🏪 Market Back Oct. 17, Free Tractors Next Weekend and a Book Sale on Heard Street: Your Main Street Roundup

Or: Young Vendors Needed, Antique Tractors Free and Flu Shots on Rankin

Saturday’s wind and chrome are in the rearview. Sunday is when Grandma sticks a note on the fridge and maps the week so nobody “forgets” the good parts.

Here’s what’s in it: the Dunlap Farmers Market returns Saturday, Oct. 17, with Young Entrepreneurs Day, the free Days of Yesteryear antique tractor show fills Coops Creek Commons that same weekend, Friends of the Library host their book sale and silent auction Oct. 21–24, Rolling Oak’s Family Farmhouse Kitchen serves Friday through Monday, Firefly on Rankin welcomes shoppers downtown, free flu shots are Oct. 20 at the health department, the Great Pumpkin Festival is Oct. 24 and a short calendar through early winter.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• This week: Help a young maker apply for Young Entrepreneurs Day before Oct. 17 fills up.
• Sat.–Sun., Oct. 17–18: Market 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Harris Park; free Days of Yesteryear gates 8 a.m. at Coops Creek Commons.
• Mon. lunch tip: Family Farmhouse Kitchen at Rolling Oak is open Friday–Monday (pizza, burgers, comfort food — rotating menu).
• Tue., Oct. 20, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Free flu shots, ages 6 months+, walk-in, Sequatchie Co. Health Dept., 16939 Rankin Ave.
• Oct. 21–24: Library book sale at the Fair Building, 103 Heard St. — Fill-A-Bag Day Saturday.

🌱 Apply This Week: Young Entrepreneurs Day Needs Youth Vendors Oct. 17

Last Saturday’s Dunlap Farmers Market canceled for storm safety. The season still runs through Oct. 31, and the next date is Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jeff Johnson Pavilion, Harris Park, 245 Cedar Street. Remaining Saturdays after that are Oct. 24 and 31, weather permitting.

Oct. 17 is also Young Entrepreneurs Day. Dunlap.Today reported that the market wants young vendors who sell their own handmade or homegrown goods — jewelry, art, baked items, produce, plants and similar youth-made products. Families apply online at dunlapfarmersmarket.com and should note they are applying for the kids market. The source does not list a hard application deadline or exact age range, so apply soon and confirm eligibility with organizers. Market posts also list Holiday Markets on Nov. 7 and Dec. 12 after the regular season — confirm times closer to those dates.

What it means for you: This week is the application window that matters. Treat it like signing Cousin Billy up for the school bake sale before the table fills — help a student maker fill out the form, then show up Oct. 17 and buy something they made. Shoppers: bring cash or card and be the kind neighbor who asks good questions.

👉 Read more (Young Entrepreneurs Day) · DunlapFarmersMarket.com

🚜 Free Next Weekend: Days of Yesteryear Antique Tractor Show

The 21st Annual Days of Yesteryear Antique Tractor Show is Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18, at Coops Creek Commons, 287 Pine Street in historic downtown Dunlap, the Chamber lists. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days. Expect antique tractors, heritage farm demonstrations, classic cars, crafts, children’s activities and food. Admission and parking are free. Club contact listed in prior coverage: (423) 949-6537 · daysofyesteryear.org. Chamber questions: 423-949-7608.

What it means for you: You don’t need a full tank or a ticket. Pair a morning stroll past the tractors with the farmers market a few blocks away and you’ve got a full Valley Saturday without leaving Sequatchie County. Bring the grandkids — free family fun that still feels like home.

👉 Read more (Chamber / Locable: Days of Yesteryear) · Chamber calendar

📚 Whale of a Book Sale: Friends of the Library Oct. 21–24

Friends of the Sequatchie County Public Library host their annual Book Sale and Silent Auction at the Fair Building, 103 Heard Street, Dunlap, Oct. 21–24, Dunlap.Today reported. Schedule:

• Wed., Oct. 21, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.: Friends’ early access. New members can join on-site for $5 and shop the same day.
• Thu.–Fri., Oct. 22–23, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.: Open to the public (library closed Thursday).
• Sat., Oct. 24, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.: Fill-A-Bag Day — one flat price per bag. Silent auction closes at noon (library closed Saturday).

What it means for you: Cheap books for winter nights and dollars that stay with the county library. Join for five bucks Wednesday if you want first pick, or wait for Fill-A-Bag Saturday if you’re stacking kids’ shelves. Either way, you’re funding a place that never asks you to have fancy Wi-Fi to learn something.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Library book sale)

🍔 Monday Comfort Food: Family Farmhouse Kitchen at Rolling Oak

Rolling Oak Distillery at 324 Whiskey Lane, Dunlap — Sequatchie County’s first legal distillery — added The Family Farmhouse Kitchen, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 4. The kitchen is open Friday through Monday with a rotating weekly menu of pizza, burgers and comfort food. Distillery hours listed: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12–4 p.m. Check ahead for what’s on the menu that day. Contact: rollingoakdistillery@gmail.com · rollingoakdistillery.com.

What it means for you: Columbus Day Monday is a natural stop if the kitchen’s serving — think of it as Sunday dinner that spilled into Monday. Call or check the website before you drive so you’re not staring at a closed kitchen door like Cousin Billy at the wrong church potluck.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Family Farmhouse Kitchen)

🛍️ Keep Dollars on Rankin: Firefly on Rankin Boutique

Firefly on Rankin at 15219 Rankin Ave. is a locally owned boutique with women’s and children’s clothing, jewelry, gifts and products from local and regional makers. Dunlap.Directory lists phone 423-653-8863, email fireflyonrankin23@gmail.com and website fireflyonrankin.com. Hours can change seasonally — call or check social media before a special trip. The shop is a Chamber member; Dunlap.Today also noted recent open-house energy around the Rankin corridor after the storm weekend.

What it means for you: One parking spot, neighbor-owned shelves and gift money that stays in Dunlap. If you need a teacher gift, a birthday surprise or just a reason to walk Rankin this week, start here and ask what’s new.

👉 Dunlap.Directory: Firefly on Rankin · Dunlap.Today coverage

💉 Free Flu Shots on Rankin Oct. 20 — Walk-In

The Sequatchie County Health Department is offering free flu shots Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 16939 Rankin Avenue, Dunlap, the Chamber lists. Ages 6 months and up, no insurance required, no appointment needed — walk in while supplies last.

What it means for you: A Main Street errand that protects grandma, the school kids and the shop counter. Pair it with a Rankin browse and you’re done before supper.

👉 Read more (Chamber: FREE Flu Shots)

🎃 Great Pumpkin Festival Oct. 24 at Dunlap UMC

The Chamber lists the Great Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, 3–5 p.m. at Dunlap United Methodist Church, 1958 Main Street. Expect hayrides, pumpkin rolling, games, caramel apples and more. Admission details aren’t clearly posted on the Chamber listing — bring a little cash for treats and check at the door.

What it means for you: Short, sweet neighborhood fun the same Saturday as Fill-A-Bag Day at the book sale. Do books in the morning, pumpkins in the afternoon and call it a Valley win.

👉 Read more (Chamber: Great Pumpkin Festival)

📅 Dates to Circle

• This week: Apply for Young Entrepreneurs Day at dunlapfarmersmarket.com (kids market).
• Fri.–Mon. (ongoing): Family Farmhouse Kitchen at Rolling Oak, 324 Whiskey Ln. — rotating menu; check ahead.
• Sat., Oct. 17, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.: Dunlap Farmers Market + Young Entrepreneurs Day, Harris Park.
• Sat.–Sun., Oct. 17–18, gates 8 a.m.: Days of Yesteryear antique tractor show, Coops Creek Commons, 287 Pine St. Free.
• Tue., Oct. 20, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Free flu shots, Sequatchie Co. Health Dept., 16939 Rankin Ave.
• Wed.–Sat., Oct. 21–24: Friends of the Library book sale, Fair Building, 103 Heard St.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 3–5 p.m.: Great Pumpkin Festival, Dunlap UMC, 1958 Main St.
• Sat., Nov. 7 & Dec. 12: Dunlap Farmers Market Holiday Markets (confirm times with organizers).

👉 Chamber events calendar · Dunlap Farmers Market

✅ Your Main Street Checklist for This Week

• ✅ Help a young maker apply this week for Young Entrepreneurs Day (Oct. 17).
• ✅ Circle Oct. 17–18 for the market and free Days of Yesteryear tractors.
• ✅ Call ahead if you’re trying Family Farmhouse Kitchen Friday–Monday.
• ✅ Browse Firefly on Rankin (423-653-8863) — confirm hours first.
• ✅ Put Oct. 20 on the fridge for free walk-in flu shots on Rankin.
• ✅ Plan the library book sale (join $5 Wed. or Fill-A-Bag Sat.).
• ✅ Save Oct. 24, 3–5 p.m. for the Great Pumpkin Festival.
• ✅ Note Holiday Markets Nov. 7 and Dec. 12; confirm closer to those dates.
• ✅ Look up shops on Dunlap.Directory and send openings or hiring news to Dunlap.Today.

Practical rule: Apply youth vendors this week, show up free for tractors Oct. 17–18 and keep one shopping dollar on Rankin.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Main Street Glossary

• Young entrepreneurs / kids market: A farmers-market day set aside for youth selling their own handmade or homegrown goods.
• Antique tractor show: A free community display of older farm equipment, demos and family activities — usually outdoors.
• Friends of the Library: Volunteers who raise money and sort donated books to support the public library.
• Fill-A-Bag Day: A book-sale finale where you pay one flat price for as many books as fit in a bag.
• Rotating menu: A kitchen that changes offerings by the week so regulars have a reason to come back.
• Walk-in clinic: A health visit that does not require an appointment — show up during posted hours while supplies last.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When does the farmers market reopen, and how do kids apply for Young Entrepreneurs Day?

Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Harris Park. Apply at dunlapfarmersmarket.com and mark the application for the kids market. Ask organizers about age rules if they’re not on the form.

Is Days of Yesteryear really free?

Yes. The Chamber lists free admission and free parking at Coops Creek Commons, 287 Pine Street, Oct. 17–18, gates at 8 a.m. both days.

What’s the library book-sale schedule?

Fair Building, 103 Heard St.: Wed. Oct. 21 Friends early access (join $5 on-site); Thu.–Fri. Oct. 22–23 public 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat. Oct. 24 Fill-A-Bag 9 a.m.–1 p.m., silent auction closes noon.

When is the Family Farmhouse Kitchen open?

Friday through Monday with a rotating pizza/burgers/comfort-food menu at Rolling Oak Distillery, 324 Whiskey Lane. Distillery hours listed Mon.–Sat. 11–6, Sun. 12–4. Check ahead for that day’s menu.

Where are free flu shots Oct. 20?

Sequatchie County Health Department, 16939 Rankin Ave., 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Ages 6 months+, no insurance, no appointment — walk in while supplies last.

When is the Great Pumpkin Festival?

Saturday, Oct. 24, 3–5 p.m. at Dunlap UMC, 1958 Main Street. Hayrides, games, caramel apples and more. Confirm admission/treat pricing at the door.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Directory: find local businesses
• Dunlap.Today: New businesses
• Dunlap.Directory: Firefly on Rankin
• Dunlap Farmers Market
• Sequatchie County/Dunlap Chamber events
• Chamber: FREE Flu Shots Oct. 20
• Chamber: Great Pumpkin Festival
• Dunlap.Today

🏡 Keep It Local, Keep It Kind

A free tractor weekend, a kids market and a book sale that funds the library are quiet proof Main Street still works when neighbors show up. None of it needs a big budget. It needs folks who circle dates and tip their hats.

So help one young maker apply this week, pick one Rankin stop and tell a neighbor about Oct. 17. Read Dunlap.Today for more of what’s new on Main Street, and send us a business we should know.