Begun by volunteers in 1971 to raise funds to restore the 1855 mill and surrounding buildings, the rural festival offers fine art, handmade crafts, and Southern folklore. The event is a featured destination in the National Geographic MapGuide to Appalachia, www.nationalgeographic.com/appalachia.
The Prater’s Mill Country Fair focuses on mountain music, Southern foods, living history exhibits and the handmade crafts and original art of 200 talented artists and artisans. Crafts demonstrations include blacksmithing, quilting, wood carving and hand tufting, a cottage industry that evolved into the tufted carpet industry centered in Dalton.
At the fair, visitors take self-guided tours including the operating grist mill, the country store, Shugart Cotton Gin and Westbrook Barn, complete with farm animals and a petting zoo. Across the road from the mill is the 1898 Prater’s Store. In a cabin near the store, Dalton Pike Church of God members serve authentic Southern meals of chicken and dumplins, collard greens and cornbread cooked on a wood stove. Elsewhere throughout the festival area are other specialties, such as pit-cooked barbecue, apple cider and churned ice cream.
During the fair, families enjoy canoeing on the Coahulla Creek and pony rides for the children. Educational exhibits include working antique tractors, antique cars and “Peacock Alley,” a clothesline display of handtufted bedspreads. Continuous entertainment on stage Appalachian style clogger, a wild animal presentation, the play “The Legend of Charles Prater”, as well as c ountry and gospel artisits. Wandering musicians, dulcimer players and storytellers perform through the festival area.
The Prater’s Mill Country Fair is sponsored by the Prater’s Mill Foundation, a nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to historic preservation and education.Thirty-seven civic clubs, churches and schools also participate in the community event.
Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7.00, children 12 and under free. Visitors are urged to dress casually and wear comfortable shoes. Parking is free.
Prater’s Mill is located on Georgia Hwy 2, ten miles northeast of Dalton, about3 0 miles south of Chattanooga, TN. Interstate travelers should take I-75 to the Tunnel Hill-Varnell Exit #341; drive north 4.5 miles to the intersection with Hwy 2 at Varnell; turn right and continue 2.6 miles to the mill, a total distance of 7 miles from I-75.For more information, call 706-694-MILL (6455) or e-mail pratersmill@ PratersMill.org. Visit the web site at PratersMill.org.
Related Stories
More Entertainment News
Last Update on May 23, 2013 07:09 GMT
"HANGOVER 3"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- All hangovers come to an end eventually, and so, too, "The Hangover" franchise. "Hangover 3" is the final installment. Zach Galifiankis (gal-ih-fih-NAH'-kihs) says the fact that this is the end will probably sink in when they're through promoting the movie. He says "there will probably be some tears." Or, he says, he could "fake some so it looks good for the press." Hangover 3 opens today.
SOUND:
<<CUT ..013 (05/23/13)>> 00:35 ""
Michael Weinfeld
A hangover goes away eventually, and as AP Entertainment Editor Michael Weinfeld tells us, the same is true for "The Hangover."
<<CUT ..014 (05/23/13)>> 00:10 "ritualistically say goodbye"
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper says they're coming to terms with this being the last "Hangover" movie as they do promotion for it. ((cut used in wrap))
<<CUT ..015 (05/23/13)>> 00:14 "over, like that?"
Zach Galifianakis (gal-ih-fih-NAH'-kuhs)
Zach Galifianakis says the fact that this is the last time they'll play these characters won't hit them until they're done promoting the movie. ((longer version of cut used in wrap))
"ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT" RETURNS
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Each member of the Bluth (BLOOTH) family gets their own episode in the online version of "Arrested Development." As the family attorney, Henry Winkler gets to appear in more than one. He says the webisodes will show what each character has been doing since the series went off the air. The "Arrested Development" movie will take it from there. All 15 episodes will be available on Netflix starting at 3:01 in the morning, Eastern time, this Sunday.
SOUND:
<<CUT ..016 (05/23/13)>> 00:37 ""
Michael Weinfeld
"Arrested Development" has its debut on Netflix this weekend. AP Entertainment Editor Michael Weinfeld has a preview.
<<CUT ..017 (05/23/13)>> 00:17 "come the movie"
Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler says the creator of "Arrested Development" says the movie will pick up where the online series leaves off. ((note length of cut))
<<CUT ..018 (05/23/13)>> 00:07 "have to defend"
Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler says he'll return as Bluth the family attorney in the "Arrested Development" movie. ((Bluth is pronounced BLOOTH)) ((cut used in wrap))
<<CUT ..019 (05/23/13)>> 00:11 "Development ever was"
Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler says the online version of the series should please hardcore fans. ((cut used in wrap))
FIRING PEOPLE FOR RATINGS
NEW YORK (AP) -- People will be losing their jobs for ratings in a new reality series. Employees of small businesses are asked to rat out underperforming co-workers. In the end, they recommend one person to be fired. "Does Someone Have to Go?" is a revamped version of another Fox reality show that was slammed by critics in advance. One magazine called it a step toward public executions. It never aired. This show premieres tonight.
DAMIEN LEWIS DOESN'T KNOW HOW LONG BRODY WILL LAST ON "HOMELAND"
CANNES, France (AP) -- Damien Lewis starts filming the third season of "Homeland" soon, not knowing how long Brody will be on the show. He says Homeland can go on forever." But "whether Brody can go on forever is a different matter." He says "it's a continuing surprise for everybody."
DISNEY PULLS EPISODE OF "JESSIE" THAT MADE FUN OF GLUTEN INTOLERANCE
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An episode of "Jessie" has been pulled because it makes fun of one of the characters for having to eat gluten-free food. The episode was scheduled to air tomorrow night on the Disney Channel. The group Change.org had protested the episode. They asked the Disney Channel to "stop using gluten-intolerance as an excuse to bully children with any disease, disorder or disability." A statement on the channel's Facebook page says they'll "re-evaluate" the reference to gluten restrictions. The statement went on to say, "Please accept our apologies for the upset this episode caused you and your family."
CALLING ALL COMICS
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) -- Calling all comics! NBC is looking for comedians of different backgrounds for what used to be called "Stand-Up for Diversity." The new name of the project is "Stand-Up NBC." The first auditions will be held in San Diego on July 14. Auditions will then be held in New York and Austin. The best comedians get to be part of the "Stand-Up NBC Finale" in Los Angeles.
<`
Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
Find out about current pollen count conditions through Chattanooga Allergy Clinic here.
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Closings and Delays
These are the latest School and Business Closings reported to NewsChannel 9. If you see errors or need to add a school or business, call 423-757-7320.
Educator of the Week
Each week WTVC will profile a teacher in Southeast Tennessee and acknowledge their part in the advancement of the education of their students and the contributions to their profession.
Wednesday's Child
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Information provided to NewsChannel 9 by members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.
Community Calendar
Photo Galleries
Sponsored Events
Check Back Often for NewsChannel9 Sponsored Events!
News - Entertainment
Business News
US durable goods orders rise 3.3 percent in April
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. orders for long-lasting manufactured goods rebounded in April, buoyed by more demand for military and civilian aircraft and an increase in business investment.
Consumer Info
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"HANGOVER 3"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- All hangovers come to an end eventually, and so, too, "The Hangover" franchise.
Get This
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: RESTAURANT FLAP LEADS TO INTERNET MELTDOWN
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- It isn't exactly to curry favor with your restaurant customers -- even if your specialty isn't curry.





