Crabtree Farms will introduce some new field hands Saturday as a monthlong celebration of Fun on the Farm ushers in the fall produce season. The temporary help is a collection of 12 scarecrows, all vying for votes in a popularity contest that runs through October.
"They're cute, too," said Melissa Astin, the farm's director of community outreach and engagement. "The creativity is amazing."
The first-time event is modeled after Scarecrows in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which tasks businesses, families and community groups with crafting a countrified companion.
Astin, who is from Atlanta, said she thought Chattanoogans would enjoy a similar spectacle, plus there's plenty of room for social distancing on the 22-acre urban farm.
"This is a COVID-safe way for the community to be engaged," she said.
The farm also has procured some 300 pumpkins from a grower in Morristown, Tennessee, that families may purchase to take home while they're there. On Oct. 17 and 24, registered participants can carve pumpkins on-site.
"That way they can make a mess at the farm versus the house," she said. "As a mom, I was like, 'This is what we're doing.'"
Astin said visitors also will find a fall-themed booth for make-your-own photos and plenty of produce available in the farm store.
"We have corn stalks for sale, and we'll have a lot of produce through November. This time of year, we get into greens and daikons and radishes, more rooted vegetables," she said.
Scarecrows will be on display through Oct. 31.
Fun on the Farm is one of at least a dozen fall festivals starting or continuing this weekend, including a couple that have gone virtual this year. The previously announced Bluff Park Art Show in Hoover, Alabama, has been canceled.
Email Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com.
FESTIVALS AT A GLANCE
OCT. 1-3
- National Storytelling Festival: Jonesborough, Tenn. Digital storytelling and special events. https://www.storytellingcenter.net/festival/
OCT. 2-4
- North Georgia State Fair: Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. Final weekend for Taste of the Fair, with drive-thru or walk-up service 4-8 p.m. Friday and noon-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free admission and parking. Donate seven nonperishable canned goods to Must Ministries to receive a free ticket to the 2021 fair. https://www.northgeorgiastatefair.com/
THROUGH OCT. 3
- Autumn Children's Festival: Chattanooga. The At-Home Edition, including such activities as magic tricks, martial arts, cooking class and face painting lessons, streams live via Facebook, 6-7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. Benefits Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House Charities. https://www.rmhchattanooga.com/news-events/autumn-childrens-festival/
- DeKalb County VFW Agricultural Fair: VFW Hall, 151 18th St. NW, Fort Payne, Ala. Kissel Entertainment midway opens at 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. Saturday (all times Central); ticket specials certain days and hours; otherwise $1.25 per ticket or 22 tickets for $25. Live music each day; limited livestock shows. Chainsaw artist Corey Lancaster featured in Boon Hall. $4 gate admission for ages 6 and older; $3 fairgrounds parking. www.dekalbcountyvfwfair.com
OCT. 2-3
- Boaz Harvest Festival: Old Mill Park, 10315 Alabama Highway, Boaz, Ala. Street fair with crafts, children's area, contests and antique car, tractor and engine show, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. CDT Friday-Saturday. Free. https://www.boazareachamberofcommerce.com/events/details/56th-annual-harvest-festival-377
- Morris Hill Craft Market: Morris Hill Baptist Church gym, 1804 Morris Hill Road. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free. 423-596-5134
OCT. 2-31
- Haunted Museum Virtual Storytelling Festival: Tennessee State Museum, 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville. Kid-friendly virtual events Fridays and Saturdays in October, plus bonus session from Memphis on Oct. 28. Opening weekend includes 8 a.m. scavenger hunt and 3:30 p.m. storytime and Three Sisters Soup cooking demo on Oct. 2; 9 a.m. storytelling about mystery artifacts on Oct. 3 (all times Central). Spooky Scavenger Hunt for in-person visitors. https://tnmuseum.org/VirtualHauntedMuseum
OCT. 3
- Catoosa County Fall Festival: Northwest Georgia Amphitheatre, 220 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Food and craft vendors, free inflatables, duck derby, 3-6 p.m. 706-891-4199.
- Fall Festival: Trojan Hall, 10838 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy. More than 30 local vendors, including Avon, Pampered Chef, Herbalife and Scentsy, plus fall set photographer and concessions, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/10838-dayton-pike-soddy-daisy-tn-37379-5615-united-states/trojan-hall-fall-festival/343524450035926/
OCT. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Fall fun: Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. Hayrides tentatively scheduled Saturdays in October; movies in the park Oct. 24. Very limited availability. https://friendsofcloudlandcanyon.org/
OCT. 3-31
* Fun on the Farm: Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. Pumpkin patch, scarecrow contest, produce in the farm store. Scarecrows may be viewed daily. Pumpkin picking 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays, noon-6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Pumpkin carving 1-3 p.m. Oct. 17 and 24 with registration. www.crabtreefarms.org.
THROUGH OCT. 31
- Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights: Dollywood, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Features artistic sculptures, elaborate fall scenes, artisans, seasonal food, entertainment. $79 ages 10-61, discounts for younger and older guests. www.dollywood.com