The idea of a MoonPie Festival might seem unusual. After all, it’s just a regional snack. Right? Wrong!
The MoonPie, sometimes called a “moon pie,” is a fixture in the South, and the event bearing its name is a beast all its own.
Today, we’re bringing the details about this beloved festival so you can start planning your trip.
Let’s jump right in!
What’s the Story Behind the MoonPie Festival?
According to Southern lore, the MoonPie was born in the early 1900s when a Kentucky coal miner made an unusual request of a traveling salesman from Chattanooga Bakery. The miner was craving a treat with graham crackers and marshmallows, and he wanted it to be as big as the moon.
It’s unclear whether the miner had the chance to enjoy this creation, but we do know that the Chattanooga Bakery introduced the soon-to-be-famous treat to the world in 1917 and called it a MoonPie. However, it wasn’t until 75 years later that the MoonPie Festival came to life.
Today, the event draws thousands of visitors to one tiny town in the Volunteer State every year on the third Saturday in June.
Where is the MoonPie Festival?
Bell Buckle, Tennessee, is smack dab in the middle of the state. Located about 50 miles from Nashville, this sleepy Victorian village has about 500 full-time residents within its 0.58-square-mile footprint.
The town has an unusually high population of writers, painters, sculptors, quilters, and other artistically inclined folks. When you stroll downtown, you’ll have your choice of restaurants, coffee shops, and galleries to poke into. Establishments here tend to celebrate their local history through regional cuisine, so it’s no surprise that the MoonPie Festival has a hold on the town.
What to Expect from the MoonPie Festival
While most people call it the MoonPie Festival, the full title is actually the RC Cola-MoonPie Festival. And that’s not just some corporate endorsement. Folks in the region have long enjoyed these two Southern classics together. In fact, several songs and movies reference the duo in one fashion or another.
This one-day event is packed with fun activities. The party kicks off with a 5k and 10k race. Then, the craft fair and food court open their gates. You can enjoy live music and performances by cloggers and other entertainers throughout the day.
You’re sure to catch a few MoonPies at the festival’s parade. There are also tons of games and activities, and you can win prizes for feats like traveling the farthest to participate in the party or being the oldest or youngest in attendance.
You’ll want to stick around until the end of the day when they unveil the World’s Largest MoonPie!
Hungry for more? The famous Kentucky Burgoo was also born in this part of the country!
Best Hikes Near Bell Buckle
If you plan to win the award for Farthest Travel, you’ll want to schedule more activities while in the area. After all, Bell Buckle is a small town with limited entertainment.
Here are two excellent hiking opportunities in the area.
Enclosure Trail at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
Native Americans built and occupied Old Stone Fort as long as 2,000 years ago. However, they didn’t use it as a fort at all. Instead, it was sacred ground for ceremonial purposes. The 1.4-mile Enclosure Loop Trail at Old Stone Fort passes through the original entrance to the land, sculpted by the mound-builders.
Interestingly, they constructed these earthworks so that the sun rises perfectly in the center of the structures on the morning of the summer solstice. This just happens to align with the MoonPie Festival, so we suggest adding the destination to your itinerary.
Even if you can’t catch the annual sunrise, this spot is worth a visit for the waterfalls alone.
Machine Falls Loop Trail at Short Springs Natural Area
If you need another trail to work off all those tasty treats from the MoonPie Festival, consider a trip to Short Springs Natural Area. Located about 40 minutes from Bell Buckle, this is another waterfall-rich destination you won’t want to miss.
Machine Falls Loop is just over one mile of spectacular scenery leading to the 60-foot-high falls. Other trails in the park will lead you to some of the best wildflower sites in the state!
Best Places to Stay Near Bell Buckle
Make yourself comfortable and find somewhere to stay for a few days to really get to know the Bell Buckle area.
Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park
Grab a campsite early if you want to hit Old Stone Fort for the solstice! About 50 sites include full hookups with 20-, 30-, and 50-Amp electrical service, as well as a fire ring and a picnic table. These heavily wooded spots offer serenity for camper vans and big rigs alike.
You’ll also have access to restrooms with showers and flush toilets, a dump station, and trash service. You can even buy firewood on-site.
Best of all, you’ll only be about 25 minutes from the MoonPie Festival.
Ready to take off? Check out the Best Free Camping in Tennessee!
The Walker Inn
For an authentic Bell Buckle experience, book a room at the Walker Inn. This historic bed and breakfast is a fully restored Eastlake Victorian home from the 1890s.
You can lounge in the library and read books from their collection or challenge your travel partners to various board games. They offer complimentary snacks and drinks, plus full rein of the shared kitchen. We hear the owners go above and beyond with an extravagant hot breakfast every morning.
Rooms range from family-style accommodations to bridal suites, including toiletries and other necessities.
The Sewanee Inn
For a more luxurious stay during your trip to the MoonPie Festival, we suggest making a reservation at the Sewanee Inn. It’s about an hour’s drive from the festival grounds, but you won’t find high-end living like this in Bell Buckle.
Each room features a large flat-screen TV, coffee maker, wet bar, mini-fridge, PressReader digital magazine and newspaper device, and much more. Many have views of the nine-hole golf course.
You’ll find hiking trails, complimentary bikes, and other amenities throughout the property. Grab dinner and drinks in the lounge or enjoy a hot cup of coffee and light breakfast in the morning. Better yet, do both. After exploring the grounds, head into town to get the best of Sewanee, a hopping college town with plenty of events and entertainment.
If you can’t make it to the MoonPie Festival, you can still stock up on the tasty treat!
Is a MoonPie Festival Road Trip Worth It?
The annual MoonPie Festival is a quirky event that’s worth the trip. Whether you crave the small-town charm of a town like Bell Buckle or just want to see what all the fuss is about regarding this regional delicacy, this event is one you won’t want to miss.
While you’re in the area, be sure to check out some of the other unique destinations nearby. Even if you never leave Old Stone Fort, you’ll have plenty to explore!
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: