Haunts, Heights, and Haints

October’s brilliant autumn hues serve as the back drop for events all across the region. In Appalachian tradition, this is the time to get out and celebrate the bounty of the harvest and the beauty of the season.  It is also a time of pumpkins and goblins.  Plan your adventure by haunting artisan craft shows; go to new heights in a hot air balloon; or search for haints on a spooky tour.  One thing that is always true in East Tennessee, at the heart of every festival is music and family fun.

Here is a list of featured fall festivals to fill your calendar in October:

October 5-6: Newport Harvest Street Festival is old fashioned, down home Appalachian fun. Stroll downtown and enjoy the sights and sounds of music, craft displays, and yummy street fair food.

October 12: Big Creek ATV Festival in Lafollette brings together ATV (all-terrain vehicle) trail rides, music, food, arts, crafts, and an amazing firework show. The month of October is the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of the season by taking an organized ride on the TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) Trails through the Appalachian Mountains. There you can see the changing color of the leaves, the natural waterfalls, the grazing Elk, and the breathtaking skyline view of the Appalachian Mountains.

October 11-12 and 19-20: Ahoy, Mates! Join in for the 4th Annual Tennessee Pirate Festival in Harriman. Go back in time to the “Age of Piracy.” Come in costume with a sense of adventure. This is an all senses event providing a spectacle of food, art, dance, and music.

October 17-19 Windrock OHV Park’s Fall Jamboree will celebrate the season with a haunted trail ride and bonfire.  Nearby, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary offers ghost tours of the former prison.

October 26-27: Two venerable festivals, Cherohala Skyway Festival in Tellico Plains and Mountain Makins in Morristown offer visitors some of the best of local heritage arts and crafts.  Finish the day by visiting the inaugural, Lakeside of the Smokies Balloon Fest in White Pine. This affordable family event will feature balloon rides, a nightly balloon glow, up and coming musicians from the region, an antique tractor show, local food trucks, and children activities.  A parking fee of $20 in advance or $30 at the gate, will get a whole family and your best friend into the festival.

October 10-27: Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is a blend of artisan work and demonstrations of traditional crafts.  This annual event draws artisans and visitors from across the southeast. Daily musical performances are included in admission.

Autumn leaves and fall festivals- Find your adventure in the 9 Lakes.