They were rained out last weekend, but the crafters and bakers of Cloud Springs Baptist Church in North Georgia expect to have their goods ready to go on Saturday.
Down the road in Chatsworth, Georgia, the Chatsworth-Eton-Murray County Chamber of Commerce is setting up in a new location for the Black Bear Festival.
In Dayton, Tennessee, members of the Dayton Arts League are putting finishing touches on works included in the Harvest of Art sale, also in a new location this year.
Theirs are among a half dozen fall festivals happening or recurring this weekend in the tri-state region. Another, the Bird & Barn Sale benefiting Project Free 2 Fly in Cleveland, Tennessee, opens with a preview party Wednesday.
Dianne Knappen, owner of ArtCrafters Gallery, said she's expecting a variety of paintings from the Dayton Arts League. The artists have previously displayed their fall art show at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, but hours are limited there because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Knappen said the artists work in a variety of media. In addition to the main selection of framed, hanging paintings, there will be a $10 table with unframed, original 5x7 works for sale. A two-hour meet-and-greet with the artists is scheduled next Saturday, Oct. 24. "But they won't have the big spread of food like they usually do," said Knappen.
Likewise, the Chatsworth-Eton-Murray County Chamber of Commerce is making several coronavirus accommodations for the Black Bear Festival, which has moved this year to the old Murray County Rec Department. Only food vendors with prepackaged items will be allowed, and there will be no inflatables or face painting in the Kids Korner, officials said.
In Chattanooga, voting continues in a scarecrow contest at Crabtree Farms, and pumpkin carving opportunities will be available Friday and Saturday afternoon for registered participants. Melissa Astin, the farm's director of community outreach and engagement, said these events should be especially beneficial to families with young children.
"That way they can make a mess at the farm versus the house," she said.
Ticket sales continue for next week's Bird & Barn Sale. The main event is Thursday with a $10 admission. Tickets are $40 for a Wednesday VIP preview party. Those tickets may be used for return visits on Thursday.
Email Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com.
At a glance
OCT. 17- Craft/Bake Sale: Cloud Springs Baptist Church, 210 Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. (Postponed from Oct. 10.) Benefit for church’s Golden Agers group, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free admission. 706-866-0164OCT. 17-18- Black Bear Festival: Old Murray County Rec Department (new location), 745 W. Chestnut St., Chatsworth, Ga. Entertainment both days, Saturday car show, Sunday children’s pageant; bring-your-own decorated pumpkin for contest, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $3 ages 7 and older. https://murraycountychamber.orgOCT. 17-31- Harvest of Art: ArtCrafters Gallery (new location), 1356 Market St., Dayton, Tenn. Show and sale of latest works of Dayton Arts League members; gallery open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Meet the artists 1-3 p.m. Oct. 24. Free. 423-775-1401, 423-775-5122OCT. 21-22- Bird & Barn Sale: Black Fox Farms, 2724 Varnell Road, Cleveland, Tenn. Vendors selling handcrafted goods, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; $10 general admission, $25 premium ticket includes limited-edition gift and more than $100 in vendor coupons. Opens with VIP preview party, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday; $40 admission (good for return visit Thursday). Benefits Project Free 2 Fly. https://projectfree2fly.com/THROUGH OCT. 25- Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair: Convention Center, 234 Historic Nature Trail, traffic light No. 8 on Gatlinburg Parkway, Gatlinburg, Tenn. Handmade products, artisan demonstrations, music, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $10 adults. https://craftsmenfair.com/october-fair/THROUGH OCT. 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. 16-17 (new dates) with registration and $15 fee ($10 for additional pumpkin). www.crabtreefarms.org- 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