Railroad & Heritage Festival Fall 2026
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Saturday & Sunday, September 26–27, 2026
10 AM – 5 PM each day
Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum
7747 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN
Free Family Fun
The Railroad & Heritage Festival celebrates the people, stories, and mountain traditions that shaped the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company and the communities of the Smokies. It’s two full days of hands‑on history, music, and family‑friendly activities spread across the museum grounds.
Museum Tours: Explore the locomotive, logging history, and the people who worked and lived here.
Extra Exhibits: Special displays brought out just for the festival weekend.
History Demonstrations: Blacksmithing, old‑time skills, and heritage crafts.
Arts & Crafts Vendors Handmade goods, local makers, and artisans.
Live Music & Storytelling Gospel, bluegrass, and front‑porch style performances throughout the day.
Model Trains, Operating layouts, and railroad displays for all ages.
Kids’ Activities: Hands‑on fun, coloring pages, and simple crafts. Handcar rides and more
We welcome descendants of local families, former railroad workers, and anyone with ties to the Little River story. If you’d like to share photos, family history, or set up a small table, just let us know. We’d love to have you join us.
⚠️ Important Notice for Craft Vendors
All vendor arrangements are handled directly by the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum.
If you are interested in a craft space, please get in touch with the museum only through:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 865‑661‑0170
In person: at the museum during open hours
Please disregard any comments or messages claiming that vendor spots are available or asking you to “reach out to them.” These posts are spam and are not connected to the museum or the festival.
We never take payments through links, or through third‑party individuals. All vendor payments are made in person to event planners at the museum.
Your safety matters to us, and we want every vendor to have a good, worry‑free experience.
Craft Vendor Guidelines
To keep our festival fair and enjoyable for everyone, we do not duplicate craft types. Each booth space is reserved for one style of craft, so vendors will need to reserve directly through the event planners to confirm that space is available for their specific art.
All vendor spots throughout the museum grounds are numbered and will be assigned in the order that reservations are confirmed. Early commitment helps secure the best placement.
Food vendors must have all required permits, including the City of Townsend’s food vendor permit, before participating in the festival. Please make sure your paperwork is current and ready to present when asked.
The Railroad & Heritage Festival is scheduled rain or shine.
If any adjustments need to be made due to severe weather, we will post updates only on:
Our official Facebook page
Our museum website
Please rely on these two sources only for accurate information.
Any comments or messages from outside accounts claiming schedule changes, cancellations, or special instructions should be ignored, as they are not affiliated with the museum.
10 AM – 5 PM each day
Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum
7747 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN
Free Family Fun
The Railroad & Heritage Festival celebrates the people, stories, and mountain traditions that shaped the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company and the communities of the Smokies. It’s two full days of hands‑on history, music, and family‑friendly activities spread across the museum grounds.
Museum Tours: Explore the locomotive, logging history, and the people who worked and lived here.
Extra Exhibits: Special displays brought out just for the festival weekend.
History Demonstrations: Blacksmithing, old‑time skills, and heritage crafts.
Arts & Crafts Vendors Handmade goods, local makers, and artisans.
Live Music & Storytelling Gospel, bluegrass, and front‑porch style performances throughout the day.
Model Trains, Operating layouts, and railroad displays for all ages.
Kids’ Activities: Hands‑on fun, coloring pages, and simple crafts. Handcar rides and more
We welcome descendants of local families, former railroad workers, and anyone with ties to the Little River story. If you’d like to share photos, family history, or set up a small table, just let us know. We’d love to have you join us.
⚠️ Important Notice for Craft Vendors
All vendor arrangements are handled directly by the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum.
If you are interested in a craft space, please get in touch with the museum only through:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 865‑661‑0170
In person: at the museum during open hours
Please disregard any comments or messages claiming that vendor spots are available or asking you to “reach out to them.” These posts are spam and are not connected to the museum or the festival.
We never take payments through links, or through third‑party individuals. All vendor payments are made in person to event planners at the museum.
Your safety matters to us, and we want every vendor to have a good, worry‑free experience.
Craft Vendor Guidelines
To keep our festival fair and enjoyable for everyone, we do not duplicate craft types. Each booth space is reserved for one style of craft, so vendors will need to reserve directly through the event planners to confirm that space is available for their specific art.
All vendor spots throughout the museum grounds are numbered and will be assigned in the order that reservations are confirmed. Early commitment helps secure the best placement.
Food vendors must have all required permits, including the City of Townsend’s food vendor permit, before participating in the festival. Please make sure your paperwork is current and ready to present when asked.
The Railroad & Heritage Festival is scheduled rain or shine.
If any adjustments need to be made due to severe weather, we will post updates only on:
Our official Facebook page
Our museum website
Please rely on these two sources only for accurate information.
Any comments or messages from outside accounts claiming schedule changes, cancellations, or special instructions should be ignored, as they are not affiliated with the museum.
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Where is it happening?
7747 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN, United States, Tennessee 37882
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherLittle River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum
