A festival lineup for all ages
Variety of fun ranges from children’s festivals to heritage festivals and craft shows
This weekend’s lineup of festivals offers something for the young and the young at heart. There are children’s festivals, heritage festivals, Oktoberfests and arts and crafts shows. Following are some highlights. ›
It’s all about kids at the Autumn Children’s Festival on Saturday and Sunday, where everything — carnival games, art activities, petting zoo and inflatables — is geared to children.
The festival is held at the Tennessee Riverpark. It’s free to get inside the festival site, but tickets are sold to play the games. All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chattanooga.
Victoria Winchester, RMHC communications manager, says there will be more than 40 games set up and that a crowd favorite, the hayride, is returning. ›
Heritage Day in LaFayette, Ga., should be of particular interest to history buffs. In addition to a festival at nearby Joe Stock Park, the historic, 1836 Marsh House will be open to tours. Heritage Day is set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Event coordinator Stephanie Wardlaw says there will be a parade, children’s games, house tours, traditional crafts, barbecue plates and entertainment all day with bands on the big stage. New this year: petting zoo, crafts vendors and a rock-climbing wall. ›
Barnfest will appeal to gardeners young and old on Saturday and Sunday at The Barn Nursery. Activities there will include free hayrides, pumpkin toss, pumpkin painting, pansy planting and music.
Two events will be held simultaneously in Summerville, Ga., on Saturday.
Steam Into Summerville Railroad Days begins six weeks of festivities in Dowdy Park and Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum train excursions to Summerville. The highlight of Steam Into Summerville Railroad Days will be the double steam engine arrivals on Oct. 28-29.
The Sum-Nelly Arts and Crafts Festival is Saturday in Summerville from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 100 vendors will be set up in Dowdy Park ranging from quilters and crafters to food vendors.
Most visitors to Rock City’s Rocktoberfest come for the German-themed food and music — but the spectacular views of fall’s changing foliage are equally worth a drive up Lookout Mountain.
Each Saturday and Sunday in October from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be German music by The Wurstbrats and the Musik Meisters, polka lessons for guests, Birds of Prey shows at 11 a.m., 1, 3 and 4:30 p.m. and pumpkin painting.
Stop by the pavilion for German food such as bratwursts and beer cheese soup, or try a Rueben and slice of German chocolate cake in the Big Rock Grill from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Café 7 is also featuring a German dish, wienerschnitzel, and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Set out on a guided heritage tour at 9 a.m., noon or 3 p.m. to learn about Rock City’s founder. Frieda Utermoehlen Carter, and her love of German folklore and fairy tales. You might even run into Ik the Troll King or Rocky the Elf along the way.