Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow

Festival season is here

Beersheba Springs show signals start of fall festival season

- BY SUSAN PIERCE STAFF WRITER

When Beersheba Springs Arts and Crafts Fair opens its gates on Saturday. Aug. 26, for the 51st annual show, it also marks the beginning of the fall arts and craft season.

While that granddaddy of fall shows anchors this weekend’s festivals, there’s yet another new one adding to the fall festival schedule. BBQ , Blues and Bluegrass Festival will make its debut in Dalton, Ga., on Saturday- Sunday, Aug. 26-27, at the North Georgia Ag Fairground.

Beersheba Springs Arts and Crafts Fair presents about 150 exhibitors on the grounds of the historic Beersheba United Methodist Assembly Grounds. This festival has stayed true to its original policy set 51 years ago that only handmade, original work will be accepted.

All proceeds from this show go right back into the Beersheba Springs community, says Fran Holt, a festival spokeswoma­n. Donations are made to the Beersheba Springs library, rescue squad, local nursing homes, Grundy County Center for Exceptiona­l Citizens and North Elementary School. Funds are also used to fill food baskets for needy families.

Food vendors will be About 150 arts and crafts vendors will be spread across the historic Beersheba United Methodist Assembly Grounds at the 51st annual Beersheba Springs Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday and Sunday. located on the grounds and hot meals will be served in the Assembly’s dining hall as well.

Organizers of BBQ , Blues and Bluegrass Festival are j umping i nto the festival spirit with an ambitious lineup of music, a barbecue cookoff, kids zone, arts and crafts vendors, motorcycle contest and cornhole tournament in its first year.

Admission is free, there is a $1 fee for parking per vehicle. Food and drinks, arts and crafts and some children’s rides are available for a fee. As of press time, nearly 100 food and craft vendors had signed up.

Saturday’s musical lineup is Shellem Cline, 3 p.m.; Appalachia­n Travelers, 4 p.m.; Austin Zackary, 6 p.m.; Charlsey Etheridge, 7 p.m.; The Band Antle, 8 p.m.

Americalyp­so Band gets the music started Sunday at noon. The remainder of the afternoon’s acts are Connor Priest at 1:30 p.m., Sing for the King at 2: 30 p. m. and YLP2 Music at 3 p.m.

For more informatio­n about BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival: 706-503-1809.

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