Producers of seven outdoor arts festivals in the Atlanta area will move north this weekend for the debut of the Chattanooga Art Fest at Coolidge Park.
Cindy Flynn, co-owner of Splash Festivals, said the event promises more than 100 "oh-so-cool" artist booths, a creative Kidz Zone and tasty festival cuisine on Chattanooga's trendy North Shore.
"We will be creating our own style of magic in Chattanooga, and the participating vendors look forward to displaying their handmade products, especially since they will offer a chance to purchase holiday gifts early," she said in a news release.
Several other events will set a holiday mood for shoppers, while Walker County, Georgia, gets a head-start on World Kindness Day and Dayton and Cleveland, Tennessee, host American Indian festivals.
AT A GLANCE
(These are closest to Chattanooga. See the Fall Festival Guide at timesfreepress.com for other events within a two-hour drive.)
-- Holiday Stroll: Market Street, downtown Dayton, Tenn. Merchants and eateries along Market and connecting streets will offer discounts and extended hours, Santa visits, all day Thursday. Grand tree lighting on Rhea County Courthouse lawn at 6 p.m. mainstreetdayton.org
-- Christmas Village: New Hope Presbyterian Church, 7608 Shallowford Road. Arts and crafts vendors, direct sales, small-business products, food trucks, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. newhopechattanooga.org/christmas_village
-- Holly Jolly Holiday Market: St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 7514 Hixson Pike. Handmade arts and crafts by local vendors, children's craft table, live music, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday. stalbanschatt.com/farmers-market
-- Walker County Kindness Festival: Saddle Ridge Elementary and Middle School, 9858 Highway 27, Rock Spring, Ga. Food, crafts, inflatables, live performances, cornhole tournament, food drive, 1-4 p.m. Saturday. tinyurl.com/walkerkindness
-- Christmas Village Holiday Market: Greenway Park & Pavilion, 755 Raider Drive, Cleveland, Tenn. More than 100 craft commercial and food vendors, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission and parking. touchtheskyevents.com
-- Chattanooga Art Fest: Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Maker festival with handmade pottery, jewelry, woodwork, metal art, fiber, mixed media, folk art, photography and glass works, plus a children's area and food trucks, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free admission. splashfestivals.com
-- Cherokee Cultural Celebration: Red Clay State Historic Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road SW, Cleveland, Tenn. Cherokee craft and food vendors, craft demonstrations, traditional music and dancing, storytelling, stickball game, blowgun competition, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $5 per vehicle. tinyurl.com/cherokeeredclay
(READ MORE: Cherokee Cultural Festival set this weekend at Red Clay)
-- Spirit of the Veteran & Warrior Powwow: Point Park, 230 Chickamauga Drive, Dayton, Tenn. American Indian dancing and drumming, craft and food vendors, flute players, storytellers, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; grand entry at noon each day. $7 (free for children 10 and younger, plus teachers, veterans and first responders with ID). facebook.com/windofthewolves
-- Walker Farm Pioneer Days: Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Road. Hands-on historical demonstrations geared to elementary-age students and families, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday through Nov. 19. $7.50 children, $5 chaperones and members. chattanoogaaudubon.org
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.