Festival schedule starts earlier every year

› Today: Cherokee Cultural Celebration, Red Clay State Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road, Cleveland, Tenn. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free. 423-478-0339.

› Aug. 8-12: Rhea County Fair, 290 Harold Robbins Lane, Evensville, Tenn. Hours and admission not posted yet. rheacountyfair.com.

› Aug. 15-19: Bledsoe County Fair, Bledsoe County Fairgrounds, 2762 Upper E. Valley Road, Pikeville, Tenn. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. CDT weekdays, $3-$5. www.bledsoecountyfair.com

› Aug. 22-26: Sequatchie County Fair, 103 Heard St., Dunlap, Tenn. Gates open

5 p.m. Tuesday, 2 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. Friday-Saturday; $3 Tuesday-Thursday, $5 Friday and Saturday. 423-298-5280.

› Aug. 24-27: Chattooga County Agriculture Fair, 34 Middle School Road, Summerville, Ga. Gates open 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $5. www.chattoogafair.com.

› Aug. 25-Sept. 2: Cumberland County Fair, 34 Music Road, Crossville, Tenn. Gates open 5 p.m. weeknights, 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sunday (all times Central). 931-484-9454

› Aug. 26-27: BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival, North Georgia Ag Fairground, 500 Legion Drive, Dalton, Ga. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. each day. Free. 706-503-1809.

› Aug. 26-27: Beersheba Springs Arts and Crafts Fair, Beersheba United Methodist Assembly Grounds, 55 Hege Ave. off Highway 56, Beersheba Springs, Tenn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m CDT Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. CDT Sunday, 931-692-3691.

› Sept. 2: Smokin’ Up the Mountains BBQ & Brews Festival, 30 Highland Crossing, East Ellijay, Ga., noon-8 p.m., $5 ages 11 and older.

› Sept. 2-3: Muscadine Balloon Festival, Tsali Notch Vineyard, 140 Harrison Road, Madisonville, Tenn.; 2-10 p.m. both days. Free. www.muscadineballoonfiesta.com.