Fall events in the Ocoee region of Southeast Tennessee add fun, flair and fabulous memories to every vacation. Often these events become the vacation themselves. The Ocoee region, centered in and around Cleveland, Tennessee and Bradley County, offers a large variety of things to do when autumn rolls around in Tennessee. The calendar is jam-packed with many long-time favorites.
Here is a quick tips planner for the most popular events in the area of Cleveland, Tennessee and the Ocoee region.
September Events in the Southeast Tennessee Region
The month of September kicks off with the Black Bear Rampage, a 42-mile bike race that utilizes the best trails of the Tanasi Trail System in the Cherokee National Forest. The event is sponsored by Scott’s Bicycle Centre of Cleveland. Anyone interested can contact the Scott’s website or call 423-472-9891. September is also the month for the Annual Ocoee Cup Soccer Tournament, where regional and state teams vie for championships. Anyone interested in attending the event or desiring to compete can visit the website or call 423-614-GAME.
September is also the month for the annual Foothills Country Fair. Sponsored by the local Ruritan club, members have brought back the old time country fair. Great entertainment, food vendors, carnival rides and fun for the entire family is held at the Tri-State Exhibition Center.
October Events in the Southeast Tennessee Region
October brings the annual favorite Nillie Blipper Arts and Crafts Festival to the area. This outdoor festival show features over 75 exhibits that consists of food booths, entertainment and handcrafted arts and crafts items. This event always occurs the first full weekend in October and is held at the Tri-State Exhibition Center. Those wanting to attend or participate should call 423-478-3114 for more information.
Another popular annual festival in the Ocoee area is the Cleveland Apple Festival. This is a family event held in downtown Cleveland. The event features a juried arts and crafts show, live bluegrass music, pony rides, apple dessert competition and the Little Miss Apple Blossom pageant. There are reasonable gated admission prices. More information can be found at the Apple Festival website or by phoning 423-503-4114.
October finishes off with the annual Mainstreet Cleveland Halloween Block Party, which is one of the area’s most beloved events. The event provides a safe alternative to trick or treating held in downtown Cleveland on Halloween night. Various community organizations set up food vendor booths complemented by two stages of live music. There are candies and games for the children, and a fun costume contest. Admission is free and the gates open around 5:00 pm. Crowds have topped over 20,000 in recent years. For more information, call 423-479-1000.
November Events in the Cleveland, TN Area
With a nip in the Ocoee air, November brings about a large number of festivals for the autumn and holiday season. The Craft Palette is held from November 1st until December 31sr of each year. It is sponsored by the Cleveland Creative Arts Guild and showcases crafts on display and for sale. More information can be found by calling the Guild at 423-0478-3114.
Lee University is a mainstay in the Cleveland, Tennessee region. In November, the University hosts its Lee University Homecoming. The annual event features a music festival, a Homecoming basket ball Game, anniversary reunions for campus organizations as well as traditional class reunions. They also have a fall drama production and more activities centered on campus. For more information contact the Lee Homecoming website or phone 423-614-8000.
Wildlife enthusiasts will not want to miss the Cherokee Heritage Wildlife Weekend, where participants can view thousands of sandhill cranes as they migrate to the Hiwassee River and Wildlife Refuge. This actually takes place in neighboring Meigs County. More information on this spectacular family nature event can be found by visiting by calling 423-334-3923.
This is only a sampling of all the wonderful autumn events that happen in the Bradley County region. The Cleveland, TN CVB website has much more to offers as well as more details about the events in this article.
