Chickamauga Down Home Days: A Tradition 51 Years Strong

From live music echoing down the streets to the smell of funnel cakes in the air, Chickamauga Down Home Days is back—and it’s as lively as ever.

Sponsored by the Chickamauga Lions Club, this beloved festival has been a hometown favorite since 1974. Now celebrating its 51st year, the event continues to grow, attracting crowds with its small-town charm, local vendors, and rich sense of history.

“We’ve been doing this for 51 years now, and while there’s more competition these days with other festivals, we stay focused on what we do best,” said Randy Compton, festival coordinator. “People love spending time down here.”

Chickamauga, known for its Civil War battlefield and historic character, comes alive during Down Home Days with a deep sense of community pride that makes visitors feel like locals.

“I was talking to a vendor this morning,” Compton added. “They told me, ‘We’ve been to bigger events, but there’s just something special about this one. There’s so much history here, and so much to offer.’”