b'LIFESTYLE: FINDING THE FUNFESTIVALSSPECIALIZE IN QUALITY EXPERIENCESBy Sherri Gardner Howell in Blount County sometime duringhot air balloon festivals, just to the year! name a few.Its hard to find a passion that isntThe festivals calendar fills theTwo festivals have become part of a Blount County festivalentire year and venues reach fromhot-ticket items for locals and visi-experience. Car or truck enthu- Townsends far edge to the Knoxtors alike. Townsends Grains and siasts? Tally Ho Inn has a sched- County line. The fall and springGrits Spirits and Food Festival and ule you need to browse. Hot airfestivals in Townsend are iconic.Maryvilles Hops in the Hills were balloons on your bucket list? VisitAdding even more excitementsell-outs in 2019. us in late summer. Beer? Bourbonand quality to the landscape areWe have record-breaking and other spirits? Music? Crafts?newcomers (when measured bynumbers for both Hops in the Hills Fine arts? History? Biking? Hiking?the Townsend Fall Festival and Oldand Grains and Grits, says Kim Storytelling? Weve got a gatheringTimers Day 25-plus years measur- Mitchell, director of tourism for of like minds coming to have funing stick) are fiber arts, pottery and www.BlountPartnership.com 17'