Published: October 12, 2009 11:11 am      

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Plan your fall family fun in Tennessee

Plan your fall family fun in Tennessee

Experience fall festivals, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and Tennessee’s fall splendor



Fall brings to Tennessee some of America’s most spectacular seasonal foliage and some of the state’s most exhilarating events and festivals. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee’s 53 state parks and more than 200 festivals and events provide travelers with fall family fun throughout the state.

Below are a few highlights of what Tennessee has to offer during the autumn season.

For complete fall travel details, visit fall.tnvacation.com.



Now through October 24

• Passion Play in the Smokies — Passion Play Amphitheater in Townsend — A powerful dramatization of music, pageantry and Hebrew dance to proclaim the life of Jesus Christ. Call Mark Pedro at (865) 640-8904 or visit passionplayinthesmokies.org for a schedule.



Now through October 31

• Autumn Acres Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch — Autumn Acres Farm in Crossville — One of the biggest corn mazes in the southeast. You can spend all day exploring 12 acres of a puzzling brain twister to work your way out of, a petting zoo and more. For more information, contact Stephanie Woods at infor@autumbacres.net and autumnacres.net.

• Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival — Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville — A countywide celebration of the harvest season with special events, local craft shows and more. For more information, call (888) 738-4378 or visit sevierville.com; 800-568-4748 or gatlinburg.com; 800-251-9100 or mypigeonforge.com.

• Old-fashioned Wagon Rides — Gatlinburg — As fall begins in the Smoky Mountains, take this fun-filled wagon ride and enjoy breath-taking views of the beautiful mountains. For information, call 800-568-4748 or visit gatlinburg.com.

• Rock City's Enchanted Maize — Chattanooga — Enjoy 10 acres of fun as you weave your way through the twists and turns of this cornfield. It includes Rock City’s historic birdhouse barn, Forest of Fear in 3D, tractor pulled hayrides, children’s courtyard playground and millet maze. Call Rock City at 800-854-0675, or visit enchantedmaze.com for information.

• Stickley Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch — The Stickley Farm Annual Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is located in Sullivan County, just a mile off of Hwy. 394 on Beaver Creek Rd. The maze consists of three mazes cut into the overall design with a total of 5.4 miles of trail. This year’s design highlights Bristol's role as the birthplace of country music. The maze will be open to the public in the evening Wednesday through Friday, all day on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Visit www. TheStickleyFarm.com.

• Dollywood's National Gospel and Harvest Celebration — Pigeon Forge — The Smoky Mountain’s biggest gospel music event features more than 250 southern gospel concerts by the genre’s biggest stars. The event includes visiting crafters and specialty food. Call Dollywood at 800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com.

• Dutchtown Farms Pumpkin Patch — Hohenwald — Features hayrides, fainting goats, and activities for the entire family with a giant sandbox, children’s games and more. Closed Sundays. Call (931) 796-4071 or visit dutchtownfarms.com.



October 1-3

150 Mile Rollercoaster Fair Yard Sale — Byrdstown — From Mammoth Cave, KY south through Tennessee around Dale Hollow Lake and back to Glasgow, KY, the over 150-mile yard sale offers antiques, crafts, Southern food, produce, music and more. Call the Byrdstown Chamber of Commerce at 888-406-4707 or check out byrdstown@tnaccess.com or rollercoasterfair.com for more information.



October 1-4

Pink Palace Crafts Fair — Audubon Park in Memphis — See craftsmen at work, visit the petting zoo and take home a unique, hand-crafted piece of art. Food, music, fun. Call (901) 320-6408 or visit artsandcraftsfestival.org.



October 2-3

Unicoi County Apple Festival — Erwin — A celebration of the unique heritage, foods, crafts and culture of the Southern Appalachian region, features 350 craft and food vendors, two stages of entertainment, children’s area and more. Call (423) 743-3000 or visit unicoicounty.org.



October 2-4

• Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival and Weigh Off — Bruno Gernt Park in Allardt — The event features crafts, live entertainment, parade, antique car and tractor show and the weigh-off of giant pumpkins for world record consideration. Contact Fentress County Chamber of Commerce at 800-327-3945 or allardtpumpkinfestival.com for information.

• National Storytelling Festival — Jonesborough — Known as the oldest and most prestigious storytelling festival in the world, this three-day event presents over 25 nationally-known storytellers from its stages. For information, contact the International Storytelling Center at 800-952-8392, customerservice@storytellingcenter.net or storytellingcenter.net.



October 3

Fall Mile-long Yard Sale and Excursion Train Ride — Tennessee Central Railway Museum in Nashville — Departs from Nashville. Join the city of Watertown as they host the annual yard sale and excursion train ride. Ride the train to Watertown’s huge yard sale. Call the Tennessee Central Railway Museum at (615) 244-9001 or www.tcry.org.



October 7

Meriwether Lewis Memorial — Meriwether Lewis Monument in Hohenwald — Meriwether Lewis is best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Call (931) 796-4084 or visit hohenwaldlewischamber.com for more information.



October 8-11

30th annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming — Museum of Appalachia in Norris — Fall Homecoming is one of the nation’s largest and most authentic music, craft, and folk festivals. More than 400 musicians perform on five stages. It features storytelling, old time crafts, pioneer activities, country cooking,and more. Contact the Museum of Appalachia at (865) 494-7680 or visit museumofappalachia.org.



October 9 through November 29

• Pumpkin Harvest Display — West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson — More than 5,000 pumpkins comprised of 70 different varieties are converted to art in this spectacular fall display. For more information, call Ginger Trice at (731) 425-4768 or visit http://westtennessee.tennessee.edu.