I thought it was just a bumper sticker, but Forever Bluegrass is an organization dedicated to promoting bluegrass and keeping the tradition vital.

The 33rd Annual Boxcar Pinion Forever Bluegrass Festival is this weekend, beginning Thursday, May 1. It’s a great way to enjoy an affordable weekend of music at Walker County’s Mountain Cove Farm.

Learn more, and buy tickets at the Forever Bluegrass website for the three-day festival. Day tickets are available, or there’s a discount for the entire weekend. Camping is available on site, visit their website for more information.

I also was blessed to meet and see two of the musicians scheduled to play this weekend perform at Cherry Street Tavern Monday night. Both fellas were young, down to earth, and amazingly talented— giving me hope and assurance that the future of bluegrass is in sure hands.

Mountain Cove Farms, 994 Dougherty Gap Rd, Chickamauga * May 1, 2, 3 * $70 for the weekend, daily tickets available

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The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum‘s train trips to Georgia are on this weekend, and the Summerville Steam Special is making its first journey this weekend. Buy tickets here.

Visit the museum’s website here, for one of the museum’s multiple trips— including a journey to Chickamauga— or find out when you can come out to greet the train. Trips begin from Chattanooga.

TVRM, 4119 Cromwell Rd, Chattanooga * all weekend * prices vary

SATURDAY

The Rabbit Valley Farmers Market is having its first farmers market of the season after theirkick off Wine & Art event last weekend!

Learn more about the market’s Pop Club in the flyer below— and kids always get $2 to spend in the market.

Stay tuned for an interview with Samantha Leslie, the market’s manager, that I’ll publish tomorrow.

Ringgold’s market is held in downtown Ringgold (96 Depot St, Ringgold) from 10 am – 1 pm Saturday. James Hall is this market’s featured musician.

The LaFayette Farmers Market (181 E Villanow St) hosts over 45 local bakers, makers, and farmers from 9 – 1 pm Saturday. Activities include a petting zoo, jump house, and mini golf.

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The fifth annual Chattooga County plant swap is also this weekend!

The 138-years-old family-run Teloga Springs Farm is hosting the event. There’s not a lot of information about the plant swap on its website, but you can learn more about this historic farm that was honored as a Georgia Centennial Family Farm in 2023.

Teloga Springs Farm, 9505 Hwy 337, Summerville * 2 pm – 6 pm * free

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Acoustic, classic rock cover tunes by Del Smith & Special Guests can be found at The Village Goat Saturday night. The restaurant has live music with K-Dog on Friday night too.

The Village Goat, 96 Field Stone Village Dr, Rock Spring * 8 pm – 11 pm * free

SUNDAY

Camp New Dawn in Walker County is hosting its first annual Highland Games. There’ll be traditional Scottish tossing competitions, archery competitions, and other games. Registration fees are below, spectators can attend for free.

Register here. Lunch will be available.

Camp New Dawn, 245 S Cedar Ln, Chickamauga * 10 am – 3 pm * $30 adults, $10, 13-years-old and under

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Bryanna Fuquea and Trev Hill are playing original music Sunday at Petunia’s Silver Jalapeno!

Petunia’s Silver Jalapeno, 18381 GA-193, Chickamauga * 11:30 am – 2:30 pm * free

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