Catch the color at Tennessee River Nickajack Reservation's Fall Color Cruise & Folk Festival

The thirtieth annual Fall Color Cruise and Folk festival will lure you to what locals like to call the Grand Canyon of the Tennessee River. Come by car, by boat or by bus..but this is one festival you'll want to catch. It runs for two big weekends, October 17-18 and October 24-25.

Autumn's beauty reigns in the Chattanooga Tri-State Area, reaching its peak in late October and early November. This festival is held in the midst of that natural beauty, at the Shellmound Recreation area just about TVA's Nickajack Dam. It's a 25 mile drive southwest from downtown Chattanooga.

The area offers more than 300 species of trees and 900 varieties of wild flowers. The Festival adds to this splendor musical sounds that include local traditional, bluegrass, country and gospel. Add to this some high-stepping dance teams and to-tapping cloggers and you've got energy galore.

Native crafts people and artisans will offer their creations, and children can participate in structured activities that are specially planned and closely monitored. A children's stage both weekends will offer singers, dancers, storytellers, jump rope teams, magicians and other excitement. On October 25, noon-2 p.m., will be a Halloween Costume Parade and Contest with gifts and prizes for ages 0-11!And of course, plenty of luscious southern style food will whet the whole family's appetite.

The setting makes it easy to plan a complete vacation around this event. The site offers camp grounds and boat docking facilities. Chattanooga's luxurious riverboat, the 500 passenger Southern Belle, will offer two types of scenic cruises during the Fall Color Cruise and Folk Festival. For details, contact the Chattanooga Riverboat Company, phone 800/766-2784; fax 615/265-9447.

For more information about the Festival, call 800/322-3344; 615/892-0223 or write 1000 Alhambra Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37421.

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