This weekend felt like the first real, lasting taste of Fall, and the activities around Macon County helped set the lively mood.
Comfortable temperatures, and beautiful days marked with the annual events – the Macon County Fair and Recovery Festival – and a new entry to the scene – the Spotfin Art & Nature event at Cowee Arts & Heritage School.
Here are some images by staff and friends to give readers a feel of fun.
Spotfin Art & Nature
Above on the left, Spotfin Art & Nature’s keynote speaker Dr. Zelda Lockhart conducted a writing workshop and read from her new novel “Trinity”. While conservationist Dr. Bill McLarney, assisted by volunteers from the Highlands Biological Station, taught participants about the spotfin and other aquatic species on the banks of Tellico Creek.
Above left, Madison Traviss, Brent Martin, and Ashlyn Miller opened the Spotfin Art & Nature event on September 25 pulling the entire audience into a group art project at Cowee Arts & Heritage School. And Sara Gottlieb shows off her expertly crafted hellbender linoleum print made under the supervision of artist Matt Gauck during one of many Spotfin workshops.
Come Together Recovery Festival
Honoring Recovery Month, a number of organizations got together to share recovery options and celebrate inspiring stories of lives renewed.
Vendors included Wood Fired Grill and White Rabbit Concessions.
This year featured true success stories and testimonies, information from local agencies and support groups, fun kids activities, and music all evening from Hoppie Vaughan, then Marshall Ballew and lastly the Modern Mammals.
It was free of charge and hosted by TribalVibe promotions and All Saints Episcopal Church.
Macon County Fair
Held at the Wayne Proffit Agricultural Center, the theme of this year’s 71st Macon County Fair was “County Pride, County Wide”, and it showed.
Beautiful animals, happy families and great food and fun ruled the weekend.
Throughout the fair, there were food vendors for eating on site and at home, demonstration booths, product vendors, and educational booths.
And then, there were the shows: rabbits, hogs, beef, goats and just a few cure animals for fun.
By the time the weekend was over, who could blame anyone for taking a nap?
Photos taken by Tim Crabtree (County Fair), Amy Kirkpatrick (Spotfin) and Melonie Stewart (Recovery Fest).
