Your weekly planner of Chattanooga-area events (including the 3 Sisters Festival and October's first scares)

Sep. 25—To search for more things to do in the Chattanooga area by topic, visit our events page.

TO DO SUNDAY

> Go downtown: If you're downtown to watch the Ironman athletes compete, you might consider other stops during their 116-mile bike ride (two loops) into Chickamauga, Georgia.

> On the Southside, Chattanooga Market has planned an Apple Festival, with cakes, pies and jellies, plus candles and other nonedible products that celebrate the favored fruit. The market is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. The Lodge Cast Iron Sizzle Stage will feature musical acts Redd & William at 12:30 p.m. and Lon Eldridge at 2 p.m. chattanoogamarket.com

> Midtown, art organization Mark Making will present the final performance of local playwright Peggy Douglas' "Steel Toes and Hired Hands" at 3 p.m. at Miller Park, 928 Market St. The poetic monologue, bridged by R&B, country and rock music, tells the stories of mill workers, domestics and hired hands in 1950s Chattanooga. markmaking.org

ARTS

AREA 61 GALLERY — 721 Broad St. New collections by local artists Denice Bizot, "Spience," and Bob McElhaney, "Organics," through Sept. 30. 423-648-9367

ARTISAN DEPOT GALLERY — 204 Cumberland St., Cowan, Tenn. franklincoarts.org

> Bids accepted in Scholarship Art Show silent auction, through Oct. 2. Reception and unveiling of mural, 5-7 p.m. CDT Oct. 2.

> Melissa's Menagerie Art Show, through Oct. 31.

CHARLES H. COOLIDGE MEDAL OF HONOR HERITAGE CENTER — 2 W. Aquarium Way. "War Comes Home: The Legacy," traveling exhibition exploring themes of wartime separation, adjustment to life back home and the cost of war, through Dec. 29. mohhc.org

HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART — 10 Bluff View. Virtual Art Wise, 6-7 p.m. Sept. 30. Artist Lalla Essaydi talks about her work with chief curator Nandini Makrandi. huntermuseum.org

IN-TOWN GALLERY — 26A Frazier Ave. 423-267-9214, www.intowngallery.com

— Through Sept. 30: "Go Bold," paintings by Jennie Kirkpatrick.

— Oct. 1-31: "Something To Crow About" works by Miki Boni and Laurie Graham.

OUT & ABOUT

ADVENTURE VAN EXPO — Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. Show features built-out Mercedes Sprinters and other adventure vans and accessories with 30-plus vendors, networking with Vanlifers, food and beer, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct 3. adventurevanexpo.com/chatt

THE COMEDY CATCH — 29 Station St. Jodi White, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 ($12-$14), 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Oct. 1-2 ($17-$19). thecomedycatch.com

CTC BOOK CLUB — Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. Reading Ayad Akhtar's "Disgraced," winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize, for discussion at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 in the mainstage lobby. A PDF of the script is on the club's Facebook page (ask to join for access).

COFFEE WITH A CURATOR — Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. A National Youth Summit event addressing gender equity, 10-11 a.m. Oct. 2. Includes screening of mini-documentary "Unwelcomed Soldiers Invading a Fraternity: Breaking Barriers in the United States Military" by Bradley County High School student Jessie Henderson, followed by panel discussion with local women sharing their experiences breaking gender barriers. Free but registration required. museumcenter.org

COLORFUL HAT CIRCUS & VARIETY SHOW — Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway, Dalton, Ga. Features acrobatics, balancing, extreme jump rope, juggling and magic, 7 p.m. Oct. 1, 2 and 6 p.m. Oct. 2. $15-$45. www.colorfulhat.com

FRIENDS OF SCOUTING LUNCHEON — Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza. Largest fundraiser for the Cherokee Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, 11:30 a.m. Sept. 28. Guest speaker is retired U.S. Air Force Col. Mark Tillman, a 30-year veteran who served as the pilot and commander of Air Force One from 2001 to 2009. Donations asked during luncheon. Registration required. cherokeeareabsa.com/luncheon

FRIENDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN ABC EVENT & SILENT AUCTION — Signal Centers, 109 N. Germantown Road.

— Fundraiser seeks to raise $175,000 for upgrades and maintenance to Signal Centers' award-winning Friends Playground, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 30. $50; tables and sponsorships available. www.friendsofspecialchildren.org

— Bidding in silent auction ends at 7 p.m. Sept. 29. www.biddingnow.com

GIRL SCOUTS OPEN HOUSE — Leadership Center of Tennessee Valley & North Georgia, 6431 Bonny Oaks Drive. Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians event with special activities, refreshments and Girl Scout shop open, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 28. Free. info@girlscoutcsa.org

REFLECTION RIDING ARBORETUM & NATURE CENTER — 400 Garden Road. reflectionriding.org

> Feed the Red Wolves, 9-10 a.m. Saturdays. $10-$15.

> Framework for the Future Walk-Through, noon Oct. 1. Free but register.

> Tech Trek, to learn how to use the iNaturalist app, 1-3 p.m. Saturdays in October. $10-$15.

TIVOLI THEATRE — 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com

— Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Comedian Theo Von on Return of the Rat Tour, 7 p.m. $25-$55.

— Oct. 3: Comedian Daniel Tosh, 7 p.m. $45-$85.

SPECTATOR SPORTS

IRONMAN CHATTANOOGA — Downtown Chattanooga and Chickamauga, Ga. Triathlon requiring competitors to complete 2.4-mile swim in the Tennessee River, 116-mile bicycle ride from Chattanooga to Chickamauga, Ga., and back twice, and a 26.22-mile run through downtown Chattanooga, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 26. Staging area is Ross's Landing Park, 100 Riverfront Parkway. ironman.com/im-chattanooga

TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF VINTAGE BASE BALL — Clark Park, 93 Robin Road, Ringgold, Ga. Semifinal games in single-elimination Sulphur Dell Cup Championship tournament, featuring all 10 teams in the old-time, barehanded baseball league, start at 11 a.m. Sept. 26 (with a Chattanooga team on the bracket); followed by championship match at 2 p.m. Free admission. tennesseevintagebaseball.com

MUSIC

3 SISTERS FESTIVAL — Ross's Landing, 100 Riverfront Parkway. Free bluegrass festival with a dozen acts performing, 6-11 p.m. Oct. 1 with Ricky Skaggs headlining, noon-10 p.m. Oct. 2 with the Del McCoury Band headlining. 3sistersbluegrass.com

ABBA'S HOUSE — 5208 Hixson Pike. Casting Crowns on the Only Jesus Tour, with Matthew West, Sept 28. Sold out. abbashouse.com

THE CAVERNS — 555 Charlie Roberts Road, Pelham, Tenn. All times Central. thecaverns.com

— Sept. 26: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, with John Mailander's Forecast Trio, sold out.

— Oct. 1: Thievery Corporation, with Dessa, 8:30 p.m. $79-$329.

— Oct. 2-3: The Dead South, with the Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, sold out.

CHATTANOOGA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE — 4501 Amnicola Highway. Symphonic Band concert, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 in Humanities Theatre. Free. 423-697-2460

FREEDOM SINGS USA — Tennessee River Gardens, 22573 U.S. Highway 41. Chattanooga nonprofit that pairs professional songwriters with military personnel and their families is holding a Children's Nature Songwriting Retreat for children of Gold, Blue and White Star families and children of veterans Oct. 15-16. Youths 10-17 may attend for therapeutic nature activities; creative writing projects about their family experiences will determine six to work with the songwriters for a concert at 5 p.m. Oct. 16 at Lookout Valley Baptist Church, 23 Lilac Ave. Deadline to register for camp is Oct. 3. Email: info@freedomsingsusa.org

LEE UNIVERSITY — Cleveland, Tenn. 423-614-8240

— Sept. 28: Wind Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Conn Center. Free and nonticketed. Watch live at livestream.com/leeu

— Sept. 30: Performing Arts Series opens with Faculty Gala, 7:30 p.m. in Pangle Hall. Free, but reserve tickets at Eventbrite.com or Dixon Center box office, 423-614-8343.

THE MCLEMORE — 785 Canyon Ridge Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. Charlton Singleton Jazz Quartet in Songwriters Series/Experimental Batch, 7 p.m. Sept. 30. $40 (tickets are more day of). themclemore/com

MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM — 399 McCallie Ave. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Santana, fronted by guitarist Carlos Santana, 8 p.m. Sept. 28. $65-$250. tivolichattanooga.com

THE SIGNAL — 1810 Chestnut St. The Lacs on the Rise and Shine Tour, with Demun Jones and Dusty Leigh, 8 p.m. Oct. 1. $18-$36. thesignaltn.com

SYNCHRONICITY FESTIVAL — Cherokee Farms, 2035 Old Mineral Springs Road, LaFayette, Ga. Area's longest-running grassroots EDM festival features local, regional and national talent, plus camping and amenities, Oct. 1-2. $40 in advance, $60 at the gate. synchronicityfestival.us

TIVOLI THEATRE — 709 Broad St. The Monkees Farewell Tour, with Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz, 8 p.m. Oct. 2. $39-$125. tivolichattanooga.com

WALKER THEATRE — 399 McCallie Ave. (inside Memorial Auditorium). Allman Betts Band, 8 p.m. Oct. 1. $30-$45. tivolichattanooga.com

THEATER

THE ARTS CENTER — 320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," Sept. 30-Oct. 10. Shows start at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m Sundays. $15-$20. athensartscouncil.org

CHATTANOOGA THEATRE CENTRE — 400 River St. Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park," 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26, 7 p.m. Sept. 30, 8 p.m. Oct. 1-2, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 8 p.m. Oct. 8-9, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 10. $15-$25. theatrecentre.com

COLONNADE — Ringgold, Ga. Lionel Bart's "Oliver," Oct. 1-10. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sundays. The Oct. 9 show will be interpreted for the deaf. $13-$17. colonnadecenter.org

CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE — 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn. 931-484-5000, ccplayhouse.com

> Through Sept. 30: "The 39 Steps." $16-$30.

> Through Oct. 28: "Little House on the Prairie: The Musical." $16-$32.

MOUNTAIN ARTS COMMUNITY CENTER — 809 Kentucky Ave., Signal Mountain. A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters," 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2, 2 p.m. Oct. 3. $12-$15. signalmacc.org

SPOOKY STUFF

DREAD HOLLOW — 321 Browns Ferry Road. Award-winning attraction returns with three new immersive haunt experiences, three horror-themed escape rooms and the Buried Alive coffin simulator, Oct. 1-31 (Thursday-Sunday evenings). Not recommended for children under 12. $25 for Dread Hollow, $10 for Buried Alive, $60-$80 escape rooms (up to six people). Tickets must be reserved online. dreadhollow.com

THE HAUNTED BARN — 5017 McDonald Road, McDonald, Tenn. Self-guided tour through 16 rooms filled with horror scenes and professional actors. Open 7 p.m.-midnight (or later) Fridays and Saturdays in October. $20. thehauntedbarnchattanooga.com

THE HAUNTED HILLTOP — 8235 Highway 58. Features haunted house with professional actors and state-of-the-art animatronics, plus hayride through the woods, $15 each or $20 for both. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Open 7 p.m. until at least 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October. thehauntedhilltop.com

LANTERN TOURS — Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway. Explore the cave like founder Leo Lambert did in 1928, with only the light of a handheld lantern, and hear stories exclusive to this after-hours specialty tour, for ages 5 through adult, Friday nights and select Saturday nights in October and November. $34.95 (includes yellow miner's hat for ages 5-12). Tickets must be reserved online. rubyfalls.com

NEXT FESTIVALS

Note: See the full list of fall festivals here.

APPLE FESTIVAL — First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. Chattanooga Market's ode to apples in produce, prepared foods and handmade products, plus fall-themed family activities, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 26. Music by Redd & William at 12:30 p.m., Lon Eldridge at 2 p.m. Free admission. chattanoogamarket.com

BIGFOOT FALL FESTIVAL & GRUNDY COUNTY FAIR — Bigfoot Adventure, 518 Brawley Road, Tracy City, Tenn. Carnival rides, ziplines, food trucks, hot-air balloon rides, video game trailer, crafts, dunking booth, car show/cruise-in, eating contests, petting zoo, fireworks, live music, gates open at 3 p.m. Sept. 29-30, 10 a.m. Oct. 1-2 (all times Central). $15 general, $25 with armband Wednesday-Friday, $35 Saturday with concert by Shenandoah, $100 four-day pass; www.bigfootadventuretn.com/bigfoot-fall-festival

CATOOSA COUNTY FALL FESTIVAL — Soccer fields, 406 Cotter St., Ringgold, Ga. Food and craft vendors, duck derby, free inflatables and activities, 3-6 p.m. Oct. 2. catoosarec.com

DANCING GOATS FOLK FEST — 518 River St., Ellijay, Ga. Juried folk art show, crafts, mountain music, storytelling, traditional foods, goat beauty pageants, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 26 (final day). dancinggoatsfolkfest.com

DEKALB COUNTY VFW AGRICULTURAL FAIR — VFW Hall, 151 18th St. NW, Fort Payne, Ala. Live entertainment, handmade arts and crafts, chainsaw art, livestock exhibits. Gates open at 5 p.m. Sept. 27-Oct. 1, 10 a.m. Oct. 2 (all times Central). Tickets required for carnival. www.dekalbcountyvfwfair.com

FALL FESTIVAL — Mayfield Farm Park, 257 state Highway 307, Athens, Tenn. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, zip lines, through Oct. 31. Open Thursday-Sunday plus daily Oct. 11-17. $14.95 online, $16.95 at gate all visitors ages 2 and up; individual and family season passes available. Mayfield Haunt, 9-11 p.m. Oct. 2, 9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-31; $15.95 online, $17.95 at gate. www.mayfieldfarmpark.com/fall-festival

FUN ON THE FARM — Guthrie Farms, 490 County Road 67, Riceville, Tenn. Corn maze, hay rides to pumpkin patch, animal petting barn, bounce pad, games, through Oct. 31. Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sundays. $15 ages 3 and up. guthriepumpkinfarm.com

GRANDADDY'S FARM — 454 Highland Ridge Road, Estill Springs, Tenn. Pumpkin patch, hay rides, pig races, animal corral, fall market, through Oct. 30. Hours: noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Activity area $13 ages 3 and up; season passes available. grandaddysfarm.com

HARVEST CELEBRATION ON THE MOUNTAIN — Flat Top Mountain Farm, 13100 Jones Gap Road, Soddy-Daisy. Corn maze and pumpkin patch, through Oct. 31. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. $10 ages 4 and up. Facebook.com/flattopfarmTN

HOMESTEADS APPLE FESTIVAL — Cumberland Homesteads Tower and Museum, 96 Highway 68, Crossville, Tenn. More than 100 craft booths, live music, fried apple pies, antique tractors, storytelling, quilts, weaving, basket making, woodcarving, jewelry makers, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CDT Sept. 26 (final day), rain or shine. $5 admission ages 11 and up, includes free tour of Homesteads Tower Museum. cumberlandcountytn.gov

MORRIS HILL CRAFT MARKET & QUILT SHOW — Morris Hill Baptist Church gym, 1804 Morris Hill Road. Fifty craft booths, plus new quilt show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 2. Free admission and parking. 423-892-2071

NATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL — Virtual festival features 20-plus hours of world-class storytelling; sessions may be viewed for up to 14 days, Oct. 1-2. $75 per household. storytellingcenter.net

PIKEVILLE FALL FESTIVAL — 3150 Main St. and throughout downtown Pikeville, Tenn. Kids Corner, music, glow run, geocaching, farmers market, arts, crafts and food vendors, starting at 8 a.m. Oct. 2. pikevillefestival.com

RIDE THE RAILS FESTIVAL — Historic L&N Depot, 150 Railroad Ave., Mineral Bluff, Ga. Tri-State Model Railroaders fundraiser with 5-mile ride to Murphy Junction and back, railroad hand cars, model railroad exhibit, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 26 (final day). Motor car, $13 adults, $6 ages 2-17; hand car, $2 per person; mini hand car, free. www.tsmri.org/ride-the-rails-fundraiser

RINGGOLD OKTOBERFEST — 96 Depot St., Ringgold, Ga. Inaugural celebration sponsored by Rabbit Valley Farmers Market and Farm to Fork, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2. Includes authentic food and beer, traditional music, Bavarian costume contest at 8 p.m. Free admission. rabbitvalleyfarmersmarket.com

ROCKTOBERFEST — Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. German music, food, specialty beer, Birds of Prey shows, costumed characters, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 2-31. $26.95 adults, $14.95 children 3-12. Reserved timed-entry tickets required. seerockcity.com

SCARECROWS ON THE FARM — Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. Vote on a favorite scarecrow built by community supporters, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Sept. 30-Oct. 30. Free admission. www.crabtreefarms.org

SODDY-DAISY FALL FESTIVAL — Poe's Tavern Park, 9817 Dayton Pike. Grand reopening of the Farmers Market, food, games, music, starting at 8 a.m. Oct. 2. Free admission. Nextdoor.com/events