SPRING FESTIVALS: Cars, cornbread and crafts
Four big, established festivals take place this weekend — each a great day-trip to enjoy spring’s weather.
Whether you are looking for cars, cornbread or crafts, here’s where you’ll find them.
NATIONAL CORNBREAD FESTIVAL
› Where: 221 S. Cedar Ave., South Pittsburg, Tennessee
› When: 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 26; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April 27; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 28 (All times Central)
› Admission: $7 per day
› For more information: nationalcornbread.com
It takes 350 volunteers, 15 committees and eight months of planning to put on this nationally known event in downtown South Pittsburg.
With just a 30-minute drive on I-24, foodies will find more recipes for cornbread than they ever knew existed. Head first to Cornbread Alley, where a $5 ticket gets you a taste of nine recipes made by Marion County church, school and civic groups. You’ll want to dally in the alley sampling Italian Pesto Fritter, Ellis Island Ham & Cheese, Old English Hushpuppies and Rockin’ Moroccan with Bush Garbanzo Beans and Springer Mountain Farms Chicken.
And all that’s in addition to the numerous community groups selling all types of concession fare in booths lining the road.
The fun kicks off Friday night with a street dance followed by fireworks. Saturday starts with a 5K at 8 a.m. then live music, classic car cruise-in at the Dixie Freeze, tours of Lodge Foundry, shopping more than 50 vendors and cooking demonstrations before singer Billy Dean wraps up the day with a 5 p.m. concert.
Of course the highlight of the festival is the Lodge Cast Iron National Championship Cornbread Cook-off (11 a.m.2:15 p.m. Saturday). But over Saturday and Sunday, Lodge will sponsor seven other cooking demonstrations.
The festival resumes Sunday with a 7:30 a.m. pancake breakfast and community worship service, with more music and foods for sale before gospel singer and Grammy winner Jason Crabb performs at 3 p.m.
Directions: Take I-24 to exit 152, then follow Highway 72 west, past the split to downtown South Pittsburg. Take the second right onto 12th Street.
The Southeast’s premiere Volkswagen festival sponsored by the Scenic City Volks Folks has grown from a small group of VW enthusiasts meeting in a dealership parking lot to this huge gathering of VW fans whose vehicles cover the grounds at Camp Jordan.
There are 39 classes in the car show, judged by experts from Stateline Wagens (air-cooled division) and S&P Automotive (water-cooled). Categories range from early Beetles to Karmann Ghias and Passats. Eighteen “Best Of” and special awards will be presented.
In addition to checking out the VWs, visitors will be entertained with a swap meet, games and giveaways and music from the Stephen Busie Band.
Proceeds from the car show benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga.
POLK COUNTY RAMP TRAMP
Where: Camp McCroy, 1058 Highway 30, Reliance, Tenn. When: 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 26; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 27 Admission: Free, concessions sold
For more information: 423-338-4503
Here’s another festival of interest to foodies, although ramps (a wild onion) are somewhat of an acquired taste.
The 61st annual Ramp Tramp is a fundraiser for the operation and maintenance of Polk County 4H Camp McCroy. The festival derives its name from volunteers who “tramp” up Big Frog Mountain to harvest ramps for the annual meal.
Friday night is Bluegrass and Beans, when visitors are served a traditional meal of ramps, white beans, fried potatoes and cornbread while listening to bluegrass music by Fredonia Bluegrass and Double Cross Bluegrass.
Music continues Saturday when The Misfits play at 10 a.m., followed by Cedar Ridge at 11 a.m. and Connection 27 at 1 p.m.
There will be craft vendors on hand, a new silent auction and a ramp meal served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On the menu: fried ramps in eggs, streaked meat, white beans, cornbread and potatoes. Also the festival’s “Ramp Hot Dogs” will be sold.
ART ON THE LAKE
Where: Guntersville Recreational Center, 1500 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, Ala.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 27; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 28 (All times Central)
Admission: $2 ages 13 and up For more information: www.artonthelake-guntersville. com
More than 130 fine artists and craftsmen representing a dozen mediums will show their work in booths alongside Lake Guntersville.
This 58th show sponsored by the 21st Century Club of Guntersville raises funds for the club’s scholarships awarded to high school graduates.