Saturday will be a busy day across Chattooga County and the surrounding area, with Finster Fest, a community food distribution, activities at Sloppy Floyd State Park, a special Trion High School event, and several events just a short drive away.

One of the biggest events of the weekend will be Finster Fest, the signature annual festival at Paradise Garden in Pennville. The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, from 10 AM until 5 PM each day.

Finster Fest celebrates the life and work of internationally known folk artist Howard Finster and will feature arts and crafts, live music, speakers and demonstrations, food and children’s art activities. Admission is $10, with limited on-site parking available for those with mobility needs. A shuttle will also operate from the Walmart parking lot on U.S. 27.

Motorists in the area should be aware that Rena Street will be reduced to one lane beginning Saturday morning because of pedestrian and shuttle traffic associated with the festival.

Teloga Community Food Drive

Residents in the Teloga area can take part in a Community Food Drive Saturday from 10 AM until noon, or until supplies run out, at Beersheba Presbyterian Church, located at 9977 Highway 337.

No identification is required to receive food. Organizers ask those attending not to line up before 9:30 AM.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the distribution, which is being held under the theme “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” The event is supported by the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation and Helping Hands Food Support Community.

Trion High School Harvest Moon Gala

Saturday night will also be a special evening for students at Trion High School, as the school holds its Harvest Moon Gala at the Summerville Train Depot.

The event is taking the place of Trion’s traditional Homecoming Dance this year. According to a report from AllOnGeorgia’s Bulldog Barker coverage, scheduling conflicts and competitions prompted organizers to move the dance earlier in the school year and transform it into the Harvest Moon Gala.

The gala is being held about a month before Trion’s other Homecoming festivities. The Bulldogs’ 2026 Homecoming football game is scheduled for October 23 against Manchester, with Homecoming activities including spirit week, a Pink-Out pep rally and presentation of the Homecoming Court.

Saturday Activities At Sloppy Floyd

There will also be plenty to do Saturday at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park near Summerville.

A Marble Mine Hike is scheduled for 10 AM, giving visitors an opportunity to explore one of the park’s best-known trails and learn more about the area’s natural and historical features.

Saturday evening, the park and Friends of Sloppy Floyd will host a free Outdoor Movie Night at 8 PM at Picnic Shelter 1. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. The movie is free, although the regular state park parking fee applies.

Firewise Adventure Day In Armuchee

In neighboring Floyd County, Firewise Adventure Day will be held Saturday from 9 AM until 4 PM at Camp Sidney Dew, located at 3624 Everett Springs Road in Armuchee.

The free family event will include a Touch-a-Truck experience, Scouting demonstrations, outdoor activities and wildfire prevention and safety information.

Several emergency and utility agencies are expected to participate, including the Floyd County Police Department Bomb Squad and SWAT Team, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Floyd County EMA, Georgia Power, Georgia DNR, Georgia State Patrol and AirLife.

Night Of Hope In Rome

Saturday’s activities continue into the evening in Rome with Night of Hope at Ridge Ferry Park.

The free community worship event begins at 7 PM, with gates opening at 5:30 PM. Christian recording artists Naomi Raine and Pat Barrett are scheduled to perform, along with local musician Daniel Mulkey during the preshow.

With Finster Fest in Pennville, the Teloga food distribution, the Trion High School Harvest Moon Gala, activities at Sloppy Floyd, Firewise Adventure Day in Armuchee and Night of Hope in Rome, residents have plenty of options for getting out and enjoying Saturday across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia.