With the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair wrapping up this past weekend, residents won’t have to wait long for the next round of community activities. September is shaping up to be a busy month in Chattooga County, with festivals, outdoor activities, art, agriculture, emergency preparedness and school events scheduled throughout the month.

One of the first major events comes Saturday, September 5, when Summerville Main Street hosts the Old-Fashioned Apple Festival at the Summerville Depot. The festival runs from 10 AM until 3 PM and will feature apple-themed products, craft and food vendors, demonstrations, children’s activities and live music. Standard and fried apple pie contests are also planned, with cash prizes and trophies for the winners.

Outdoor Activities At Sloppy Floyd

James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park has several September activities planned.

On Saturday, September 12, the park will celebrate Girl Scouts Love State Parks Day with a Hiking 101 program beginning at 2:30 PM. Rangers will lead participants along the Lower Lake Trail while teaching hiking safety, what to pack and how to prepare for emergencies. The program is free, although the $10 park pass is required.

The park’s biggest September event comes Saturday, September 26, when Outdoor Adventure Day returns from 10 AM until 4 PM.

Activities will include a Kids Fishing Rodeo with 50 tagged fish that can be caught for prizes, archery instruction, a snake program from Southeastern Reptile Rescue, a turtle program from Greg’s Turtle Haven and a birds-of-prey presentation from Wings to SOAR. Food trucks will also be on hand.

Master Cattlemen’s Program Begins September 14

Agriculture will also be represented during September.

The 2026 Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program begins Monday, September 14, at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center and continues each Monday at 6 PM through November 2.

The eight-week UGA Extension program will cover beef quality assurance, herd selection, cattle economics and marketing, herd health, parasite control, nutrition, reproduction and forage management.

September 19 Will Be A Particularly Busy Saturday

Several major events fall on Saturday, September 19.

Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency will hold its next Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, training class from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM at the Chattooga County Community Resource Center on Eleanor Avenue in Summerville.

The free class trains volunteers in disaster preparedness, fire suppression, basic medical operations, search and rescue and other skills that can be used to assist the community and professional first responders during emergencies.

Also that day, Power to the Polls will be held from 10 AM until 2 PM at the Fairway Recreation Center in Summerville. The community voter registration and education event is being organized by Summerville Councilwoman Simone Adams and her sister, Ashley Adams. Residents can check their registration, learn more about voting and get assistance from volunteers. Lunch will be available while supplies last.

Finster Fest Returns September 19-20

One of Chattooga County’s best-known annual events also returns that weekend.

Finster Fest 2026 will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, from 10 AM until 5 PM each day at Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Summerville.

More than 60 folk artists and craftsmen from Georgia and around the country are expected, offering paintings, pottery, sculpture, stained glass, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork and other creations.

Finster Fest will also feature live music, Southern food, children’s art activities, speakers and special exhibits celebrating the life and legacy of internationally known folk artist Howard Finster.

Members of the Chattooga High School Class of 1968 will also hold their annual reunion September 19, gathering from 2 until 6 PM at Red Lobster on Shorter Avenue in Rome.

Job Fair September 22

Job seekers will have an opportunity to meet employers from across Northwest Georgia on Tuesday, September 22.

WorkSource Georgia and the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority will hold a multi-employer job fair from 10 AM until 1 PM at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring.

Employers from Chattooga, Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties are expected to participate, with the Chattooga Chamber among the organizations supporting the event.

A Big Day In Lyerly September 26

While Outdoor Adventure Day is underway at Sloppy Floyd, Lyerly’s Down Home Day will also take place Saturday, September 26.

The event runs from 10 AM until 2 PM and is designed as a community celebration while providing local vendors, makers and small businesses an opportunity to sell their products and meet residents.

Chattooga Homecoming Celebration Closes Out The Month

September concludes with a celebration at Chattooga High School.

The Red & Black Bash Homecoming Block Party is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, from 6 until 8 PM at Chattooga High School.

The event will bring together students, families, local businesses, community organizations and vendors as Chattooga celebrates homecoming. Organizers are currently accepting vendor registrations, although spaces are limited.

And, of course, September also means Friday night football, with both the Chattooga Indians and Trion Bulldogs in action throughout the month. Chattooga’s September schedule includes Model, Coosa, Ridgeland and Gordon Lee, while Trion faces Ridgeland, Dade County, LFO and Northview.

From apple pies and folk art to fishing, football, agriculture and community preparedness, September will offer plenty to do around Chattooga County.

WZQZ will continue updating the Community Calendar throughout the month as additional events are announced.