The rural hamlet of Milton will be buzzing during the second Milton Fall Market & Craft Fair at The Gathering at Milton from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12. The event celebrates the first anniversary of the re-opening of the site last year after it underwent eight months of renovation by new owners Phillip and Alanna Vaught.
“Maybe I’m a little crazy,” Phillip Vaught said. “But I like a project, and part of me hated to see a piece of history slipping away. It has been a lot of hard work, but Alanna and I are both passionate about the potential of this area. We are raising our family on a farm nearby and we think there is a great future here.”
One of the largest events in eastern Rutherford County, the Milton Fall Market will host more than 50 artists and vendors both inside the former country store and outside on the lawn. The first 100 people arriving will get a fresh, hot sugar-cinnamon mini-doughnut from The Dapper Doughnut, and a drawing will take place for a free rental of The Gathering at Milton.
“We plan all year to have a wonderful event during The Fall Market and Craft Fair,” Alanna Vaught said. “It is so much fun to see people come and enjoy the day with us. We are very selective about the vendors who show their wares, and think people will be pleased with the outstanding quality and selection of the items.”
A sampling of the talented organizations and individuals coming include 3 Sisters Vintage and Marlena Jean Living By Design, showcasing rustic décor, painted furniture and farmhouse chic pieces; potters Jonathan Griffith and Blue Pony Art; local artists LaDonna Bell with her hand-painted signs at River Lane Relics and painter Donald Ray Alexander of The Farmer’s View; woodworking artisan Kenneth Gunnell with his hand-turned bowls; the Rural Route Bus Boutique, Grace Goodman with Castle and Carousels, Milton Metal Works, and so much more.
Children can enjoy a petting zoo provided by Mini Creek Farms from Lascassas, a tractor-themed bounce house and slide and face painting by Woodbury FFA. Plus, Double Creek Farm Alpacas will present a spinning of fiber demonstration.
Eats will be available from Good Ol’ Sloppy Top and Holy Smoker food trucks. Other treats include sno-balls, jams, jellies, the fried pies and canned goods of Dot McCullough, popped-onsite kettle corn, cookies, cupcakes, coffee, cider, apples and more.
Learn about local history from Shirley McKee and Teresa Davenport at the “Reminiscing Milton” booth. They will be gathering the many memories and stories people have about Milton. Davenport administrates a popular Facebook page focused on Milton’s interesting past and is writing a book about the community to celebrate its upcoming bicentennial in 2020.
Mums and mini-pumpkins will be available for your fall decorating.
Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 years and younger.
The Gathering at Milton and the Milton Fall Market & Craft Fair are located at 12026 Milton St., about 15 miles outside of Murfreesboro just off Highway 96 (look for the signs). For more information, visit facebook.com/thegatheringatmilton or call 615-653-6018.
The Gathering at Milton, a nearly 120-year-old building, once hosted Manuel’s Cajun Country Store, where catfish and music were served, and Cherry’s Market, which reportedly had one of the community’s first televisions. New owners Alanna and Phillip Vaught, who represents the eighth generation of his family to live in the area, bought the building at auction in 2018 and restored the building to host weddings, reunions, meetings, retreats and parties.
