SOUTHERN FALL FESTIVAL DESTINATIONS BY EACH STATE

‘Y’all is issued with the traditional warm and friendly tone. The aroma of cinnamon filling the atmosphere. Blue ribbon contests and ribbons placed on pies. Art work painted by delicate brushes onto subsequent painted kid faces. The transcending time Water Dunk gets more gatherers than anything else.

All beneath the early Fall sun and the change of the leaves to rustic.

Let’s get to the following states below, which isn’t listed by preference.

 

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

In the heart of the state is the state capital Columbia. Slap dab in the middle of football season, the festivals must stand in the shadows of way-of-life Gamecock football. But hey, the games are only on Saturday leaving Fridays and Sundays free to enjoy.

• Bubble Q brings out the grills and smokers with food paired with over 30 different champagnes from around the world. Savory ribs and loins followed with Veuve will make the taste of the Q amazing. Thousands will have their taste buds illuminated accompanied by undeniable southern warmth $75.

Just shy of an hour drive south of Columbia is the tiny town of Salley. The population is 414, bringing images of the clanging bell as the door opens and closes in Fred’s corner store.

• The tiny town holds the world famous Chitlin Strut annually the Saturday following Thanksgiving since 1966. Fifty thousand do attend with folks from far as Japan converging to taste the delight of boiled and fried hog intestines (thoroughly cleaned). There is live music, a beauty pageant, parade, arts and crafts and helicopter rides (not free). 8 a.m – 7 p.m. Where else are you going to fifteen thousand pounds of hog intestines simmering at one time. Admission is free.

With the Atlantic on the Palmetto State’s eastern doorsteps, the Low Country as it is designated is ripe for some top notch seafood. Crabs, lobsters, trout, specks and sharks is the various fare for the most part.

• So, inevitably, there came about a festival Oyster Ghost Roast. It is accompanied by a 5K run along the Beaufort River. A live dj, karaoke, and lots of children’s activities. The run begins at 5 p.m. and the oyster cook off begins at 6:00. All-you-can-drink wristbands are $10. The festival is put on to benefit The Technical College of Low Country Student Veterans and the college’s Student Government Association. For tickets and registration go to http://www.tcl.edu/oyster.

 

ARKANSAS

Reba McEntire sings of little rock but that is entirely opposing warmth Arkansas offers when as festivals kicks off the Fall. Little Rock is the capitol and that’s where a lot of cultural activities are but there are festivals in the Ozark Mountains (northwest Arkansas) awaits.

• Arkansas Apple Festival is held in Lincoln with the population of 2,500. There is the apple core throwing contest. Bluegrass and Sunday gospel are among the music genres played. Youth talent contest. Apple dumplings are the yearly crowd favorite.
• Wareaglefair  began in 1954 with the emphasis on artisans, in the Ozark region, displaying their arts and crafts. Held in October in the midst of changing leaves.  Various products arranges from wearable art, country furniture, homemade soaps, potpourri, and folk art. On sight, is the War Eagle Mill which has intriguing history dating back to 1832 and the Civil War. It’s a cafeteria style restaurant is famous for its pinto beans and cornbread served with sliced sweet onion. wareaglemill.com.

The capitol Little Rock is where everything important legislatively. Millennials with the contemporary flair for cuisine has the downtown beaming with five star gastros that rival top stops in the southeast such as A-T-L and Miami.

• Arkansas Cornbread Festival is where pros and rookies compete in a cook off of who makes the best cornbread that is sampled by festival lovers. Entry is free but the cost of sampling is $10.00. With all that cornmeal heading down gullets, local brewery products are available at additional costs. Held in the trendy SoMa district. arkansascornbreadfestival.com.

 

NORTH CAROLINA

The diversity of North Carolina with it’s beautiful mountains in the eastern portion of the state and the fabulous beaches on the western portion.

•  Autumn Leaves Festival is found in “Mayberry” where the Andy Griffith Show   fictitiously takes place. Began in 1969 and is located in Mt. Airy just three miles south of the Virginia state line at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The festival brags about out how visitors can’t get food by its vendors anywhere else. Ham biscuits, collard greens, and barbeque (that’s bobbyque for some southern folks). Bluegrass music. Held Fri, Sat, and Sunday in October 2021 with 2020 being closed due to the impact of Covid-19.

 

The coastal city of Wilmington brings diverse festivities. A lot of cultural social activities run through the River District of the city. But the beaches are very popular spots on the right edge of the state.

• For all the kite lovers out there, The Cape Fear Kite Festival will bring back the days of one’s youth. It began in 2005 with the mission to “encourage kite flying for kids of all ages.” Held at Kure Beach during the first full weekend in November with no charge.

 

Charlotte is the financial capital of the South and is on the heels of New York City as a financial hub for the world. Such climate of stiff shirts and power meeting can lead to a less vibrant cultural aspects. However, Charlotte is in the South making it a ripe for fun good for the soul.

• Less than forty minutes southeast of Charlotte is the two-day event Autumn Treasures festival. Competing in the Grilln’ & Chillin BBQ Cook Off, are professional barbequers (vying for prize money) as they fill Main Street with enticing aromas along with crafters with art work and musicians with song. Carnival rides, Kids Zone with inflatables, kids craft, petting zoo, pony rides and more.

 

LOUISIANA

The state with the strong footprint remaining  from the French influence beginning 340 years ago, Louisiana is known to do-it-up, i.e. Marde Gras, which runs through the timeless Bourbon Street, is the first thing that practically comes to everyone’s mind. Jazz, known as the real Jazz, is immutable. College football traditional powerhouse LSU is absolutely no push over.

•  The town Colfax, around 1500 residents, holds the Louisiana Pecan Festival the first full weekend of November. 2020 will be it’s 52nd year of bringing pecan themed festivities to the heart of the state. Pageant, Pecanettes (dancers), tractor show, bake off, kids game, etc. http://www.lapecanfest.com/schedule-events.

The southeast corner of Larose brings out the French influence. And with it being at the coastal corridor, seafood is a calling. Fascinating combo: Ya’ll combined with a french dialect.

• The French Food Festival brings out the cajun (that’s ka-yon for some folks) cooking zeal unlike anywhere. Established in 1973. Held in late October. Dancing and music. FYI: cajun is a local language. so you may need to brush up a bit. http://www.lacajunbayou.com.

The northwest section of the Bayou State, bordering Texas is the lively city Shreveport. One can step onto the nostalgic Riverboat Casinos to roll the dice and pull some levers. Welcoming botanical gardens can be a welcome sight to escape into nature.

• Red River Revel is a nine day event with plenty of song and visual arts. Since 1976. Awarded one of the top ten festivals in the stat by Events USA. Handmade art, kids activities. http://www.redriverrevel.com.

 

VIRGINIA

One of the first thirteen original states of America, Virginia probably has more historical landmarks than any other state in the country. From Puritans leaving England. the American Revolution and to the African slave trade, Virginia has practically tons of festivals.

• Fall Oyster Crawl On The Chesapeake Wine Trail is located on middle coastline during the first Sat and Sun in November. Visitors will sample oysters out of the Chesapeake and be paired with wines from 7 wineries from the popular wine trail reaching up to northern Virginia. http://www.chesapeakebaywinetrail.

In the Central region of Virginia is Smith Mountain. The mountain’s lake is the largest natural lake that brings in boaters.

• Bridgewater Plaza hosts Smith Mountain Lake Fall Chili & Craft Festival which is located in Moneta, 25 miles east of Roanoke. $5 Admission. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Teams vie for first place in cook offs for the “Best Chili” trophy at the edge of Smith Mountain Lake. Arrive by vehicle or boat (rentals are at local Bridgewater Marina and Boat). http://www.visitsmithmountainlake.com.

 

The Appalachians run along the western region. The quaint town of Stuart (1,300 pop) has numerous festivals year round to offer residents and tourists. It is twenty minutes north of the North Carolina border.

• Apple Dumpling Festival is a one day festival held in October. Delicious apple pies (served with Neapolitan ice cream?) and apple butter. Bands will be the Farmers Market. Artisans, displaying Southwest Virginia influenced art, line the streets. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. http://www.virginia.org.

 

FLORIDA

 

The Sunshine State doesn’t have much foliage due to being at Gulf of Mexico. But, hey, it is wonderful in the fall as well when the canopies and tents unfold and the pots and seasoning comes out. Florida don’t want anyone to forget there down home hospitality like any other southern state.

• Cooter Festival launched in 2010. The small town of Inverness is spotted in West Central Florida approximately 70 miles west of Orlando. Free admission and parking. 3-day event. Bands, food truck and rides. FYI: a cooter is a North American river turtle. http://www.cooterfestival.com.

 

Oh yes, South Florida is when tourist can’t go wrong any time of the year. There’s Miami and it’s beaches. Palm Beach and its mansions. Key West and its fishing destinations.

• But since this post is about festivals, its appropriate to note that District Fit Wellness and Fitness Festival doesn’t offer apple dumplings or chili cook-offs for its visitors. Why not a fitness festival, where the talk is nutrition, indoor and outdoor classes, and more. Held in West Palm Beach for three days in October. http://www.districtfitwpb.com.

 

Jacksonville has become a hot attraction over the past decade with its robust cultural activities and not to mention the NFL football franchise the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the naval air station the metropolitan gained the patriotic pulse for visitors.

• Oktoberfest is brought to festival goers by Anheuser-Bush at their brewery. German cuisine, stein hoisting (holding a beer mug fully extended in front of the drinker’s body), barrel racing, tug-of-war, yodeling and brat eating contest. Kids activities and games. October. Oktoberfestjacksonville.com.

 

MISSISSIPPI 

The Mississippi Delta is one of the most iconic regions of the United States. The strip of region on the northwest corridor that it spreads into Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. Birth place of the Blues and it’s legends Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and BB King (but  King wasn’t born in the Delta).

• Delta Hot Tamale Festival is located in Greenville, which is a two hour drive to the Tennessee border. A three day event in mid October. HOT TAMALE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD was received in 2013 after trademark application was accepted and approved by the U.S. Patent Office. Beauty Pageant, notable chefs throughout the South, tamale makers, parade, music, arts and crafts. http://www.mainstreetgreenville.com.

 

The Gulf Coast brings the mild weather in the Fall offering two Springs a year. And that means keeping grills out an extended month or two; the beaches still got a fair amount of visitors and the fishing is serious pass time at the Gulf.

• Diamondhead Festival & BBQ Competition is held in the first week of November. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. 30 min drive west of Gulfport. The annual event is put on each year to celebrate the veterans of USA. KidsZone, live music, arts and crafts. Plenty of napkins. Established in 2019. http://www.diamondhead.ms.gov.

 

Central Mississippi holds the state capital of Jackson. The rich history of the the region can be traced back to the Civil War when Union Soldiers and Confederates fought before the Union army cut off the Confederate supply chain.

• Fall Flower and Garden Festival is located in Crystal Springs just 25 miles South of Jackson. It is the largest flower and garden show in the Southeast with 5,000 attendees. There is a top prize and the selected winner receives the highly coveted All-American Selections Award. Admission and parking are free over the 3 acre span. http://www.extension.msstate.edu.

 

GEORGIA

 

Eighty minutes north of Atlanta is the Bavarian influenced town of Helen. It is a tourist mainstay for the state each Fall with returning visitors. The leaves turn to breathtaking rustic orange during October to leave, which will want visitors returning–and they actually do. Population 550.

• Oktoberfest has been going on for the past 50 years and is the longest running Oktoberfest in America. German food by some who moved into town in the 1950’s, parades, polka dancing, and tapping of the keg. With the clean mountain air, a return next year is inevitable. www.helenchamber.com.

 

The Atlantic brings the Fall marine layer to the coastal region, which only encourages the faithful to head to the shores and partake in the traditions that brings everyone together.

• Picnic In The Park, in Savannah, attracts 20,000 fans annually during October to hear bands and choruses as in the midst of an Autumn breeze off the Atlantic. It was created to give students the opportunity to perform live on stage. The rich sounds of the U.S. Army Band performs with the presentation of the U.S. Color Guard and Salute Battalion. Picnic decoration contest. savannahphilharmonic.org.

 

Georgia has 159 counties–second to Texas with 254. Mid-Georgia offers a lot of rural counties with farming acreage far as the eyes can see. You name it, more than likely it is grown there.

• Green Tomato Festival is held in the last weekend in October in the town of Juliette, Ga (population 3,100). Whistle Stop Cafe comes to mind? Fried Green Tomatoes starring Kathy Bates. Free Admission. Live music, kid games, food, arts and crafts and a magician. No cook-off for the BEST FRIED GREEN TOMATO(?!). http://www.gatewaymacon.org.

 

TEXAS

“Everything is bigger in Texas,” has been the heralded slogan of the Lonestar State for a mighty long time. The residents are some of the most loyal attendees to be found anywhere. The state is vast and the cultural diversity is as comparable to NYC and Los Angeles.

• In East Texas, the Heritage Syrup Festival in located two hours east of Dallas in Henderson (13k pop). Second Saturday in November from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watch how cane syrup is made by makers using antique mule equipment. Food, hay rides, arts and crafts, parade, folk singers. 15,000 attendees. Admission is $3.00. http://www.hendersontx.us.

 

Southwest Texas desires not to disappoint either. It’s old days terrain is countered by the presence of a vibrant art community. Not too far from the Mexican border, the influence can be seen throughout the city.

• Sleeping Lady Festival of the Arts is held in Del Rio, which considers itself the “best city on the border”. The goal of the festival is to show how diversity of art connect all humans. Late September. (830)775-0888.

 

The Panhandle section just continues to go on ho-hum like it always do allowing the central and southeast sections get the limelight. The panhandle wants to tourists, too.

• Lubbock is the largest city in the section. It offers each October the Fall Festival at Adventure Park. Voted Best Kids Park Place in Lubbock. $5 Admission. 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Gameroom, speedway, virtual room, arts and crafts, and a parade. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pizza, anyone?

 

ALABAMA

The Heart of Dixie brings doesn’t come up short in its cultural festivities. It is football country 100% with Alabama Crimson Tide (perhaps the greatest college football program) and the Auburn Tigers (numerous national football titles). But the landscape is equally heralded with mountains and coastline filled with festival lovers.

• Florence is in the slap dab heart of the Heart of Dixie. In 1988, to celebrate the Swedish settlers of Thornsby (pop 2,000), Alabama who came to Central Alabama from the northern United States to grow grapes and fruits for wine. Beauty pageant, Viking 5K run, car show, parade. Held in early October. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. http://www.thornsbyswedishfestival.com.

 

Northern Alabama ushers in the foliage since its adjacent to the Tennessee southern border. It’s major attraction year round is the United Space and Rocket Center.

• Special Populations Fall Festival is truly heartfelt event put on for those with mental and physical disabilities. Face painting, pumpkin decorating, pizza and candy. Mid October from 6 – 8 p.m. FREE. tia.clayton@huntsvilleal.gov.

 

The southern coastal region is known for the Gulf Coast fishing and beaches. It’s has highly rated golf courses. The festival season along the coast brings in tons of people to the southern region during the warmer months. The Fall has it’s cozy time also.

• Summerdale with it’s population of 1.500 dishes out the Magnolia Corn Maze–which consists of two-eight acre mazes and where you can collect prizes. Paintball, hayrides, food, petting zoo, pig races, corn cannons, cow train, and a whole lot more fun. http://www.facebook.com/MagCornMaze.

 

TENNESSEE

The Volunteer State is as warm in hospitality as any state there is. Of course the country music scene in Nashville has the prestige but the down home feel of the mountain region and the Delta offers a genuineness pure as-can-be.

• National Banana Pudding Festival and Cook-Off boasts “the best banana pudding in the country”. Started in 2010 to help local non-profits to earn money. The first weekend in October taking place in Centerville, TN (pop. 3,600). Hour southwest of Nashville. $5 Admission. 7,000 to attend. Walk through the famous Puddin’ Path and sample ten cooks’ puddin for $10, which goes to charities. http://www.bananapuddingfest.org.

 

The North Central has average Fall temps compared to the remaining southern states. To the east are the Appalachian Mountains.

• Want to spit pumpkin seeds? Toss some skillets? Participate in an beginners fiddle contest? Bluegrass music. Just ten minutes north of Nashville is the town of Maynard (pop. 3500). First Saturday in October. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free and Pet Friendly. unioncountyheritagefestival.com.

 

The Mississippi River basically defines the western portion of the state. Memphis, which is heavily influenced by the Delta of one of it’s lowering neighboring states (begins with M).

• Just shy of the Kentucky border on the Western edge is Tiptonville. Reelfoot Arts and Crafts Festival sits at Reelfoot Lake that was created by mighty earthquakes in 1812. It is considered to be a Natural Wonder of the World.It sits a few miles off the banks of the Mississippi. 40K attends. Free Admission. Over 350 vendors. http://www.reelfoottourism.com.

 

CONCLUSION

Festivals in the South are put on seriously. The tents, the grills, the face painting, blue grass strumming, arts and crafts and the smiling family faces is second nature beneath coaxing Fall sun. The hospitality creates the atmosphere of ease and lightness creating an experience that time will zoom by. Vendors from different regions offer their symbols of daily life in the region dating back to the Civil War, The American Revolutionary War, and to the evolution of the Mississippi Delta culture. And throw in the charming Y’alls, Fall festivals in the South is good for the soul.

Hope this post has assisted you in choosing your next destination,

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