🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Meet Athens' Hidden History on a Twilight Walk, Look Through Telescopes in Chattanooga, Make a Christmas Tray, Craft at Cannonsburgh Village, See a Dragon Musical, Hear Tullahoma's Top Young Musicians and Meet the Maclellan Island Goats

Or: Seven Fresh Outings From a Twilight History Walk Tomorrow to Campfire Goat Stories on Dec. 5, Plus One Thing to Remember: Call Today for Saturday’s Twilight Tales Tickets

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Friday, November 13, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. Here are seven outings we haven’t told you about before. Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 14, local historians and actors in Athens lead Twilight Tales in Cedar Grove, a gentle walking tour that brings old-time townsfolk back to life. On Sunday, Nov. 15, Chattanooga’s stargazers host the UTC Star Party, with a talk, a planetarium show and telescopes if the sky is clear. On Monday, Nov. 16, a Christmas Trays class meets in Guntersville. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro offers free holiday crafts for all ages. From Nov. 20–22, young actors stage “How to Train Your Dragon Jr.” in Ringgold. On Sunday, Nov. 22, Tullahoma’s best high school musicians play the Young Musician Showcase. And on Saturday, Dec. 5, kids can hear a storybook about the famous Maclellan Island goats around a campfire at Audubon Acres. What it means for you: there’s history, music, stars, crafts and critters here, two are free or nearly free, and most are about an hour away.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Sat., Nov. 14, tours 3:30–6 p.m. Eastern (2:30–5 our time): Twilight Tales in Cedar Grove, Athens. $10; $5 kids 12 and under.
• Sun., Nov. 15, 7–9 p.m. Eastern (6–8 our time): UTC Star Party, Clarence T. Jones Observatory, Chattanooga. Cost: check before you go.
• Mon., Nov. 16, 6–8:30 p.m. Central: Christmas Trays Class, The Place, Guntersville, Ala. $50, paid ahead.
• Wed., Nov. 18, 10 a.m.–noon Central: Cannonsburgh Crafts: Happy Holidays, Murfreesboro. Free; no reservation.
• Fri.–Sun., Nov. 20–22, Eastern times: “How to Train Your Dragon Jr.”, The Colonnade, Ringgold, Ga. $19–$32.
• Sun., Nov. 22, 2:30 p.m. Central: Young Musician Showcase, South Jackson Performing Arts Center, Tullahoma. $10 ahead, $12 at the door.
• Sat., Dec. 5, 1–3 p.m. Eastern (noon–2 our time): “The Goats Who Made Room to Grow” book reading, Audubon Acres, Chattanooga. $0–$7. Date: check before you go.

📝 The one thing to remember: Twilight Tales is tomorrow, and the historical society’s office is only open weekdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Eastern. If you want to go, call 423-744-3911 today before 1 p.m. our time, or reserve at mcminntnhistorical.org. Also, Athens, Chattanooga and Ringgold run on Eastern time, an hour ahead of us. Guntersville, Murfreesboro and Tullahoma are on Central, same as your kitchen clock.

🕯️ Meet Athens’ Hidden History on a Twilight Walk Through Cedar Grove

This isn’t spooky; it’s storytelling. The McMinn County Historical Society and Archives brings back “Twilight Tales in Cedar Grove,” a guided walk through the largest cemetery in Athens. Local historians and actors tell the life stories of people who shaped the town but are mostly forgotten: an antebellum sheriff, a war hero who kept exotic animals on his farm, a freedman who mentored J.L. Cook, an eccentric judge, a man whose father founded Gettysburg, Pa., and a businesswoman who lived the Roaring ’20s.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 14. Tours leave about every 15 minutes from 3:30 p.m. Eastern (2:30 p.m. our time); the last one leaves at 6 p.m. Eastern (5 our time). Each tour runs about 50 minutes.
• Where: Park in front of the McMinn County Schools Central Office, 3 S. Hill St., Athens, Tenn. A shuttle takes you to the cemetery and back.
• How far: About 65 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $10 per person; $5 for kids 12 and under.
• Who’ll love it: History buffs, family-tree folks, storytellers and older kids who like a good tale.
• Good to know: There’s a short stretch of uneven ground and a few small hills on asphalt. The society suggests going between 3:30 and 5 p.m. Eastern if you want daylight. In heavy rain or storms, it moves to Saturday, Nov. 21.

👉 Read more (Daily Post-Athenian — Twilight Tales to be told on Saturday in Athens)

🔭 Look at “Great Balls of Stars” at the UTC Star Party in Chattanooga

The Barnard Astronomical Society and UTC open the Clarence T. Jones Observatory for an evening under the stars. First comes a short, friendly talk, “Globular Clusters: Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Stars!” by UTC geology professor Kevin Hon, then a planetarium show. If the sky is clear, club members set up telescopes in the parking lot so you can see for yourself.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 7–9 p.m. Eastern, which is 6–8 p.m. our time. Doors open at 6:30 Eastern.
• Where: Clarence T. Jones Observatory, Brainerd, Chattanooga. Park behind Brainerd United Methodist Church; directions are on the society’s locations page.
• How far: About 45 miles, roughly 55 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not listed on the event page, so check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Curious kids, science fans, and anyone who’s ever wondered what that fuzzy patch in the sky is.
• Good to know: Seating is limited. Folks there by 7 p.m. Eastern get first seats; after that, people go in as others leave. Telescopes depend on the weather.

👉 Read more (Barnard Astronomical Society — UTC Star Party at the CTJO)

🎁 Make a Christmas Tray at an Evening Class in Guntersville

Want a handmade piece for the holiday table, or a gift that says you made it yourself? The Place on Gunter Avenue holds a Christmas Trays Class, an evening of hands-on holiday crafting by the lake. The listing is short on details, so a quick phone call will tell you what you’ll make and what to bring.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Monday, Nov. 16, 6–8:30 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: The Place, 1800 Gunter Ave., Guntersville, Ala.
• How far: About 100–105 miles, roughly 1 hour 55 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $50, paid ahead to hold your spot.
• Who’ll love it: Crafters, gift-makers and friends looking for a night out together.
• Good to know: Call Traci at 205-353-4939 to pay and ask what’s included. It’s a long drive home after dark on a Monday, so plan accordingly.

👉 Read more (Lake Guntersville Chamber — Christmas Trays Class at The Place)

✂️ Make Free Holiday Crafts in an Old Pioneer Village at Cannonsburgh

Cannonsburgh Village is Murfreesboro’s re-created pioneer town, with a gristmill and a big red waterwheel. On this weekday morning, it hosts Cannonsburgh Crafts: Happy Holidays, free holiday crafts for all ages. Drop in, make something to take home, then stroll the old buildings.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.–noon Central, our time.
• Where: Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front St., Murfreesboro, Tenn.
• How far: About 80–85 miles, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes by way of McMinnville. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free. No reservation needed.
• Who’ll love it: Homeschool families, grandparents with preschoolers and anyone who likes old-timey places.
• Good to know: It’s only two hours long, so leave Dunlap by about 8 a.m. Questions: Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, 615-890-5333.

👉 Read more (Only in Murfreesboro — Cannonsburgh Crafts: Happy Holidays)

🐉 Cheer for Young Vikings in “How to Train Your Dragon Jr.” in Ringgold

Christian Family Theater of Chattanooga brings the story of Hiccup and his dragon friend Toothless to the stage in “How to Train Your Dragon, Jr. — The Musical.” It’s a youth theater show, so the cast is young, the songs are lively and the whole thing is made for families.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 20, and Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern (6:30 our time); Sunday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. Eastern (2 our time).
• Where: The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga.
• How far: About 55 miles, roughly 1 hour 5 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $19–$32.
• Who’ll love it: Kids who loved the movie, theater families and grandparents who like cheering for young performers.
• Good to know: The Sunday matinee is the easiest on bedtimes. Online ticket sales appear to close 24 hours before each show, so buy ahead.

👉 Read more (Chattanoogan.com — CFT of Chattanooga presents “How to Train Your Dragon Jr.”)

🎷 Hear Tullahoma’s Top Young Musicians at the Young Musician Showcase

For the 13th year, Tullahoma’s best high school musicians step out of the practice room and onto a big stage for a formal concert. Twelve students play piano, saxophone, marimba, flute, clarinet, euphonium and trombone and sing, with music by Brahms, Liszt, Rutter and more. Pianist and organizer Lisa Maurer tells the story behind each piece, so you’ll know what you’re listening to.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 22, 2:30 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: South Jackson Performing Arts Center, 404 S. Jackson St., Tullahoma, Tenn.
• How far: About 65–75 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
• Who’ll love it: Music lovers, band and choir families, and anyone who enjoys watching young people shine.
• Good to know: Buy tickets at southjackson.org or call the box office at 931-455-5321.

👉 Read more (Tullahoma News — 13th annual Young Musician Showcase set for Nov. 22)

🐐 Hear a Campfire Story About the Maclellan Island Goats at Audubon Acres

Chattanooga has famous goats! A herd helped clear and restore Maclellan Island in the Tennessee River, and now there’s a children’s book about them. The Chattanooga Audubon Society welcomes author Brittany Petish of True Heart Tails to read “The Goats Who Made Room to Grow” around a campfire, with hot chocolate and s’mores, a book signing, and maybe a chance to meet the goats.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 1–3 p.m. Eastern (noon–2 p.m. our time). One listing shows Sunday, Dec. 6 at the top, so check before you go.
• Where: Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Road, Chattanooga, Tenn.
• How far: About 50 miles, roughly 1 hour. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Listed at $0–$7; free with general admission, with add-ons for sale.
• Who’ll love it: Little readers, animal lovers and grandparents looking for a cozy December afternoon.
• Good to know: It’s outdoors around a fire, so dress warm and bring a blanket for the little ones.

👉 Read more (Chattanooga Audubon Society — The Goats Who Made Room to Grow: Children’s Book Reading)

✅ Your Trip-Planning Checklist

• ✅ Do this first: Call 423-744-3911 today (before 1 p.m. our time) for Twilight Tales tickets, or reserve at mcminntnhistorical.org.
• ✅ Clock check: Athens, Chattanooga and Ringgold are on Eastern time (7 p.m. there = 6 p.m. here). Guntersville, Murfreesboro and Tullahoma are Central.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 14: Twilight Tales in Athens. Wear good walking shoes; go early for daylight.
• ✅ Sun., Nov. 15: UTC Star Party. Arrive by 6 p.m. our time for a seat. Peek at the sky before you leave home.
• ✅ Mon., Nov. 16: Christmas Trays class in Guntersville. Call Traci at 205-353-4939 to pay the $50 ahead.
• ✅ Wed., Nov. 18: Free crafts at Cannonsburgh Village, 10 a.m.–noon.
• ✅ Nov. 20–22: “How to Train Your Dragon Jr.” in Ringgold. Buy tickets at least a day ahead.
• ✅ Sun., Nov. 22: Young Musician Showcase in Tullahoma, 2:30 p.m. Save $2 by buying ahead.
• ✅ Sat., Dec. 5: Goat book reading at Audubon Acres. Confirm the date first.
• ✅ Fill up before you go. Need gas, a tire check or a good breakfast spot on the way? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these is closest to Dunlap?

The UTC Star Party in Chattanooga (about 55 minutes) and the goat book reading at Audubon Acres (about an hour).

Which ones are free?

Cannonsburgh Crafts in Murfreesboro is free. The goat book reading is listed at $0 to $7. The star party’s cost isn’t listed, so call or check the Barnard Astronomical Society’s site.

Is the cemetery tour scary?

No. Twilight Tales is a history walk. Actors and historians tell the real life stories of people who helped build Athens. It’s friendly for families with older kids.

What if it rains on the Twilight Tales tour?

In heavy rain or a thunderstorm, the historical society moves it to Saturday, Nov. 21.

Will I see anything through a telescope if it’s cloudy?

The talk and planetarium show happen either way. The parking-lot telescopes only come out if the sky is clear.

Why do some times look an hour off?

Athens, Chattanooga and Ringgold are on Eastern time. Subtract one hour to get Dunlap’s Central time.

🔗 Other Resources

• Daily Post-Athenian — Twilight Tales in Cedar Grove
• McMinn County Historical Society — tickets and reservations
• Barnard Astronomical Society — UTC Star Party at the CTJO
• Barnard Astronomical Society — Locations and parking
• Lake Guntersville Chamber — Christmas Trays Class
• Only in Murfreesboro — Cannonsburgh Crafts: Happy Holidays
• CFT Chattanooga — How to Train Your Dragon Jr. tickets
• Tullahoma News — Young Musician Showcase
• Adventure Chattanooga — “The Goats Who Made Room to Grow” book signing
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t need to do all seven. If you like history, tomorrow’s Twilight Tales in Athens is a lovely way to spend a fall afternoon. If you want something close, the star party and the goat story time in Chattanooga are each about an hour away. If music moves you, the Young Musician Showcase in Tullahoma costs about as much as a lunch out. Jot down three things: call 423-744-3911 today for Twilight Tales; Athens, Chattanooga and Ringgold are an hour ahead; and call before you go for anything we flagged. For more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.