Whether you’re looking for a craft show, fine art show, children’s fun, adventure sports, weekend getaway or day-trip, there literally is something for everyone among the 16 festivals taking place this weekend.
* Place to take the kids: It’s all about children at the Tennessee Riverpark this weekend, where the annual Autumn Children’s Festival will be held to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
There’s no charge to enter, but there are nominal charges (50 cents to $3) for tickets to play the games in the festival site.
Besides carnival games, there will be giant inflatables, pony rides, face painting, a magic show given by Ronald McDonald and free Mayfield ice cream.
New this year is a rolling video game mobile theater, VW Chalk bug and a health fair.
Moms and dads, bring your cameras because there are plenty of photo-ops with costumed characters roaming the site.
* Handmade crafts: One of the few craft fairs still true to handmade work is the Nillie Bipper show in Cleveland, Tenn. It goes on rain or shine since it’s held under the pavilion at the Tri-State Exhibition Center.
Nillie Bipper is this area’s oldest festival. Its tongue-twister name is a play on founder Billie Nipper’s name.
You’ll find a mixed bag of art here — beginners’ work set up alongside the pros. But you’ll always find something different at this show.
* Best heritage festival: Heritage Day at the Marsh House is known for its living-history demonstrations and homemade bake sale by the best cooks in LaFayette, Ga.
But new this year, visitors to Heritage Day can get into the spirit by eating a meal cooked over an open fire on the Marsh House property. Event coordinator Mary Smitherman says Frank B. Wood of Parrott, Ga., who has won primitive-cooking contests across the United States, will be selling plates of beef and gravy, pinto beans and cornbread for $5. A serving of peach cobbler is $1.50.
Heritage Day includes a silent auction from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and tours of the historic house for $1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Civil War encampments will be set up by re-enactors from the 37th Georgia Volunteers. Members of the Foothills Gallery will demonstrate quilting, pottery-making and basket-weaving.
In keeping with the heritage theme, Smitherman said she has included more patriotic music in the live entertainment.
“Things that will remind people that our forefathers sacrificed for freedoms we have today,” she said.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.
FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND
* Autumn Children’s Festival: Tennessee Riverpark, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, free admission, 50 cents to $3 for children’s activities, children’s carnival is fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House of Chattanooga. 778-4200.
* Bledsoe County Heritage Days: Downtown Pikeville,Tenn., today and Saturday, free, parades both days, crafts and music. 423-447-2931.
* Campbell Folk School Fall Festival: John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown Road, off Highway 64, Brasstown, N.C., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $5 adults, $3 ages 12-17, 200 craftsmen and 40 working artists.
* Cherry Log Fall Festival: Cherry Log Street (old Georgia Highway 5), Cherrylog, Ga. 7:30 a.m.-dusk Saturday and Sunday, home-cooked breakfasts and dinners, music and craft vendors. 706-698-3208.
* Fall Bazaar: First United Methodist Church, 3425 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, free, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. homemade soup and sandwich sale, proceeds benefit mission projects and area nonprofits. 423-476-4504.
* GoFest: Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, free, demonstrations of adaptive athletics such as wheelchair basketball and cycling, music and interactive entertainment, service dogs and demonstrations, art showcase, touch-a-truck. 425-7800.
* Grape Stomp: Georgia Wines, 6469 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, wine-tasting, bluegrass music, hayrides, grape stomp contests, $7 ages 21 and older (includes five tastings and souvenir wine glass), free for younger guests. 706-937-WINE.
* Heritage Day: Marsh House, 308 N. Main St., LaFayette, Ga., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, free. 706-638-5187.
* Hodgepodge Craft Market: Signal Mountain Town Hall complex, 1111 Ridgeway Ave., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, $2 ages 13 and up, $1 ages 3-12, craft show, live music and food court added, benefits Mountain Arts Community Center.
* National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., daily through Oct. 30, check website for hours, $55.90 adults, $44.70 ages 4-11, $52.50 adults over 60, free gospel concerts and working craftsmen. www.dollywood.com.
* Nillie Bipper Festival: Tri-State Exhibition Center, Cleveland, Tenn., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $5 ages 13-59, $4 ages 60 and up, 80 exhibitors, benefits Creative Arts Guild of Cleveland. 423-284-0583.
* Punkin’ Festival: North Park, Soddy-Daisy, 10 a.m. Saturday until fireworks at dark, free, crafts, cook-offs and car show. 332-2189.
* Quilt Show: Mount Olive Church of God, 3533 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, Tenn., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. today, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, $3, crafters and Common Threads Quilt Club show. 423-472-7902.
* RiverRocks: Coolidge Park and eight natural areas around region, more than 90 events daily through Oct. 10, includes daily outdoor events, bike rides, Imax adventure films, hot air balloons and concerts. www.riverrockschattanooga.com.
* Rocktoberfest: Rock City Gardens, Lookout Mountain, noon-5 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday in the month, German music, food and souvenirs, free with regular ticket. www.seerockcity.com/rocktoberfest.
* St. John Flea Market/Bake Sale: St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, free, proceeds benefit church mission projects. 892-2257.