Six Reasons to Visit Sewanee This Summer

To Enjoy a Nostalgia-Inducing Fourth of July

From the early-morning flag-raising in Abbo’s Alley to the spectacular fireworks show over Lake Cheston that caps the day, Sewanee’s Independence Day celebration is hard to beat for small-town red-white-and-blue charm. Drawing thousands of visitors to campus, the day also includes a parade up University Avenue, kids’ games, a cake contest, and a “Mutt Show” in Manigault Park that has to be seen to be believed. Parade floats as well as cake and canine contestants express a designated theme each year, and the 2022 theme—“Hot Diggity All-American Dogs!”—will put the focus on all kinds of dogs, whether they’re covered in fur or cradled in buns and slathered with mustard.

To Play Nine (or 18)

Since it was redesigned by renowned golf architect Gil Hanse in 2013, the Course at Sewanee has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top nine-hole courses in the country. And while it  offers creative challenges aplenty, the course also features world-class scenery with sweeping views into Shakerag Hollow. Play nine holes in the morning, enjoy a burger, fries, and a cold beverage at the Green’s View Grill, and head out for nine more in the afternoon. The 23rd Sewanee Golf Classic will welcome alumni and friends of Sewanee for a weekend of friendly competition on June 17 and 18. Register here.

To Get Lit(erate)

For over 30 years, the Sewanee Writers’ Conference has welcomed many of the leading lights in letters to the Mountain for 12 days of workshops, special topics classes, inspiration, and communion with fellow writers. And while much of the conference is limited to participants only, daily readings and craft lectures are free, open to the public, and offer a unique opportunity to hear new work, learn from the best, and rub shoulders with some of your favorite writers. The 2022 conference runs from July 19 to 31.

To Face the Music

Talented young musicians flock to Sewanee each summer to work closely with renowned artist-faculty to hone their skills. They’re here for the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, which has been in continuous operation since 1956 and is now one of the nation’s oldest and most established summer music festivals. Students and faculty members perform in concerts large and small throughout the festival that anyone can attend for the price of a ticket. The 65th season takes place in Sewanee from June 18 to July 17 and offers full orchestral concerts, chamber music concerts, faculty concerts, aria showcases, opera scenes, and free concerts in Sewanee’s Angel Park.

To Hit the Trail

You don’t need to wait for a special event to visit Sewanee—the trails are always open. Whether you want to try to tackle the entire Perimeter Trail in a day or just take a scenic day hike or two, the Domain offers hikes in a variety of lengths and difficulties to match all tastes. If you prefer rides to hikes, many of those same trails can be navigated by mountain bike. (Bring your own or rent one by the day at Woody’s Bikes.) Whether you’re on foot or on wheels, be sure to check out the Mountain Goat Trail, the paved rails-to-trails path that now runs from Sewanee to Monteagle.

To Spend a Day at the Lake

During the pandemic, Sewanee’s grounds crew worked with the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability to give Lake Cheston a serious glow-up that included improvements to the beach, native wildflower plantings, and a new swim dock. Bring the kids to spend a day fishing, catching salamanders in the shallows, or lazily floating on the surface and watching the clouds skid by. For a change of scenery, head to student-favorite Lake Dimmick and bring a picnic to enjoy on either of its two docks.