As summer begins to wind down, North Alabama comes alive with the sounds and flavors of community festivals. From music and food to arts, crafts, and cultural traditions, August and September offer a packed calendar of events for every interest. Whether you’re looking for a family outing, a weekend getaway, or just a fun day trip, there’s a festival waiting to be discovered in every corner of the region. Here’s your guide to these can’t-miss festivals happening this season.
Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days
Set for August 1-2, 2025, the Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days features antique tractors, vintage farm equipment, engines, a parade, live demonstrations and more—offering a nostalgic journey through the heart of America’s farming legacy. Whether you’re a history buff, a tractor enthusiast or just looking for a unique summer outing, the event promises fun for all ages.
Presented by the Piney Chapel Antique Engine and Tractor Association (PCAETA), the Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days is considered one of the best antique engine shows in Alabama offering festivalgoers a chance to see an array of farm equipment including gasoline and steam engines in action, horse-drawn equipment, antique tractors, cars and trucks and other farming collectibles.
The two-day event also offers a variety of flea market, parts and craft vendors and concessions. Proceeds from concession sales this year will go to the Owens Fire Department. Other activities for families to enjoy including tractor slow races, a skillet throw contest for ladies and pedal pull for the kids. Gates open at 7 a.m. both days.
A tractor parade ride featuring approximately 60 tractors is planned for Friday, Aug. 1 departing the Limestone County Sheriff’s Arena at 10 a.m. Spectators can catch a glimpse of the approximately 10 mile parade as it travels south on Lucas Ferry Road to W. Washington Street to the Athens Square. The parade will then travel north on Marion Street to Pryor Street for a brief stop at the Alabama Veterans Museum. Following a visit at the Museum, the route continues west on Pryor Street, south on Hines Street, right on Market Street and north on Lucas Ferry Road to the Sheriff’s Arena. A fish fry with live music follows at 5 p.m.
The event takes place at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Arena located at 18032 Buck Island Road/AL Hwy 99, Athens, Ala. Admission is $5 per person and free for children 12 years old and under. Parking is free. For more information, call Justin Romine at 256.762.2739, Matthew Thomas 256.497.6607, Allen Dement at 256.431.0619 or Eli Wallace at 256.497.1264 or visit the Piney Chapel Antique Engine Tractor Association Facebook page.
World’s Longest Yard Sale
Each year, bargain hunters, yard sale connoisseurs, collectors and treasure seekers make their way through northeastern Alabama for the biggest yard sale shopping spree in the world. The World’s Longest Yard Sale, a once-a-year, 690-mile shopping trip also known as the 127 Yard Sale, takes place August 7-10, 2025, and along with shopping, treasure hunting, and bargaining, there is plenty of sightseeing to do along the North Alabama stretch that begins in Gadsden, Alabama and travels along the Lookout Mountain Parkway through Fort Payne, Alabama and into Chattanooga, Tenn.
The World’s Longest Yard Sale offers everything from antiques, collectibles, furniture and dishware to fresh local produce and homemade jams and jellies as well as food vendors and live entertainment. The annual event is also known as the 127 Yard Sale and many shoppers begin at the southernmost start point in Gadsden, taking the scenic Lookout Mountain Parkway to Chattanooga and following Highway 127 all the way north through six states to Addison, Mich. For a list of single locations and/or small areas with a minimum of 25 vendors each in Alabama, visit http://www.127yardsale.com/major-vendor-stops#alabama. Visit http://www.127yardsale.com/route-map/directions-through-georgia-and-alabama for turn-by-turn directions through the Alabama section.
Created to get travelers off the interstate and into towns and communities located off the beaten path, the World’s Longest Yard Sale takes visitors on a shopping excursion through some of the country’s most scenic areas. The 93-mile Lookout Mountain Parkway has been touted “A Must See” by Reader’s Digest, National Geographic and Southern Living magazines, providing a beautiful backdrop to the thousands of roadside sales.
Along with four days of shopping, visitors can experience a slice of real Americana, true southern hospitality, a variety of locally owned restaurants and accommodations and a world of nature, including majestic waterfalls, canyons, scenic brow vistas, unique towns and villages, state and national parks and preserves. Visit https://visitlookoutmountain.com/visit/ to plan a trip around the World’s Longest Yard Sale event.
Vendors are typically up and running by 8 a.m. and operate until late in the evening each day of the event. While some vendors may accept credit cards, cash is the preferred method of payment. Shoppers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, insect repellent and sunscreen and to bring snacks, plenty of water and a sense of adventure. For lodging information, directions, road closures and more information, visit https://visitlookoutmountain.com/worlds-longest-yard-sale/ or call DeKalb Tourism at 888.805.4740 or Greater Gadsden Area Tourism at 888.565.0411.
Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull
The high octane action and thunder of big trucks and tractors are back at Lexington Motorsports Park with the annual Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull August 8-9, 2025. The public is invited to witness two nights of exciting tractor and truck pulling, dirt throwin’ action.
Sanctioned by the Mid-South Pullers Association, the Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull brings loud powerful engines along with a whole lot of excitement to North Alabama each year. There are six sanctioned classes both nights. Classes competing are Super Modified 2 Wheel Drive Trucks, Super Modified 4 Wheel Drive Trucks, Limited Light Super Stock Tractors, Super Farm Tractors, Limited Pro Tractors and Pro Stock 4 Wheel Drive Trucks. Truck and tractor pulling is known as the world’s most powerful motorsport due to the multi-engine modified tractor pullers and is the only motorsport where victory is measured by distance.
Action is set to begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9 and everyone is encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Plenty of food will be available from the concession stand, including the famous Lexington tractor pull hamburgers. Admission is $20 for 13 years old and older, $15 for children 6 to 12 years old and free admission for 5 years old and younger. Proceeds benefit the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department.
The Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull has earned numerous accolades in recent years, including being named Pull of the Year in 2019 and Two-Day Pull of the Year in 2024 by the Mid-South Pullers Association. In 2022, the event was also recognized as Event of the Year by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and developing North Alabama’s $4.9 billion travel industry across the region’s 16 northernmost counties.
The Lexington Motorsports Park is located at 123 McQuire Lane in Lexington, Ala. For the latest information, visit Lexington Motorsports Park on Facebook.
Scottsboro Dragon Boat Race and Festival
The scenic shores of Lake Guntersville will come to life with the beat of drums and the splash of paddles as the Scottsboro Dragon Boat Race and Festival returns for the second year on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Hosted at Goose Pond Colony Marina and Resort, this high-energy event invites community teams, businesses and spectators to come together for a day of fun, teamwork and friendly competition — all for a good cause.
The Dragon Boat Race and Festival brings an unforgettable cultural experience to Northeast Alabama. Teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer will race 46-foot-long traditional dragon boats across the water in an exciting display of coordination and spirit. Prizes will be awarded for different categories such as race winners, best-dressed drummer, best-decked tent, best team t-shirt, best team name, best team spirit and the dragon tail (the team that comes in last).
The free event is open to the public, and attendees can expect food trucks, music, kids’ activities, and a festival-like atmosphere on the waterfront. The action gets underway at 8:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony and wraps up following the final race which will take place around 4 p.m. As teams compete, spectators may watch in front of the Dock’s Restaurant overlooking the dock, the lake area at the Scottsboro Goose Pond Colony Resort or from the water in the authorized viewing area.
The event benefits two non-profits: Highlands Hospital Foundation and Nourish One Child. The Foundation will use proceeds to purchase new operating room stretchers and Nourish One Child will use funds to buy and distribute healthy food in the bags of food sent home each weekend to 450 children who are food insecure.
Over 3,000 people attended the inaugural year to see 21 teams paddle for the winner’s trophy. This year 34 boats are expected to via for the award.
Dragon boat racing is a unique cultural event featuring adrenaline-pumping action. Teams, comprised of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a trained dragon boat steerer/coach, will race in authentic 46-foot long Hong Kong style dragon boats. Teams may have four alternates, for a total of 25 team members, or can race with a minimum of 16. There must be at least eight female paddlers and minimum age for adult teams is 15 with parental consent. All skill levels and physiques can participate, making it the ultimate team building sport, requiring synchronicity and finesse, more than power to win. Each team is guaranteed at least two races on the 250-meter race course with winners advancing to the finals. For more information, visit https://www.scottsborodragonboatraces.com/ or contact Mary K Carlton at [email protected].
Watermelon Festival
Plenty of sweet juicy fun is on tap the third weekend in August when summer’s favorite fruit takes center stage during the annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival in Russellville, Ala. Set for August 15-16, 2025, the Watermelon Festival offers arts and crafts, several watermelon contests, a car and truck show, food vendors, children’s activities, games, and musical entertainment, along with free samples of watermelon.
Held each year on the third weekend in August, the Watermelon Festival has grown into Franklin County’s largest and most anticipated event since its inception in 1981. Organized by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, the festival attracts thousands of visitors from across the Southeast. The festival weekend begins with opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. on Friday with live music taking the stage both days.
Friday, August 15 – Music Lineup
6:30 PM – Opening Ceremony (National Anthem by Kim Clonts)
7:00 PM – Music City Misfits
8:30 PM – Austin Bohannon
Saturday, August 16 – Music Lineup
6:00 PM – The Midnighters
7:00 PM – Dixie Mafia
8:30 PM – Will Moseley
Contests centered on watermelons, including watermelon seed spitting, the largest melon, best tasting melon, most unusual and best-dressed melons, are a highlight each year entertaining festivalgoers of all ages. Over 100 vehicles are expected for the car and truck show on Saturday morning, and additional activities include a 5K run and 1-mile fun run, character guests to entertain the children and the Franklin County Extension Office contests.
The event was voted Best Adults and Children’s Events in the Tennessee Valley in a reader’s choice poll conducted by the Franklin County Times for the past four years. In 2013, Senator Roger Bedford and Representative Johnny Mack Morrow were successful in passing a resolution in the Alabama Legislature declaring Franklin County the “Watermelon Capital of Alabama.”
All activities take place along Main Street (Jackson Avenue). Hours are 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. For more details, visit the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce website at www.franklincountychamber.org and click on the Watermelon Festival link or call 256.332.1760. For the latest information, follow the Franklin County Watermelon Festival page on Facebook and Instagram.
Art Sunday
More than 100 artisans and craftsmen will make their way to Scottsboro, Alabama to participate in a juried show and offer their artworks and crafts for sale when the Scottsboro Three Arts Club hold their annual Art Sunday on August 31, 2025. Along with arts and crafts, the event offers musical entertainment, children’s activities, a photography contest and food and beverage vendors. This year will be the 52nd annual event.
Held in King Caldwell Park, Art Sunday features nationally recognized artists and emerging, local creators from across northern Alabama and southern Tennessee. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to shop the work of 100-plus artists and makers between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Several activity spots for children will be situated throughout the park. From balloon art to face painting to woodworking with Home Depot and Love Luggage with Unclaimed Baggage, there will be something fun for the kids. Look for the purple tents for these special activities.
Take a shopping break from searching for one-of-a-kind creations and enjoy performances by talented singers, dancers and musicians from the local area. The entertainment stage will be located near the back of the park, closest to the food vendors.
In conjunction with the festival, a photography contest is offered for aspiring amateur photographers. All entries receive free admission to the festival plus each entry will be entered for a chance to win prizes. First place winners of each youth age division will receive a digital camera. Adult winners will receive a Walmart gift card. Prizes will be awarded at Art Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Contestants who wish to enter the photography contest will need to submit an 8×10 photo of a person, place or thing with a completed entry form and a $5 entry fee for each submission. Submissions can be dropped off at the Scottsboro Board of Education or Jackson County Board of Education by August 28th or brought to the cabin located in King Caldwell Park between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. the morning of the festival.
Festival hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. Admission to the festival is $3 for adults, $2 for school-age children (cash only) and free for children ages 5 and under. Entry is also free for guests wearing this year’s Art Sunday t-shirt and to anyone with a military ID. 2025 Art Sunday t-shirts are available for $20 each. To order, send an email to [email protected].
Art Sunday is hosted by the Scottsboro Three Arts Club. Proceeds from Art Sunday make it possible for the club to sponsor many community projects and educational endeavors including performances by the world renowned Alabama Ballet at Northeast Alabama Community College. Additional projects funded by the proceeds of Art Sunday include violin lessons for third graders, field trips to plays, ballets and symphonies, donations to the choral, art, and drama departments, the Veterans Memorial Park of Jackson County and the Scottsboro Public Library.
Located at 1004 South Broad Street in Scottsboro, King Caldwell Park is a public park owned by the City of Scottsboro used for walking, a playground and a pavilion. For more information on Art Sunday, visit https://www.facebook.com/scottsboro3arts and https://scottsborothreeartsclub.com/.
Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride
Motorcyclists from across the southeast will come together September 19-21, 2025, for a powerful tribute to the Native American tribes who were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands. The 32nd annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride® travels from Bridgeport, Ala. and follows the historic route through North Alabama to the northwestern town of Waterloo, and along with the celebratory ride, there is a kick-off rally and a three-day Indian Festival for the public to take part in. This year’s ride is expected to draw thousands of participants and spectators along the way.
The Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride® begins at the Alabama/Tennessee state line on U. S. Highway 72 in downtown Bridgeport with riders departing at 8:00 a.m. CDT on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. The ride travels U. S. Highway 72 West to I-565 West arriving at Redstone Harley-Davidson (15155 Hwy 20 W in Madison) at approximately 10:30 a.m. for an official ride rest and lunch stop. At 12:00 p.m., riders will depart and head west, arriving in Waterloo at approximately 2:30 p.m.
A kick-off rally offering children’s activities, live music, fireworks show and other free family fun for the public to enjoy is scheduled in downtown Bridgeport on Friday, Sept. 19. Bikes will arrive from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Reservation at 3:00 p.m. and the official opening ceremony gets underway at 5:00 p.m. Music begins at 6 p.m. and slated to perform is John Stone & The Trailer Park Allstars from Nashville who will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. following the fireworks show.
The town of Waterloo, along with the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission and United Cherokee AniYunWiYa Nation, will host a free Indian Festival Sept. 19-21 in remembrance of all those who walked the Trail of Tears. A memorial walk to honor those who experienced the forced journey is scheduled at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 20 from the Waterloo Bridge to Waterloo Landing, an official Trail of Tears National Historic site by the National Park Service. Additional activities scheduled include a living history soldier encampment representing the Drane Company Friday and Saturday, Indian exhibit booths, a kids’ corner for the young ones and the Pow Wow with music and dancing in the Grand Arena. Visit https://www.al-tn-trailoftears.net/the-ride/pow-wow for more information.
The ride is held rain or shine. For more information including a schedule of events, visit https://www.al-tn-trailoftears.net/ or https://www.facebook.com/Trailoftearsmotorcycle.
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 called for the voluntary or forcible removal of all Indians from the eastern United States to the state of Oklahoma. May of 1838 marked the deadline for voluntary native removal, and so began the Cherokee “Trail of Tears,” one of the darkest episodes in relations between the United States and Native Americans. In 1838, the U.S. government hired wagon master J.C.S. Hood to transport Native Americans by foot and wagon from Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga, Tennessee to what is now Waterloo, Alabama. Much of the journey followed what is now U.S. Highway 72. Many Native Americans died in Waterloo and others escaped into the hills and today, area residents can trace their Native American ancestry to those who fled. As many as 4,000 deaths occurred because of this forced removal of civilized Native Americans from their rightful homes. In recognition of this removal process, the first Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride was organized in 1994 with approximately 100 riders participating.
Alabama Wine Festival
Raise a glass and toast to Alabama’s rich winemaking heritage at the Alabama Wine Festival at the stunning Noccalula Falls Park on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Set against one of North Alabama’s most iconic natural backdrops, this annual celebration invites wine lovers from near and far to experience the best in local wine, live music and Southern hospitality.
Formerly held at Wills Creek Winery in Attalla, Ala., Greater Gadsden Area Tourism and Noccalula Falls Park are partnering to bring the fifth annual event to the beautiful Noccalula Falls Park. The Alabama Wine Festival will feature more than 10 award-winning wineries from across the state, each offering samples and bottles of their finest vintages. Guests can enjoy tastings of everything from sweet muscadines and crisp whites to bold reds—all proudly made in Alabama.
The event is held in conjunction with the annual Art on the Rocks event which takes place September 20-21, 2025, and celebrates hand-crafted arts and crafts. Food vendors will be spread throughout the walking paths offering a wide ranging selection of food, drinks and other goodies.
General admission tickets for the Alabama Wine Festival are $25/person and VIP tickets are $50/person. Tickets may be purchased from https://greatergadsden.com/alabama-wine-festival/ until September 19, 2025. General admission tickets will also be available for purchase at the gate on the day of the event. Attendees must be 21 or older to participate in wine tastings. A valid ID is required at the gate.
General admission includes wine tastings, a souvenir glass, all Noccalula Falls Park amenities (including train ride, mini golf and petting zoo), shopping with Art on the Rocks vendors (September 20th only) and wine tasting from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. VIP admission includes everything with regular admission plus dinner in Noccalula Falls Park ‘s Botanical Garden at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks over the waterfall to end the night at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit https://greatergadsden.com/alabama-wine-festival/ or contact Tina Morrison with Greater Gadsden Area Tourism at (256) 458-6132.
Located in Gadsden, Alabama, Noccalula Falls Park features a breathtaking 90-foot waterfall, hiking trails, botanical gardens and historical attractions. It serves as a premier destination for outdoor recreation and family-friendly events in North Alabama. For more information, visit https://www.noccalulafallspark.com/.
Hartselle Depot Days
The Depot Days Festival rolls into Hartselle September 20, 2025, bringing a day of family-friendly fun and entertainment to the historic depot and downtown area. Hosted by the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Decatur Morgan Hospital, the free event is the city’s largest event and is a tribute to the railroad industry and its contribution to Hartselle and the North Alabama region.
Now in its 45th year, the Depot Days Festival gets underway at 8:00 a.m. on September 20 with activities lasting throughout the day until 4 p.m. Activities include shopping for original art from local artists and unique crafts from dozens of vendors, savoring mouthwatering treats from food vendors and food trucks, enjoying the car show and dancing to live music. There will also be a kid station, located at the Hartselle Farmers Market. This shaded, family-friendly zone will have inflatables, games, crafts, face painting and more.
Be sure to visit Hartselle’s past at the Depot Day Museum, a special festival feature hosted inside the historic Hartselle Train Depot. Presented by the Hartselle Historical Society, this unique experience transforms the depot into a walk-through museum filled with fascinating artifacts, including a surviving piece of the bank vault from Hartselle’s famous bank robbery, stories, and treasures from Hartselle’s rich history. From railroad relics to local memorabilia, visitors will get a rare glimpse into the people, places and events that shaped the town.
Each year, the Depot Days Festival rolls into Hartselle on the third Saturday in September and takes place at 110 Railroad Street SW and surrounding streets in downtown Hartselle. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the Depot Days Festival, visit the event on Facebook or on the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce website or call the Chamber at 256.773.4370.
The City of Hartselle was established in 1870 as a site considered strategic alongside the South and North Alabama Railroad (later the L&N) which began construction through the area in 1869 in an effort to connect the mineral rich areas in the southern part of the state with major shipping areas in north Alabama. For more information on the history of Hartselle, Ala., visit https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/hartselle/.
Mule Day
Mule Day, a two-day event centered on mules and their role in rural farming, hits the streets of downtown Winfield September 26-27, 2025, for the 51st year, bringing with it free family fun. Vendors of all kinds, local merchant sales, 5K run, car show and antique tractors, mule judging, live music, disc golf tournament and a parade are all on the agenda as the North Alabama town celebrates its agricultural heritage.
Mule Day kicks off on Friday evening, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. when shoppers are invited to shop with local merchants and among 300 vendors during the Mule Night Madness. There will also be live music on the stage behind Citizens Bank of Winfield and runners can take part in a midnight 5K run. Onsite registration for the 5K is from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Winfield City Hall or may be completed in advance online at https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Winfield/MULENIGHT5K.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, the festivities get underway at 7 a.m. As festivalgoers wander through the town, approximately 300 arts and crafts and flea market vendors will be selling their wares. Starting at 8 a.m., antique vehicles will be on display in the grove at Winfield Middle School, and the Mule Day Disc Golf Tournament, PDGA-sanctioned event by Prodigy Disc, gets underway at 9 a.m. in Ivan K. Hill Park. Not to be missed at 11 a.m. is the highlight of the annual event – the downtown parade of mules, horses, jacks and jennies and throughout the day, there will be live music on the stage behind Citizens Bank of Winfield.
Admission to the Mule Day festival is free. Free shuttle service will be offered on Saturday. For more information, visit https://www.winfieldalchamber.org/mule-day or call Amy Burleson at (205) 487-3002 or Jeana Estes, Jenifer Harbin or David Webb at State Bank and Trust at (205) 487-4265.
The Mule Day tradition began in 1975 to honor the hardworking mules of the day, and today an estimated 25,000 people from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida attend the festival.
Red Bay Founder’s Fest
The North Alabama town of Red Bay presents its annual Founder’s Fest Saturday, September 27, 2025, and everyone is invited to celebrate the town’s heritage with a day of free family fun. Founder’s Fest is situated under the shade trees of Bay Tree Park offering an escape to September’s warm temperatures as festivalgoers enjoy arts and crafts, contests, sidewalk sales and live music.
Founder’s Fest gets underway at 8:00 a.m. with the King and Queen’s Train Ride of the winners of the previously held beauty pageant. At 9 a.m., live music cranks up and festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy the sounds. A contest to see who has the best fried pie entries with the best tasting, most unusual and best of show taking home a cash prize, and there will be quilt, coloring and photography contests for participants to take part in.
Additional activities include arts and crafts and an antique car-truck-motorcycle-tractor show. The Red Bay Museum will be open for tours and Weatherford Library will host a book sale and will have entries for the quilt, photo and coloring contests on display. Many merchants will offer sidewalk sales, specials and door prizes throughout the day. A variety of festival food will be available, and another crowd favorite are the giveaways to be presented. Prizes will be awarded to the largest family, longest distance traveled to the event, and youngest and oldest attendees.
Bay Tree Park is located between 2nd and 3rd streets, along 4th Avenue SE in downtown Red Bay. Festival hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the festival or to register as a vendor, contact Amber Hardin at Red Bay City Hall at (256) 356-4473 ext. 3. For the latest updates, follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RedBayAlabama/.
