JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. — History, Appalachian traditions and small-town fun will come together this fall as the Heritage Center at Mossy Creek, in partnership with the City of Jefferson City, Tennessee, presents the inaugural Corn & Bacon Festival at Mossy Creek on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Jefferson City’s Historic Mossy Creek District.
The new festival will fill three historic streets with live music, storytelling, local artisans and vendors, corn- and bacon-inspired food, children’s activities, vintage tractors and family-friendly entertainment, all while celebrating the history and agricultural heritage that shaped the Mossy Creek community.
Why Corn & Bacon?
The festival’s unusual name has deep roots in local history.
The Battle of Mossy Creek, fought December 29, 1863, took place in what is now Jefferson City. During the Civil War, Mossy Creek was an important agricultural community where abundant supplies of corn and cured bacon were valuable provisions for both Union and Confederate armies. Control of those resources, along with the area’s strategic transportation routes, contributed to Mossy Creek’s military significance.
The festival turns those familiar staples into a celebration of the community’s story, connecting visitors with Mossy Creek’s Civil War history and agricultural roots through food, music, storytelling, historical interpretation and local traditions.
“Our goal is to create an event that honors the people, farms, and history that shaped this community,” said Jeanne Musick, organizer with the Heritage Center at Mossy Creek. “The Corn & Bacon Festival is about more than great food and entertainment, it’s about preserving our heritage, supporting local businesses, and inviting visitors to experience the stories that make Mossy Creek such a special place. We look forward to welcoming everyone this October as we begin what we hope becomes a cherished Jefferson County tradition.
Four Areas of Music, Storytelling and Entertainment
Festivalgoers will find entertainment throughout the Historic Mossy Creek District, with programming centered around four locations:Â Mossy Creek Station Pavilion, the Front Porch Stage, Storytelling Pavilion and Historic Old City Hall.
The day’s lineup features local and regional performers including Lost Creek Band, Fuzion School of the Arts, Boot Scootin’ Seniors, Robin Crowder, Mitch Smith and Darby Crigger, along with performances by the Knoxville Dulcimer Club.
The Storytelling Pavilion will bring another piece of Appalachian heritage to life with stories from Jim Claborn, Don Britton and Dr. John Welton, with additional storytellers and programming planned throughout the day.
Beyond the stages, festivalgoers can explore local arts and crafts, handmade goods, food and beverage vendors, community organizations, historic church tours, vintage tractors and other attractions throughout the district. Younger visitors and families can also enjoy children’s activities, including unlimited free play at the festival’s Arcade Trailer.
And, fitting for the name, visitors can expect plenty of opportunities to discover creative corn- and bacon-inspired food along the way.
Celebrating History While Investing in Mossy Creek’s Future
While the festival looks to the past for its inspiration, organizers also see the event as an opportunity to invest in the future of the Historic Mossy Creek District.
By bringing visitors into Jefferson City for a full day of activities, the Corn & Bacon Festival creates opportunities for guests to discover local shops, restaurants, historic sites and other businesses while experiencing a part of Jefferson County they may not have visited before.
Events rooted in a community’s authentic history and culture can help generate new visitation, encourage visitor spending and introduce travelers to the people and places that make a destination distinctive. The inaugural festival adds another reason to visit Jefferson County during the popular fall travel season while supporting ongoing efforts to preserve and share Mossy Creek’s story.
Sponsorships from the festival benefit the Heritage Center at Mossy Creek, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting Jefferson County’s history.
The Corn & Bacon Festival at Mossy Creek is hosted by the Heritage Center at Mossy Creek in partnership with Jefferson City, Tennessee, with the goal of establishing a signature annual event that celebrates the county’s agricultural heritage, Civil War history and small-town hospitality while generating visitation and economic activity for the Mossy Creek Historic District and Jefferson County.
Festival Hosts and Sponsors
The inaugural Corn & Bacon Festival at Mossy Creek is hosted by the City of Jefferson City and the Heritage Center at Mossy Creek.
Presenting Sponsor
Bush Brothers & CompanyÂ
Heritage Sponsors
The Standard Banner
Old City Hall, LLC
Visit Jefferson County
Other festival sponsors and partners include Food City, FirstBank, Hometown Health Direct Primary Care, First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City, Kevin’s Tires
The support of the festival’s hosts, sponsors, community partners and volunteers helps make this celebration of Mossy Creek’s heritage, history and hometown spirit possible.
Plan Your Visit
The Corn & Bacon Festival at Mossy Creek will take place Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Historic Mossy Creek District of Jefferson City, Tennessee.
Admission is free and open to the public.
The complete festival schedule, vendor information, event updates and additional details are available on the official festival website: www.cornandbaconfestival.com
Visitors can also follow the Corn & Bacon Festival at Mossy Creek on Facebook for announcements and updates leading up to the event.
Join us for a day of Heritage, History and Hometown Fun in Historic Mossy Creek!