JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Ketner’s Mill, a historic landmark of Marion County, held its annual arts and crafts fair for another successful year of family fun and tradition.
Constructed in the 1800s by David Ketner and his family, the mill produced cornmeal for many decades until the mill’s final full year of operation in 1992. The mill has been registered under the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, being one of only three mills still in operation in the United States today as a wool carding mill, while also serving as its own beacon of history for all in the Sequatchie Valley.
From arts and crafts to tasty treats, this year’s fair was bustling with vendors and visitors near and far. One of the treats included local honey sold by various local vendors and beekeepers. Allen Lee White, a beekeeper of 50 years from Polk County, is a long time vendor of the festival, selling his various flavors at the fair for the past 30 years. He was inspired by his uncle, a bee inspector for over 30 years himself. Currently, White has 150 beehives at his base of operations.
Belinda and Tom Glennon, from Winter Park, FL, have been dedicated vendors at the fair for the past 14 years, bringing a diverse selection of handcrafted pottery. Belinda, the potter behind their unique creations, offers a variety of pottery styles and designs that have become a staple attraction for fairgoers. “This is a great festival with a lot of really good people. I have a lot of fan base up here now.” said Belinda.
New to the vendor lineup this year was Lauren Jenkins of Lolo Dots, a family-owned bakery from Chattanooga specializing in homemade thumbprint cookies. Although this was the business’s first time as a fair vendor, Jenkins and her family have been regular visitors to the mill and the fair for many years. “I used to come with my parents when I was little. Been coming here for a lot of years,” she shared, reflecting on her longstanding connection to the event.
Another addition to the fair also included the Mazelin Family of Muddy Pond Sorghum a major miller from Monterey that produces and sells various edible products made with sorghum. A honey like substance made from sorghum cane, which is a byproduct of molasses. Carla Mazelin shared more details into how it’s produced. “The horse behind us here, he’s pressing the juice out of the sorghum cane and we’re boiling it down. We’re boiling the water out of the sorghum juice. So our product when we’re done is sorghum.” she explained.
Frank McDonald, owner of the mill and a descendant of Alexander “Pappy” Ketner, recently retired from managing the historic property and put it up for sale earlier this year. This decision stirred speculation and concerns about the future of the beloved Ketner’s Mill arts and crafts fair, with some wondering if it would even continue. Fortunately for residents of Marion County and visitors from afar, the fair was able to carry on under new ownership, once again welcoming the public to enjoy its rich tradition.
