As the excitement of summertime slowly winds down, the eagerness for the fall season is evident throughout the community. 

“We’re proud to be able to kick off the fall season with our annual Heritage Festival each year. It’s one of Tipton County’s biggest tourism events,” said Lauren Fletcher, Executive Director of the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce. “Since we host the event the fourth weekend of September, it always ends up around the first day of fall.” 

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Thursday

The festival begins the evening of Thursday, Sept. 22 with a Farm to Table event at The Cellar. The event lasts from 5-9 p.m. in a come-and-go fashion and supports the Court Square Farmers Market. All menu items served come from local farmers and producers. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction as well as a live auction as they enjoy live music from Austin Mason. 

Friday

The festivities on Friday begin at 5 p.m. at the Tipton County Extension office located at 150 Menefee Street in the Covington Depot District. 

Families can enjoy live music from the Fifth Degree band and purchase $5 chili dinner. Tour the new UT-TSU Extension facility and see winners of the different contests. You can also help vote in the people’s choice Pumpkin Decorating Contest and Chili Cookoff. At 7 p.m. families can bring the kids to the Ruffin Theater for a free movie featuring “Cars” sponsored by Express Chevrolet. 

Saturday and Sunday

Finally on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the streets of downtown Covington will be closed so visitors from all over the region can safely enjoy the arts, crafts, food, and music fair.

Find more than 150 selected retail merchants with hand-crafted or market trend products, art, clothing, home decor and more. Saturday kicks off with the traditional “Roll n’ Stroll” children’s parade themed “Cars”. There will be food trucks, live music in Court Square Park and a free movie Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Ruffin Theater featuring “Cars 3,” sponsored by Express Chevrolet. 

On Saturday the kids can enjoy a petting zoo and pony rides. 

Sunday’s Music includes a 2 p.m. multi-denominational choir performance lead by local churches.

The Court Square Farmers Market will be open extended hours both days with sales and activities. 

Support the Tipton County Museum and purchase tickets for a chance to win the #Heritagefest22 Quilt. 

There will be a dunking booth on Saturday and Sunday where local political candidates and familiar faces will take turns participating. 

Enjoy historical tours both days, a local woodcarving artist, blacksmiths onsite, a chainsaw artist, and a silent auction benefitting the Tipton Arts Council. 

Activities available both Saturday and Sunday for the kids include face painting, a balloon artist and KidZone Inflatable Park.

Saturday features a cornhole tournament at noon in the Covington Depot District at Liberty Vintage Marketplace. Festival participants can enjoy free parking with shuttles to and from the square. 

“This is a great way to kick start your holiday shopping by supporting local businesses and artisans. There is something fun for everyone in the family to do between the four days this festival offers!”

For more, see the Heritage Festival guide in today’s paper.

Echo Day
Author: Echo Day

Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.