This weekend’s fall festivals are meant to satisfy a variety of appetites, with cornmeal, apples, whiskey and vegan fare among the foods available in the region.
Other events showcase local artists. Still others put the focus on worthwhile causes, with the proceeds going to the empowerment of the women served by Project Free 2 Fly (the bird and barn sale), children in need (Christmas for children) or the fight against breast cancer (Soddy-Daisy Fall Festival). ).
Jim Stewart, who is helping coordinate the Soddy-Daisy festival, said the CHI Memorial Mammography Mobile will be parked Saturday and a run preceding the festival will raise funds for the hospital’s MaryEllen Locher Breast Center. More than 300 participants have already signed up for the Great Pumpkin Chase 5K run/walk and 1-mile untimed walk, each with a $25 fee through Friday (plus race day).
“We hope to give them a big check at the end of the event,” he said in a telephone interview.
Participation in the Kids Trick or Trot, which follows the baseball fields at Soddy-Daisy Kids Park, is free. Children are encouraged to wear costumes for the trot. While most of this weekend’s events are harvest-themed, the Soddy-Daisy Festival looks toward Halloween. Pumpkin carving and costume contests are part of the fun.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga-area weekend events bring cars, zombies, outdoor concerts)
AT A GLANCE
These are among the events closest to Chattanooga. See the full list of fall festivals at timesfreepress.com.
BACON & BARREL PARTY — First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. Includes 15 whiskey tastings, unlimited food tastings, live music, Thursday 6-9pm. $44. Must be 21. Benefits Chattanooga Market. baconandbarrel.com/chattanooga
ART FESTIVAL BETWEEN THE BRIDGES — Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Featuring painting, sculpture, jewelry, drawings and mosaics by 40 artists living within 45 miles of Chattanooga, plus Scenic City Clay Arts’ Potters Alley, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Music and food vendors at the adjacent Chattanooga VegFest. Free admission. avarts.org
SALE OF BIRDS AND BARN — Black Fox Farms, 2724 Varnell Road, Cleveland, Tenn. Distinctive handcrafted products, Friday 5 to 9 p.m. (pre-party), Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $50 Friday (includes exclusive shopping privileges, live music and hors d’oeuvres); Saturday $12. Earnings for supporting Project Free 2 Fly. projectfree2fly.com
CHATTANOOGA VEGFEST — Coolidge Park, 150 River St. Vegan food, plant-based vendors, live music, children’s activities, Saturday noon-5pm. Free admission; free gift bags to the first 200 visitors. chattanoogavegfest.com
CHICKAMAUGA PUMPKIN FESTIVAL — 200 Gordon St., Chickamauga, Ga. (and the surroundings of the city centre). Over 100 craft and food vendors, live music, Kidz Zone, Saturday 9am-6pm; pancake breakfast 7-11 a.m. Crawfish Springs Masonic Lodge; Tribute to the Beaters by The Beaters at 6:30pm Screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the main stage Friday after dark. facebook.com/chickamaugapumpkinfest
CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN — Tennessee Riverpark, 4301 Amnicola Highway. Handmade crafts and food trucks with some of the sales from vendors providing Christmas gifts for children at a local school, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. eventswithkimk@gmail.com
CLEVELAND APPLE FESTIVAL – Bradley County Courthouse Square, 155 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tennessee. Arts and crafts, specialty vendors, apple dessert contest, 10 am to 6 pm Saturday, 1 to 6 pm Sunday. One-day pass $7 adults, $5 seniors/children 3-12; family pass (two adults, up to four children) $25 (cash only). clevelandapplefestival.org
COLORFEST — Moon Lake Village (new location), 5866 E. River Road, Mentone, Ala. Arts, crafts and food vendors, local musicians, children’s area, 10 am to 5 pm Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm ). Parking in the Mentone Arts Center field on Highway 117; A $5 donation is requested. mapamentone.com/colorfest2022.html
FESTIVAL OF THE GEORGIA APPLE — Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S. Main St., Ellijay, Ga. Over 300 craft vendors, demonstrations, parade, vintage car show, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $10 for ages 13 and up; civic and school groups manage the parking lot with the requested donation. georgiaapplefestival.org
COLLECTION OF ART — Rhea County Welcome Center, 107 Main St., Dayton, Tenn. Fine Art Show and Sale by Dayton Arts League, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 423-775-5122
KETNER’S MILL COUNTRY ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR — 658 Ketner Mill Lane, Whitwell, Tennessee. Arts and crafts exhibits and demonstrations, southern food, live music, family activities, 9 am to 6 pm Saturday, 10 am to 5:30 pm Sunday (all Eastern time). $7 (cash only) ages 13 and up. ketnersmill.org
SODDY-DAISY FALL FESTIVAL — Soddy Municipal Park, 197 Durham St. Over 110 arts, crafts, environmental and merchandise vendors, 20 food vendors, live music, CHI Memorial Mammogram Mobile, free face painting, bounce houses and games, pumpkin carving and costume contests, professionally family photos, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Preceded by Great Pumpkin Chase, with 5K timed run/walk and untimed 1-mile run at 8 a.m. ($25 through Friday), Kids Trick or Trot at 9 a.m. (free but registration required). cbaip.org
(READ MORE: Festival organizers, artisans battle inflation, higher overheads to help keep the show going)
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.
