recognized was Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins, receiving the Legacy Award. 

Erica Gilmore, TAPTP President, shared, “In every capacity of TAPTP leadership, including her service as President and now as Past-Past President, Trustee Wiggins has gone the extra mile to strengthen statewide collaboration and advance the profession of delinquent property tax collection. Her commitment to furthering the organization’s overall goals and her continued service as an active board member have helped shape TAPTP’s success across Tennessee.” 

At the spring conference in Paris, TN in early May, the Tennessee County Trustees Association (TCTA) honored Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins with the President’s Award for her outstanding work, leadership, and dedication to advancing the mission of the statewide Trustees Association.  

“Kimberly is a leader I can trust to take initiative and engage others to help us to learn and continually grow. She takes on her role as our Education & Vendor Committee with energetic grace.”  said Randi French, President of the Tennessee County Trustees Association. 

“I am honored to receive the President’s and Legacy awards from two amazing groups of TAPTP and TCTA professionals. It has been a privilege to work alongside these dedicated colleagues across the state of Tennessee, committed to advancing our profession and supporting initiatives that benefit the residents of our communities,” said Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins. 

The Montgomery County Commission will seek applicants to fill the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, District 3, vacant seat and fulfill the remainder of the term through August 2026. Voting for the vacancy will take place in the Commission Chambers on the Third Floor of the Historic Courthouse, 1 Millennium Plaza, Clarksville, Tennessee, at the Formal Commission meeting on Monday, November 10, at six o’clock p.m., 2025. 
 
Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, a resident within and a qualified voter of the district, have lived in the county for at least one year, and be a high-school graduate or equivalent. Interested candidates may submit a letter of interest, a current resume, a copy of their high-school diploma or GED, and a copy of their current voter registration card to district3vacancy@montgomerytn.gov no later than noon on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. 
 
All qualified candidates will be given 5 minutes to speak to the County Commission at the Informal meeting on Monday, November 3, at six o’clock p.m., 2025.