The Southeast's Cryptid Festival
October 17, 2026 · Downtown Chickamauga, GA
The Green Eyes Festival is a free cryptid and folklore festival in downtown Chickamauga, Georgia, just outside Chattanooga. Inspired by the legend of Old Green Eyes, the festival brings together live music, local makers, cryptid speakers, costumes, food, and plenty of strange Southern folklore.
who is Ole Green Eyes?
Ole Green Eyes is a mysterious local legend rooted in the lore of Chickamauga, Georgia. Unlike many cryptids with established backstories, Green Eyes exists in a space shaped by oral tradition and personal encounters.
Some say it's a ghostly soldier wandering the battlefield, others describe a heartbroken woman or even an elemental fey. The legend’s ambiguity is part of what makes it so compelling—each sighting adds a new layer to the myth.
In short, Ole Green Eyes is more than just a spooky figure. It’s a symbol of Chickamauga’s storytelling tradition, creative spirit, and cultural revival.
(art by @andi_k_art on Instagram)