Summerville Main Street Accepting Vendor Applications For 2026 Santa Special Mistletoe Market

Summerville Main Street is now accepting vendor applications for the 2026 Summerville Santa Special Mistletoe Market, a holiday shopping event that coincides with the popular Santa Special train excursions later this year.

The market will feature five train excursions on Saturdays and four excursions on Sundays, providing vendors with an opportunity to reach thousands of holiday shoppers visiting downtown Summerville. Indoor booth spaces are limited and will be filled through a juried application process.

Interested vendors must submit an application by September 25. There is no application fee to be considered. Indoor booth spaces are 10-by-8 feet for $85 per weekend, while outdoor spaces are 12-by-12 feet for $70 per weekend or $35 per day.

Indoor vendors are required to commit to the full two-day weekend. Outdoor vendors may apply for individual event days if space is available.

Applications and additional information are available by emailing slocklear@summervillega.org.

Celebrate Living Local Market To Welcome Steam Train Excursion August 1

Residents and visitors are invited to downtown Summerville on Saturday, August 1, for the Celebrate Living Local Market, held in conjunction with the arrival of a Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum excursion train.

The market will feature local businesses, artists, craftspeople, and food vendors. Participants will include Sabo’s Golden Nectar with an educational observation beehive and locally produced honey, artist Billy Smith, Willow Flowers at Teloga Springs Farm, Acolyte Realty, and additional community vendors.

Food and refreshments will be available from Twisted Treatz Bakery, Eneya’s Lemonade & Sipsations, Granny Hon’s Great Food, Rosita’s, and Small Town BBQ.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Steam Engine 4501 is expected to arrive at the Summerville Depot at approximately 12:45 p.m. with passengers aboard. During the train’s roughly 90-minute layover, visitors will be able to watch the locomotive being turned on the historic Summerville Turntable before it continues its journey.

The event offers an opportunity to shop with local vendors, enjoy food and refreshments, and see one of the South’s best-known steam locomotives in action.

CHS Class Of 1996 Plans 30th Class Reunion

The Chattooga High School Class of 1996 is making plans for its 30-year class reunion, which is currently scheduled for Saturday, October 3.

Classmates are encouraged to join the Facebook group “CHS Class of 1996 – 30-Year Reunion” to stay informed about plans and additional details.

Those who are not on Facebook may contact Ben Sellers by email at nauticalarch@yahoo.com for more information.

Organizers are asking classmates to help spread the word so as many members of the Class of 1996 as possible can be included.

Santa Special Train Tickets Now On Sale For Holiday Excursions To Summerville

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Summerville Santa Special excursions through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

This year’s holiday train rides are scheduled for November 28 and 29, December 5 and 6, and December 11 and 12. Tickets are $24 for everyone age 2 and older.

Passengers will travel to Summerville for a festive holiday experience that includes the Mistletoe Market and a free children’s activity tent. Visitors will also have time to shop, eat and enjoy downtown Summerville.

The Summerville Santa Special has become a popular family tradition, and organizers encourage passengers to reserve their seats early because the rides often sell out.

Tickets are available at www.tvrail.com under Train Rides, Seasonal Special Events, and Summerville Santa Special.

 

Homemade Ice Cream Sale Planned At James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park Sunday

If you’re looking for a cool treat this weekend, the Friends of James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park will host a Homemade Ice Cream Sale on Sunday, July 26, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Volunteers will be set up next to the park’s Visitor Center serving a variety of homemade ice cream flavors. Ice cream is $3 per cup, and both cash and credit cards will be accepted.

Proceeds from the sale will support the Friends of James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park, a volunteer organization that helps enhance and support the park through special projects and programs.

A $10 Georgia State Parks parking pass or an annual ParkPass is required for parking.

Trion High School Reminds Students of Locker and Parking Purchase Day

Trion High School is reminding students that locker and parking permit purchases will take place on Friday, July 24, at the back entrance of Trion High School.

Students must purchase lockers and parking permits during their assigned class time:

  • Seniors: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
  • Juniors: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
  • Sophomores: 11 a.m. to noon
  • Freshmen: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The cost is $25 for a locker and $30 for a parking permit.

School officials say students who have not completed and submitted their enrollment paperwork or tuition requirements will not be able to make purchases until those requirements have been met.

Because the enrollment deadline has passed and PowerSchool is temporarily offline for maintenance, parents needing to complete enrollment must fill out a paper enrollment form, which is available in the Trion High School office.

Students are also reminded to wait until their designated time slot before arriving to make purchases.

AdventHealth Redmond to Host Community Blood Drive Thursday

AdventHealth Redmond will host a community blood drive on Thursday, July 23, giving area residents an opportunity to help patients in need.

The blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at AdventHealth Redmond in Rome.

Hospital representatives say donated blood can provide hope and support for patients and families facing medical emergencies, surgeries and other serious health needs. Every eligible donor has the potential to make a meaningful difference for someone receiving care.

Walk-ins will be welcome throughout the event, although donors may also reserve an appointment in advance through Blood Assurance’s online scheduling system.

Those planning to donate should bring a valid photo identification and are encouraged to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before arriving.

AdventHealth Redmond is encouraging community members who are able to donate to take part in the drive and help maintain the regional blood supply.

Appointments may be scheduled through the Blood Assurance website.

Twisted Ankle Trail Race Celebrates 20 Years at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park

Trail runners from across the Southeast are invited to lace up for the 20th annual Twisted Ankle Trail Race at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park, as the popular event celebrates two decades of racing and giving back to the park.

To mark the milestone, organizers are adding a special 20-mile race for 2026 only, giving participants the chance to make two climbs to Becky’s Bluff. The race lineup also includes a beginner-friendly 5K, a challenging 10-mile, and a half marathon, offering options for runners of all experience levels.

The scenic courses feature a mix of wide trails, single-track sections, Marble Mine, and the iconic climb to Becky’s Bluff, where runners will enjoy a stretch along the Pinhoti Trail before descending. Organizers say the courses include plenty of rocks and roots, providing the technical challenge trail runners have come to expect.

Since its beginning, the Twisted Ankle Trail Race has donated all proceeds to James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park, helping support improvements and preservation efforts.

Additional race information, course maps and registration details are available at twistedanklerace.com.

Chattooga Curtain Call To Present Newsies Jr.

Chattooga Curtain Call is preparing to bring the Broadway musical Newsies Jr. to the stage later this month, continuing its long-standing tradition of providing local students with opportunities to perform and develop their talents in the performing arts.

The production features a cast of area students who have spent the summer rehearsing the high-energy musical, which is based on the true story of the 1899 New York City newsboys’ strike. The family-friendly show follows a group of young newspaper sellers who band together to stand up for fair treatment while learning valuable lessons about courage, friendship and teamwork.

Chattooga Curtain Call, a local nonprofit organization, has spent more than a decade offering theater experiences for students throughout Chattooga County and surrounding communities. In addition to entertaining audiences, the organization provides young performers with training in acting, singing and stage performance while helping keep the performing arts thriving locally.

Newsies Jr. performances are July 31st at 7:00pm and Aug. 1st at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are $10. You can purchase tickets via Venmo @Chattooga-Curtain-Call. You will receive confirmation with ticket numbers and your tickets will be held for you at the door. You can also purchase tickets at the door with cash/check. All performances will be held at Connect City Church.

Chattooga County Schools Release 2026-2027 School Supply Lists

With the first day of school just a few weeks away, Chattooga County Schools has made school supply lists available to help families prepare for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

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