The Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center will have a busy fall and winter this year as the site of numerous events open to the public.

“We stay busy over here,” CPAC Director Christine Brown said. “I think the information about the conference center is starting to get out there. We’ve got more things booked, and more people are realizing we’re here.”

To start things off, the Central Alabama Coin Show will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Admission is free, and the vendor-style event will feature nearly 30 local and out-of-town coin collectors.

“They sell, they buy, they appraise for you,” Brown said. “If somebody wants to know what their stuff’s worth, they can bring it out and get a good idea. Most of these vendors will actually sit down and make lists of things you’re looking for.”

Those interested in reserving vendor space should call Brown at (205) 280-8211.

A Very Merry Market will be held Oct. 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s kind of our own version of Christmas Village,” Brown said. “It’s a great place to go and buy all of your Christmas presents. Parking is great, so you don’t have quite the fuss as you would going to Birmingham or Montgomery for that sort of thing.”

Vendors will be accepted until the event, Brown said. For vendor booth information, email verymerrymarket@gmail.com or call (205) 312-9555.

For more information about the event, visit Facebook.com/averymerrymarket.

Next on the schedule is Birmingham Children’s Theatre’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” play on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.

The play is designed for children in grades 6–12.

Tickets are $6 per person at the door. Tickets for groups of at least 10 people are $4.50 per person.

“This will be our third year having them come in,” Brown said.

For ticket information, call Brown at (205) 280-8211.

The Chilton County Arts Council Folk Art Show will be Nov. 2 and 3.

The event is free and will include local and out-of-town vendors with handmade items, some of which will be crafted on-site.

Brown described it as “a great way to come out and spend a family weekend.”

The arts council is still accepting vendor applications.

For vendor booth information, email chiltoncountyartscouncil@hotmail.com or call (205) 217-3027.

The annual Clanton Gun and Knife Expo will be Nov. 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $6 for a one-day pass and $10 for a two-day pass.

“We’ve had the gun and knife show for about five or six years,” Brown said. “We’re usually pretty packed.”

For more information, visit Vpigunshows.com.

The Rotary Club of Chilton County will hold a Christmas festival Dec. 7 and 8.

For booth information, call Bill Evans at (205) 688-1287 or Sondra Henley at (205) 567-3333.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, C.J.’s Dance Factory and The Academy of Dance from the Prattville and Montgomery areas will hold a production of “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The performance at 2 p.m. will feature dancers from the two schools, and professional dancers will take the stage at 7 p.m.

“I was really excited to find them and bring them in,” Brown said. “They are going to bring in some major culture to Chilton County that we’ve never had before. I just hope that we can get really good attendance for that and that it’s something to do annually.”

The Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center is located at 1850 Lay Dam Road in Clanton.

For more information, call (205) 280-8211.