🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Play Rook in an Old College Building in Spencer, Stroll Sparta's Art Walk, Visit the Van Buren County Heritage Museum, Shop a Silo Holiday Market and a Barn Full of Christmas in Scottsboro, and Find Handmade Gifts on Sparta's Liberty Square

Or: Six Easy Outings, Mostly Under an Hour and a Half Away, and All on Our Own Central Time

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Morning, neighbor. This time we’re staying close to home with six outings we haven’t told you about before. On Friday, Nov. 13, grab a partner and a deck of cards for Rook Night at the Historic Burritt College Building in Spencer, with a loaded baked potato dinner. That same evening, downtown Sparta holds its monthly ArtSparta Art Walk. On Saturday, Nov. 14, Scottsboro’s Holiday Market at the Silos has local makers, bakers, kids’ crafts and hot cocoa. On Saturday, Nov. 21, the Van Buren County Historical & Heritage Museum in Spencer opens its doors. Then two holiday markets: Barn Full of Christmas at Sugar Creek Farms in Scottsboro on Nov. 28–29, and Sparta’s Christmas Market Art & Vendor Fair on Dec. 5. What it means for you: these are short, friendly, low-cost trips, and every one is on Central time, so there’s no clock math.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Fri., Nov. 13, food 5 p.m., cards 6 p.m.: Rook Night, Historic Burritt College Building, Spencer. $20 per two-person team; potato plate $10.
• Fri., Nov. 13, 4–8 p.m.: ArtSparta Monthly Art Walk, downtown Sparta.
• Sat., Nov. 14, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.: Holiday Market at the Silos, 415 E. Maple Ave., Scottsboro, Ala.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Van Buren County Historical & Heritage Museum, 179 College St., Spencer.
• Sat. & Sun., Nov. 28–29, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Barn Full of Christmas, Sugar Creek Farms, 597 Jeffery Drive, Scottsboro, Ala.
• Sat., Dec. 5, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Christmas Market Art & Vendor Fair, American Legion Building, 5 Liberty Square, Sparta.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: no clock math this time. Spencer, Sparta and Scottsboro are all on Central time, the same as your kitchen clock in Dunlap.

🃏 Bring a Partner to Rook Night in Spencer’s Historic Burritt College Building

If your family has ever argued over who took the last trick, this one’s for you. Rook Night is a double-elimination Rook tournament in the old Burritt College Building up on the plateau in Spencer. Double elimination means one bad hand won’t send you home; you get a second chance. Come hungry, too: there’s a loaded baked potato plate with a drink and dessert.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 13. Food service starts at 5 p.m., and the tournament starts at 6 p.m. Central.
• Where: Historic Burritt College Building, 445 Burritt College Drive, Spencer.
• How far: About 30–35 miles, roughly 40–45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $20 per two-person team to play. The potato plate is $10 and includes a drink and dessert.
• Who’ll love it: Card players, couples, grandparents and grandkids who want a team night, and anyone who likes a hot supper with neighbors.
• Good to know: We didn’t see advance sign-up details, so arrive early. You can call (931) 743-7633 with questions. Check before you go.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today — Rook Night in Spencer)

🎨 Stroll Downtown Sparta After Dark on the ArtSparta Art Walk

Here’s an easy Friday evening. Once a month, ArtSparta hosts an art walk around downtown Sparta, where you can wander from shop to shop and see work by local artists. It’s a gentle walk, a chance to meet the people who make things in our corner of Tennessee, and a good excuse for supper downtown.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 13, 4–8 p.m. Central.
• Where: Around downtown Sparta, near Liberty Square.
• How far: About 55 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not listed. Art walks are usually free to stroll, but check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Art lovers, early Christmas shoppers and anyone who enjoys a small-town downtown at dusk.
• Good to know: Our only listing is a community calendar, which doesn’t name the stops. Sparta is on the way back from Spencer, so you could do this after supper at Rook Night’s potato bar, or before.

👉 Read more (Main Street Journal — Sparta community calendar)

🌾 Shop Local Makers and Sip Hot Cocoa at Holiday Market at the Silos

Scottsboro’s Market at the Silos is throwing a holiday edition. Local makers, bakers, boutique gift vendors and other small businesses will set up for shoppers, with crafts for children and hot cocoa planned too. It’s an early start on Christmas gifts that support small family businesses.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Central.
• Where: 415 E. Maple Ave., Scottsboro, Ala.
• How far: About 70 miles, roughly 1 hour 20–30 minutes, by way of Jasper and U.S. 72. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No admission fee is mentioned. Bring money for shopping. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Families with young kids, bakers’ fans and anyone hunting handmade gifts.
• Good to know: The market posts updates on its Facebook page, so look there for the vendor list or weather changes.

👉 Read more (Jackson County Sentinel — Holiday Market at the Silos)

🏛️ Step Into Van Buren County’s Past at the Historical & Heritage Museum

Just up the mountain in Spencer, the Van Buren County Historical & Heritage Museum keeps the story of our neighbors on the plateau. The volunteers say they’d “love for you to stop by and visit a while.” It’s a quiet, easy stop, and it’s right near the Burritt College Building, so you’ll already know the way if you came for Rook Night.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Central. The museum opens the first and third Saturday of each month.
• Where: 179 College Street, Spencer.
• How far: About 30–35 miles, roughly 40–45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not stated on the listing. Check before you go by calling 931-254-1326.
• Who’ll love it: History buffs, family-tree researchers and anyone with Van Buren County roots.
• Good to know: The museum board meets that morning from 9 to 10 a.m., and anyone interested is welcome. Fall Creek Falls State Park is close by if you’d like a walk afterward.

👉 Read more (Fall Creek Falls Corridor — Van Buren County Historical & Heritage Museum)

🎄 Wander a Barn Full of Christmas at Sugar Creek Farms

Thanksgiving weekend brings something brand-new to Scottsboro. Sugar Creek Farms, an art studio, is hosting its first annual Barn Full of Christmas, with handmade, one-of-a-kind items for sale, plus refreshments and giveaways. It’s a calm way to shop after the big meal, far from the mall crowds.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28–29, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Central.
• Where: Sugar Creek Farms, 597 Jeffery Drive, Scottsboro, Ala.
• How far: About 70 miles, roughly 1 hour 20–30 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No admission fee is mentioned. Bring money for gifts. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Handmade-gift fans, out-of-town Thanksgiving guests and anyone who likes a pretty barn at Christmas.
• Good to know: Since it’s a first-year event at a private farm, look for parking signs when you arrive.

👉 Read more (Jackson County Sentinel — Barn Full of Christmas)

🎁 Find Handmade Gifts at Sparta’s Christmas Market Art & Vendor Fair

Early December, Sparta’s historic Liberty Square hosts a Christmas Market Art & Vendor Fair inside the American Legion Building. It’s an indoor spot to shop art and vendor tables, which is handy if the weather turns cold.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Central.
• Where: American Legion Building, 5 Liberty Square, Sparta.
• How far: About 55 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not listed. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Christmas shoppers, crafters and anyone who wants to support local artists.
• Good to know: We found this on a community calendar only, so the vendor list and details aren’t posted yet. Sparta’s Jingle Bell Shop promotion runs Nov. 27–Dec. 11 at local shops, too.

👉 Read more (Main Street Journal — Sparta community calendar)

✅ Your Trip-Planning Checklist

• ✅ All Central time. No clock math for any of these six.
• ✅ Fri., Nov. 13: Rook Night in Spencer, food at 5, cards at 6. Bring a partner and $20 per team, plus $10 for a potato plate.
• ✅ Fri., Nov. 13: ArtSparta Art Walk, 4–8 p.m.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 14: Holiday Market at the Silos, Scottsboro, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 21: Van Buren County museum, Spencer, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
• ✅ Nov. 28–29: Barn Full of Christmas, Scottsboro, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• ✅ Sat., Dec. 5: Sparta Christmas Market, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• ✅ Bring cash. Small vendors and dinner plates may not take cards.
• ✅ Fill up and pack a snack. Need gas, a deck of Rook cards or a good diner on the way? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to play Rook?

The organizers welcome all skill levels, but you’ll need a partner, since entry is $20 per two-person team. If you’re rusty, play a few hands at home first.

Can I just come for the potato dinner?

Yes. Loaded baked potato plates with a drink and dessert are $10, for players and spectators alike.

Which ones are free?

None of the six lists an admission fee, but we couldn’t confirm “free” for any of them. Rook Night costs $20 per team to play. Check before you go.

Are any of these on Eastern time?

No. Spencer, Sparta and Scottsboro, Ala., are all on Central time, the same as Dunlap.

Which are best with kids?

Holiday Market at the Silos, which plans kids’ crafts and hot cocoa. The museum is a nice quiet stop for curious young ones, too.

Can I pair two of these in one trip?

Yes. On Friday, Nov. 13, Rook Night in Spencer and the ArtSparta Art Walk in Sparta are about a half hour apart. On Nov. 21, the Spencer museum is close to Fall Creek Falls State Park.

Is the Van Buren County museum open other days?

Its listing says it opens the first and third Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 931-254-1326 to confirm.

What if the weather turns bad?

Rook Night, the museum and the Sparta Christmas Market are indoors. For the Scottsboro markets, check their Facebook pages or local news the morning of.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Today — Rook Night Double Elimination Tournament in Spencer (Nov. 13)
• Dunlap.Today — Rook Tournament and Loaded Potato Dinner
• Main Street Journal — Sparta community calendar (ArtSparta, Christmas Market)
• Fall Creek Falls Corridor — Van Buren County Historical & Heritage Museum
• The VBCH&H Museum website
• Jackson County Sentinel — Holiday Market at the Silos and Barn Full of Christmas
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t need to do all six. If you only pick one, make it Rook Night in Spencer on Friday, Nov. 13. It’s close, it’s cheap, and a hot potato supper with neighbors is hard to beat. If you’d rather shop, save Barn Full of Christmas for Thanksgiving weekend. Jot down three things: everything is on Central time; bring a partner and cash for Rook Night; and check before you go, since several costs aren’t listed. And for more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.