The Hamilton County Fair is off the schedule, but the first weekend of Rocktoberfest will rock on at Rock City. It's one of a half-dozen fall fairs and festivals taking place within about an hour of Chattanooga as October begins.
(READ MORE: See the full 2022 Chattanooga-area Fall Festival Guide)
The weekend forecast has improved in the Chattanooga area since Ian first made landfall in Florida on Wednesday, but the threat of rain is always a possibility for an outdoor attraction such as Rock City, said Meagan Jolley, senior manager of public relations and social media.
That's why there's always a contingency plan, especially for big events like Rocktoberfest, which lasts through five weekends in October.
"All of the musical entertainment/German bands during Rocktoberfest will already be performing in the pavilion or on the Cliff Terrace covered porch," Jolley said in an email. "Jerry the Mime and the caricature artist would move to the pavilion if it rained, and pumpkin painting would also move under a covered porch.
"Our birds of prey shows in the amphitheater should be the only activity schedule change during any heavy rain showers and would resume once rain subsides," she added. "So we should be covered to still have a great event even if it rains."
Festivalgoers will also find a festive atmosphere outside all of Tractor Supply's more than 2,000 stores Saturday. The Nationwide Farmers Market will offer homemade and homegrown goods from the farmers, growers, crafters, artisans and other producers in the community surrounding each store.
AT A GLANCE
-- Catoosa County Fall Festival: Jack Mattox Park, 941 Pine Grove Road, Ringgold, Ga. Food and craft vendors, children's activities, 3-6 p.m. Saturday. catoosarec.com
-- DeKalb County VFW Agricultural Fair: VFW Hall, 151 18th St. NW, Fort Payne, Ala. Includes agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, carnival midway, music, through Saturday. Headliners final night are The Sharps and Brian Free & Assurance; Wallenda family's Circus Incredible in two shows nightly. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday (all times Central). $4 ages 6 and older; extra charge for carnival; $3 parking. dekalbcountyvfwfair.com
-- Fall Fun: Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. (Pavilion 6 near the start of the disc golf course). Friends of Cloudland Canyon present tractor-pulled hay rides running continuously noon-4 p.m. Saturdays in October; family activities including corn hole and temporary tattoos, noon-5 p.m., food available noon-3 p.m. Free; $5 parking (free with Georgia State Park pass). friendsofcloudlandcanyon.org
-- Great Locomotive Chase Festival: 116 Public Square, Adairsville, Ga. Parade, pageants, arts and crafts, entertainment, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. $5 ticket good all weekend. adairsvillega.net
-- Morris Hill Craft Market & Quilt Show: Morris Hill Baptist Church gym, 1804 Morris Hill Road. Fifty craft booths, quilt show, breakfast and lunch available, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission and parking. morrishillbaptist.org/craft-market2022
-- Nationwide Farmers Market: Tractor Supply stores. Local growers, artisans, crafters and other vendors selling merchandise at their nearest store Saturday (hours vary by location). tsceventpartners.com
-- Rocktoberfest: Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. German music, food, specialty beer, Birds of Prey shows, costumed characters, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. $18-$28. Reserved timed-entry tickets required. seerockcity.com
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.