The Days of Yesteryear Antique Tractor & Engine Show is scheduled Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16, in Dunlap, Tenn.Chattanooga Oktoberfest 5K Run
Oktoberfest kicks off Saturday, Oct. 15, with a 5K race from First Tennessee Pavilion down Riverfront Parkway to Molly Street and back the same route to the pavilion.Register in advance online at www.chattanoogaoktoberfest.com/5k or that morning at the gate at 6:30 a.m. The race starts at 8 a.m., and awards will be announced at 9:30 a.m. Come costumed in German attire to compete for a commemorative stein designed by local artist Laurie Graham.In the Oktoberfest spirit, beer will be tapped by 7 a.m. for this festive 5K, say organizers. Plus, racers will get early admission into the market afterward.
The third weekend in October signals it's time for Ketner's Mill Country Fair in Sequatchie Valley, one of the season's most highly anticipated festivals. If you're planning to drive I-24 to Ketner's, turn your day-trip into a double-header with a second stop a little further up I-24 at the Webb School Arts and Crafts Show in Bell Buckle, Tenn.
Closer to home, Chattanooga Market is hosting its 15th annual Oktoberfest over Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16, in First Tennessee Pavilion. Break out the lederhosen and dirndls and head to the pavilion for brats, beer and an oompah band.
Oktoberfest kicks off tonight, Oct. 13, with Artoberfest in First Tennessee Pavilion from 4 to 7 p.m. It's a show and sale of art from about two dozen local artists and galleries. There's also a Chalk Art Competition, in which high school students and older artists draw masterpieces on the pavilion's concrete floor.
Oktoberfest's celebration is so big it takes two days - instead of the regular Sunday market - to contain it all. The market opens Saturday at 10 a.m. with sights and sounds of the German celebration.
"Many of the vendors will have German food, such as brats and schnitzel," says market spokeswoman Melissa Siragusa. "It's German food with a uniquely Chattanooga style, German-inspired. There will also be lots of fall produce - apples, winter squashes."
Siragusa says visitors can choose from at least 99 seasonal and craft beers each day. They can enjoy their beer and brats in one of the four bier gartens while listening to polkas played by the Wurstbrats. On Sunday, accordion player Nermin Begovic Oberkreiner will perform as will the Wurstbrats.
The Wurstbrats are an oompah band whose members are all part of Sweet Georgia Sound swing band. Or, as they bill themselves - "the guys who look best in lederhosen." Bandleader Mike LaRoche says the Wurstbrats have played every Oktoberfest since its inception.
"We always look forward to the market because we always get a good turnout for the chicken dance," he says.
"One of our guys gets out there to teach the moves. We have a rubber chicken on the microphone stand and make a big production out of it. It's always fun - we get a really big crowd out there doing the chicken dance."
The nine-member oompah band plays its first set Saturday at 11 a.m., its last ends at 7 p.m.. On Sunday, they start at 11:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.
Stick around Saturday for the crowning of Mr. and Ms. Oktoberfest. Entrants dressed in their favorite German attire should report to the front stage at 6:30 p.m. Contestants will parade - or chicken dance, if they wish - before the live audience (pavilion visitors) who will vote by a show of applause for the winners at 7 o'clock.
The Scenic City Volks Folks will show off their Volkswagens all day Saturday at the pavilion. Their collections include Beetles and vans from several decades.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.
Festivals this weekend and beyond
OCT. 14-16 * Black Bear Festival: City Park, 126 N. Third Ave., Chatsworth, Ga., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, $2 ages 11 and older; classic car show, craft and food vendors. www.exploregeorgia.org. * Cleveland Apple Festival: Downtown Cleveland, Tenn., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday, $5 adults, $4 senior adults and children ages 4-12, $20 family pass for two adults and up to four children; craft and food vendors, music, free kids zone. clevelandapplefestival.org. * Colorfest: Brow Park, Mentone, Ala., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (all times Central), free; 5K, boat tours, children's area, craft and food vendors. MentoneColorfest@gmail.com. * Days of Yesteryear: 17900 Highway 127 North, Dunlap, Tenn., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday (all times Central), free, antique tractor and engine show with food and craft vendors, kids' activities, hayrides, tractor Olympics, youth concert 423-949-6044. * Fall Festival: Gibbs Gardens, 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, Ga., noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, $10 adults, $5 children, music and barbecue. 770-893-1881. * Georgia Apple Festival: Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S. Main St., Ellijay, Ga., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, $5 ages 11 and older; 45th annual fair with 300 vendors. www.georgiaapplefestival.org. * Gold Rush Days: Downtown Dahlonega, Ga., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday, free; 300 vendors in festival sponsored by Dahlonega Jaycees. dahlonegajaycees.com. * Harvest of Art: Inside Rhea County Welcome Center, junction of Highway 27 and Main Street, Dayton, Tenn., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, free; art show and sale of new work by Dayton Arts League members, pastel portrait artist Jane Campbell on-site. 423-775-5122. * Ketner's Mill Country Fair: Ketner's Mill, between state highways 27 and 28 near Whitwell, Tenn., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday (all times Eastern), $7 ages 13 and older; 100 craft and food vendors, music, hayrides, tours of operational 1882 mill. www.ketnersmill.org. * Oktoberfest: Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, free; brats, beers, Bavarian bands. chattanooga.events/calendar * Webb School Arts and Crafts Show: Webb School, 4 Railroad Square, Bell Buckle, Tenn., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (all times Central), free; more than 500 exhibitors in school fundraiser that flows from campus to downtown square. info@bellbucklechamber.com. OCT. 20-29 * North Georgia Agricultural Fair: 500 Legion Drive, Dalton, Ga., gates open weekdays at 5 p.m., 11 am. Saturday and 12:3o p.m. Sunday, $5 ages 6 and older; 68th annual agricultural fair with carnival rides, crafts, music. www.daltonfair.com.