Tennessee Tree Toppers Team Challenge
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4
Dunlap
The annual Team Challenge is an event where five pilots are teamed together to complete flying tasks to earn points.
The competition, which takes place in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, teams together flyers of skill levels ranging from experienced flyers to H3 pilots who are new to cross flying. Experienced pilots get the chance to earn points by teaching their teammates how to safely and efficiently make a cross-country flight. The challenge's primary goal is to teach new techniques to pilots, with competition coming in second. The Tennessee Tree Toppers is a community organization and membership is required to fly. Membership applications are available on the website.
Call: 423-949-6093
Website: www.tennesseetreetoppers.org
Etowah Arts & Crafts Fall Festival
Oct. 4 – 5
L&N Depot Park
Etowah
Help Etowah celebrate 41 years of fall fun at this year’s arts and crafts fall festival Oct. 4th and 5th. Hosted at the historic L&N Depot Park, the annual event features local food and craft vendors that represent the talent and esteem of this community’s dedicated members. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday, ending at 5 p.m. both days. This is one small-town festival you are not going to want to miss out on. For more information on this two-day fall fest, call the Etowah Chamber of Commerce at 423-263-2228.
Annual Vintage Car Show
Oct. 5
McMinn Living Heritage Museum
Athens
See dozens of unique vintage vehicles—from cars and trucks to fire engines and hearses—in this annual show. Prizes will be awarded!
Website: http://livingheritage.comcastbiz.net/2001.html
Smoke in the Valley Barbecue Competition
Oct. 10 – 11
Bledsoe County Fairgrounds
Pikeville
Grab your grills and spatulas for the second annual Smoke in the Valley Barbecue Competition hosted by the Bledsoe County Rescue Squad, a non-profit, volunteer unit in Pikeville, Tenn. Now sanctioned as an official State of Tennessee BBQ Championship by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this Oct. 10-11 competition is open to pro teams as well as backyard teams. The winner of the competition will be invited to the Jack Daniels World Championship Cook-off at the end of Oct. so you don’t want to miss out on the fun. In addition to the good southern eats of the competition, there will be food and craft vendors as well as live entertainment and a chainsaw artist.
Website: www.bledsoecountyrescue.com
Fannie Moffitt Autumn STOMP
Oct. 11
Altamont
Named after one of Altamont’s most recognized citizens, the second annual Fannie Moffitt Autumn STOMP will take place Oct. 11 in Altamont, Tenn. Created to celebrate the diverse culture and heritage of the town, the stomp includes a $5 breakfast, cruise-in, live entertainment, and quilt show. Local artisans and crafters will be present during the festivities to sell and show off their handmade goods, and there will be even be a skit starring the beloved Fannie. The night will end in dancing with the stomp to honor the town’s Scots-Irish and Native American background. Join the community of Altamont and the Fannie Pack for this free celebratory festival—it’s sure not to disappoint. Information: https://www.facebook.com/FannieMoffittAutumnStomp/timeline
Pumpkintown Festival
Oct. 11
Athens
Hosted in downtown Athens, the Pumpkintown Festival takes place every mid-Oct. to celebrate the history and harvest of the community. Activities are hosted near the McMinn county courthouse at Market Park Pavilion and Knight Park. Festival activities include a mutt strut where pet lovers can enter their dog into a costume contest. Guests can also show off their cooking skills in the pumpkin recipe contest. Other activities include children’s games and heritage exhibits that showcase the rich history of the small town. During the festival there is also live entertainment in the form of country, gospel, and bluegrass performances.
Website: www.pumpkintownfestival.com
Hiwassee Valley Antique Tractor & Engine Show
Oct. 11 – 12
Charleston City Park
Charleston
The Hiwassee Valley Antique Tractor and Engine Show is held every Oct. in Charleston, Tennessee, at Charleston City Park. The two-day show features exhibitions and displays of antique tractors, farm equipment, and Engine Show gristmill and corn shedding. Activities include pedal tractor pull, tractor parade, sack races, and arts and crafts. Bluegrass and gospel performances are scheduled both days.
Call: 423-331-0193
Race to Achieve
Oct. 18
Cleveland
Help support Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region by running in this family-friendly race Oct. 18. A 5K and 1K run will be available to accommodate runner and walkers of all ages and skills. Awards will be given out at the end of the race, including a $200 gift card for the school with the most finishers in the 5K and top female and male runners. The 5K race will begin at 9 a.m., and the 1K at 9:15 a.m. Registration proceeds will go toward Junior Achievement, an educational program that gives students kindergarten through 12th grade tools to reaching their full potential. Find out more on the Cleveland-Bradley Chamber of Commerce website.
Website: http://clevelandbradleychamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/junior-achievement-5k-run-1k-walk-race-to-achieve-5294
Cleveland Apple Festival
Oct. 18 – 19
Bradley County Courthouse Square
Cleveland
Fall isn’t just about pumpkins and candy, but it’s also the season for apples. Embracing this overlooked fact, the city of Cleveland hosts an apple festival every year. This two-day autumn bash will take place Oct. 18th and 19th and will feature only the best of Cleveland’s community businesses. Local artisans and chefs will be lined along the side of the courthouse square to sell their handmade crafts and delicious treats. There will also be pony rides and children’s activities to keep the young ones busy, while the adults enjoy the live entertainment. Admission to the event varies on age and day, and all proceeds will go toward non-profit organizations. Check out the website for gate pricing and a full list of festival activities. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for this special event because you know what they say, “a festival a day keeps the boredom away!”
Information: http://clevelandapplefestival.org/
Ketner’s Mill Country Arts Fair
Oct. 18 – 19
Ketner’s Mill
Whitwell
On the banks of the Big Sequatchie River in Marion County stands the only remaining water powered grist mill in the area. Parts of the mill date back to 1824. Visitors can watch the operation of a sorghum mill and purchase pure molasses. Stone ground corn meal and flour are also available for purchase. Buy quality crafts, paddle a canoe, enjoy good country cooking, and listen to a good variety of music.
Information: www.ketnersmill.org
PumpkinFest
Oct. 31 – Nov. 1
Dayton
Looking to mix up your tired, humdrum Halloween routine? Head to downtown Dayton Oct. 31st and Nov. 1st for an alternative Halloween night you won’t forget. The two-day festival includes local food and craft vendors, as well as live entertainment. Guests can test their vocals in the “Scary-Oke” contest or put their autumn treats on display in the “Perfectly Pumpkin” desert bake-off. There will also be a costume contest with prizes for the best dressed in each age category. Finally, finish off the evening with downtown treating and a movie in the park after dark. A full list of PumpkinFest activities can be found on the MainStreet Dayton website, so throw on that old Superman cape or princess crown and join the good folks of Dayton in their local Halloween festivities.
Information: http://www.mainstreetdayton.org/Events.html
Downtown Cleveland Halloween Block Party
Oct. 31
Cleveland
Have a fun and safe Halloween with Mainstreet Cleveland at the Downtown Cleveland Halloween Block Party. Ocoee and Broad streets will be lined with vendor booths set up by community organizations giving out candy and sweet treats. Peruse the streets and play games in your Halloween best while listening to live music—you might even win the costume contest! Admission to this event is free, but donations are accepted. Festivities begin at 5 p.m.
Call 423-479-1000 for more information.
Ocoee Grape Escape
Nov. 1
Morris Vineyards, Savannah Oaks Winery & Ocoee Winery
Ocoee Area – Polk County and Bradley County
The Ocoee Grape Escape, a regional wine tour, is set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, from 3-8 p.m. Three wineries in the Ocoee area - Savannah Oaks Winery, Morris Vineyards and Ocoee Winery - are partnering for a coordinated wine trail experience. Event goers will have the opportunity to taste various award-winning wines, sample local fare, listen to live music, and tour vineyards. Tickets to the event are $25 per person and include a commemorative wine glass. Tickets can be purchased beginning Oct. 1st at participating wineries or at the Polk County Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call 423-338-5040 or visit the event’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/events/522988884497569/
Crabtree Farms Pumpkin Smash
Nov. 1
Crabtree Farms
Chattanooga
There is no better way to enjoy the fall weather than on the farm. Crabtree Farms in Chattanooga will host a Pumpkin Smash Nov. 1 starting at10 a.m. This day-long festival will feature tractor rides, corn hole and other carnival games, live music, and much more. The feature event of the day will be the pumpkin smash where guests will get to throw pumpkins using a large trebuchet. Local food and refreshments will be available, but guests are also welcome to bring their own food to fry. Admission is $2. Call 423-493-9155 or visit the website for more information.
Information: http://crabtreefarms.org
Jimmy Liner Memorial Christmas Parade
Dec. 1
Athens
Featuring local bands and dancers, floats strung with lights, and more, the Jimmy Liner Memorial Christmas Parade is one of the oldest Christmas parades in Tennessee. Bring in the Christmas season with this traditional parade and you may get a chance to sneak a peak at Santa Clause before his Christmas Eve journey. The parade begins at 7 p.m. at Athens City Middle School. Find out more about the parade route on the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Website.
Website: http://www.athenschamber.org/a/calendar/?cid=all&mc_id=567
Monteagle Christmas Parade of Lights
Dec. 6
Monteagle
See spectacular floats in the traditional Monteagle community Christmas Parade of Lights Dec. 6. All floats in the parade are created by local clubs, organizations, and business, and are judged prior to the parade. Mr. and Mrs. Clause will be present after the parade at Harton Park for a meet and greet with hot chocolate and cookies to increase holiday spirit. Also following the parade, all the downtown Christmas lights will be lit to welcome Christmas to Monteagle.
Website: http://www.monteaglechamber.com/index.html