Rain is expected this weekend in the Chattanooga area, which is bad timing for several festivals across town.
Ryan Willis, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Ga., said Saturday morning has a 40-to-50-percent chance of rain. By the afternoon and into the evening, that number jumps to 70 percent. Sunday has a 40 percent chance of rain all day.
"What we expect is that the heaviest rain will remain east of Chattanooga," Willis said.
While the Chattanooga area could see 1-2 inches of rain Saturday and Sunday, the Northeast Georgia and South Carolina region could see as much as 6-7 inches with flooding possible, Willis said. Hurricane Joaquin, which strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane Thursday, is expected to push more moisture into the region.
Joaquin was located near the Bahamas on Thursday afternoon and was heading toward the East Coast. In response to the expected rainfall, TVA is drawing down its reservoirs to lower than normal levels.
Local festivals are preparing for the worst, as not only is rain expected, but colder temperatures will move into the area with highs in the low to mid-60s.
"The rain isn't going to stop us from having a good time," said Jesse Taymore, COO of Georgia Winery. The winery is hosting its annual Grape Stomp festival Saturday from noon to 5:30 p.m.
Taymore said the band has already been relocated to protect it from the impending storms. He said for the first 15 years of the festival they got lucky and didn't have any inclement weather. But two of the past five years they've had rain showers.
As for the actual grape stomp, he said not to worry about the wine being watered down. The winery doesn't use those grapes for its wine-making process.
This is Tracy Cobb's eighth year with the Autumn Children's Festival. She said it's rained in the past, and it's negatively affected attendance.
"There's not too many people that will come out with their children," she said.
The Autumn Children's Festival is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Tennessee Riverpark on Amnicola Highway. Cobb said administration will meet at 7 a.m. Saturday to decide if they need to delay or cancel any activities. That information will be shared through its website to potential festival-goers.
She recalled a past festival when Saturday had rainy weather and not many people showed up, but the crowd responded the next day.
"And that Sunday after we had our biggest day we've ever had," she said. "We made up our losses from Saturday."
The Three Sisters Festival, featuring two days of bluegrass music, will take place rain or shine at Ross's Landing. The event kicks off today at 6 p.m. with a concert by the Dismembered Tennesseans.
Contact staff writer Evan Hoopfer at ehoopfer@timesfreepress.com, @EvanHoopfer on Twitter or 423-757-6731.