Over so Soon...

Well, the Festival has been here and gone again...now we prepare for year 10 and hope it will be as wonderful as the last 9 years. I am sure that with the vendors, the patrons, the people who pull it all together, the volunteers, the kids, the City of Maryville, well, just everyone will make something splendid occur...as always!

These pictures are ones that I really liked and hope you will too.

The sweet Basset Hound was crying when he found out that pets are not allowed at the Festival. He howled for a bit, then put his head down and asked the Festival to reconsider this rule. Unfortunately, the rule stands, as we never really know what an animal will do, and when they do their business in the street or near the food vendors, that creates serious health issues! Sorry pooch!

Next was the sweetest little girl who enjoyed having her face painted by one of our vendors. I think this was one of the favorites among the kids...

Maybe next year, I will figure out how to post at least ten pictures on here at a time. That way, I can share more and let you see just how much there is to do! Keep visiting and start sharing!

There are so many good tings about this festival, that I can't pick one picture or name one event that sticks out in my head as the very best. I do know that I did enjoy how families came together and enjoyed time together and how most of them allowed me to photograph them.

Many of the various vendors did an overwhelming job of keeping their booths tidy while hundreds of people passed through. The talents of these folks and the fact that they are willing to share them are a big reason why the Festival is such a success.

I truly did enjoy watching the demonstrators with the children. They have a tremendous amount of patience and encourage children to do their best and to be themselves. What a treasure and a wonderful opportunity for our young people to participate in something so wonderful...and for free!

I am so looking forward to next year that I can hardly wait. While this is my first time taking pictures for such a fun event, I think the moments captured speak for themselves. Enjoy the photos as I share them over the next couple of weeks! I know I will!

Let's forget our woes of the Day!

Nothing compares to the beauty of a Hometown Festival. We had many participants in the Booth Decorating Contest and while there were many beautiful entries, Glenda Pope won First Prize of $125. Her booth definitely gave us all "Something to Crow About"!!!

Tres Markham helped the vendors find their way into the Festival. He worked hard for several hours and then took a seat at our photo opportunity. He graciously allowed me to take his picture. Thanks for all of your help, Tres!

Many folks enjoyed the ability to express themselves on our board of creativity in the Arts and Crafts section of the Festival. There were kids of all ages writing, laughing, drawing, thinking and just having fun!

And lastly, there sits mom and daughter, Abbey and Heidi, resting from their day of running, jumping, screaming, smiling, rolling, riding and excitement. They are pooped and ready for the short ride home. I'll bet when they come back, they will do the same things all over again and have just as much fun!

It is here!

Have you ever heard the saying "If you build it, it will come?" Well, at last, the Foothills Fall Festival is here! I see the tents and I see some of the vendors...so, I know the "IT" is the folks like me who can't wait to get to where the action is and the fun begins.

I am sure this year will bring so many good times! I hope to see you there...and don't forget to put on a smile, because I will be taking lotsa pictures and you might be in some of them!

Oh yeah! Don't forget to stop by our photo opportunity in the Arts and Crafts section of our Festival! It is Something to Crow About!

Suzette

The Time Is Near!

Well, here we are, less than a month to go before the Festival is here! I am a little anxious that we have less than a month to fully prepare for this event that takes the whole town by storm! I keep wondering what that one thing is about the Festival that makes it so special and fun. I truly cannot come up with one certain thing, which leads me to believe it is so many things wrapped into one that makes it a huge success.

While I am not sure if I should mention names here on this wonderful blog, I guess I should just stick with nameless people who are not really nameless...

This event has the attention of so many volunteers. While I get to sit here behind my keyboard and write little quips about how wonderful everything is, what a great Festival this is going to be and how beautiful it will look, others are working diligently to make sure every last detail is pulled together properly. They work extremely hard mentally and physically to ensure all of us Festival goers that Life really is good.

Every thing about this festival has taken some type of planning and before I had the pleasure of meeting the volunteers and employees of the city, I truly had no idea of the imagineering, creativity, organization, patience, love, gentleness, stern-ness, compassion, appreciation and genuine love of a community and it's people these people put forth.

So, while we are out buying our crafts, listening to the concerts, playing with our kids, eating wonderful festival food, walking along safe streets, and generally just hanging out, be sure to take a second or two to remember how hard some folks have worked to get this together for us!

WOW...Maryville, Tennessee is a wonderful town. Let's show it by participating at the Foothills Fall Festival. Let's give Maryville something to Crow about!!!

The Festival is Coming!

I have been contemplating the Foothills Fall Festival and becoming very excited about the events that are to unfold beginning October 10. Hopefully, people will join me on my journey as I photograph Downtown Maryville and it's transformation.

I am not exactly sure which part of the FFF I am most excited about.

The Arts and Crafts show is going to be exciting, because so many folks will have put their all into the products they will be selling and promoting! I get excited for them each year as I see the very best of our Crafty-ness from over 8 states. The thought of that many states coming to our little Festival is inspiring to me.

Now, about the concerts...I am looking forward to bringing my lawn chair, you know the kind that are aluminum with the itchy nylon that is some tacky color with the plastic arm rests? (I love nostalgia) Well, I plan on bringing my husband too and I wanna sip lemonade, watch the concerts, watch the people and just relish in the fact that Maryville has gotten these fine performers to put on an awesome show. To bad some performers who wanted to come were not able to...I know they will be so disappointed that they did not get the opportunity to meet some of the finest folks in the country. We all know that Maryville is the friendliest place in Tennessee.

As for the kids area and the 15 acres of rolling laughter? I think laughter from previous festivals still lingers there. How could it not? The mere thought of watching kids bounce themselves until they can bounce no more makes me laugh~! Parents should bring their kids and let them play to ensure an early bedtime. Bouncing, climbing, pulling, singing, and eating are sure bets to wear any child out!

And in case you did not know, in the Arts and Crafts area there will be visual arts performers, face painters, clown troupes, singers, demonstrators, food vendors and so much more. Each area of the FFF is unique and intriguing.

So like I said, I am not sure which area I am most excited about. Food is always exciting...but I think this year, the the activities/vendors far exceed my expectations for a good example of what a Festival is. The food will just be the cherry on top!

Where am I, #2!

Well, here we are on day two of our adventure! Have fun and let me hear from you!

Where am I?

This little town of ours is simply wonderful. While trying to figure where to go for pictures, I decided that whoever visits this blog should try to find where I have been. So, for the next two weeks, I am going to post pictures of various places and you can leave a comment letting me know where you think they are!!! I will comment back to your original comment and let you know if you are right or wrong!

Happy Hunting!

Foothills Fall Festival

In the process of putting this blog together, I believe my thought process has been hindered by the fact that when I post something here, I think it might not be well received. Then, suddenly, like a ton of rocks would, I was hit by the idea that any attempt to describe the beauty of The Foothills of East Tennessee would be a feeble one.

Suddenly the ideas were a little easier, and I hope my pictures of the next couple of months can plant the idea of what the Foothills really are. I know now that no description would do justice.

So, I will attempt to tell why the Foothills are so wonderful in my own words and hope that whoever decides to read this blog will leave here with some knowledge of how wonderful it is to live in such a fairytale of a place...

First of all, living in The Foothills is a privilege. When we moved here 4 years ago, we had no idea of the sense of community and how welcoming a town could be. We were invited to the Foothills Fall Festival shortly after our arrival and I do have to admit, I wondered if it was going to be a petting zoo and a carousel. I was so pleasantly surprised we got there. There is literally something for everyone. The Childrens area was so completely whimsical and the laughter,smiles and sheer enjoyment were on the faces of almost everyone. The Arts and Crafts area was filled with more talent, imagination, color, touch inspiration and heartfelt craftsmanship than I could have ever imagined. I was so thankful we went to this festival and have been for the past four years.

I have one picture from the Childrens area and it is the rock climbing wall. That seems to be a huge hit year after year. Everyone can do it, even the adults (only if you want to;)!!)

The other pictures are of the area, its beauty and a tiny bit of history. The snowy mountains are the peaks of Mount Leconte. Beautiful, aren't they? They can be seen from many places in the the area and are truly majestic any way you look at them. And the deer was found in a pasture nearby. The fall colors of the mountains and the blue Tennessee skies make for more beauty than anywhere else in the country...of course, that is only my opinion!

The Royal Crown Cola building is in downtown Maryville. My kids love that building. I am still scratching my head on that one. Although the nostalgia it brings is quite nice.

The creek is located in our most wonderful greenway. If you have never had the chance to take a walk on the local greenway, you are cheating yourself of some of the most inspiring walks you could ever take. Beauty abounds on the entire belt.

But the best thing about living in Maryville is the people. Words alone cannot describe how living here is good for your soul. The area is full of people who have lived here for their entire lives and will share anything they have to share with someone who is willing to listen. The stories, the family connections, the heritage, the work...all a part of a community that works together to build on what it already has...not on what it could have or what other counties have. Every day seems as though it is going to bring something new to my eyes...and I have yet to be let down.

These are some of the beauties of our lovely area. Next time I will have a punch list of why living and visiting The Foothills of East Tennessee is so great. Until then...

Have a Fantastic Day.

Updated Concert Info!

Schedule
Friday, October 10, 2008
6:00 Slow Joe Crow
6:45 TBA
7:30 The Dixie Highway Band
9:00 Foreigner
Saturday, October 11, 2008
1:00 John Bledsoe
2:00 TBA
3:00 Sgt. Jamie Buckley
4:30 The Road Hammers
6:00 Billy Ray Cyrus
7:30 Jason Aldean
9:30 Josh Turner

Sunday, October 12, 2008
1:00 Life Wide Open
2:00 The Birdsong Family
3:00 Seven Day Believer
4:15 Ashton Shepherd
5:30 Jason Michael Carrol
7:00 Billy Currington
8:30 Kenny Rogers



Schedules and artists are subject to change without notice.

Foothills Fall Festival Fans Choose Kenny Rogers

Festival Lineup is Complete. Tickets On Sale July 25.

The City of Maryville asked fans for help choosing the closing performer for the Foothills Fall Festival and fans came through. Over the weekend until noon Monday, fans were able to vote for their choice of available performers, and when the votes were tallied, Kenny Rogers was the clear choice.

Rogers, a legendary performer whose career has spanned more than five decades, has led the charts with hits like "The Gambler," "She Believes in Me," "We've Got Tonight," "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town," and "Islands in the Stream."

When one singer makes such an indelible mark, it's not mere luck or even simple talent. "I really, really love what I'm doing," Rogers says. "People survive longer if they love what they're doing. Because you just don't quit."

Mayor Joe Swann said, "Kenny Rogers is a great choice. His show is sure to be a memorable event and we are excited to bring him to Maryville, his first performance in East Tennessee in many years."

Kenny Rogers joins the all star lineup including Foreigner, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean, Josh Turner, Jason Michael Carroll, Julianne Hough, and The Road Hammers.

Festival officials are pleased with the response received through the voting process and are looking to implement a similar process to choose future performers.

"We appreciate the participation of our festival Guests and are excited to have had success with this method of fan interaction," said Jane Groff, event coordinator. "We often get requests from our festival Guests and have chosen many of our performers through their input. This new method of collecting information will help us take fan interaction to the next level."

For more details and information about tickets, visit: www.foothillsfallfestival.com

2008 Festival - October 10 - 12

All your festival friends are working hard to bring you another great year of entertainment! The team will be in all day meetings next week - we can't wait to fill you in!