The wait is over for one of Chattooga County’s biggest annual events, as the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opens this afternoon in Summerville.
Local bakers who believe they make the best apple pie around will have a chance to prove it during the upcoming Old-Fashioned Apple Festival in Summerville.
Summerville Main Street is putting out the call for competitors for both the Standard Apple Pie Contest and Fried Apple Pie Contest during this year’s festival.
There is no registration fee to enter, and organizers say the contests offer local bakers an opportunity to showcase their favorite recipes while competing for cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights.
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded in each division. First place will receive $100, second place $75 and third place $50.
The Old-Fashioned Apple Festival is set for Saturday, September 5, from 10 AM until 3 PM at the Summerville Depot. Along with the apple pie competitions, the festival will feature apple-themed products, craft and food vendors, live demonstrations, children’s activities and live music throughout the day.
Those interested in entering either apple pie competition can contact Summerville Main Street at 706-859-0900, extension 1337, or email slocklear@summervillega.org for contest rules and registration information.
Plans are underway for a big homecoming celebration at Chattooga High School, and organizers are inviting local businesses, organizations and vendors to be part of the festivities.
The Red & Black Bash Homecoming Block Party will be held Wednesday, September 30, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Chattooga High School.
The event is being planned as an evening of community activities and school spirit as Chattooga celebrates homecoming. Organizers are currently looking for vendors interested in setting up during the block party.
Local businesses, community organizations and other vendors are encouraged to participate and help make the event a community-wide celebration.
Those interested in reserving a vendor space can register online through the signup form provided by Chattooga High Cheerleading. A QR code for registration is also included on the event flyer.
Organizers say vendor spaces are limited and encourage those interested in participating to secure a spot early.
The Red & Black Bash is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. September 30 at Chattooga High School.
The Town of Lyerly is now accepting vendor applications for Lyerly’s Down Home Day, scheduled for Saturday, September 26.
The community event will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., providing an opportunity for local vendors to showcase their products while residents come together to shop local and support the community.
Vendor spaces are available for $15 per spot.
Those interested in becoming a vendor can contact organizers by commenting on the official Lyerly, Georgia post or sending a private message directly to the Lyerly, Georgia page. Vendors may also contact Sally Kerce through Facebook or call Lyerly Town Hall at 706-895-2611.
Organizers are cautioning prospective vendors not to send money to anyone through Facebook when applying for a space.
Down Home Day is designed to celebrate the Lyerly community while giving local vendors, makers and small businesses an opportunity to connect with residents.
The message behind this year’s event is simple: Live local. Shop local. Support local.
WZQZ 99.1 FM and AM 1180 will once again be the home for local high school football this fall, with coverage of the Chattooga Indians and Trion Bulldogs throughout the 2026 season.
The broadcast schedule features games involving both local teams, with selected contests airing on the radio and the WZQZ Facebook Page, while additional games will be available exclusively through the WZQZ Facebook Page.
The regular-season coverage gets underway Friday, August 21, with Chattooga hosting LaFayette and Trion taking on Gordon Lee.
Throughout the season, WZQZ will follow the Indians and Bulldogs at home and on the road.
Chattooga Indians Schedule
Chattooga’s schedule includes LaFayette on August 21, an open date August 28, Model on September 4, a road trip to Coosa on September 11 and a road game at Ridgeland on September 18.
The Indians will host Gordon Lee on September 25 and Gordon Central on October 2 before an open date October 9.
Chattooga will host Dade County on October 16, travel to LFO on October 23 and Fannin County on October 30, before closing the regular season on the road against Christian Heritage on November 6.
Trion Bulldogs Schedule
Trion opens against Gordon Lee on August 21 before hosting Model on August 28.
The Bulldogs travel to Ridgeland on September 4 and Dade County on September 11 before hosting LFO on September 18.
Trion travels to Northview on September 25, has an open date October 2, and travels to Greenville on October 9 and Bowdon on October 16.
The Bulldogs host Manchester on October 23, have an open date October 30 and close the regular season by hosting BEST Academy on November 6.
WZQZ will also be ready for postseason action, with playoff coverage to be determined beginning November 13.
Fans can follow WZQZ throughout the season for weekly information on which games will air on 99.1 FM and AM 1180 in addition to the games available through the WZQZ Facebook Page.
The Trion Farmers Market will be open this Thursday, August 6, offering shoppers another opportunity to purchase fresh, locally grown produce and handcrafted items while supporting area farmers and vendors.
The market is located at the pavilion near the track field off Simmons Street in Trion.
This week’s selection includes fresh tomatoes, okra, green beans, cucumbers, and squash, along with homemade favorites such as jams and jellies, relish and salsa, fried pies, and ice cream.
Shoppers will also find locally raised beef and pork, as well as handcrafted salves and tinctures from local vendors.
The Trion Farmers Market continues to provide a convenient way for residents to shop local while enjoying fresh seasonal products and supporting the community’s growers and artisans.
Vendor registration is now underway for the 2026 Sum Nelly Festival, one of Summerville’s longest-running community traditions.
The festival will be held on Saturday, October 3, beginning at 9 a.m. at Dowdy Park. Organizers are accepting applications through September 30 for a variety of vendor categories.
Food vendors can register for $75, while specialty treats, drinks, and snack vendors—including baked goods, jellies, jams, popcorn, ice cream, specialty beverages, lemonade, and shaved ice—can register for $60.
Arts and crafts vendors may register for $50. This category includes handmade or original products such as jewelry, woodworking, pottery, ceramics, photography, soaps, candles, quilts, leather goods, metal or glass art, custom home décor, and seasonal crafts.
The Sum Nelly Festival has been a beloved Summerville tradition for more than 50 years, drawing residents and visitors for a day of food, shopping, entertainment, and community activities.
Vendor applications are available online at www.summervillerec.org.
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.
Dancing With Our Stars – Chattooga Style 2026 is happening this evening at the Chattooga High School Auditorium.
The event will feature local participants taking the stage in a dance competition to benefit CRC Chattooga and its work to fight hunger, feed hope and support families across the community.
Audience members can cheer for their favorite teams, and every dollar donated will count as a vote. Organizers say the event is designed to bring the community together for a night of entertainment while also raising support for local families in need.
The VIP experience begins at 5:30 p.m., with the main show starting at 7 p.m.
Tickets and information on supporting a favorite dancer are available at www.feedchattooga.com.
The Trion Farmers Market returns today, Thursday, July 16, offering shoppers another opportunity to purchase fresh, locally grown produce and handmade products from area vendors.
The market will be open at the pavilion near the track field off Simmons Street in Trion.
This week’s selection includes fresh tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and potatoes, along with locally raised beef and pork. Shoppers will also find homemade treats including brittle, no-bake cookies, Pecan Tessies, fried pies and sourdough starter.
A variety of canned and specialty items will also be available, including pickles, relish, salsa, jams and jellies, and pickled eggs. Vendors will also be offering handcrafted products such as pain cream, hair oil, bug spray, salves and tinctures. Ice cream will also be available.
The Trion Farmers Market is held each Thursday and provides residents an opportunity to support local farmers, bakers, artisans and small businesses while purchasing fresh products produced throughout the region.