🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Astronomy Day on Monte Sano, a Huntsville Ghost Walk and Racing Pigs at the North Georgia Fall Fair

Or: A Free Burger Picnic on the Plateau, Two Parades for Our Veterans and a Holiday Festival Where the Kids Make Corn Husk Dolls — Seven New Day Trips Within About 100 Miles of Dunlap

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Howdy, neighbor. Here’s batch number twenty-nine of Hundred-Mile Happenings, our running list of unusual, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap. Same promise as always: when, where, how far, what it costs and who’ll love it, in plain words. And no repeats. Every one of these is new to the list.

This round starts close to home and works its way out: a free fall picnic with guided hikes near Tracy City, a free Astronomy Day on Monte Sano with telescopes and planetarium shows, the evening ghost-story tours of the Huntsville Ghost Walk, racing pigs and a family circus at Dalton’s 78th North Georgia Fall Fair, two Veterans Day parades (Huntsville and Murfreesboro), and a Holiday Festival at Tennessee Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sat., Oct. 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Central: Free Fall Picnic, Appalachian Conservation Institute, near Tracy City. Free; sign up online.
• Sat., Oct. 17, 1–5 p.m. and 7:30–9 p.m. Central: Astronomy Day, Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville. Free event.
• Fri.–Sun., Oct. 16–31 (weekends), 6 p.m. Central: Huntsville Ghost Walk, downtown Huntsville. $13 adults, $8 kids 12 and under.
• Thu., Oct. 22–Sat., Oct. 31, Eastern: 78th North Georgia Fall Fair, Dalton, Ga. $8 admission.
• Wed., Nov. 11, 11 a.m. Central: Huntsville Veterans Day Parade, downtown Huntsville.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m. Central: Inaugural Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade, downtown Murfreesboro. Free.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Central: Holiday Festival, Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: this batch is almost all on our Central clock. Tracy City, Huntsville, Murfreesboro and Smithville all run on Central Time, same as Dunlap. The one exception is the Dalton fair, on Eastern Time, an hour ahead. And here’s a handy pairing: on Sat., Oct. 17, you could catch the Astronomy Day afternoon on Monte Sano and then join a 6 p.m. Ghost Walk downtown. Book the ghost walk ahead.

🍔 Eat a Free Burger and Hike to an Overlook at the Appalachian Conservation Institute’s Fall Picnic

Just up the plateau from us, the Appalachian Conservation Institute is opening its land near Tracy City for its annual Fall Picnic, and the food is on them. They’ll have the grills going with free burgers and hot dogs (veggie options too), sides and cake for dessert. After lunch, you can take a guided hike out to Tate’s Point overlook or tour the institute’s Bird Observatory. It’s a gentle, neighborly way to see some of the prettiest country on the South Cumberland Plateau at the height of fall.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 17, 2026, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Central (same as Dunlap time).
• Where: Appalachian Conservation Institute, 1900 Pryor Ridge Road, Tracy City, TN 37387. The organizers say the site is just past Pryor Ridge Road and that exact driving and parking directions will be emailed to people who sign up.
• How far: About 35–40 miles, roughly 50 minutes–1 hour. Approximate; check your map app, and load your directions before you leave since the last stretch is rural.
• Cost: Free, food included. Sign up for a free ticket on Eventbrite so you get the directions. Free parking.
• Who’ll love it: Families, bird watchers, grandparents, hikers and anybody who likes a free lunch with a view.
• Good to know: It’s billed for all ages and happens rain or shine, with a tent in the meadow for shade or rain. They’ll reschedule only for extreme weather or lightning. Bring sunscreen and good walking shoes. Questions: Quentin Miller, 763-913-1337.

👉 Read more (Free Fall Picnic — Appalachian Conservation Institute on Eventbrite)

🔭 Look Through a Telescope and Hear From a NASA Moon Scientist at Astronomy Day on Monte Sano

Huntsville is the Rocket City, and once a year the Von Braun Astronomical Society invites everybody up to its observatory on Monte Sano for Astronomy Day. The afternoon brings mini-planetarium shows, telescope tours and meteor radar demos. In the evening, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center planetary scientist Dr. Heidi Haviland gives a keynote on what we’ve learned about the Moon from the Artemis missions and recent commercial lunar landers, followed by a planetarium show. It’s a fine way to get a young space fan hooked for life.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Oct. 17, 2026, Central Time (same as Dunlap). Daytime activities 1–5 p.m.; evening keynote at 7:30 p.m. with a planetarium show, wrapping up around 9 p.m.
• Where: Von Braun Astronomical Society, Monte Sano State Park, Huntsville, Ala. The society lists 100 Observatory Drive SE, Huntsville, AL 35801, with an alternate address of 5105 Nolen Ave. SE (the park entrance).
• How far: About 100–105 miles, roughly 2 hours, by way of Jasper, U.S. 72 and Scottsboro. A touch past our 100-mile line. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: The society says Astronomy Day is free and open to the public. Monte Sano State Park normally charges a day-use entrance fee ($5 ages 12–61, $2 ages 4–11 and 62+, kids 3 and under free, veterans and active-duty military free with ID), so check before you go whether the park gate fee applies that day.
• Who’ll love it: Space-crazy kids, homeschool families, retirees from the space and defense world, and anybody who’s ever wondered what’s up there.
• Good to know: If you stay for the evening program, bring a jacket; the mountaintop cools off fast after dark. Plan on a late drive home, or pair the afternoon with the Ghost Walk below.

👉 Read more (Astronomy Day 2026 — Von Braun Astronomical Society)

👻 Walk Old Huntsville After Dark and Hear Its Ghost Stories

Every fall, the Huntsville Ghost Walk leads guided evening walking tours through the city’s oldest neighborhoods, sharing Huntsville’s haunted past and ghost lore along the way. You pick one of three routes: the Twickenham District, the Old Town District or the Downtown District. It’s history with a shiver, told on foot through Huntsville’s historic districts after the sun goes down.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. Remaining dates: Oct. 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, 2026. Every tour leaves promptly at 6 p.m. Central (same as Dunlap).
• Where: Tours start at Harrison Brothers Hardware, 124 South Side Square, Huntsville, AL 35801, on the courthouse square.
• How far: About 100–105 miles, roughly 2 hours, by way of Jasper, U.S. 72 and Scottsboro. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $13 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required, so book online ahead of time.
• Who’ll love it: History buffs, older kids and teens, couples looking for a different kind of date night, and anybody who loves a good ghost story.
• Good to know: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Because tours leave right at 6, give yourself extra time to park downtown.

👉 Read more (Huntsville Ghost Walk 2026 — HuntsvilleFinder)

🐖 Cheer the Racing Pigs and Catch a Family Circus at Dalton’s 78th North Georgia Fall Fair

Sometimes the best day out is an old-fashioned fair, and the 78th Annual Fall Fair at the North Georgia Fairgrounds in Dalton has all the trimmings: racing pigs, the Zerbini Family Circus, the Mike Frisbee Magic Show, barn animals to visit, carnival rides from Drew Expositions, craft and commercial vendors every night, fair food, and live bands on weekends. On the last day, Saturday, Oct. 31, it’s Old Fashion Halloween Day: dress up in your favorite old-fashioned attire and join the fun.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thu., Oct. 22–Sat., Oct. 31, 2026, all Eastern Time (subtract an hour for Dunlap time). Hours: Mon.–Thu. 5–10 p.m., Fri. 5 p.m.–midnight, Sat. 1 p.m.–midnight, Sun. 1–10 p.m.
• Where: North Georgia Fairgrounds, 500 Legion Drive, Dalton, GA 30720.
• How far: About 60–70 miles, roughly 1 hour 20–30 minutes, by way of Chattanooga and I-75 south. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Admission $8; age 3 and under free (they must still pay to ride). Unlimited rides $25 per night, which does not include admission.
• Who’ll love it: Kids of every age, fair-food lovers, grandparents who remember the county fairs of their youth, and anybody who has never seen a pig race.
• Good to know: Eastern Time. Weekday gates don’t open until 5 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Dunlap time), so a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is easiest for a day trip. One listing shows the fair ending Oct. 30 while Visit Dalton lists it through Oct. 31, so check before you go if you’re aiming for the final day. Fair office: 706-278-1712.

👉 Read more (78th Annual Fall Fair — Visit Dalton)

🇺🇸 Wave a Flag at Huntsville’s 60-Plus-Year Veterans Day Parade

Huntsville has held a Veterans Day Parade for more than 60 years, and it’s one of the Rocket City’s big community days. This year’s parade runs on a new downtown route. Come early for the pre-parade show, when the 60-piece Huntsville Concert Band plays patriotic favorites in front of Veterans Memorial Park. The organizers also host a free Veterans Day Breakfast honoring veterans that morning near the park.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Wed., Nov. 11, 2026, on Central Time (same as Dunlap). Pre-parade show 10–11 a.m.; parade steps off at 11 a.m. HuntsvilleFinder lists the veterans’ breakfast at 10 a.m. at the Roundhouse near the park.
• Where: Downtown Huntsville. The pre-parade gathering is at Veterans Memorial Park, 200 Monroe St., Huntsville, AL 35801. See the organizers’ site for the new route map.
• How far: About 100–105 miles, roughly 2 hours, by way of Jasper, U.S. 72 and Scottsboro. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No admission is listed for watching along the public parade route. The breakfast is described as free for veterans. The Veterans Dinner the night before (Nov. 10) requires a reserved seat; check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Veterans and their families, Scout troops, school-age kids learning what Veterans Day means, and anybody who loves a marching band.
• Good to know: It’s a Wednesday, so plan an early start (leave by about 8 a.m.) to get a curb spot. Bring a folding chair and a small flag.

👉 Read more (Veterans Day Parade & Events of North Alabama)

🎖️ Be Part of History at Rutherford County’s First-Ever Veterans Day Parade

If a Wednesday in Huntsville doesn’t fit, here’s a Saturday option a little closer. Murfreesboro is holding the inaugural Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade, and it’s the first one ever, so you can say you were there at the start. The parade heads toward the historic Public Square, and afterward the celebration moves to City Plaza with the presentation of the Veteran of the Year, live music, food trucks and more. It’s hosted by the nonprofit Minutes Wisely, which serves veterans, first responders and Gold Star families, with support from the Rutherford County Veteran Coalition.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 14, 2026, parade steps off at 10 a.m. Central (same as Dunlap).
• Where: Downtown Murfreesboro. The parade begins near Main Street and Baird Lane and proceeds toward the Public Square; activities follow at City Plaza.
• How far: About 75–80 miles, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free to attend.
• Who’ll love it: Veterans and their families, young kids who love a parade, and anybody who’d like to make a Saturday of it on the Murfreesboro square.
• Good to know: Organizers are still adding participants, so watch the official site (RuCoVeteransDayParade.org) for route and parking updates. Questions: info@rucoveteransdayparade.org.

👉 Read more (Inaugural Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade — Murfreesboro.com)

🎄 Watch a Blacksmith at Work and Let the Kids Make Corn Husk Dolls at the Appalachian Center for Craft

Tucked in the hills near Center Hill Lake, Tennessee Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft is where serious artists learn clay, glass, metals, wood and fibers. Once a year it throws open the studio doors for a Holiday Festival. Expect free craft demonstrations (blacksmithing, weaving and more), free drop-in activities like holiday cards, clay ornaments and copper lanterns, and a free kids’ crafts area with paper snowballs, embossed metal ornaments, corn husk dolls, basketweaving and Christmas tree weaving. Add live music, treats at the Meg’s Too Craft Center Café and a 25% holiday discount in the gallery, and you’ve got your Christmas shopping started.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sat., Nov. 21, 2026, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Central (same as Dunlap). Blacksmithing demonstration 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; weaving demonstration 2–5 p.m. The gallery discount runs Friday through Sunday that weekend.
• Where: Appalachian Center for Craft, 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville, TN 37166.
• How far: About 60–65 miles, roughly 1 hour 20–30 minutes, by way of McMinnville and TN-56. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Demonstrations, drop-in activities and kids’ crafts are listed as free. Optional mini-workshops (30 minutes to 3 hours, ages 15 and up) need paid registration; prices aren’t posted on the festival page, so check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Crafty kids, quilters and woodworkers, early Christmas shoppers, and anybody who’d enjoy watching hot metal take shape on an anvil.
• Good to know: Minors in a workshop must be with a registered adult. Questions: craftcenter@tntech.edu.

👉 Read more (Holiday Festival — Appalachian Center for Craft)

✅ Remember These Dates

• Sat., Oct. 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (Central): Free Fall Picnic, Appalachian Conservation Institute, near Tracy City. Sign up free.
• Sat., Oct. 17, 1–5 & 7:30–9 p.m. (Central): Astronomy Day, Monte Sano, Huntsville. Free event; park fee may apply.
• Oct. 16–31, Fri./Sat./Sun., 6 p.m. (Central): Huntsville Ghost Walk. $13/$8. Reserve ahead.
• Thu., Oct. 22–Sat., Oct. 31 (Eastern): 78th North Georgia Fall Fair, Dalton. $8; rides $25.
• Wed., Nov. 11, 11 a.m. (Central): Huntsville Veterans Day Parade. Pre-parade show at 10.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m. (Central): Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade, Murfreesboro. Free.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Central): Holiday Festival, Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville.

✅ Trip-planning checklist

• ✅ Write the time zone on the fridge note: everything here is Central like us except the Dalton fair, which is Eastern, one hour ahead.
• ✅ Sign up or book ahead for the free ACI picnic (so you get the directions) and the Huntsville Ghost Walk (reservations required).
• ✅ Making the Huntsville trip on Oct. 17? Astronomy Day in the afternoon, Ghost Walk at 6 makes a full, happy day.
• ✅ Call or check the event page for anything marked “check before you go,” especially Monte Sano’s gate fee, the Dalton fair’s final day and the craft center’s workshop prices.
• ✅ Bring cash for fair food and vendors, a folding chair for the parades and a warm layer for evening events.
• ✅ Fill up and grab a snack or picnic fixings before you leave the Valley. Find local stops on Dunlap.Directory.

Remember: check the clock, check the weather, and pick the outing that fits your crew. A good day trip gets you home tired and happy, not worn out.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are these events already on earlier Hundred-Mile Happenings lists?

No. We keep a covered-events list and skip anything we’ve already featured. All seven are new for article #29. We’ve featured other ghost tours (Ruby Falls) and another veterans parade (Crossville) before, but the Huntsville Ghost Walk and these two Veterans Day parades are separate events and new to the list.

Which ones are free?

The ACI Fall Picnic is free, food and all. Astronomy Day is free (though Monte Sano’s gate fee may apply). The Rutherford County parade is free to attend, and no admission is listed for watching the Huntsville parade. The craft center’s demonstrations and kids’ crafts are listed as free.

Which ones are best for young kids?

The Dalton fair (racing pigs, circus, barn animals), the craft center’s free kids’ crafts and the daytime part of Astronomy Day are the easiest fits. The ACI picnic welcomes all ages. The Ghost Walk is an evening walking tour, so it suits kids who can handle a stroll and a mild scare.

Eastern or Central: which clock do I set?

Dunlap and Sequatchie County are on Central. So are Tracy City, Huntsville, Murfreesboro and Smithville, so no clock math there. Only Dalton, Ga., is on Eastern, one hour ahead. Subtract an hour for the fair’s posted times.

Huntsville is right at 100 miles. Is it worth it?

Huntsville is about two hours from Dunlap. If you’re making the trip, Oct. 17 is the day to go: you can enjoy Astronomy Day in the afternoon and take a 6 p.m. Ghost Walk before heading home.

How do you pick these events?

We look for one-of-a-kind, family-friendly outings within about 100 miles of Dunlap, and we check each one against the organizer’s own page or a trusted listing whenever we can. We keep a list so we never repeat an event. If you know a hidden gem, tell us at Dunlap.Today.

🔗 Other Resources

• Free Fall Picnic sign-up — Appalachian Conservation Institute
• Astronomy Day 2026 — Von Braun Astronomical Society
• Monte Sano State Park entrance fees — Alabama State Parks
• Things to Do in Huntsville: October — Choose Huntsville
• Huntsville Ghost Walk official site (tickets)
• 78th Annual Fall Fair — Visit Dalton
• North Georgia Ag Fair official site
• Veterans Day Parade & Events of North Alabama
• Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade official site
• Holiday Festival — Appalachian Center for Craft
• National Weather Service Morristown: Valley forecast
• Dunlap.Directory: Local businesses for gas, food and supplies

🍂 Slow Down and Go See Something

You don’t need a big vacation to make a memory. A free burger on a plateau meadow, a look at the Moon through a telescope, a ghost story under a Huntsville street lamp, a pig race at the fair, a flag waved for a veteran, and a corn husk doll made by small hands are all within an easy drive of the Valley. Grab a buddy, check the clock and the weather, and go.

Keep exploring, keep it easy and keep reading. Read Dunlap.Today for more Hundred-Mile Happenings, and find the Valley businesses that’ll fuel your trip on Dunlap.Directory.