Oct. 4-7
Covington, Tenn. – 40th Annual World's Oldest BBQ Cooking Contest – Event includes old-fashioned family fun for all ages. Live music, children's games, demolition derby, truck and tractor pull and various contests are just a sampling of what this festival has to offer! www.covingtontn.com.
Livingston, Tenn. – 27th Annual Rollercoaster Yard Sale – 150 miles of yard sales around Dale Hollow Lake. Sale goes through Clay, Overton, and Pickett counties in Tenn. www.overtonco.com.
Elizabethton, Tenn. – Sycamore Shoals Hosts 18th Annual Quilt Show – This four-day exhibition, sponsored by the Sycamore Shoals Stitchers, features a show and demonstrations by local quilters held in the park museum. Bed quilts, wall hangings, holiday and baby quilts, miniatures and antique quilts will be on display. Contact the park for details at 423-543-5808.
Jonesborough, Tenn. – National Storytelling Festival – This festival is considered the most prestigious storytelling festival in the U.S. and the event that sparked the modern-day revival of storytelling in America. The Festival began in 1973 when 60 people came to hear a few tales from the back of a hay wagon pulled up beside the town courthouse. In the decades since, those 60 people have grown to 9,000, and the hay wagon was replaced by large circus-like tents sprinkled throughout the town. Peppered with the flare and fun of blues, poetry, ballads, banjo, and more, the Festival encompasses a wealth of cultures, geography, and styles-a world of stories within one small, historic town. www.storytellingcenter.net.
Oct. 5-6
Manchester, Tenn. – Old Timers Day – Old Timers Day is dedicated to promoting community pride and spirit and showcasing Manchester and Coffee County by celebrating history, traditions, values, and growth, in a safe, wholesome, family-oriented event. Historic Down Town Square, 931-570-0370 www.manchesteroldtimersday.com.
Erwin, Tenn. – Unicoi County Apple Festival – A celebration of the unique heritage, foods, crafts and culture of the southern Appalachian region. Event includes crafts, food vendors, gospel entertainment and more. www.unicoicounty.org.
Tiptonville, Tenn. – Reelfoot Arts and Crafts Festival – With over 300 plus exhibitors and 40,000 expected in attendance, this craft show has been voted the number one in Tennessee. Event is free. www.reelfootartsandcrafts.com.
Etowah, Tenn. – Etowah Arts & Crafts Fall Festival – This two-day event brings the finest craftsmen from the region to the Historic L&N Depot. A large variety of crafts and food is available. A playground is provided for children at no charge. Live entertainment is held throughout the day. For an application, see our website. www.etowahcoc.org/
Oct. 6
Centerville, Tenn. – The National Banana Pudding Festival – Banana Pudding samples, children's activities, food, fun and more. www.bananapuddingfest.org.
Livingston, Tenn. – Hog-Eye Harvest Day – Come experience the music, crafts, and events on the historic Downtown Livingston Square. www.overtonco.com.
Sparta, Tenn. – Liberty Square Celebration & Lester Flatt Memorial Bluegrass Day – 12th annual event celebrating the history of bluegrass and Lester Flatt in Historic Downtown Sparta. www.sparta-chamber.net
Maynardville, Tenn. – 8th Annual Union County Heritage Festival – Live country, bluegrass and gospel music, arts and crafts, and quilt show. Free Admission. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.unioncountyheritagefestival.com.
Lewisburg, Tenn. – Annual Lions Club Octoberfest – Held on the Lewisburg Square, enjoy pancake breakfast, arts and crafts, music and more. Chalk on the walk. For more information: www.marshallcountyartguild.com
Campbellsville, Tenn. – Campbellsville Heritage Festival – Since its inception three years ago, the Heritage Festival has attracted several hundred visitors to shop with vendors, learn as craftsmen demonstrate traditional methods, listen to local musicians and vocalists perform and gobble hot barbeque roasted on the spot. Additional information about the festival is available at http://tinyurl.com/caaheritage.
Madison, Tenn. – Madison Music & Folklife Festival – Music and artisan-inspired crafts will set the mood as autumn leaves begin to fall. www.amquistation.org/
Granville, Tenn. – Granville Fall Celebration – Now is a time to enjoy the sights and sounds of fall. Enjoy Jazz, quilt show, storytelling, and tons of food. There will be more than 100 quilts in competition, craft booths, a blacksmith festival, and bluegrass show. www.granvilletn.com
For more information, visit www.tnsoybeanfestival.org. For more information, visit us at tnvacation.com, facebook.com/tnvacation, tnvacation.com/triptales/, or twitter.com/tnvacation/.