Fall Festivals Galore
September 1st, 2009 by Meena Viswanathan
Fall is the perfect time to head outdoors and have fun with your family. Every weekend offers something special.
For a jump on the fair season, take the kids over to the Agricenter for the Delta Fair & Music Fest, September 4-13. They do well in offering a mix of entertainment: from music and demolition/roller derbies, to circus and sea lion shows, livestock, culinary goods, and more. Fridays, 2-11 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-11p.m. Sundays, noon-10 p.m. Labor Day, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 2-10 p.m. $8/adult. $5/child ages 5-12.
867-7007 • deltafest.com
Downtown grooves with the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, September 5-6, on South Main between Peabody Place and Gayoso. Now in its 22nd year, this cultural celebration brings together a host of musicians, cultural dancers, cooking demonstrations, music workshops, a children’s area, and arts & crafts vendors. Free. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday & Sunday. 525-3655 • southernfolklore.com
If you’re looking for a more natural experience, venture south to Holly Springs, Mississippi, for the Hummingbird Migration Celebration, September 11-13. The Strawberry Plains Audubon Center hosts this popular celebration of hummingbirds and native wildlife. Children will be impressed with the hummingbird banding demonstration, history/nature walks, and wildlife experts, who talk about everything from bears to bats.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $10/adult. $5/child ages 4-12. Group discounts available. (662) 252-1155 • strawberryplains.audubon.org
Animals of a different stripe are featured up in Millington during that town’s annual International Goat Days Festival, September 11-12. Celebrating 20 years of fun, this unique festival features goat shows, petting area, kiddie land village, cooking competion, stagecoach rides, a fishing rodeo, games, a parade, arts & crafts market, and festival food. Free. Friday, 3-10 p.m. & Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. $3 for parking. $5 for a two-day pass. 872-4559 • internationalgoatdays.com
With the holidays just around the corner, you can get a jump on your shopping at the Germantown Festival, September 12-13. Over 400 arts & crafts vendors fill C.O. Franklin Park, where the kids can enjoy rides and games, hear live entertainment, and eat. Don’t miss the “Running of the Weenies” dachshund race at 2:30 p.m. Admission. Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. & Sunday, noon until 6 p.m. 757-9212 • germantownfest.com
Memphis’ favorite street fair turns 22 this year, the Cooper-Young Festival, September 19, at the corner of Cooper and Young in Midtown from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Browse more than 380 vendors and groove to 17 bands on three stages. Kids will love the children’s area. Free. No pets. 276-7222 • cooperyoungfestival.com
Colorful hot air balloons fill the sky at Bartlett’s Fall Festival & Car Show. Held at W.J. Freeman Park on September 25-26. Friday evening features live entertainment, a midway carnival, and concessions. Saturday events include a classic car show, an amateur barbecue and chili cooking contest, children’s activities, music and more. Free. Friday, 6-10 p.m. & Saturday, 9:30-5 p.m. 385-5589 • cityofbartlett.org
Come dressed in your favorite kilt for Clanjamfry: A Scottish Festival, September 25-27, at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. The center piece of this three-day festival is the Saturday Faire featuring a children’s area, music by Celtic artists, dance demonstrations, heritage lectures, sheep herding demos, art, and bagpipes. $5/adult. $3/child ages 5 and up. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 274-3740 • clanjamfrymemphis.org
Hungry for funnel cake? Head to The Mid-South Fair, September 25-October 4. Celebrating 153 years of fun, this Mid-South tradition opens at a new venue: Desoto Civic Center in Southaven. But you’ll still find youth talent competitions, the midway, and a 3-day rodeo, along with plenty of music and munchies. $10. Free for children 6 and under. Open daily noon-11 p.m. with free admission Monday- Thursday, noon-2 p.m.
274-8800 • midsouthfair.org
Speaking of hunger, get all the ice cream you can lick at the Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival, September 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The tasting takes place at AutoZone Park with an Ice Cream Feeding Contest, live entertainment, and activities for kids. $10. Advance discounts available. Benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. 529-4055 • rmhmemphis.org
Fall is in the air when Harvest Fest happens, September 26, at the Memphis Zoo from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate autumn with folk art demonstrations, crafts, games, and music. Free with zoo admission. 333-650 • memphiszoo.org
Artists take center stage at Nuts! Over Art, September 26, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Art Plaza in Overton Park. This new festival celebrates the creation of art, with live demonstrations, music, and interactive stations for kids. A joint effort by Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis College of Art, Levitt Shell, and River Arts Fest. Free. 544-6208 • nutsoverart.com
Finally, a show of Native American pride is featured during the Southeastern Indian Heritage Festival, September 26-27 at C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa. The festival runs Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Visitors can watch stickball games, social dances, and purchase crafts. $5/adult. $3/child. 785-3160 • cas.memphis.edu/chucalissa/