With 22 events on tap this weekend, there is a festival for every interest: CultureFest, history fairs, fine-art shows, Oktoberfests, community and church events. Here are four picks for the weekend:
* It’s all about children at the Autumn Children’s Festival in the Tennessee Riverpark. Everything on the large oval containing carnival games, art activities, petting zoo, inflatables and other climb-all-overs is designed to appeal to children. This is the 30th year this fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga has been held; 29 of them led by the Tennessee Society of CPAs’ Chattanooga chapter.
There is no admission to get into the children’s festival, but there is a charge for tickets once inside – and all activities require tickets. It’s still a fairly inexpensive outing for families to have fun together.
* Although it’s still too early to view fall color while traveling over Monteagle Mountain, a day trip to Nashville to the 40th annual Tennessee Craft Fair is worth your time. Not only is the event laid out across the beautiful grounds of Centennial Park around Nashville’s Parthenon, but the art is top-notch in this fine-art adjudicated show.
You don’t even have to worry about parking. Visitors can catch a free shuttle from the HCA parking lot on Park Place courtesy of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
* If you’re in the mood for small-town fun on a big scale, drive to Pikeville, where the 30th Fall Festival will be held Saturday. It’s being chaired by former Chattanoogan Dr. John Cranwell.
Festival fun warms up with a cruise-in Friday night at 5 p.m. followed by music at 7 o’clock then costume and 1950s dance contests at 8 p.m.
Festival day begins at 10 a.m. Saturday with a farmers market, Kidz Corner and Kidz Korral, backpack giveaways and 1 p.m. puppet show. Jacob and Emily Frady will kick off five musical performances on the South Stage at 10 a.m. The day closes out with fireworks at 8 p.m.
A highlight of the festival is sure to be “Dunk A Dude,” where County Mayor Gregg Ridley and Coach Thomas Degenaro will be among brave targets sitting in the dunking booth.
* The colorful pageantry of Culturefest on Sunday in First Tennessee Pavilion is undeniably impressive as displays of dance and costuming from 18 countries are represented by residents in this city.
This is the 20th annual showcase of international communities and more than 200 local multicultural leaders, speaking 30 languages, are expected to attend. The Parade of Nations is a must-see as the flags and native dress of each country is displayed by parade participants.
FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND
OCT. 4-6
* AngelFest: University Avenue in downtown Sewanee, Tenn., 4:30 p.m. CDT Friday, free, children’s art and inflatables, petting zoo, music by Eaglemaniacs. http://sewaneeangelfest.blogspot.com.
* Autumn Children’s Festival: Tennessee Riverpark, 4301 Amnicola Highway, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, free admission, tickets for activities 50 cents to $3; children’s carnival to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. 423-778-4300.
* Bluff Park Art Show: Bluff Park Community Center, 517 Cloudland Drive, Hoover, Ala., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CDT Saturday, free; 150 artists. www.bluffparkartassociation.org.
* Boaz Harvest Festival: Downtown Boaz, Ala., Alabama Highway 168, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. CDT Friday-Saturday, free; street fair with 200 crafts vendors, children’s area, contests and classic car show. http://alabama.travel/upcoming-events/boaz-harvest-festival.
* Craft Fair: First United Methodist Church, 11625 Highway 28, Whitwell, Tenn., 8 a.m.-3 p.m. CDT Saturday, free, crafts and bake sale, $5 lunches. 423-779-6677.
* Culturefest: Chattanooga Market, First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St., Chattanooga, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, free; art, food, music and dance representing Chattanooga’s cultural diversity. https://chattanoogamarket.com/events/.
* Fall Fest: Candler Park, 1500 McLendon Ave. NE, Atlanta, gates open 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, free; fine arts and crafts show with 5K race and Sunday tour of homes. https://fallfest.candlerpark.org/.
* Fall Fest at the Hermitage: The Hermitage, 4580 Rachel’s Lane, Nashville, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (all times Central), free; art, music and history at the home of Andrew Jackson. https://www.fallfestatthehermitage.com/.
* Fall Festival: Pikeville, Tenn., 5-9 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday, free, crafts and food vendors, two stages of entertainment, farmers market, cruise-in, Dunk a Dude, Kidz Korner, glow run, 8 p.m fireworks. www.pikevillefestivals.com.
* Fall Festival: Northwest Georgia Amphitheatre, 220 Catoosa Circle in Benton Place campus, Ringgold, Ga., 4-11 p.m. Saturday, free, music, sack races, doughnut-eating contests, pony rides, food and craft vendors, inflatables, screening of “Ghostbusters” at dusk. 706-891-4199.
* Fall Festival: Kristopher’s Kingdom, 475 Black Track Road, Graysville, Tenn., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, free, sponsored by Graysville Parks and Recreation. 423-775-9242.
* Folk School Festival: John C. Campbell Folk School, 4590 Brasstown Road, Brasstown, N.C., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $5 adults, $3 ages 12-17; 200 crafts booths, 30 demonstrating craftsmen, music at 45th festival. http://www.folkschool.org/.
* Great Locomotive Chase Festival: Downtown square, 116 Public Square, Adairsville, Ga., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, $3 ages 7 and older, admission good all three days; pageant, parade, craft and food vendors. https://festivalnet.com/8008/Adairsville-Georgia/Festivals/Great-Locomotive-Chase-Festival.
* Hope Fest: Hope Fellowship, 2000 Twin Cedar Road, Chickamauga, Ga., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, outdoor concerts, horse rides, games, silent auction, family photos at new event supporting nonprofit organizations. www.HopeFestGA.org.
* Morris Hill Craft Market and Quilt Show: Morris Hill Baptist Church gym, 1804 Morris Hill Road, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, free, new young entrepreneurs section. 423-596-5134.
* National Storytelling Festival: Downtown Jonesborough, Tenn., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, variety of single-event or package ticket prices. https://www.storytellingcenter.net/festival/.
* October Fest: Elm Avenue between American Legion Hall Post 62 and City Hall in South Pittsburg, Tenn., 4-9 p.m. Saturday, $15, corn hole tournament, German food booths, beer garden in the Legion Hall, benefits South Pittsburg Historical Preservation Society, Child Advocacy Group and American Legion Post 62. 423-837-5012.
* Oktoberfest in Ooltewah: Cambridge Square, 9453 Bradmore Lane, Ooltewah, noon-5 p.m. Saturday, free; German music and vendors selling German food, beer and other products. Additionally, Lamar Johnson BBQ Classic on the square with competitors vying for Golden Ticket to World Food Championship. https://www.cambridgesquaretn.com/news.
* Red Clay State Park 40th Anniversary: Red Clay State Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, free, park tours, living history demonstrations, park history lecture. tntrailoftears@gmail.com.
* Tennessee Craft Festival: Mountain Arts Community Center, 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain, noon-6 p.m. Saturday, free, ceramics, performing arts and live raku firing. 423-886-1959.
* Tennessee Craft Week: In-Town Gallery, 26-A Frazier Ave., 5-8 p.m. Friday, free, fine crafts celebration. 423-267-9214.
OCT. 5-27
* Rocktoberfest: Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, $26.95 adults, $14.95 ages 3-12; celebration of German music and food, with polka lessons, specialty beer and costumed characters. https://www.seerockcity.com/events/rocktoberfest/.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.