October festivals tend to focus on harvest and fall colors and the Southeast Tennessee festivals and events for October 2021 do include a lot of pumpkins and apples. Hopefully, this list will be useful if you are looking for something to do. You might also want to check out the lists for Northeast Tennessee and Middle East Tennessee.

Covid-19 is still very active and should be a factor in planning your trips. For your own and everyone else’s protection please wear your masks in crowded areas and follow any safety rules these events have in place. We advise checking websites or Facebook pages or calling ahead to make sure any of these you plan on attending haven’t been canceled or decided to change times and dates.

The Event List (in calendar order)

October 1st through 3rd

The main events for Cycle Sequatchie will take place in Dunlap on the 2nd. Seven bike races of differing lengths will start and end in Dunlap with a special farm-to-table buffet lunch afterward for all racers and any who want to join them. There will also be an Outdoor Expo on the 2nd that will feature outdoor recreation retailers, local outdoor recreation groups, conservation organizations, and tourism agencies. There is a special hill climb bike race on the 1st ending at a spectator party at the Top of the Rock Restaurant and a very limited participant farm tour of Sequatchie Cove Farm on the 3rd.

Pikeville‘s Fall Festival will take place on October 2nd. Live music, locally grown produce and crafts at the farmers market, and an extensive Kids Korner with free games, inflatables, and more or the highlights of the event.

October 9th

Saturday, October 9th, Family Cornerstones will host the 3rd Annual Pumpkin Palooza on the Cleveland Greenway. Besides a variety of vendors, there will be bouncy houses, music, and a petting zoo. There will also be a pumpkin patch and children will have the opportunity to paint their pumpkins. Admission is free.

The Pumpkintown festival will take place in downtown Athens on the 9th. This festival celebrates fall and highlights Native American culture and local history. A Pumpkintown PowWow, Mutt Strutt, and historical walking tour are part of the fun along with over 150 food and craft vendors. Admission is free.

October 16th and 17th

There will be an Apple Festival at the courthouse square in Cleveland on the 16th and 17th. This festival features an art and craft show, live music, food booths, and an apple dessert contest. Tickets can be purchased at any festival gate (cash only) and are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors or children 3-12. All activities in the Trailhead Bicycle Kid’s Zone are free, with paid admission, to children 12 and under including pony rides.

Ketner’s Mill in Whitwell will be having their annual Arts & Crafts Fair on the 16th and 17th. Over 150 artisans share their creativity and talents with products and demonstrations. Sculpture, paintings, pottery, hand-woven baskets, folk art, and more will be available. There will also be over 20 food vendors, wagon rides, a petting zoo, and old-fashioned sorghum molasses making. Live entertainment will include on-stage and roving performances. Admission is $7 with children 12 and under admitted free.

October 22nd and 23rd

The 2nd annual Collegedale Apple Festival will take place on the 22nd and 23rd at the Collegedale Commons. Over 150 craft and food vendors will be present and fresh apples will be provided by Merciers Apple Orchard from Blue Ridge, GA. There will also be a petting zoo and pony rides. Admission and parking are free.

Ending Thoughts

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I would want to attend several fall festivals if Covid wasn’t a consideration. I might attend one of two events on this list of Southeast Tennessee festivals and events for October 2021 (either Pumpkintown or Ketner’s Mill Fair) If I will try to add to this post and update information (especially about cancelations) at least once a week.

If you are the organizer or publicity manager of an upcoming event contact me at LucindaBrown@TravelEastTennessee.com to have your event added to this or any future monthly posts.

Are you planning on attending any of these Southeast Tennessee festivals and events for October 2021? Did I miss an event you would recommend others attending? Let us know in the comments.