More Than 2,300 Attend Finster Fest As Paradise Garden Looks Ahead To Fall Events

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More than 2,300 people visited Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Pennville for Finster Fest 2026, bringing visitors from across the country and the local community together for two days of art, music and celebration of one of Chattooga County’s best-known cultural landmarks.

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Sum Nelly Still On For Saturday; Summerville Adds November Harvest Festival For Vendors

The 52nd Annual Sum Nelly Festival will still go on as planned this Saturday, but the City of Summerville is now offering vendors an additional fall festival opportunity in November.

Summerville Parks and Recreation Director Adam Wilson announced Thursday that the city is organizing a new Summerville Harvest Festival for Saturday, November 7, from 9 AM until 5 PM at Dowdy Park.

Wilson said vendors who are already registered for this weekend’s Sum Nelly Festival will be able to participate in the November event free of charge.

That means vendors who have already paid for a Sum Nelly space can set up for both events — this Saturday’s Sum Nelly Festival and the November 7 Summerville Harvest Festival — without paying another vendor registration fee for the November event.

Registration for the Summerville Harvest Festival will open Monday, October 5, at www.summervillerec.org.

Meanwhile, the city says Sum Nelly will still be held this Saturday, October 3, from 9 AM until 3 PM on East Washington Street in downtown Summerville.

The festival was moved from Dowdy Park and its hours shortened because of weather concerns.

Wilson also said the Sum Nelly vendor map will be released Thursday.

The announcement comes as some Sum Nelly vendors have been circulating a petition asking that this weekend’s festival be postponed because of concerns about rain, possible flooding, attendance and the financial investment vendors have already made in the event.

For now, the city is keeping Sum Nelly on Saturday’s schedule while also giving registered vendors a second opportunity to participate in a fall festival at Dowdy Park next month.

Sum Nelly Vendors Start Petition Asking For Festival To Be Postponed

Some vendors scheduled to participate in this weekend’s 52nd Annual Sum Nelly Festival have started an online petition asking Summerville Parks and Recreation to postpone the event because of concerns about anticipated rain and the possibility of flooding.

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Busy Saturday Ahead In Chattooga County And Across Northwest Georgia

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.

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Finster Fest Returns To Paradise Garden This Weekend

Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Pennville will welcome visitors from across the region this weekend for Finster Fest 2026, a two-day celebration of art, music, food and the legacy of renowned folk artist Howard Finster.

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Community Health Fair Set For Friday In Summerville

A Community Health Fair will be held this Friday evening in Summerville, offering free health screenings, food and health information to area residents.

The event will take place Friday, September 18, from 6 until 8 PM at the Fairway Recreation Center, 81 Senior Drive in Summerville.

The health fair is being presented by the Summerville Seventh-day Adventist Church and will feature Dr. Thomas Jackson, who will share information drawn from 48 years of gospel-medical missionary work. Topics will include managing diabetes and high blood pressure.

The evening will include free health screenings, an informative health seminar, an interactive health fair, complimentary food, music and giveaways.

Organizers say seating is limited and an RSVP is required. Those interested in attending may contact Christie Williams at 706-859-1140.

The event is designed to provide practical health information while giving local residents an opportunity to learn more about taking charge of their health.

Teloga Community Food Drive Set For Saturday

Residents in the Teloga area are invited to take part in a Community Food Drive this Saturday, September 19, aimed at helping local families and strengthening the community.

The food distribution will be held from 10 AM until noon, or until supplies run out, at Beersheba Presbyterian Church, located at 9977 Highway 337 in Summerville.

Organizers say no identification is required to receive food. Those planning to attend are asked not to line up before 9:30 AM.

The event is being held under the theme “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” and is designed to provide food assistance to people and families in the community.

Volunteers are also needed to help with Saturday’s distribution.

The Teloga Community Food Drive is being made possible with support from the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation and Helping Hands Food Support Community.

Organizers say the goal is simple: bring neighbors together to support one another and help build a stronger Teloga community.

Antique Tractor & Small Engine Show Coming To Summerville Train Depot

A celebration of rural American history and the evolution of farming technology is coming to downtown Summerville later this month.

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Outdoor Movie Night Coming To Sloppy Floyd State Park

Families looking for an outdoor activity next weekend can enjoy a free movie under the stars at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park.

The park and Friends of Sloppy Floyd will host an Outdoor Movie Night on Saturday, September 19, beginning at 8 PM.

Park rangers will show a classic, G-rated animated movie about the life of bugs. The event announcement doesn’t give the movie’s title, but offers a pretty strong hint with the theme, “I’m a beautiful butterfly.”

Visitors should meet at Picnic Shelter 1 at 8 PM and are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to get comfortable for the outdoor showing.

The movie program itself is free, although the regular $10 Georgia State Parks parking pass is required for vehicles entering the park.

Friends of Sloppy Floyd State Park will also have concessions available for purchase during the evening.

The event offers families another opportunity to enjoy the state park after regular daytime activities while supporting the Friends organization, which assists with programs and projects at Sloppy Floyd.

James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park is located near Summerville in Chattooga County and includes two lakes, hiking trails, picnic areas, camping and access to the Pinhoti Trail system.

Anyone with questions about Outdoor Movie Night can contact the Sloppy Floyd State Park office at 706-857-0826.

The movie begins at 8 PM Saturday, September 19, at Picnic Shelter 1.

Chamber To Host Member AfterWork Meet Up At Dos Magueys

The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is inviting local business leaders and community members to attend its upcoming Member AfterWork Meet Up on Thursday, June 11.

The networking event will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Dos Magueys Mexican Restaurant in Summerville.

According to the Chamber, the gathering is designed as a casual social and networking opportunity for members to connect, share ideas, and build relationships in a relaxed setting. Dos Magueys will offer drink specials, and the Chamber will provide appetizers for attendees.

The Chamber noted that it will not hold a June luncheon this year and is instead offering this smaller summer networking event. While tickets are not required, organizers encourage attendees to RSVP in advance.

For additional information, contact the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce at 706-857-4033