West: You ready for fall?

By MIKE WEST

Cannon County is gearing up for a busy fall.

School is back with all those fall events including the start of football season at CCHS. Tradition rules this year even brighter with the new light system at the school's football field.

While it may still seem like summer, events typically tied to fall are nearly here in Cannon County.

At the top of the list is the start of school and football season. While the success of Cannon County High School's team is up in the air, the events surrounding the football team are based in tradition. Support for CCHS remains strong and fans are loyal.
Meanwhile the Cannon Count Farmers Market continues.

Located next to the Arts Center of Cannon County, the Farmers Market continues to grow. It offers more than the typical "taters" and "maters" most often associated with enterprises of this type.

My advice is take your time and look at all the fruits and vegetables freshly picked for your enjoyment. While there are tomatoes galore, there is also a variety of veggies ranging from watermelons to exotic hot peppers.

Pepper fans should be on the lookout for everything from tasty bell peppers to hotter blends like poblano (perfect for chiles rellenos), cayenne and jalpeno. They even have some that are scorching hot.

But you've got to get there early to partake of Irene Hollis' fried pies. They go quickly.
And let us not forget Joe Patterson's honey available in sizes ranging from a shot glass to a quart jar. Delicious!

So in other words, bring your bushel basket and load up. Don't forget to say "hey" to UT-Ag Agent Bruce Steelman who heads up the market.
The Cannon County Farmers Market is located in the pavilion at the Arts Center of Cannon County every Saturday beginning at 6 a.m. Most Saturdays the market is open until noon or until the farm fresh fruits and vegetables have been sold.

Speaking of major events, The annual White Oaks Craft Fair kicks in Saturday Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13. Fair hours are 9 am to 5 pm both days. This year marks the 26th year of the fair.

One of the most prestigious craft shows in Middle Tennessee, the fair is held along the river behind the Arts Center. Some 75 top artisans will offer for sale their original textiles, jewelry, woodcarving, metalwork, pottery, photography, chairs, baskets, ironwork, stained glass and much more.
Of particular interest are the handmade white oak baskets and chairs. Cannon County has a long tradition of fine crafters.

Many local families turned to making white oak baskets and chairs as a means of survival during the Depression. They traded them for lamp oil, sugar, coffee, cloth, thread and other things they couldn't grow or hunt. The stores hauled the baskets and chairs to major cities like Detroit, Miami and New York, and peddled them on the streets.

It's a showcase event. Contact the Arts Center at (615) 563-2787, for further information.
This year, the White Oaks Crafts Fair has a new accompanying event, a barbecue festival at Short Mountain Distillery.
Have you seen the posters around town advertising "White Oak Weekend?"
The posters plug the White Oak Craft Fair as well as the Short Mountain Distillery's Barbecue Competition on Sept. 12. In addition, visitors can enjoy the antique shops around Woodbury's Square.
Sounds like fun!