A drive along NC 194 to Todd in October can hardly be beat for glorious fall scenery. Overhanging limbs covered in brilliant colors and spectacular views of mountains and valleys line the winding route. And if you happen to take this drive around Saturday, Oct. 9, you just might enjoy a stop in the “downtown” area of Todd on Railroad Grade Road for the 17th annual Todd New River Festival.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be a wonderful variety of arts & crafts, music and food items to enjoy in the Walter and Annie Cook Memorial Park below Todd General Store and Todd Mercantile. There will be antique tractors and an old-timey grist mill provided by Mac Hodges.

Todd Ruritan Club President Barry Stevens reports that over 30 vendors are planning to set up and music will be heard from bands including Amantha Mill, the Wolfe Brothers, and Surefire. There will be dancing from A Company of Cloggers, puppet shows from Elkland Art Center, and other children’s activities.

It is free entertainment all day with the only cost involving parking. A fee of $5 will be charged for parking in the field along Railroad Grade Road just off NC 194 and other areas around the festival. The fee is being collected by youth of Southfork Baptist Church for missions and by the Todd Ruritan Club for community preservation, scholarships and to help local residents. Shuttles will transport visitors to the festival.

The Todd Ruritan Club will also be serving barbecue, hamburgers and hotdogs as a fundraiser at the festival.

Some vendor slots are still open, and those interested can call Barry Stevens at 828-964-1362 or go online to www.toddruritan.com for information. Sponsors are also welcomed for the festival.

Around noon, the Todd Ruritan Club will present a “key to Todd” to a longtime resident who has been supportive of the community. Previous recipients include Ruby Trivette and Thomas Stansberry.

A raffle is also being conducted during the festival for an 18-inch steel chainsaw, pickup load of firewood and handmade table. Tickets may be purchased in Todd and during the festival and the winners will be drawn around 4 p.m.

The 5th Elkland International Puppet Festival will also take place on Oct. 9. There will be puppet shows at the old Bank of Todd and a puppet exhibit at the Todd Mercantile throughout the day. Tickets are $5 each and are available online at www.elklandartcenter.org, Green Mother Goods, and at the caravan on the day of the festival. Come out with the kids and have a fun day with the puppets!