Treasures from the past - The Clinch River Antiques Festival
This time of year there are two things you can count on, the changing colors of leaves and the return of one of my favorite festivals held in the heart of a town I’ve called home for more than 20 years now. The Clinch River Fall Antiques Festival in Clinton, TN began as a way of putting the spotlight on the city’s thriving antiques district. Now in its 19th year, the festival has added more vendors, entertainment and even a Beer Garden. Thousands of people from near and far come out in search for treasures from the past and to enjoy the charm of this small town.
The 2019 festival kicks off on October 11th at 6:00 pm with a street party featuring classic cars, music, food and specials and extended hours at the stores downtown. All the fun on Friday is along Market Street, but it expands in more directions on Saturday.
Overnight, Market Street undergoes quite a transformation as more than 90 antiques dealers and artisans from all around the southeast set up along the streets. At 9:00 am on Saturday, folks can start wandering through the seemingly endless array of antiques and collectibles. Whether it's antique signs, old postcards, furniture or china, chances are you'll find what you're looking for at some point during the festival.
Finding the Clinch River Antiques Festival is easy. Vendors and activities will be lined up along Main Street, Market Street and Cullom Street in Historic Downtown Clinton. Visitors will also find vendors in the alley next to Memorial United Methodist Church.
Free parking can be found throughout Downtown Clinton, but prime spots fill up early. The festival operates a free shuttle from select parking lots. Just look for the shuttle signs.
If you’re coming to Clinton be sure and check out the Green McAdoo Cultural Center, a museum telling the story of the first African-American students to integrate an all-white public high school in the south. You might also want to head out to Norris Dam State Park and take a walk along the Songbird Trail or take a drive up to Rocky Top and cross over the mountains to Brushy Mountain, a famous Tennessee prison now open for tours and more.
More information available at www.clinchriverfallfestival.com .
