Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
MooFest, Valley Fest among five festivals
Five festivals that range from small- town parties to a vintage market selli ng shabby- chic wares are scheduled around the region from Friday through Sunday, May 6-7.
There’s an impressive music lineup on two stages at Valley Fest in Dunlap, old- fashioned fun such as milk chugging and ice cream-eating at MooFest in Athens, Tenn. Food fare ranges from traditional festival concessions like funnel cakes and kettle corn to the house specialties of 30 restaurants participating in D9’s Taste of Ooltewah and Harrison on Sunday in Cambridge Square.
Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening at each.
VALLEY FEST
› Where: Downtown Dunlap, Tenn.
› When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. CDT Saturday, May 6; 11 a. m.-5 p. m. CDT Sunday, May 7
› Admission : $8 adults, $2 children, additional $ 25 for reserved concert seating › For more information: www.valleyfestonline.com
Country band Little Texas headlines this year’s Valley Fest with a concert Saturday at 8 p.m.
Since their debut album in 1992, members of Little Texas have sold more than 7 million albums, earned three Grammy nominations, won a CMA Album of the Year award and an ACM award for Vocal Group of the Year.
Their hits include “Some Guys Have All the Love,” “First Time For Everything,” “What Might Have Been” and “God Blessed Texas.”
Sunday’s headliner is Jeff Bates, a sacred and secular music artist who changed his lifestyle after drugs and alcohol landed him in jail in the late 1990s. He takes the stage at 3:30 p.m.
Two years after he got out, Bates signed a record deal with RCA Records and released his debut album “Rainbow Man.” Three more albums followed. His current project is “Me and Conway,” six original tunes and six Conway Twitty hits.
Also performing Sunday will be Testimony Quartet at 12: 30 p.m. and Cody McCarver at 2 p.m.
On the festival grounds there will be food and craft vendors, children’s activities, 10K and 5K races.
Saturday’s car show has awards for classic and street rods-trucks, new car production and rat rods. Registration will be held from 9 a.m. to noon CDT, and the fee is $20 per car. Each entrant will receive a goody bag and the first 40 to register will receive Valley Fest dash plaques.
MOOFEST
› Where: Wetlands park beside E. G. Fisher Public Library, 1289 Ingleside Ave., Athens, Tenn. ›
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 6 › Admission: Free › For more informa
tion: 423-745-7782 This year’s MooFest is combining with Tennessee Wetlands Festival so the event stretches from the wetlands at the E.G. Fisher Public Library in Athens to nearby Mayfield Dairy.
The festival kicks off with a Moo Run at 7: 30 a.m. and a Mini Moo at 10 a.m.
There will be music by Just Us, Folk Like Us, Troy Underwood and Charlsey Ethridge. Pony rides, cost ume characters, face painting and inflatables will entertain the kids.
Also at the wetlands, the dairy is hosting a variety of games such as milk- chugging, i ce cream- eating, a frozen T-shirt contest as well as arts and craft vendors and educational booths.
VINTAGE PICKIN’ BARN SALE
› Where: White Oaks Farm, 202 Farmer Road, Fyffe, Ala.
› When: 3-7 p. m. Friday, May 5; 9 a. m.- 4 p. m. Saturday, May 6
› Admission: $18 ages 13 and older on Friday for early-pickin’ presale; $6 on Saturday ages 13 and older
› For more information: 256-717-9365
Shop from more than 45 artists and pickers from across the Southeast who will bring vintage, antique and shabby- chic finds as well as handmade goods. Free gift to the first 100 in line.
CHATTY SPRING MARKET
› Where: The Peyton in Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. › When: Noon- 6 p. m. Sunday, May 7 › Admission: $2 › For more informa
tion: 423-667-4332 This spring show of original work by 40 vendors is sponsored by Indie South Fairs. There will be a deejay spinning records and food trucks on-site.
TASTE OF OOLTEWAH AND HARRISON
› Where: Cambridge Square in Ooltewah, intersection of Old Lee Highway and Ooltewah- Georgetown Road › When: 12: 30- 4 p. m. Sunday, May 7 ›
Admission: Free admission, $20 for a book of 10 tasting tickets › For more informa
tion: 423-290-2134 D9 hosts will host its third Taste of Ooltewah and Harrison on Sunday to raise money for five public elementary schools in the Ooltewah-Harrison communities.
Visitors to this East Hamilton County party can purchase tickets to sample the specialties of more than 30 local restaurants; each food sample takes from two to five tickets. Tickets may also be exchanged for horseback rides and the petting zoo.