COVID-19 disrupted everyone’s lives to some extent during the nearly two years since the disease first started making headlines.

One of the disruptions that took place was the decision of the Foothills Festival Planning Committee to forgo, or cancel, the 2020 fall festival in Clinton County altogether.

With a vaccination now available, and treatment of the disease improved considerably, most people think it’s time once again, with some caution, to make a return to normal – or at least as normal as we can, all things considered.

That means, simply, that this weekend will mark the return of Clinton County’s favorite fall celebration, the Foothills Festival – and with nearly two years of planning now behind them, the Committee is ready for a weekend chock full of contests, entertainment and attractions. . . and of course, the food.

With the Baby Show and Beauty Pageants already in the books, the early crowds for those two events have given all indications that this weekend should be packed to the gills.

Live music throughout both days of this weekend’s schedule will include both locally based entertainers like Kristen Hunter, Thomas Oestereicher, Jeff Crouch, The Hornets’ Nest Pickers and Zella May, and nationally known The Voice winner Jake Hoot, who will take the stage Friday night for a 7:00 p.m. concert.

As the surrounding mountains come alive with a burst of fall colors, these Foothills of the Cumberland Mountain Range, for which the Festival received its name some 41 years ago (thank you David Cross), residents and visitors will gather together around Albany to take in the sights and sounds of this 41st Foothills Festival.

Take in the car show, cheer on your favorite Outhouse Racing team, encourage the early morning 5K runners and enjoy the arts and crafts that will surround the courthouse square.

Enjoy Friday’s “best small town parade” anywhere and get behind your favorite lip sync act as a part of the traditionally largest crowd of the weekend.

For whatever reason you come to Albany this weekend to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes, be assured it’s expected to be “bigger and better” than ever.

A complete schedule of this weekend’s Foothills Festival lineup can be found in last week’s Clinton County News special section publication, and will also be included in this week’s newspaper as well.

In addition, be certain to pick up a copy of next week’s Clinton County News, which will be full of photos, winners and memories from the 41st celebration – our Foothills Festival.

Come for the fun, come for the contests, come for the music or come for the food – but as the Foothills Festival has put out the call for the past four plus decades, come early and stay late, and …

Come See It Our Way!