The Ketner’s Mill County Arts Fair in Whitwell will be Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 are free. Parking is free.
The fair will feature affordable items for sale, including toys, Christmas ornaments and decorations, jewelry, furniture, yard décor, clothing and many other handmade and finely crafted items.
This year, the fair boasts more than 100 vendors with new items featured such as handmade millifiori polymer clay beaded jewelry by Diedre Nabors from Columbus, In.
; paintings on everything from canvas to note cards from Eloise Schneider, who is also a writer and illustrator, and ceramic "face" jugs, wheel-thrown and hand painted by Monika VanHine.
Long-time favorites such as 20-year show veteran Connie Perry with Connie's Clauses, featuring Santa's, stockings, and many other Christmas items from will be back this year, as well as Teresa Graham, 21 years at Ketner's, with her water color calligraphy and shadow box pictures. One favorite that is returning after the missing the show last year is caricaturist Andrew Wilkie.
Items for sale at Ketner's are not only quality, but a good value, as well, said Fair Coordinator Holly Shull. She said that Ketner's is a great place to shop, especially during this economic crunch.
"You can come out to the fair and have good clean family fun with a great outdoor atmosphere and probably come out cheaper than a day at the movie theater if you want, plus or minus the buttered popcorn," she said.
She also said that the variety of items at Ketner's makes the fair a place that is just right for anyone in the family.
"For the decorator, you must stop at B Original for a set of hand-painted coasters for the great room or a hand-painted stone trivet for the kitchen," she said. "Or get a floral arrangement by Willingham & Mooneyham."
For the outdoorsman, there will be items available such as hand-carved fishing lures by Hawk Barnicle and deer-antler duck calls by Randy and Martha Goodwin.
For the jewelry lover, the choices are many from silver and gold pieces with semi-precious stones from Jewels by Julie, or hand-coiled and bench-made jewelry with precious gemstones by Moonbeam Jewelry. There's coin jewelry by Brian Greer at The Fun Company, and more.
There's something for the kids, too. Francis Martin with Martin's Wood Crafts has been featuring wooden toys, folk toys and action figures for 18 years at Ketner's, and you can for the kids are their very own hand puppet from The Puppet Farm, or coloring books and posters from The Rainbow Dragon.
"There are so many quality items at the fair," said Ms. Shull. "It would be a shame not to come out and spend the day enjoying it all. Some folks might even get their Christmas shopping out of the way in just one day at Ketner's.
"Ketner's has plenty of activities for everyone. Entertainment is continuous throughout the two days, and everyone can enjoy local talent, as well as other country, country western, bluegrass, gospel and folk music performers. Besides, the scenery is spectacular."
Wagon rides, a petting zoo and face painting are also some of the activities in which visitors to Ketner's can participate.
The food at Ketner's is well-known for its quality and variety, including traditional favorites such as funnel cakes and Texas Taters, but visitors to Ketner's will also enjoy tasting homemade root beer, new to the fair this year, plus made-from-scratch breads, pastries and deserts, kettle corn, fried pies and so much more.
According to Ms. Shull, for those who find more than they bargained for at Ketner's, an ATM on site will help.
Ketner's Mill is located between State Highways 27 & 28 near Whitwell. From Chattanooga, take scenic Hwy. 27 over Suck Creek Mountain to Powell's Crossroads. Follow the signs to the mill. If you prefer a faster route, head west on I-24 to Exit 155. Go north on State Hwy. 28 for 8.4 miles, then turn right at the Ketner's Mill sign.
For more information, visit www.ketnersmill.org or call 267-5702.