Fall is full of fairs and festivals for families

GUNTERSVILLE — For all the live music, face painting, fried food on a stick, fall fun you could want in October, check out our list of the 10 best fairs and festivals in North Alabama.

Whether it’s finding a unique piece of handmade art at the River Clay Fine Arts Festival or cheering your team on to victory at the Shoals Dragon Boat Festival, you will have no trouble celebrating the season every weekend.

Riverfest at RiverRocks: Gadsden, Saturday

RiverFest at RiverRocks is back this year in Gadsden, with all new musical acts, including Anderson East and Drake White, as well as games for the kids, food trucks and more throughout the day. There will even be a tailgate area so guests won’t have to miss watching the Auburn and Alabama games. How’s that for checking all the boxes? Tickets are $35 and doors open at 4:45 p.m.

Madison Street Festival: Madison, Saturday

The 40th annual Madison Street Festival offers a parade, a children’s area, community and student art, food vendors and exhibits that are new to the festival each year.

Alabama Honey Festival: Owens Cross Roads, Sunday

This is the fourth year for the honeybee-centered festival in Hampton Cove. Educational programs will be available, including viewing bees behind glass, as well as food trucks, specialty vendors and food demos in what promises to be a very sweet event. 

Tennessee Valley Old Timers Fiddlers Convention: Athens, Oct. 6-8

Known as the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers Conventions” for its role in reviving the tradition of competition in old-time music, the 55th annual Tennessee Valley Old Timers Fiddlers Convention takes place on the Athens State University campus. Around 15,000 people are expected to attend this year from more than 30 states. At least 200 contestants will compete for top prize money. The festival also includes many arts and crafts booths.

Lake City Fallfest: Guntersville, Oct. 7-8

Hosted by the Downtown Merchants in Lake Guntersville, Lake City Fallfest is fun for the whole family with hayrides, bounce houses, pumpkin painting, live music, a food vendor market and more.

Shoals Dragon Boat Festival: Florence, Oct. 8 

Get your team together and paddle to victory at the annual Shoals Dragon Boat Festival. Or simply watch the races from land, all while enjoying local vendors, food and artists. This year, there will even be a debut appearance by Miss Alabama 2022 Lindsay Fincher. 

Mentone Colorfest: Mentone, Oct. 15-16

Colorfest 2022 will be on the Moon Lake Village property this year, after outgrowing the original location. Festival-style food, regional arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and live music are all featured at this annual event in beautiful Mentone. 

Alabama Renaissance Feast & Fair: Florence, Oct. 22-23

Admission and parking are free at the traditional Alabama Renaissance Faire, located in Wilson Park in Florence. Around 35,000 people are expected to attend the event, which features 100 vendors and up to 20 performers.

River Clay Fine Arts Festival: Decatur, Oct. 22-23

Located in Historic Downtown Decatur, the River Clay Fine Arts Festival features artists from all over North Alabama and the entire southeast and beyond. Come for the one-of-a-kind art and stay for the food trucks, children’s activities, chalk art and student art exhibits.

Vintage Market Days of North Alabama: Decatur, Oct. 28-30

An upscale vintage-inspired shopping event, Vintage Market Days of North Alabama has everything from original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry and many more treasures just waiting to be found.