If you go
› What: Butterfly Festival› Where: Heritage High School, 3960 Poplar Springs Road, Ringgold, Ga.› When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31› Admission: $10 ages 3 and older, $50 family maximum› For more information: 423-413-4128
Suitcase Souls, a Nashville husband-and-wife duo, will make their local debut Saturday, Aug. 31, when the singers headline the third Butterfly Festival at Heritage High School football stadium in Ringgold, Georgia. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Butterfly Festival was founded in 2017 by Jason and Amy Carter as a way to thank their community for the love and support shown them following the death of their daughter, Katie Beth, on Labor Day weekend 2016.
This fundraiser raises triumph over tragedy since all proceeds benefit the Katie Beth Carter Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to students at Jacksonville State University and Heritage High School, both schools Katie Beth attended.
As the festival has grown, the Carters have tweaked it to better meet the needs of its guests.
The Suitcase Souls are husband and wife Kyle and Marci Pruzina. They will perform at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Butterfly Festival. / Kyle Pruzina Contributed Photo"Last year, we had a concert in the evening; this year we will have live music at the festival," says Jason Carter.
The Suitcase Souls, who are Kyle and Marci Pruzina, met and married in Memphis. The couple worked on their debut album, "The Love We Found," throughout 2018 and debuted its first single, "Sky Meets the Ocean," in January.
As the duo continues to release a brand new song each month this year, they hope listeners find themselves humming along with every melody. Their sound is comparable to singer-songwriter styles of artists such as Ben Rector, Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers, with inspiration from duo acts such as The Civil Wars.
In addition to Suitcase Souls, local musicians Connor Priest and Kimi Carter will also perform.
There will be face painting, a petting zoo, carnival games, arts/crafts tent, food vendors, local artists and, of course, the festival's finale: a butterfly release.
For more information: www.thebutterflyfestival.com.
FESTIVALS
Aug. 30-Labor Day
» Art in the Park: Marietta Square and Glover Park, 50 N. Park Square, Marietta, Ga., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday, free admission; 175 artists in Marietta Square. http://artparkmarietta.com/about/
» Balloon Fiesta: Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, 576 Highway 360, Vonore, Tenn., 4-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, $10 ages 5 and older, $125 VIP, balloon glow set to music each night at dusk, free children's area, tethered rides; benefits Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in Monroe County. http://monroelifeballoonfiesta.com/
» Labor Day Festival: Section Community Park, one block off Alabama Highway 35, Section, Ala., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. CDT Monday, free admission, music, contests, kids activities and barbecue. 256-228-3280
» Pioneer Days Festival: Sam Smith Park, 1155 Douthit Ferry Road, Cartersville, Ga., 4-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday, $5 ages 13 and older, $20 unlimited carnival rides; arts and crafts, carnival midway, music. Fireworks Monday only at dusk. https://www.pioneerdaysga.com/
Sept. 4
» Back-to-School Bash: Tyner United Methodist Church, 6805 Standifer Gap Road, 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, free food, outdoor games, door prizes, for all ages of the family. 423-400-7924.
Coming Sunday, Sept. 1
» Check the Life section for the Times Free Press' annual Fall Festival Guide. Your guide to 130 fairs, festivals and community celebrations in the tri-state area.