This weekend's fall festivals are destined to sate a variety of appetites, with cornmeal, apples, whiskey and vegan fare among the sustenance available around the region.
Another few events showcase area artists. Still others put the focus on worthwhile causes, with proceeds destined for empowering the women served by Project Free 2 Fly (the Bird & Barn Sale), children in need (Christmas for Kids) or the fight against breast cancer (Soddy-Daisy Fall Festival).
Jim Stewart, who is helping coordinate the Soddy-Daisy festival, said the CHI Memorial mammogram mobile will be parked onsite Saturday, and a race that precedes the festival will raise funds for the hospital's MaryEllen Locher Breast Center. More than 300 participants already are signed up for the Great Pumpkin Chase's 5K run/walk and untimed 1-mile walk, each with a $25 fee through Friday (more on race day).
"We're hoping to give them a big check at the end of the event," he said in a phone interview.
Participation in the Kids Trick or Trot, which follows at the baseball fields at Soddy-Daisy Kids Park, is free. Children are encouraged to wear costumes for the trot. While most events this weekend are harvest-themed, the Soddy-Daisy festival is looking ahead to Halloween. Pumpkin carving and costume contests are part of the fun.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga-area weekend events bring cars, zombies, outdoor concerts)
AT A GLANCE
These are among the closest events to Chattanooga. See the full list of fall festivals at timesfreepress.com.
BACON & BARREL FESTIVAL -- First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. Includes 15 whiskey tastings, unlimited food tastings, live music, 6-9 p.m. Thursday. $44. Must be 21. Benefits Chattanooga Market. baconandbarrel.com/chattanooga
BETWEEN THE BRIDGES ART FESTIVAL -- Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Features painting, sculpture, jewelry, drawings and mosaics by 40 artists who live within 45 miles of Chattanooga, plus Potters Alley by Scenic City Clay Arts, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Music and food vendors at the adjacent Chattanooga VegFest. Free admission. avarts.org
BIRD & BARN SALE -- Black Fox Farms, 2724 Varnell Road, Cleveland, Tenn. Distinctive handcrafted products, 5-9 p.m. Friday (preview party), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. $50 Friday (includes exclusive shopping privileges, live music and hors d'oeuvres); $12 Saturday. Proceeds support Project Free 2 Fly. projectfree2fly.com
CHATTANOOGA VEGFEST -- Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Vegan food, vendors with plant-based products, live music, children's activities, noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Free admission; free goodie bags to first 200 visitors. chattanoogavegfest.com
CHICKAMAUGA PUMPKIN FEST -- 200 Gordon St., Chickamauga, Ga. (and surrounding areas of downtown). More than 100 craft and food vendors, live music, Kidz Zone, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; pancake breakfast 7-11 a.m. at Crawfish Springs Masonic Lodge; Beatles tribute by The Beaters at 6:30 p.m. Screening of "Hocus Pocus" on the main stage Friday at dark. facebook.com/chickamaugapumpkinfest
CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS -- Tennessee Riverpark, 4301 Amnicola Highway. Handmade crafts and food trucks with portion of vendor sales providing Christmas gifts for children at a local school, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. eventswithkimk@gmail.com
CLEVELAND APPLE FESTIVAL -- Bradley County Courthouse Square, 155 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn. Arts and crafts, specialty vendors, apple dessert contest, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday. One-day pass $7 adults, $5 seniors/children 3-12; family pass (two adults, up to four children) $25 (cash only). clevelandapplefestival.org
COLORFEST -- Moon Lake Village (new location), 5866 E. River Road, Mentone, Ala. Arts, crafts and food vendors, local musicians, children's area, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (all times Central). Parking at Mentone Arts Center field on Highway 117; $5 donation requested. mapamentone.com/colorfest2022.html
GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL -- Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S. Main St., Ellijay, Ga. More than 300 arts and crafts vendors, demonstrations, parade, antique car show, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $10 ages 13 and older; civic and school groups handle parking with requested donation. georgiaapplefestival.org
HARVEST OF ART -- Rhea County Welcome Center, 107 Main St., Dayton, Tenn. Fine art show and sale by Dayton Arts League, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 423-775-5122
KETNER'S MILL COUNTRY ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR -- 658 Ketner Mill Lane, Whitwell, Tenn. Arts and crafts displays and demonstrations, Southern foods, live music, family activities, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday (all times Eastern). $7 (cash only) ages 13 and older. ketnersmill.org
SODDY-DAISY FALL FESTIVAL -- Soddy Municipal Park, 197 Durham St. More than 110 arts, crafts, environmental and merchandise vendors, 20 food vendors, live music, CHI Memorial mammogram mobile, free face painting, bounce houses and games, pumpkin carving and costume contests, professionally made family photos, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Preceded by Great Pumpkin Chase, with timed 5K run/walk and untimed 1-mile run at 8 a.m. ($25 for either through Friday), Kids Trick or Trot at 9 a.m. (free but registration requested). cbaip.org
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.