WestWend to perform Parton tribute at antique festival
by G. Chambers Williams III
Visitors jam Market Street in Historic Downtown Clinton during the Clinch River Fall Antique Festival in October 2024, before the improvements to the sidewalks and repaving of the street. - G. Chambers Williams III
In a tribute to the late Tennessee country music icon Dolly Parton, who died last week, the Clinch River Fall Antique Festival will feature a concert of her songs, performed by the local group WestWend.
Parton, 80, died Aug. 25 in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer.
The concert will be held on Market Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, Katherine Birkbeck, executive director of the Historic Downtown Clinton organization, said on Monday.
“WestWend presents ‘Coat of Many Colors: A Tribue to Dolly Parton’ at The Clinch River Antique Festival … presented by Enrichment Federal Credit Union,” the organization said on its Facebook page.
WestWend consists of Clinton city Councilwoman Wendy Maness, her husband Jonathan, David Whitaker, David Becher, and, for this concert, steel-guitar player Ronnie Chauvin, who has performed extensively at Dollywood, Wendy Maness said.
Some of the people at a previous Norris Summer Picnic hang out beside the Norris Lions Club Pavilion. This year’s picnic will be held in the same spot on Sunday, Sept. 6. - G. Chambers Williams III
Norris will hold its annual summer picnic on the Commons from 5:30-8 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 6.
Sponsored by the Norris Recreation Commission, the event takes place in front of Norris Middle School and in the Lions Club Pavilion
Live music from the stage next to the pavilion will include a performance by the group “Small Wars.”
Among the planned activities are lawn games, water fun, face painting, inflatables, chalk-walk viewing and more.
Several food trucks and trailers will also be on hand for people who choose not to bring their own food.
“Bring a picnic and blanket and we’ll supply the rest,” says a flyer promoting the event.
Last year’s food trucks included Good Hombres Tacos, Tortas & More, and Kona Ice.
This is one of several events presented each year by the Norris Recreation Commission, which is part of the Norris city government.
The former Claxton Country Squares group has left its base at the Claxton Community Center and has moved its headquarters to the First United Methodist Church building in Oak Ridge.
Now known simply as the Country Squares, the group was founded in 1986, and calls itself a “Western-style square dance club.”
It offers a schedule of square dances, along with lessons for those desiring to learn the art.
“Mark your calendars for the opportunity to learn Modern Western Square Dance this September,” the group posted on Facebook. “Square dancing is having a resurgence across the United States, and Country Squares (formerly Claxton Country Squares) has outgrown their location in Claxton.
“We are now offering ‘Learn to Square Dance’ in the beautiful First United Methodist Church near downtown Oak Ridge with the nationally known caller Mike Hoose.”
The post said lessons are scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 and 21, at the church, located at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
Lessons offer “easy step-by-step instructions,” and no partner is needed, the post notes, adding, “No experience or rhythm needed.”
More information may be found online at countrysquares.org.
The city of Oak Ridge is counting down to the second-annual Atomic Fall Fest, which is set for Sept. 12.
The community-wide celebration takes place in A.K. Bissell Park with live music, free family activities, arts and craft vendors, and more, with the following schedule:
• 10 a.m. – Festival opens with free kids’ activities, food trucks, and local dance performances.
• Noon – Opening ceremony in the main field with the Oak Ridge High School Dance Cats.
• 5 p.m. – Concert gates open
• 6 p.m. – The Verve Pipe opens the show, with Tonic and Vertical Horizon co-headlining.
Tickets to the concerts are on sale now for $25 at atomicfallfest.com/tickets.
The free kids’ areas are open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free parking is available at Wilson Street, with a free shuttle running nonstop to A.K. Bissell Park throughout the day.
