It’s a weekend for open-air festivals as organizers take advantage of Mother Nature’s beauty in the Tennessee Valley. Of the 15 events this weekend, 10 are either outdoors or in pavilions.
The third Saturday of October used to be synonymous with the Tennessee-Alabama football game. Although that’s no longer the case, it still remains an anticipated date because the third weekend of October means Ketner’s Mill Country Fair.
Held on Pappy Ketner’s scenic farm in the Sequatchie Valley, a day trip there is the perfect way to enjoy fall weather. Aromas of grilling hamburgers waft through the air, there’s the rushing whoosh of the millstream’s waterfall, and the jingle of horses’ harnesses as you stroll rows of vendors’ wares.
Yes, there are 100 crafters, but folks come to this festival just as much for the old-fashioned fun in an outdoor setting. Tour the operational mill, or settle on a log stump and enjoy cloggers and fiddlers. Pet a baby goat in the Marion County 4-H Club’s petting zoo or take a ride in a horse-pulled wagon. Paddle a canoe on the Sequatchie River, or just skip rocks across the millstream.
One of the best things about Ketner’s is its community spirit; many civic and school organizations sell concessions to raise money for their organizations. Proceeds from the Food Barn benefit Powell’s Crossroads Recreation Center, and proceeds from the fair support upkeep of this historic mill and property.
Ketner’s Mill, Webb School’s Show and Georgia Apple Festival are all well-known, established shows. But a new event is launching this weekend that holds the promise of becoming equally as popular.
The Sunflower Stables Barn Sale and Market has been the dream of Margaret Long, Dianne Mason and Deborah Lofton for some time. These friends share a love of all things crafty, antique and trendy in Southern-style décor, says Lofton, and they travel together to visit barn sales around the area.
“The barn sale is a combination event that is becoming increasingly popular and more well-known, especially in the Southeast. As we have visited similar events in other areas, we have talked about how much we would love to see an event like this in the Hamilton/Bradley county area,” says Lofton, “and this year we decided to make it happen.”
Lofton says for their first juried show they have “a plethora of different types of merchandise.” She lists antiques, vintage clothing, repurposed furniture, chalk-painted products, jewelry, paintings and other artwork, monogrammed items and hand-sewn items. There will be food vendors, a farmers market and pumpkin patch for the kids.
Sunflower Stables Barn Sale is being held in the Tri-State Exhibition Hall near Exit 20 off I-75 in Cleveland, which housed the former Nillie Bipper Show. Since that prominent craft show is no longer held, it’s nice to see a new event back in the pavilion.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.
FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND – OCT. 16-18
‘ Black Bear Festival: Town Park, 400 N. Third Ave., Chatsworth, Ga., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, $2 ages 11 and up, music, contests, craft and food vendors. 706-695-6060.
‘ Cleveland Apple Festival: 155 N. Ocoee St., downtown Cleveland, Tenn., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday, $5 adults, $4 children ages 4-12 and senior adults, family pass for two adults and up to four children $20. clevelandapplefestival.org.
‘ Colorfest: Mentone Brow Park, Mentone, Ala., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (all times Central), free admission to festival; $10 Saturday chili cookout 5-9 p.m., $10 Friday Night Fish Fry at Mentone Inn pavilion, 4-7 p.m. MentoneColorfest@gmail.com.
‘ Fall Barbecue/Art and Crafts Show: Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, intersection of Highways 127 and 283, five miles southeast of Dunlap, Tenn., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, $8.50. 423-949-2173.
‘ Fall Festival: Tyner United Methodist Church, 6805 Standifer Gap Road, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, free. 423-892-0444.
‘ Fall Festival: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 7634 Gann Road, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, hay rides, games, petting zoo, concessions and inflatables. 423-842-3400.
‘ 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. www.georgiaapplefestival.org.
‘ Gold Rush Days: Dahlonega, Ga., town square, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday, free, more than 300 vendors. dahlonegajaycees.com.
‘ Goodlet Farm Festival: Goodlet Farm, 331 Straight Gut Road, Rock Spring, Ga., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, $10 ages 13 and older, concert by James Rogers, book signings by 21 regional authors, gate proceeds benefit MaryEllen Locher Foundation. 423-987-0473.
‘ HarvestFest: Harvest Grocery, 5414 Hixson Pike, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, free admission, $1 beef sliders and brats, 25 vendors and artisans, beer garden, petting zoo, face painting, yard games, country/folk music by Ginger Coulter and band. HarvestGrocery.com.
‘ 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), $6 ages 13 and up. 423-267-5702.
‘ Oktoberfest: Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, free. chattanoogamarket.com.
‘ St. Vincent de Paul Craft Fair: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 501 S. Moore Road, 8 a.m-1 p.m. Saturday, free. 423-867-9491.
‘ Sunflower Stables Barn Sale and Market: Tri-State Exhibition Center, 200 Natures Trail, Cleveland, Tenn., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, $5. sunflowerstablesbarnsale@gmail.com.
‘ 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, more than 500 booths on campus and in town square. info@bellbucklechamber.com.