This weekend’s top shows are just a short drive into North Georgia. All three have grown over three decades to become the anticipated events they are now.
* Prater’s Mill Country Fair: Prater’s is marking its 40th anniversary this weekend. Judy Alderman, who has been with the fair since its inception, said the show has grown from 20 vendors its first year to more than 200 artists and crafters this weekend.
“When we first began, we had a country fair every month from May to December,” she recalls. “The second year, it was each month from May to October; the third year, just May and October. Five years ago we stopped the May show due to flooding.”
Prater’s Fair is unusual in that it is split into two sections, one on either side of Georgia Highway 2. Craft and food vendors are on one side with the main entertainment stage. On the opposite side of the highway, visitors will find the Westbrook Barn, 1898 Prater’s Store and educational exhibits.
Alderman said Dalton resident Milton Ulloa has painted a peacock on the side of the cotton gin in tribute to the women who started the hand-tufted textile industry that became known as Peacock Alley.
New exhibitors this year are Carl Pendergrass, who makes copper fountains; tanner Don Barry; basket maker Melanie Russin; flintknapper Andrew Lee; potter Robin Smith; and sculptor Kevin Sexton.
* Georgia Apple Festival: The Ellijay Lions Club is marking its 39th apple festival this weekend and next in Ellijay, Ga.
In addition to more than 300 craft and food vendors, visitors to this fair can purchase baskets of orchard-fresh apples. Twenty-two varieties of apples grown in the 19 regional orchards will be sold at the festival.
An antique car show will be held in the Civic Center on Saturday in conjunction with the festival.
* New Salem Mountain Festival: Enjoy fall’s beauty in the wooded setting of this outdoor festival (rain or shine) on Lookout Mountain.
Fay Nichols said this show began 36 years ago with fewer than 20 vendors. This year, there will be 100.
“I’ve got a lot of new crafters this year, and our stained-glass artist is returning,” she said.
New Salem features a special indoor exhibition, The Mountain Gallery, where you’ll find the best work of each craftsman. Here you’ll also find handmade quilts and New Salem women demonstrating this art.
In addition to the usual festival foods, New Salem offers home-cooked dishes by the members of New Salem United Methodist Church. And in keeping with the community theme, the music is provided by local entertainers.
All proceeds of this show benefit the New Salem Community Center and the New Salem Fire and Rescue Squad.
FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND
* Boynton Craft Show: Boynton Church of God, Three Notch Road, Ringgold, Ga., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. 706-935-6972.
* 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.
* 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 up, $2 parking, more than 300 crafts, antique car show in Civic Center on Saturday. georgiaapplefestival.org.
* New Haven Fall Festival: 1058 Graysville Road, Chattanooga, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, children’s activities, breakfast and lunch sold, yard sale, 10 a.m. auction. 718-4933.
* New Salem Mountain Arts and Crafts Show: New Salem Community Center, 12477 Highway 136, on Lookout Mountain between Trenton and LaFayette, Ga.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, $5 ages 12 and up, more than 100 exhibitors in outdoor setting. 706-398-1988.
* Oktoberfest: Knights of Columbus grounds, 2892 Highway 70 East, Crossville, Tenn., 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday (all times Central), $7.50 ages 15 and up, German music and food. 931-707-7291.
* Prater’s Mill Country Fair: Prater’s Mill, 5845 Georgia Highway 2, 10 miles northeast of Dalton, Ga., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, $5 ages 13 and up, 200 exhibitors, tours of mill, music. 706-694-6455.
* Rotary Club Craft Fair: Patriot Park, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., free, daily through Oct. 30. 865-909-3446.
* Pumpkintown: Downtown Athens, Tenn., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, free, 22 craft vendors, 10:30 a.m. mutt strut, 11 a.m. canine costume contest, pumpkin contests. 423-887-3544.
Pumpkintown Entertainment
The Legacy Stage
(Corner of White and Madison)
* 10:15 a.m. ALF Praise Team
* 11:30 a.m. Calling Glory
* 12:30 p.m. Carla Jo Carr & Silver Wings Band
* 1:30 p.m. Jamie Russell
* 2:15 p.m. Calling Glory
* 3:15 p.m. Armfield Academy Dancers
* 4 p.m. Carla Jo Carr & Silver Wings Band
Derby Downs Stage
(Corner of Washington and Jackson)
* 10 a.m. Hope Ector
* 11 a.m. Jamie Russell
* Noon. Pumpkin-carving contest
* 12:30 p.m. Shane Lowe
* 1:30 p.m. Y’uns
* 2:30 p.m. Hope Ector
* 3:15 p.m. Dalton Roberts
* 4:15 p.m. Y’uns
Knights Park Stage
(Jackson and White at College Street)
* 10 a.m. The Old College Harp Singers
* 10:30 a.m. Starr Mountain Talent
* 11:30 a.m. O’Neta’s Studio of Guitar
* 12:30 p.m. Reliance
* 1:30 p.m. Savannah Roberts and John Higdon
* 2:15 p.m. Starr Mountain Talent
* 3:15 p.m. The Nunley Sisters
* 4 p.m. Reliance
Source: Pumpkintown website