🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Toast the Marines at a Dunlap Birthday BBQ, Dig Through an Indoor Yard Sale in Spencer, Shop Winchester's STLS Holiday Market, Run or Walk Spencer's Turkey Trot, Grab Pie at a Fire Hall Dessert Sale and Pick a Tree at Christmas Under the Pines in Crossville

Or: Six Friendly Outings From Our Own Backyard to Crossville and Winchester, All on Central Time

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

Evening, neighbor. Here are six outings we haven’t told you about before, starting right here at home. On Saturday, Nov. 14, VFW Post 5772 throws a Marine Corps Birthday BBQ at Veterans Hall in Dunlap. On Nov. 19–20, the Historic Burritt College Building in Spencer fills up with an indoor yard sale. On Nov. 20–21, the STLS Holiday Market in Winchester has handmade gifts, pies and quilts, with free admission. On Saturday, Nov. 21, Spencer City Park hosts the Turkey Trot 5K and the easy one-mile Gobble Wobble. The night before Thanksgiving, the Piney Volunteer Fire Department holds a Dessert Sale. And on Saturday, Nov. 28, Crossville’s Christmas Under the Pines turns a back lot into a Christmas tree farm with carolers and hot chocolate. What it means for you: these are short, low-cost trips that support local folks, and every one is on Central time.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sat., Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m.: Marine Corps Birthday BBQ, VFW Post 5772, Veterans Hall, Dunlap. Food and drink provided.
• Thu., Nov. 19, noon–5 p.m., and Fri., Nov. 20, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.: Indoor Yard Sale, Historic Burritt College Building, Spencer. Cash or Venmo.
• Fri., Nov. 20, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sat., Nov. 21, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: STLS Holiday Market, Franklin County Annex, Winchester. Free admission.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 8 a.m.: Turkey Trot 5K ($20) and Gobble Wobble 1-mile ($5), Spencer City Park.
• Wed., Nov. 25, 4–7 p.m.: Piney Volunteer Fire Department Dessert Sale, Spencer area.
• Sat., Nov. 28, 5–9 p.m.: Christmas Under the Pines, behind Exhale Day Spa, 290 Thurman Ave., Crossville.

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

🇺🇸 Wish the Marines a Happy Birthday at a BBQ Right Here in Dunlap

The U.S. Marine Corps was founded on Nov. 10, 1775, and our own VFW Post 5772 Dunlap is marking it with a birthday BBQ party at Veterans Hall. It’s a chance for veterans and neighbors to share a plate, swap stories and say thank you to Marines past and present.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 14, starting at 11:30 a.m. Central.
• Where: Veterans Hall, hosted by VFW Post 5772. The post’s Dunlap.Directory listing gives 6808 SR 28, Dunlap; the announcement just says “Veterans Hall,” so check before you go.
• How far: Right here in the Dunlap area, a few minutes’ drive for most of us.
• Cost: The post says food and drink will be provided. No price was listed. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Marines and their families, all veterans, and anyone who wants to show some hometown gratitude.
• Good to know: It’s the same day as the Historic Dunlap Cruise-In downtown, so you can make a morning of it.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today — Marine Corps Birthday BBQ at Veterans Hall)

🛍️ Hunt for Bargains Indoors at Spencer’s Historic Burritt College Building

Yard sale season usually ends when the cold comes, but this one moved indoors. The old Burritt College Building in Spencer is hosting an indoor yard sale with household goods, clothing, books and home decor. The sellers say everything is priced to move, and they welcome offers.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Nov. 19, noon–5 p.m., and Friday, Nov. 20, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central. Early birds get first pick Friday morning.
• Where: Historic Burritt College Building, listed as 445 College Street, Spencer. (Another recent listing gives 445 Burritt College Drive for the same building.)
• How far: About 30–35 miles, roughly 40–45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free to browse. Cash and Venmo are accepted.
• Who’ll love it: Treasure hunters, thrifty Christmas shoppers and anyone furnishing a first home.
• Good to know: It’s warm and dry inside, so the weather won’t spoil it.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today — Indoor Yard Sale in Spencer)

🎁 Shop Pies, Quilts and Handmade Gifts That Fund Scholarships at Winchester’s STLS Holiday Market

The Southern Tennessee Ladies’ Society puts on this all-indoor, boutique-style holiday market every year. Look for seasonal decor, soaps and candles, cookies and pies, teas and spice mixes, handmade toys, jewelry, pottery, artwork, quilts and clothing. The best part: proceeds go to the STLS Scholarship Foundation, which helps students in Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Lincoln and Moore counties. Yes, that includes our Grundy County neighbors.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Central.
• Where: Franklin County Annex Building, 839 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester.
• How far: About 65–75 miles, roughly 1 hour 20–30 minutes over the mountain through Tracy City and Monteagle. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free admission. Bring money for goodies.
• Who’ll love it: Holiday gift shoppers, quilt lovers and anyone who’d rather buy a homemade pie than bake one.
• Good to know: About 50 vendors are expected. These details come from event-listing sites, not the organizer’s own page, so check before you go.

👉 Read more (FestivalNet — STLS Holiday Market)

🦃 Run the Turkey Trot or Stroll the Gobble Wobble Before Thanksgiving in Spencer

Earn your pie early. The Van Buren-Spencer Chamber of Commerce is bringing back its Turkey Trot 5K, with some off-road running, plus the Gobble Wobble, an easy one-mile fun run and walk for kids, families and folks who’d rather amble than race.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21. The 5K starts at 8:00 a.m., and the Gobble Wobble at 8:05 a.m. Central.
• Where: Spencer City Park, 100 IB Maynard Street, Spencer.
• How far: About 30–35 miles, roughly 40–45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app. Leave early for an 8 a.m. start.
• Cost: $20 for the 5K, which includes a participation T-shirt. $5 for the Gobble Wobble, no shirt.
• Who’ll love it: Runners, walkers, grandkids with energy to burn and anyone who wants a crisp plateau morning.
• Good to know: Register ahead by emailing VBCHAMBER2024@GMAIL.COM or calling (931) 946-7033. Dress in layers; late-November mornings on the plateau can be cold.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today — Turkey Trot 5K and Gobble Wobble at Spencer City Park)

🥧 Pick Up Thanksgiving Dessert and Thank Your Volunteer Firefighters at the Piney VFD Dessert Sale

Too busy to bake this year? The Piney Volunteer Fire Department in Van Buren County is holding a Dessert Sale the evening before Thanksgiving. Buying a pie from your volunteer firefighters is about the sweetest way there is to support them.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 4–7 p.m. Central.
• Where: The Piney Volunteer Fire Department. Its Dunlap.Directory listing puts Station 1 at 5368 Old State Hwy 111, Spencer. The chamber calendar didn’t say which station, so check before you go.
• How far: About 30–40 miles, roughly 40–50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Prices weren’t listed. Bring cash.
• Who’ll love it: Anyone hosting Thanksgiving, anyone traveling to Grandma’s, and folks who like supporting their fire hall.
• Good to know: The non-emergency number is (931) 946-7099 if you have questions. Go early for the best pick.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today — November Events Across Van Buren County)

🌲 Pick Out Your Christmas Tree to Carols and Hot Cocoa at Christmas Under the Pines in Crossville

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a back lot in downtown Crossville becomes a little Christmas tree farm. Christmas Under the Pines has trees to pick and buy, Cumberland County Playhouse carolers and small skits, wreaths and garland from Lee’s Flowers, holiday photos with Amanda McGinnis, sourdough scones, and hot chocolate and treats from The Cookie Box.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 28, 5–9 p.m. Central.
• Where: The back lot behind Exhale Day Spa of the Cumberlands, 290 Thurman Ave., Crossville.
• How far: About 55–60 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes up through Pikeville. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Admission wasn’t listed. Trees, wreaths, photos and treats are for sale. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Families who want a real tree and a little magic, and anyone who loves carols on a cold night.
• Good to know: Make a night of it. The Palace Theatre downtown is showing National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 7 p.m. the same evening. Bring a way to tie a tree to your car.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today — Christmas Under the Pines in Crossville)

✅ Your Trip-Planning Checklist

• ✅ All Central time. No clock math for any of these six.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 14: Marine Corps Birthday BBQ, Veterans Hall, Dunlap, 11:30 a.m.
• ✅ Nov. 19–20: Indoor Yard Sale, Spencer. Thu. noon–5, Fri. 8–5. Cash or Venmo.
• ✅ Nov. 20–21: STLS Holiday Market, Winchester. Fri. 9–5, Sat. 9–3. Free admission.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 21: Turkey Trot 5K 8:00 a.m. ($20) or Gobble Wobble 8:05 a.m. ($5). Register at (931) 946-7033.
• ✅ Wed., Nov. 25: Piney VFD Dessert Sale, 4–7 p.m.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 28: Christmas Under the Pines, Crossville, 5–9 p.m.
• ✅ Bring cash. Yard sales, bake tables and small vendors may not take cards.
• ✅ Fill up and pack a snack. Need gas, a tree stand or a good diner on the way? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Marine to go to the birthday BBQ?

No. The VFW post describes it as a gathering for veterans and community members. If you’re unsure, call the post or check its Facebook page.

Which ones are free?

The STLS Holiday Market lists free admission, and the yard sale is free to browse. The Turkey Trot is $20 for the 5K or $5 for the Gobble Wobble. The others didn’t list an admission price, so check before you go.

Are any of these on Eastern time?

No. Dunlap, Spencer, Winchester and Crossville are all on Central time.

Can I walk the Turkey Trot instead of running?

Yes. The one-mile Gobble Wobble is made for walkers, kids and families. The 5K includes some off-road running.

Which are best with kids?

The Gobble Wobble and Christmas Under the Pines, with its carolers, skits and hot chocolate.

Can I pair two of these in one trip?

Yes. On Saturday, Nov. 21, run the Turkey Trot in Spencer at 8 a.m., then drive to Winchester for the STLS Holiday Market before it closes at 3 p.m. On Nov. 28, Christmas Under the Pines and the Palace Theatre movie are both in downtown Crossville.

What if the weather turns bad?

The yard sale and the STLS Holiday Market are indoors. Christmas Under the Pines and the Turkey Trot are outdoors, so check the organizers’ Facebook pages the morning of.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Today — Marine Corps Birthday BBQ and Celebration at Veterans Hall
• Dunlap.Today — Indoor Yard Sale at Historic Burritt College Building
• FestivalNet — STLS Holiday Market, Winchester
• The Craft Map — STLS Holiday Market
• Dunlap.Today — Turkey Trot 5K and Gobble Wobble at Spencer City Park
• Dunlap.Today — November Events Across Van Buren County
• Dunlap.Directory — Piney Volunteer Fire Department Station 1
• Dunlap.Today — Christmas Under the Pines in Crossville
• Dunlap.Today — Crossville’s Nov. 28 downtown lineup (Palace Theatre movie)
• 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 the Marine Corps Birthday BBQ right here in Dunlap on Saturday, Nov. 14. It’s close, there’s food, and a thank-you to a veteran goes a long way. Jot down three things: everything is on Central time; register ahead for the Turkey Trot; and bring cash and check before you go, since several costs and addresses aren’t fully listed. And for more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.