Seven starters in the weekend lineup
Bluegrass stars and a couple of “Moonshiners” will be in Dalton, Georgia, Saturday for the opening weekend of the North Georgia Agricultural Fair, now in its 73rd year.
Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes from the Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners” series will greet fans from 5 to 8 p.m. The Little Roy and Lizzy Show, a bluegrass band fronted by Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long, will be in concert at 7 p.m. Both events are included in the $5 gate admission.
The 11-day fair is among seven fall festivals that happen or debut this weekend. Another dozen events are ongoing.
NEW THIS WEEKEND
› Appalachian Brew, Que & Stew Festival: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee, Ga. Unlimited tastings of beers from 40-plus craft breweries, arts and crafts, food, music, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. $35 in advance online, $40 at gate. Separate $47 ticket required for Jamey Johnson concert at 7 p.m. in Anderson Music Hall. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
› Bird & Barn Sale: Black Fox Farms, 2724 Varnell Road, Cleveland, Tenn. Distinctive handcrafted products, 5-9 p.m. Friday (early bird night), 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. $50 Friday (includes exclusive shopping privileges, live music and hors d’oeuvres); $30 premium ticket Saturday (includes limited-edition gift and vendor coupons), $12 basic ticket (includes $5 coupon for a Project Free 2 Fly purchase); no coupons or freebies for tickets purchased at the door. Proceeds support Project Free 2 Fly. projectfree2fly.com
› Boogie & Brews:
McCoy Farm & Gardens, 1604 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain. Costume contests for kids and dogs, festival food and drink, hayrides, children’s activities, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 5K trail run at 9:30 a.m. Rain date Oct. 30. mccoywalden.org
› Chiaha Harvest Fair: Coosa Valley Fairgrounds, 1400 M.L. King Jr. Blvd., Rome, Ga. Juried arts and crafts show, demonstrations, musicians, food vendors, children’s crafts, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. $5 adults, $4 students/seniors, $1 children 11 and under (free with online coupon). chiaha.org
› Collegedale Apple Festival: Collegedale Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive. More than 150 craft and food vendors, including apples from Mercier Orchards from Blue Ridge, Ga., petting zoo, pony rides, entertainment, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free admission and parking. touchtheskyevents.com
› Mountain Makins Festival: Rose Center, 442 W. Second St., Morristown, Tenn. Appalachian folklife festival includes juried arts and crafts, regional musical talent, including mass choir, food, children’s activities, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $7 one day, $10 both days for adults; $1 children 6-12. rosecenter.org/ mountain-makins
› North Georgia Agricultural Fair: 500 Legion Drive, Dalton, Ga. Exhibits, music and carnival, through Oct. 31. Advance tickets (available through Oct. 22) are $4 general admission, $20 for Mega Pass good for one-day gate admission and unlimited rides. northgaagfair.com
ONGOING
› Fall Festival: Mayfield Farm Park, 257 state Highway 307, Athens, Tenn. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, zip lines, Thursday-Sunday, through Oct. 31; fireworks Fridays in October; Haunted Trail open 9-11 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Halloween. $14.95 online, $16.95 at gate. mayfieldfarmpark.com
› Fun on the Farm: Guthrie Farms, 490 County Road 67, Riceville, Tenn. Corn maze, hayrides to pumpkin patch, animal petting barn, bounce pad, games, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 31. $15 ages 3 and up.guthriepumpkinfarm.com
› Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair: Convention Center, 234 Historic Nature Trail, traffic light No. 8 on Gatlinburg Parkway, Gatlinburg, Tenn. Open 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 24. Exhibit and demonstrations by 200-plus crafters, music at noon and 3 p.m. daily. $10, adults (unlimited returns). craftsmenfair.com/octoberfair
› Grandaddy’s Farm: 454 Highland Ridge Road, Estill Springs, Tenn. Pumpkin patch, hayrides, pig races, animal corral, fall market, noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, through Oct. 30. Activity area $13 ages 3 and up. grandaddysfarm.com
› Harvest Celebration on the Mountain: Flat Top Mountain Farm, 13100 Jones Gap Road, Soddy-Daisy. Corn maze and pumpkin patch, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 31. $10 ages 4 and up. Family-friendly haunted maze Fridays and Saturdays in October, $15. Facebook.com/flattop farmTN
› Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights: Dollywood, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Artistic sculptures, elaborate fall scenes, artisans, seasonal food, entertainment, through Oct. 30. $79 ages 10-61. dollywood.com
› Oktoberfest: Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss St., Helen, Ga. Traditional music, dancing, food and beer, daily through Nov. 7; doors open at 6 p.m. during the week, 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $8 during the week, $10 Saturdays, free on Sundays. helenchamber.com
› The River Maze: 1371 Highway 64, Ocoee, Tenn. Corn and hay mazes, pumpkin patch, cow train, zip lines, 4-8 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.8 p.m. Saturdays, 1-8 p.m.
Sundays, through Oct.
31. $8-$14 depending on activities. therivermaze.com
› Rocktoberfest: Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. German music, food, specialty beer, costumed characters, 8:30 a.m.5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. $26.95 adults, $14.95 children 3-12. Reserved timed-entry tickets required. seerockcity.com
› Rotary Club Craft Fair: Patriot Park, 186 Old Mill Ave., Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Handmade arts and crafts show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through Oct. 30. Free admission and parking. mypigeonforge.com
› Scarecrows in the Garden: Atlanta Botanical Garden, 345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. See scarecrows created by artists, crafters, youth groups and businesses, 9 a.m.9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, through Oct. 31. $22.95 adults, $19.95 (ages 3-12) weekdays; $2 more on weekends; timed tickets required. atlantabg.org
› Scarecrows on the Farm: Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. Vote on a favorite scarecrow, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Free daily admission until All Hallows Eve Farm Fest, noon4 p.m. Oct. 30; $16 per vehicle fee includes hayrides, costume contest, vendor shopping; extra $12 fee to sample chili in Battle of the Barn competition. Registration required for final pumpkin carving session, 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 23; $16 fee includes one pumpkin, carving knife to use and outdoor space you don’t have to clean up; additional pumpkins $10; may bring additional carving tools from home. crabtreefarms.org