CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The annual Cooling at the Cave concert returned to Dunbar Cave State Park on Saturday. The outdoor jazz performance raised money to support park improvements.

Hosted by the Friends of Dunbar Cave, the event featured the Cumberland Winds Jazz Project performing at the mouth of the cave. Guests gathered with lawn chairs and enjoyed live music and dancing during the two-hour concert. The orchestra opened the evening with “C Jam Blues,” and played many jazz classics.

Audience seated in lawn chairs inside a rocky cave, a live band performing on a small stage under string lights.
Five adults sit in folding camping chairs in a shaded outdoor area, with trees and a stone railing in the background.
Crowd of diverse adults seated outdoors, clapping during a performance or talk.
Female singer in a black and white polka dot dress performs on stage with a microphone, backing band in view.
Saxophonist in a black polo and cap playing alto sax in a small band, with other musicians and music stands visible around him.
A jazz ensemble performing on an outdoor stage at night, with horn players and a trombone soloist up front and an audience watching in foldable chairs.
Person raises a smartphone to photograph a crowd at an outdoor event, showing colorful tents on the screen.
Audience seated on folding chairs at an outdoor event beside a stone wall, with a vertical banner on the left reading 'Music for our Community'.
Saxophonist center stage playing a gold saxophone while other band members play guitar and keyboards nearby, audience seated in foreground under dim lighting.
Two smiling seniors relaxing in folding chairs outdoors next to a stone wall and wooden post.
Large crowd seated on folding chairs at an outdoor park event, with trees in the background, watching a performance.
Jazz band performing on stage with brass players and a trumpeter at the center; audience seated in foreground, 'Jazz Project' logos on front panels.
Jazz band performing under string lights at an outdoor venue with a seated audience in front of a rocky backdrop.
Man in a black t-shirt speaks into a microphone on a stage, with a jazz band and instruments behind him under a stone backdrop (Jazz Project).
Two men sit in folding chairs at an outdoor event; one wears a beige shirt and cowboy hat, the other a black Jack Daniel's t-shirt.
Jazz ensemble performing on a stage carved in a cave, conductor facing the musicians as brass, woodwinds, guitar and drums play together.
Group of four friends seated in folding chairs at an outdoor gathering, smiling for the camera.
Two elderly women sitting on folding chairs outdoors near a stone wall, smiling at the camera.
Outdoor audience seated in folding chairs under trees, many with hands raised during a performance.
Middle-aged man playing a saxophone in a black-shirt band, with brass players in the background during a performance
Older couple seated in folding chairs at an outdoor gathering, smiling at the camera, surrounded by a crowd.
Older man playing a bright red electric guitar on stage, with a saxophonist nearby.
Four women standing side by side outdoors along a railing, smiling with a green, tree-filled background.
Speaker at a mic addressing an audience as a Jazz Project band performs on an outdoor stage behind him, with saxophones and drums visible.
Man in a blue shirt hugs a woman in a blue-and-white patterned dress on a stage, with seated audience in front.
Audience seated in lawn chairs watching a live band perform inside a rocky cave with string lights overhead.
Male vocalist in a light blue shirt center stage, singing into a microphone while a jazz band performs behind him. Equipment and music stands labeled 'Jazz Project' are visible.

Cooling at the Cave has been a tradition at Dunbar Cave for decades, celebrating the park’s musical history while helping fund projects throughout the park. Friends of Dunbar Cave board member Terry Morris thanked attendees for their support and explained how proceeds from the event are used.

“As always, we appreciate all of you coming out and supporting Friends of Dunbar Cave,” Morris said. “All this money goes back to the park to keep it looking beautiful.” Morris also encouraged attendees to support the organization beyond the annual fundraiser by becoming members or volunteering.

Morris said memberships are available through the Friends of Dunbar Cave website or at the park office, adding that the organization is “always looking for new people to come out and help … and volunteer.”

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