This past week, the city of Martin experienced its busiest time of the year. The 31st annual Soybean Festival brings in travelers from all across the country. The festival itself consisted of many small events and attractions, such as an inflatable park, food trucks, a petting zoo, etc. The festival was capped off with a weekend of concerts starring Bizz and Everyday People on Thursday, The Band Perry, with Dillon Carmichael on Friday and TLC, with DJ Von and Tone-Lōc opening for them, on Saturday night. 

The Soybean Festival is a highlight every year for the city of Martin, from the perspective of not only the citizens of Martin, but also the students of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The small businesses in the local area, food truck owners and trinket vendors all promoted their products to the large market of people at one time. Jason Foust, the owner and operator of Squatch BBQ & Catering, spoke on his weekend at the festival, “This weekend was full of great business and great interactions. We were constantly selling out items left and right. On top of the business, we were able to experience a great weekend of shows.” 

UT Martin students got to experience what it means to be a part of the Martin community when it comes to being in the midst of downtown Martin. Alongside the businesses in town, many of the brick-and-mortar locations in Martin got the chance to open their doors to students for the first time. Local Street Cookie Company, Martin Coffee House and Woodfire Pizza Kitchen are just a few of the restaurants that had their doors open and tables set up for people passing by to stop and get a taste of what they were serving. Speaking with freshman Health and Human Performance major Grayson Alexander, he said, “This is not something I expect a little town like Martin, Tennessee to have. So many people from all over the state of Tennessee and areas nearby. I did not think that the Soybean Festival would be something this big. In Gens class, we talked about the festival and how important it would be to attend, but now that I am here this is something that I would not want to miss next year.”

 The marketing opportunities are not the only things the Soybean Festival has to offer. There are also the eye-opening experiences that so many students may find themselves experiencing. Many returning visitors of the festival said that this is the best one they have been to so far. Sophomore Terrion Evans stated, “This year’s Soybean Festival was amazing for me. I got to watch TLC perform, eat great food and get out of my dorm. The festival gave me an opportunity to interact with the community that I have quickly become a part of. The Soybean festival is a great opportunity to engage yourself with Martin, Tennessee culture.”