The rural hamlet of Milton will be buzzing with excitement during the second Milton Fall Market & Craft Fair at The Gathering at Milton, a historic event venue.
The festivities will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at The Gathering, 12026 Milton St. and celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the nearly 120-year-old site last year after it underwent seven-plus 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 whole family can enjoy an autumn drive through the countryside to Milton, about 20 minutes east of Murfreesboro. More than 50 carefully selected artists and vendors will be located in booths inside the former country store and outside on the lawn. The first 100 people arriving will get a fresh and 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,” said Alanna Vaught. “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. It makes us happy to see families and friends come to Milton and make lots of special memories together.”
A sampling of the talented individuals coming includes: 3 Sisters Vintage and Marlene Jean Living By Design, showcasing rustic décor, painted furniture and farmhouse chic pieces; Jonathan Griffith and Blue Pony Art, potters; Milton Metal Works; local artists LaDonna Bell with her hand-painted signs at River Lane Relics and painter, Donald Ray Alexander of The Farmer's View; Kenneth Gunnell, a wood-working artisan with his hand-turned bowls; The Painted Farmhouse; the Rural Route Bus Boutique, Grace Goodman with Castle and Carrousels and so much more.
A full list of the vendors can be found at www.thegatheringatmilton.com
Children can enjoy a petting zoo provided by Mini Creek Farms from Lascassas, Tennessee, a John Deere tractor-themed bounce house and slide, and face painting by the Woodbury FFA. Plus, Double Creek Farm Alpacas will present a spinning of fiber demonstration.
You won’t go away hungry, with amazing eats available from Good Ol’ Sloppy Top and Holy Smoker food trucks. Other sweets and treats include refreshing snoballs; jams and jellies; the fried pies and canned goods of 83-year-old Dot McCullough, popped-on-site kettle corn hand-decorated cookies and cupcakes, Brass Horn custom-blended coffee and other goodies to munch on while shopping.
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 as Davenport authors 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.
Also, mums and mini pumpkins will be available for sale for your fall decorating.
Ample parking and luxury port-potties.
Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 years and younger.
Located just off Hwy. 96. (Look for the signs) www.thegatheringatmilton.com, facebook.com/thegatheringatmilton
The Back Story ...
People often ask about the story behind the Gathering at Milton. Here it is: The nearly 120-year-old building formerly was Manuel’s Cajun Country Store, where catfish and music were served and earlier Cherry’s Market, which reportedly had one of the community’s first televisions.
The new owners Alanna and Phillip Vaught, who is the eighth generation of his family to live in the area, bought the building at auction on a cold, rainy, February day in 2018 and started on the adventure of a lifetime. After months of restoration, their vision is to bring back a gathering place for people and during the last year it has become the location where many special memories were made from weddings to family reunions, business meetings, retreats and many happy birthday parties.
Inside, the venue has charming details such as an overhead twine dispenser that provided string to wrap purchases, an alcove where a sturdy desk-style phone sits, the original exterior lap siding, the large storefront windows and beadboard ceiling. A large, welcoming covered front porch has been restored and a perfect spot for guests to relax at The Gathering at Milton. It is a place where whispers of the past happily mingle with modern amenities.
An intimate and warm setting, the building will hold 99 people and can accommodate larger groups utilizing the outdoor space. Additionally, there is a serving kitchen for caterers, free Wi-Fi and is handicapped accessible.
