Lisa Denton and Barry CourterBARRY COURTER: There is a lot happening again this week, and much of it is under the umbrella of RiverRocks or, as we like to call it, October.
RiverRocks, as you know, was designed to bring attention to the many outdoor activities we have at our fingertips. One of those events is a new one called the Fly Free Fest at Cherokee Farms in LaFayette, Ga. It's billed as a family friendly, funky fun festival. It has a pretty cool lineup, including Railroad Earth as the headliner.
LISA DENTON: By my count, there are 44 artists scheduled to perform, including several local acts. Based on band name alone, I'd get in line for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Or maybe the Octopus Project, who describe their latest release, "Fever Forms," as "a tattoo of an 18-wheeler bursting out of your chest." Which, as you know, is the second tattoo I've been considering, right after an image of sunrise on my lower back, or what I like to call "the crack of dawn."
BARRY: So you've abandoned the "moon over Soddy" motif?
LISA: Anyway, all this takes place (the festival, not the tattoo) Friday through Sunday, and you can get day passes or all-inclusive tickets with camping. Cherokee Farms would be a cool place to pitch a tent this time of year.
BARRY: It is an incredible venue. In addition to music, they'll have activities like a run and vendors. This is one of those events that I'd highly recommend before tackling a larger camping and music festival like Bonnaroo.
There also are three shows worth noting at Track 29 this week. First, Dumpstaphunk is there on Friday and gets a mention on name alone, although they are also good. I don't think there is much doubt as to the type of music they play. Isaiah Rashad is there on Saturday. He is a local rapper, and his stuff is rough and raw, so be warned, but he is blowing up around the world.
LISA: It's always nice when a hometown artist makes good.
BARRY: Blues Traveler completes the busy weekend at Track 29 on Sunday.
LISA: It's also a huge festival weekend, with some of the biggest in North Georgia, including Prater's Mill Country Fair near Dalton, New Salem Mountain Festival on Lookout Mountain, the first weekend of the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay and a Pumpkin Festival debuting in Chickamauga.
Arts, crafts and festival foods - is there any wonder this is my favorite time of year?
BARRY: And the weather's cooling off finally as well. The Rooftop Hop is Saturday, and it is just what it says it is. There will be parties planned on several downtown buildings with the main party on top of the The Block and featuring music by the Futurebirds. It's a fundraiser for GreenSpaces.
And there is a Mini Maker Faire earlier in the day Saturday at First Tennessee Pavilion for entrepreneurs and creatives who want to show off their latest creation or idea.
LISA: And don't forget that Saturday is Star Wars Reads Day, and you don't have to go to a galaxy far, far away to celebrate - just to the Chattanooga Public Library downtown. You can participate in a costume parade, make two kinds of light sabers, a Leia headband or Yoda ears, and there will even be a special appearance by a "real R2-D2."
Did I tell you that someone gave my expectant daughter a Diaper Champ disposal pail? This particular brand is squat and shiny like the little "Star Wars" droid. We call it R2-Doodoo.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.