AN ANNUAL summer event in Lebanon brings the community together for music, fun, food, and dancing. It’s a place designed to create harmony — for free.
Lebanon Sunday Soul, a completely free festival held on the fourth Sunday of every June, was founded and created by Kay Maynard, who started the event in 2021 as a way to give back to the community that stood by her during a difficult time.
“It was my way to give back to Lebanon,” Maynard said. “They supported me and kept my business running while me and my kid were in the hospital. So when we came back, I was like, ‘How can I say thank you?’ That was really just me.”
Maynard, who has worked in insurance for 21 years, originally came to Tennessee to study music business. With her background and connections in the entertainment industry, she said she saw an opportunity to combine her passion for music with her desire to uplift the local community.
“A lot of my friends are musicians and entertainers, so I thought, ‘Let’s give them a stage to perform. Let’s bring small business owners and help them meet customers. Let’s create an environment where the community can just relax and enjoy themselves without having to travel to Nashville,’” she said.
Each year, Lebanon Sunday Soul features entertainment, food vendors, games for kids, and a marketplace for small business owners. There are no vendor fees, no ticket costs, and no barriers to participation. By giving small business owners a chance to connect with new customers, the festival creates meaningful opportunities for growth. It also helps keep dollars circulating right here at home, strengthening the local economy with every sale.
“It’s completely free,” Maynard said. “We put it on with the help of our community sponsors and people who believe in giving back.”
The festival has grown each year, with attendance reaching as many as 1,500 people at peak times. Attendees trickle in throughout the day.
“People come and go as they please. You can come, eat, shop, listen to music, or just set up a lawn chair and enjoy the day,” Maynard said. “Some folks even come out the night before to mark their spots near the stage.”
Music is at the heart of the event, with live performances, a DJ, and a local radio host who keeps the energy high.
“We have a DJ before the featured act performs — our host from 92Q, which is our local radio station, who really brings the event to life,” she said.
Looking ahead to the fifth annual festival, Maynard hopes to expand the experience, depending on sponsorship.
“I’d like to have two featured acts instead of just one. We’re still going to have the kids’ play area, and I’m hoping to bring back archery, which even the adults seemed to enjoy. I just want to create more experiences for people — things they can do beyond shopping and eating,” she said.
Maynard added that the event wouldn’t be possible without sponsors like Buckeye Drugs, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lyn Williams.
“Even though I’m the primary financial sponsor, I couldn’t continue this event without them,” Maynard said. “Costs have escalated over the years and their support makes it possible to keep this festival free for everyone.”
Lebanon Sunday Soul is a place of connection, gratitude, and celebration.
“It’s a good event because it doesn’t cost anything. It gives locals and people from surrounding communities a chance to experience good music, food, fun, and fellowship for free,” Maynard said. “You don’t have to spend money if you don’t want to. Just come and be.” GN
