Fests feature art, crafts, baked goods
They were rained out last weekend, but the crafters and bakers of Cloud Springs Baptist Church in North Georgia expect to have their goods ready to go on Saturday.
Down the road in Chatsworth, Georgia, the Chatsworth- Eton- Murray County Chamber of Commerce is setting up in a new location for the Black Bear Festival.
In Dayton, Tennessee, members of the Dayton Arts League are putting finishing touches on works included in the Harvest of Art sale, also in a new location this year.
Theirs are among a half dozen fall festivals happening or recurring this weekend in the tri-state region. Another, the Bird & Barn Sale benefiting Project Free 2 Fly in Cleveland, Tennessee, opens with a preview party Wednesday.
Dianne Knappen, owner of ArtCrafters Gallery, said she’s expecting a variety of paintings from the Dayton Arts League. The artists have previously displayed their fall art show at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, but hours are limited there because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Knappen said the artists work in a variety of media. In addition to the main selection of framed, hanging paintings, there will be a $10 table with unframed, original 5x7 works for sale. A two- hour meetandgreet with the artists is scheduled next Saturday, Oct. 24. “But they won’t have the big spread of food like they usually do,” said Knappen.
Likewise, the ChatsworthEton- Murray County Chamber of Commerce is making several coronavirus accommodations for the Black Bear Festival, which has moved this year to the old Murray County Rec Department. Only food vendors with prepackaged items will be allowed, and there will be no inflatables or face painting in the Kids Korner, officials said.
In Chattanooga, voting continues in a scarecrow contest at Crabtree Farms, and pumpkin carving opportunities will be available Friday and Saturday afternoon for registered participants. Melissa Astin, the farm’s director of community outreach and engagement, said these events should be especially beneficial to families with young children.
“That way they can make a mess at the farm versus the house,” she said.
Ticket sales continue for next week’s Bird & Barn Sale. The main event is Thursday with a $10 admission. Tickets are $40 for a Wednesday VIP preview party. Those tickets may be used for return visits on Thursday.