One of Chattooga County’s longest-running fall traditions returns next month as the 52nd Annual Sum Nelly Festival takes over Dowdy Park on Saturday, October 3, from 9 AM until 7 PM.

The City of Summerville says this year’s festival will feature more than 150 vendors, offering arts and crafts, handmade jewelry, baked goods, jams and jellies, fall decorations, clothing and numerous other items.

Food will once again be a major part of Sum Nelly, with vendors serving everything from fried pies, funnel cakes and boiled peanuts to barbecue, Brunswick stew, Philly cheesesteaks, corndogs and authentic Mexican food.

There is also something new for 2026 — two free concerts.

The Hwy. 27 Band, featuring local musician Toby Maddux, will take the stage at 3 PM. LaFayette native Robby Hopkins will headline the festival with a performance beginning at 5 PM.

Summerville Parks and Recreation Director Adam Wilson says Sum Nelly remains a tradition that brings the community together each year, combining shopping, food and family activities.

Admission to Sum Nelly and both concerts is free, and the event is open to all ages.

Food, Drinks & Treats: Aaron’s Food; Avans Concessions; Dees Concessions; Red White and Blue BBQ; Orchard Farms; The Spice Cottage; Honey Bee Hot Dogs and Lemonade; Holland47 HH; Smoke Signals BBQ; Up N Smoke BBQ; Lazy Days BBQ; T.T and D Catering LLC; Mercy Me Pork Skins; Mosleys BBQ; Dixie Subs And More; Small Town BBQ; Georgia Snoballs; Rositas; D&B Foodtruck; Flour Child Bakery; Puddins Pop; Reita’s Fried Pies; DIRT Pour Coffee + Cafe; Gigi’s Sweet Treats and The Bread Lady & More; Cane Ridge Acres; Sweet Bloom Cookies; Caked Up; Nothing Bundt Cakes; Shonda’s Edible Delights; Hwy 27 Nutrition; Sweet Dreek’s; Shinbone Valley Bee Company; Created by Kirby; Sweets on a Mission; Laurel Leaf Coffee; Energy Loft Express; Faith Family Farm; Bray’s Sweet Treats; J & R Kettle Corn; Keribeth Roberts; Kona Ice; Dirty Deeds Soda Co.; Eneyas Lemonations & Sipsations; BratzCafe; JC Nuts; Anita’s Blissful Bites; and Zelma’s Blue Ribbon Jams and Jellies.

Arts, Crafts, Clothing, Jewelry & Other Vendors: Simple Creations; Trail Life Troop; ECA Crafts; BBs Krazy Kreations; Moss Creek Outfitters; Walk the Vine; Root & River; Reverdy Coley; Cloudland Antiques; Leroy Cordle; I Am Simply in Stitches; Barbara Sue’s; Claytastic Designs; MicksPics and Woodcrafting by Bruce; The Mag Hatter; Heartstrings & Stitches; Violets Crafty Corner; Papa’s Yard Art; Callie’s Closet at Mainstreet Boutique; Sierra Co & Clara Bea Boutique; SunFlower Nails & Lashes; Scents and Suds; Nutty Magnets; Anita’s Raggedy Threads; Mary Beth Grooms; Sharon’s Glass Creations; Mind to Matter Productions; Haley’s Creative Goods; Southern Stems & Design; Dixieland Fabric and Floral; Diamond Art; Soft Flames & Suds; WillARose & Co.; Rustic Craft Shed; Kinsey Graph-X’s; Stitches by Sherry; Lindsey Art; Hazel’s Threads; Leroy’s Seasoning; Glammies Place; KM Collective; Mt. Olive Creations; Jacobs Ladder; The Patched Hat; Made by Iris; BLACK LION CREATIONS; Kim’s Handcrafted Soaps and Such; Forever Fit by Nicole; The Wild Olive Branch; Ruby’s Boutique; TakeAparts; Just Sew Crafty; K.Sims T-Shirt Booth; Froggyholler Soap Company; Swift Stitches; B & G Co.; Wellness Reclaimed; Sew Crafty; and “It Began With Mama” Creations.

Churches, Nonprofits, Organizations & Information Booths: Subligna Rd. Church of Christ; Central Avenue Baptist Church; Lookout Mountain CASA; Chattooga Co. DCFS; Chattooga Co. Democrats; Advent Health; Dry Valley Baptist Church; Chattooga County Wildlife; Berryton Church of God; Spring Creek Baptist Church; Summerville Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses; Speak Life Special Needs Support Group; and CHS Welding.