Festivals this weekend: Cowpeas, crafts shows and Civil War cavalry

Visitors admire engines and rail cars on display at a previous Railfest at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Visitors admire engines and rail cars on display at a previous Railfest at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

By Susan Pierce September 5, 2018 7 min read

Photo Gallery

Calendar Party

Brittany Dearien Jamey Goddard and Karon Reese.

Jane Garrison Davidian Megan Davidian and David Davidian with Daniel Keeley in back.

Carmen Nelson carries a box of the Humane Society of the Ozarks 2009 Pet Day Planner.

Christian Gunn Dena Fitts Bonnie Morris and Carmen Nelson all members of the 2009 Pet Day Planner Calendar Committee.

Sarah and Kent Starr holding Ella Grace Crawford with Paul Crawford his son also named Paul and Jim Crawford.

Jed Clampit Mary Ann Gunn and Lynn Simco.

Nickki Golden Daniel Keely and Bank of Fayetteville President Mary Beth and Tim Brooks.

The first weekend of festival season kicks off with 15 events ranging from small-town fun to the biggest crafts show in the Southeast.

Here are five that fit a variety of interests. Details on locations, hours and admission fees for these and more are found in the accompanying festival list.

-For History Buffs: The Battle of Tunnel Hill re-enactment will mark its 25th anniversary this weekend at the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. This battle re-enactment is one of the remaining few that take place on the actual battle site.

Between 500 to 700 re-enactors portraying Cavalry, Infantry, Union and Confederates will gather in Tunnel Hill for the weekend. Gates open to the public at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with battle re-enactments at 2 p.m. each day.

While waiting for the battle, visitors can walk the 1,477-foot-long Western & Atlantic Railroad tunnel built in 1850, tour the historic Clisby Austin House or visit soldiers and sutlers camps.