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For the 50,000 visitors who descend on the lawn of Centennial Park during a crisp October weekend each year, the Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair is a treasure trove of fine art and artisan wares unique to the region — a monumental demonstration of Southern creativity, with a stellar lineup including artisans from Tennessee and the states that border it. But recently, it has become more than that: It has opened to artisans across the nation.
Now in its 41st incarnation, the Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair will feature more than 200 juried and award-winning artists and artisans, including those from California, Rhode Island, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Utah. The event will occur on October 11, 12 and 13 at Centennial Park and is open to the public, with free admission and parking.
It takes time for a festival to mature to a mega-event that draws thousands of visitors. The Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair offers excellent infrastructure and a multiplicity of themed tents. Children can participate in hands-on activities in the Kids’ Tent. Visitors can learn from live demonstrations by regional artists in the Demonstration Tent, which will feature pottery making from The Clay Lady Campus, as well as wood turning and metal sculpting.
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Another interesting niche this festival has carved out is that of the Emerging Makers Tent. There, new artisans are paired with successful artisans who can show them how to produce a smooth operation for featuring their wares, because being new to such a colossal fair can be daunting.
“The Emerging Makers Tent is a wonderful opportunity for people who have started their craft journey but are not quite big enough to have their own tent,” says fair spokeswoman Laurie Davis. “Maybe their own tent would be too much of an investment at the beginning of their journey or maybe they are not confident that they can make enough product to support a three-day show.”
Another sign that this festival has long since taken root? The organizers continue to make the food offerings more delicious, as evidenced by the array of food trucks that line the picnic area; at least 10 food vendors will be present this year.
Beyond free parking, the fair features free shuttle service provided by Gray Line Tours on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttles will run in 15-minute loops from the HCA parking lots (located on Park Plaza) to the fair.
The fair is part of Tennessee Craft Week (TCW), a compilation of craft events that take place across the state each October. Country musician Craig Morgan, of “Redneck Yacht Club” fame, is the honorary chair for TCW.
For more information, please visit tennesseecraft.org/fallfair.