FORT PAYNE-The month of October brings cooler temperatures and glorious fall colors to DeKalb County, making it an ideal time to plan a trip to the northeastern part of Home Sweet Home Alabama. Grab a friend or your significant other and make plans to check out these great events and enjoy fresh air and the scenic drive with the windows rolled down.
Set for Oct. 7-8, 2022, the Vintage Pickin Fall Market features approximately 60 hand-selected artisans and pickers from across the southeast who will bring truckloads of vintage, one-of-a-kind antiques, fall home decor and vintage-inspired handmade goods, turning the two-day event into a pickers paradise. During the sale, there will be live music and a variety of food trucks for attendees to enjoy while shopping. The food truck area will open 30 minutes prior to shopping hours for those that want to grab a bite before pickin’ through the fabulous merchandise.
Hours and admission tickets (nonrefundable) are:
Friday, Oct. 7
Early Pickin’ (*Shop all weekend with the Early Pickin’ ticket)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. / $18 + fee for online presale ($20 cash only at gate if tickets are still available)
General Admission
2 – 6 p.m. / $8 + fee for online presale ($10 cash only at gate)
Saturday, Oct. 8
General Admission
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. / $8 + fee for online presale ($10 cash only at gate)
Admission is free for children 12 years old and under and parking is free. The sale is held rain or shine at the VFW Fairgrounds located at 151 18th Street NE in Fort Payne. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.vintagepickin.com/
Runners will make their way to the Little River Canyon on the second Saturday for what is considered one of the most scenic half marathons in the country. Set for October 8, 2022, the Little River Canyon Half Marathon gets underway at 8 a.m. The certified course loops 13.1 miles on paved roads, starting and ending at the Little River Canyon Center located at 472 Alabama Highway 35 in Fort Payne. The first five miles of the run will follow the Little River Canyon National Preserve’s scenic and sometimes challenging rim of the canyon, as the remainder winds through gently rolling farm country including Randy Owen Drive and his famous Tennessee River Music Hereford and Angus cattle ranch. Early registration fee is $65 and is available online. Registration is available at 7 a.m. the morning of the race for $75 per person. Packet pick up will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. the day before the race and at 7 a.m. on race day. For more information, call 256.782.8010 or visit the website.
Set for October 15-16, 2022, Colorfest celebrates the talented work of regional artists and craft makers, delicious food from local restaurants and food trucks, live music from gifted musicians and more, and this year a big change is coming. Hosted by the Mentone Area Preservation Association (MAPA), the event has outgrown its location in Brow Park and will be held at a new location – at the site of the historic Moon Lake School on the eastern edge of Mentone’s town limits.
Festivalgoers will meander throughout the charming five-acre campus, where talented regional arts and crafts vendors will be selling unique goods that are handmade in the field in front of the gym and in the parking lot on East River Road. Delicious festival-style food and refreshments will be served at food trucks and tents located in the front and rear of the property. Live music will be performed throughout the weekend by regional musicians on the new amphitheater stage. Children’s activities, including face painting and art, will be offered in the pavilion near the playground.
The Scarecrow Holler contest will continue, with scarecrows created by community members scattered about the property, and on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 16, pets on a leash are invited to parade along the walkways. Costumes are encouraged.
Parking is a $5 per vehicle donation and will be located in the field on AL Hwy. 117 to the east of the MERF walking trail. It is a short walk from the main parking area to the festival, and those in need of assistance may be dropped off in front of the school, or will be offered a ride from the main parking area.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16. Admission is free and all activities are held rain or shine. For more information, visit https://www.mapamentone.com/
MAPA is excited for this opportunity to showcase the campus of the 111-year-old Moon Lake School, which was closed in 2021. The property is now owned by the Town of Mentone and is being developed as Moon Lake Village, a collection of art studios, classroom space, and offices under the direction of executive director Paul Nail.
Media Release/John Dersham, President & CEO/DeKalb Tourism
