The Washington-Wilkes Arts Foundation's Fall ArtFest will bring crowds to The Square November 8 and 9. Washington and Wilkes County have a packed schedule of events and festivals for October and November, and there's something for everyone to enjoy.

"We've got so much going on between now and Thanksgiving it's incredible," Tourism Director Ashley Barnett said.

A week from Saturday on October 11, the Mule Day Southern Heritage Festival will return from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Callaway Plantation on Highway 78 west of Washington. Sponsored by the Washington Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, Farmers and Merchants Bank, and The News-Reporter, this celebration of plantation life in the Old South offers mule contests, primitive demonstrations, food, an arts and crafts show, and fun for the whole family. Admission is free, with $6 charge for parking.

Then, on Saturday, October 25, Market Days Street Festival returns for a second year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Washington at Allison Street and Court Street. The event, sponsored by Washington First and the Washington Farmers Market will bring food, arts and crafts vendors, and special events for the kids and live music all day. More information is available at 706-678-6256 or washingtonfarm- ersmarket@yahoo.com.

And don't forget the Rayle Ramble that same Saturday. Just a few miles up Highway 78 from Washington, the annual Rayle Ramble will bring fun, food, and music for visitors from all over. The popular marathon Bingo game will get underway at 1 p.m. with prizes provided by Wilkes County merchants. The Ramble will be held at the Rayle City Hall on Highway 78 between Lexington and Washington. For more information call Jason Echols at 706-274-3350.

Coming in November, the month starts off with the 7th Annual "I'd Rather Be in Tignall" Fall Festival Saturday, November 1.

The festival will bring fun for all ages to the Old School grounds in Tignall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organized by the North Wilkes Steering Committee, the festival promises to be fun for all ages, with bingo, cake walks, live music all day. For children, the festival will offer a hay ride, face painting, a moon walk and slide, and a kids' fashion show. A display of old photos of Tignall and

North Wilkes will be on display The following week, the Washington Wilkes Arts Foundation will bring back its popular Fall ArtFest November 8 and 9. The ArtFest will celebrate original art in media ranging from photography to painting, ceramics to sculpture. The event will

fill The Square in Washington and opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. More information on the free event is available at 706-678-5511 or at the web site WashingtonWilkesArts. org.

Local shoppers and visitors alike will celebrate Christmas the retail way with Candlelight Shopping on The Square, held annually the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The Square comes alive with luminaries, special evening shopping hours and sales, free refreshments, and entertainment with shops staying open until 9 p.m. Sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority, Candlelight Shopping returns the first week in December.

And then it's time for the Christmas season.