Chattanooga Times Free Press

The granddadie­s of festivals here

Prater’s, New Salem head up weekend fun

- BY SUSAN PIERCE STAFF WRITER Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreep­ress.com or 423-757-6284.

When an event surpasses 40 years in longevity, you know its organizers have found the formula for success. Two such festival granddaddi­es — Prater’s Mill Country Fair and New Salem Mountain Fair — take place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14-15.

A harvest of ideas and products abound on Lookout Mountain, where visitors to New Salem Mountain Fair will find original work of 100 artists and craftsmen in its beautiful wooded setting. Enjoying splashes of fall color on the mountain’s trees while browsing booths along New Salem’s woodland path makes an enjoyable day out.

In addition to the outdoor exhibitors, New Salem holds an indoor exhibition in its Mountain Gallery, comprised of specially selected work from each exhibitor.

Visitors will find all the expected festival concession­s, but there is also a good variety of homecooked food served by the women of New Salem United Methodist Church. Their chicken stew and pintos and beans alone are a festival draw.

All proceeds raised at this event go right back into the New Salem community to benefit the New Salem Fire and Rescue Department and New Salem Community Improvemen­t Club.

Prater’s Mill is marking its 46th year this weekend. Combine the work of 160 artists with Appalachia­n-style musicians and cloggers, add in a country store, water-powered grist mill and petting zoo and it’s no surprise Prater’s Mill is a highly anticipate­d fall event.

Visitors to Prater’s Mill park in one location on Highway 2 and catch a shuttle to the fairground­s, which drops them off right at the gate. The fair spreads out on either side of the road.

This family-friendly event offers continuous stage entertainm­ent, pony rides, display of antique automobile­s and tractors, living history exhibits, booths filled with handmade arts and crafts and a petting zoo in Westbrook Barn.

The fair was begun in 1971 by volunteers to raise money to restore the 1855 mill and surroundin­g buildings. Fairgoers can see what they’ve accomplish­ed on self-guided tours of the grist mill, Shugart Cotton Gin, the country store and barn.

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTO ?? New Salem Mountain Festival is marking its 43rd anniversar­y this weekend.
CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTO New Salem Mountain Festival is marking its 43rd anniversar­y this weekend.

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