Summerville’s Steam Into Summerville Railroad Days Is Underway

Offering Fun For Families & Rail Fans

Home to one of only a few operating train turntables in the southeastern United States, Summerville is truly a step back in time for train and history buffs alike. The City of Summerville is currently in celebration of its annual “Steam into Summerville Railroad Days”. The 6-week celebration will usher in fall and visitors of all ages, while bringing a wide array of festivities to Summerville’s Dowdy Park and the Summerville Depot.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad’s Summerville Steam Excursion is now arriving weekly at the historic Summerville Depot each Saturday through November 8. Steam engine passenger trains are also set to arrive at the depot on 3 Sundays; October 12, 19and November 2. Train arrivals and the turning of the antique steam engines are a highlight at each scheduled festival.  Tickets for these excursions are purchased through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at www.tvrail.com . These vintage train rides follow a historic route from Grand Junction Station in Chattanooga to the Historic Summerville Depot. Summerville welcomes the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and its passengers by opening the historic depot to the public and with activities, entertainment, and events planned for each train arrival. Each event hosted is unique to itself.  

Sum -Nelly Arts and Crafts Festival -October 4

Saturday events in Dowdy Park begin on October 4th with the annual Sum- Nelly Arts and Crafts Festival. This arts & crafts festival has been celebrated for over 50 years, and is highlighted as the opening event celebrating fall that features over 120 artists, crafters, quilters, musicians, food vendors, and non-profits. An arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Steam Engine Passenger Train and working of the Summerville Turntable is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Summerville Depot. Event hours are 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and admission is free

Summerville Mini Renaissance Festival – October 11

Dress as royalty, fairies, pirates, and peasants while you enjoy shopping, art, games, and a feast fit for a king. The Summerville Renaissance Festival will return to Dowdy Park with pageantry, arts, music, artisans, food, and more. Renaissance Performers from Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama will be on hand to give festival goers a magical experience. Larking, special Quests, and fun activities are scheduled throughout the day. An arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and a turning of the Summerville Turntable will also be featured. The Renaissance Festival hours are from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and admission is free.

Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner At The Depot – October 12

Step back in time to a slower pace of life and enjoy an “Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner” at the Historic Summerville Depot. Event goers will have the opportunity to enjoy an “Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner” while enjoying live gospel music. The meal will be served by Sheila Stewart at the cost of $10.00 for a meat and 2 vegetables plate, a 1 meat and 3 vegetables plate at the cost of $12, or $9 for a 4-vegetable plate. The Sunday Dinner menu will consist of fried chicken, beef tips over rice, dressing with gravy, green beans, creamed corn, fried okra, pinto beans, potato salad, and cornbread or roll. Desserts available for purchase will include peach cobbler or homemade banana pudding.  Tea, water, and soft drinks will also be available for purchase. Cash, checks or Cash App will be accepted forms of payment to purchase meals.

An arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and a turning of the Summerville Turntable will also be featured. This event will operate from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and is free for the public to attend.

Sequoyah Quilt Show – October 18–19

Experience fall at its best as quilters, artists, craftsman, and food vendors gather together for a weekend of fun! The Sequoyah Quilt Show will be held at the Summerville Depot October 19-20. Saturday show hours are 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Sunday hours are 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. There will be large quilting exhibits of all kinds, as well as demonstrations inside the depot. Quilts and quilt related pieces will be sold at this event. Returning this year will be a “Bed Turning” of quilts narrated by quilters throughout the day. Persons interested in exhibiting or selling quilt products at this show may contact Summerville Main Street. Food and craft vendors will also be on site and the arrival of the train is expected around 1:00 p.m.

Pumpkin Palooza, Downtown Candy Walk & Night Of TheJack O’ Lanterns – October 25

Everything’s coming up candy and pumpkins in downtown Summerville on Saturday, October 26.  Summerville Main Street will team up with the Summerville Trion Optimist Club to present the annual Pumpkin Palooza with Pumpkin Derby and the Halloween Candy Walk! This fall celebration will be held down the East Washington Streetscape to the Summerville Depot. Hours for the Pumpkin Palooza will run from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Vendors will be on hand with a variety of foods, crafts, and retail for the public’s pleasure. Interested vendors should contact Susan Locklear by email at slocklear@summervillega.org for vendor registration information.

Highlights for the day will include a Youth Halloween Costume Contest for ages newborn – 12 at 11:30 a.m. inside of the Open-air Pavilion. Registration for the costume contest will begin at 11:15 a.m.

Halloween Candy Walk

The Halloween Candy Walk is sponsored by The Summerville Trion Optimist Club and will run from 10:30 a.m.  – 12:30 p.m. The candy walk will be located down the East Washington Street Streetscape area. The East Washington Street Streetscape entrances beginning at US 27/Commerce Street and The University Street Intersection will be closed to traffic beginning Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. and remain closed until 1:30 p.m. Economy Street entrances to East Washington Street will also be closed during this time.

The participating businesses and organizations always enjoy this fun event and look forward to welcoming all the ghosts, ghouls, goblins and other costumed trick-or-treaters that will make their appearance at the annual Candy Walk. Businesses, churches, clubs, and civic organizations wishing to participate in handing out candy and treats to all the little spooks should contact Cindy Rivers at (706) 466-9014 for registration and set-up details.                                                                                    

 Train fans will also enjoy the 1:00 p.m. Steam Engine arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train. Following the arrival, spectators will view the Summerville Turntable in action turning the majestic steam engines.

Night Of The Jack O’ Lanterns

All ages and skill levels are invited to bring carved Jack-O’-Lanterns to display and light up the exterior of the Historic Couey House using flameless candles/flashlights for a magical evening of family fun from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Jack-O”-Lanterns may be registered in on site between 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. prior to the start of the event. Event goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating to enjoy storytelling on the Couey House porch. Free refreshments will be served to families and individuals bringing carved Jack O’ lanterns to light and display for the event. A live performance by “The Sanderson Sisters” and other surprise guests are scheduled to entertain! This free event is sponsored by Summerville Main Street. For more information email slocklear@summervillega.org or contact Summerville Main Street 706-859-0900 

Trains and Tracks Expo – November 1–2

Train enthusiast of all ages will enjoy the Trains and Tracks Expo at the Summerville Depot November 1-2. Expo hours of operation are:  Saturday, November 2nd from 10:00 am-3:00 pm and Sunday, November 3rd from 11:00 am -3:00 pm. Sunday’s train arrival will feature a double steam engine arrival. A highlight for the event will be the Chattanooga Modular Modeler Train exhibit. The expo is designed for children of all ages; for modelers, collectors, and enthusiasts; for families in search of good old-fashioned fun; and for the simply curious. It will feature tables of trains, accessories, scale models, and collectible toys. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Steam Engine is scheduled to arrive each day of the event at 1:00 pm with passengers and will be turned on the Summerville Turntable, for the public’s viewing pleasure. Attendees will find railroad memorabilia for sale, along with kid’s train activities, and foodand craft vendors. As an added highlight for train enthusiasts,eventgoers will also receive a free train collector magazine.

Salute To The Troops  – November 8

Summerville Main Street salutes Summerville’s living and deceased Veterans with an exhibit of our “Hometown Heros” inside the Historic Summerville Depot. The exhibits honoring Veterans are submitted by families of Veterans and will feature photos, bios, and memorabilia. An arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train is scheduled for around 1:00 p.m. followed by a working of the Summerville Turntable. A special musical tribute to Veterans is scheduled as part of the day’s festivities. Food and craft vendors will also be on site. Admission is free. For more information on honoring a Veteran or on events contact The City of Summerville at (706) 859-0900 Ext.1337 or visit www.summervillega.org