Home to one of only a few operating train turntables in the southeastern United States, Summerville is truly a step back in time for train and history buffs alike. The City of Summerville is currently in celebration of its annual “Steam into Summerville Railroad Days”. The 5-week celebration will usher in fall and visitors of all ages, while bringing a wide array of festivities to Summerville’s Dowdy Park and the Summerville Depot.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Summerville Steam Excursion is now arriving weekly at the historic Summerville Depot each Saturday through November 3. Steam engine passenger trains are also set to arrive at the depot on 3 Sundays; October 13, 20 and November 3. Train arrivals and the turning of the antique steam engines are a highlight at each scheduled festival. Tickets for these excursions are purchased through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at www.tvrail.com . These vintage train rides follow a historic route from Grand Junction Station in Chattanooga to the Historic Summerville Depot. Summerville welcomes the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and its passengers by opening the historic depot to the public and with activities, entertainment, and events planned for each train arrival. Each event hosted is unique to itself.

Summerville Mini Renaissance Festival – October 12

Dress as royalty, fairies, pirates, and peasants while you enjoy shopping, art, games, and a feast fit for a king. The Summerville Renaissance Festival will return to the Summerville Depot with pageantry, arts, music, artisans, food, and more. Renaissance Performers from Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama will be on hand to give festival goers a magical experience. An arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and a turning of the Summerville Turntable will also be featured. The Renaissance Festival hours are from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner At The Depot – October 13

Step back in time to a slower pace of life and enjoy an “Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner” at the Historic Summerville Depot. Event goers will have the opportunity to enjoy an “Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner” while enjoying live gospel music by a special surprise musical guest. The meal will be served by Sheila Stewart at the cost of $7.50 for a meat and 2 vegetables plate, $9.00 for 2 meats and 3 vegetables plate, or $6.50 for a 4 vegetable plate. The Sunday Dinner menu will consist of baked ham, chicken and dressing or plain dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato yams, pinto beans, corn, and cornbread or roll. Desserts available for purchase will include red velvet cake, pound cake or banana pudding. Tea and soft drinks will also be available for purchase. Cash, checks or Cash App will be accepted forms of payment to purchase meals. An arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and a turning of the Summerville Turntable will also be featured. This event will operate from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and is free for the public to attend.

Sequoyah Quilt Show – October 19-20

Experience fall at its best as artists, craftsman, musicians, and food vendors gather together for a weekend of fun! The Sequoyah Quilt Show will be held at the Summerville Depot October 19-20. Saturday show hours are 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Sunday hours are 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. There will be large quilting exhibits of all kinds, as well as demonstrations inside the depot. Quilts may also be sold at this event. Returning this year will be a “Bed Turning” of quilts narrated by quilters throughout the day. Persons interested in exhibiting or selling quilt products at this show may contact Summerville Main Street at (706)859-0900 Ext. 1337. Food and craft vendors will also be on site and the arrival of the train is expected around 1:00 p.m. In addition, a special Living History Tour of The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Pumpkin Palooza and Downtown Halloween Candy Walk – October 26

Everything’s coming up candy and pumpkins in downtown Summerville on Saturday, October 26. Summerville Main Street will team up with the Summerville Trion Optimist Club to present the annual Pumpkin Palooza with Pumpkin Derby and the Halloween Candy Walk! This fall celebration will be held down the East Washington Streetscape to the Summerville Depot. Hours for the Pumpkin Palooza will run from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Vendors will be on hand with a variety of foods, crafts, and retail for the public’s pleasure. Interested vendors should contact Susan Locklear by email at slocklear@summervillega.org for vendor registration information.

Highlights for the day will include a Youth Halloween Costume Contest for ages newborn – 12 at 11:30 a.m. inside of the Open-air Pavilion. Registration for the costume contest will begin at 11:15 a.m. Local Scouts will be participating in a special Pumpkin Derby Race that is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on East Washington Street near the depot.
Halloween Candy Walk

The Halloween Candy Walk is sponsored by The Summerville Trion Optimist Club and will run from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The candy walk will be located down the East Washington Street Streetscape area. The East Washington Street Streetscape entrances beginning at US 27/Commerce Street and The University Street Intersection will be closed to traffic beginning Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. and remain closed until 3:00 p.m. Economy Street entrances to East Washington Street will also be closed during this time.
The participating businesses and organizations always enjoy this fun event and look forward to welcoming all the ghosts, ghouls, goblins and other costumed trick-or-treaters that will make their appearance at the annual Candy Walk. Businesses, churches, clubs, and civic organizations wishing to participate in handing out candy and treats to all the little spooks should contact Cindy Rivers at (706) 466-9014 for registration and set-up details.

Train fans will also enjoy the 1:00 p.m. Steam Engine arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train. Following the arrival, spectators will view the Summerville Turntable in action turning the majestic steam engines.

Trains and Tracks Expo November 2-3

Train enthusiast of all ages will enjoy the Trains and Tracks Expo at the Summerville Depot November 2-3. Expo hours of operation are: Saturday, November 2nd from 10:00 am-3:00 pm and Sunday, November 3rd from 11:00 am -3:00 pm. Sunday’s train arrival will feature a double steam engine arrival. A highlight for the event will be the Chattanooga Modular Modeler Train exhibit. The expo is designed for children of all ages; for modelers, collectors, and enthusiasts; for families in search of good old-fashioned fun; and for the simply curious. It will feature tables of trains, accessories, scale models, and collectible toys. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Steam Engine is scheduled to arrive each day of the event at 1:00 pm with passengers and will be turned on the Summerville Turntable, for the public’s viewing pleasure. There will be railroad memorabilia for sale, food and craft vendors at the depot, and much more.
For more information on events contact The City of Summerville at (706) 859-0900 Ext.1337 or visit www.summervillega.org