Where is the best kept secret to watch the turning of the mountain's leaves this October? That would be Tellico Plains. 

The Tellico Plains Chamber of Commerce will offer the inaugural Arts and Crafts Leaf Turning Festival from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24. There will be arts and crafts exhibitors from all over the region including demonstrations and an award-winning barbecue team from Atlanta, as well as other food vendors. 

Author and storyteller, Tom Cordle will share stories about Tellico Plains, where the Cherokees would come together to do their Cherokee games, which would be an equivalent to today's Olympics. 

From the festival, you can visit the Charles Hall Museum, with the largest collection of telephone memorabilia in the Eastern United States. Learn about the Cherokee, World War II Concentration Camp, lumber, slate, steel and textile history. The downtown will offer a chance to experience a wood fired bakery, antiques, creamery, old time bookstore and motorcycle outfitter. 

For information, visit www. gotellico.com. Also contact Gary Balser at gary@gotellico.com or call (423) 253-2825.