No Boredom in the North Georgia Mountains
North Georgia is full of wonderful sights and sounds. Quaint mountain towns dot the landscape and offer a great variety of family vacation destinations. If you’re planning to visit or vacation in the north Georgia mountains this year, we hope you will stay at one of our riverfront rental cabins. Rosemary Lewis, frequent visitor of Rainbow Cabins, shares her unique perspective about the many activities that North Georgia has to offer.
There’s no chance that you’ll ever get bored when you come to the North Georgia Mountains. If hiking, shopping and water sports aren’t enough to keep you busy, then try a sampling of all the other forms of entertainment that are available. As the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce says, “Art and culture are alive and growing like kudzu.” For the purposes of this article, I’m going to concentrate on the opportunities available from May through September, around the town of Blue Ridge, Georgia. There truly is something for everyone.
Downtown Blue Ridge is a “happening place,” with many restaurants offering live music on weekends. The Block Party on West Main has entertainment and refreshments every second Saturday evening of the month. The Art Center has started an ArtWalk, featuring many local galleries every third Saturday of the month. Across from the Fannin County Courthouse, you can sit on the grass, under the stars and enjoy Movies in the Park. This event, sponsored by the Library, is a free event. Popcorn and water are provided. Just bring a blanket to sit on. Movies start around 9:00 PM. On 6/18/10, “Planet 51,” rated PG, will be shown. On 7/2/10, come see “A Night at the Museum” starring Ben Stiller. On 7/23/10, the PG rated cartoon “Up” will be shown. This is a great outing for your family, and all these movies are suitable for children over 6.
There is a Quilt Exhibit that will be on display during the month of July at the Art Center located at 420 West Main. It is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association. Celebrate our heritage, while enjoying quilts of all colors and designs.
The Blue Ridge Community Theater is presenting three comedies this spring and summer. The new playhouse is located at 2591 East First Street, just across from the Swan Drive-In. May 7-30/10, “Run For Your Wife” will be given. “A Tuna Christmas” will be presented July 1-11th. And “I Hate Hamlet” will run August 13th through September 5th. For ticket information, call (706) 632-9223.
For something totally different, try Ann’s Pickin’ Parlour in downtown McCaysville. They offer line dancing lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays. Come back on Friday and Saturday nights to practice what you learned to a live band. You can find a Mariachi band at the El Rio Mexican Restaurant on most weekends.
The Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club sponsors two major events each year—the Country Fair and the Rodeo. The Fair is just what you’d expect a small town fair to be—lots of rides, great food, games, and entertainment. It’s open 5-11:00pm from Tuesday, June 22 through Sat., June 26, 2010. Admission is $4.00, and kids 8 and under are free. The Rodeo is August 21-22, 2010. In true western style, it features bull riding, bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing. There will be fun for all ages. In addition to their main events, the Kiwanis Club also offers Bingo at the Fairgrounds every Thursday night (Super Bingo on the 1st Thurs. of each month!) It’s a lot of fun, you might win some money, and the proceeds benefit local children’s charities.
If you’re planning a trip to the North Georgia Mountains around the 4th of July, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy. McCaysville‘s celebration is Friday, 7/2/10, when the fireworks will be shot off from Tater Hill and can be seen from all over town. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is running the “Firecracker Special.” It departs from the Depot at 7:30pm, but be sure to get there early to get the best seats. Call for reservations at (800) 934-1898. You won’t have to worry about sitting in traffic or finding a place to park if you take the train. It runs along the Toccoa River into McCaysville. You can stay on the train or walk around town to enjoy the fireworks show.
On Saturday morning, 7/3/10, you can attend the Old Timers Day Parade in downtown Blue Ridge. It starts at 10 AM and features the World Famous Feed & Seed Abominable Marching Band! Later that day, from 6-9 PM, the Classic Cars Cruise-In will be on display. You’ll love walking around, admiring the old cars. The Cruise-In comes to Blue Ridge on the fourth Saturday of every month, April-October. It’s always there from 6-9 PM and is a free activity for the family. It’s located adjacent to the City Park. At dusk, you will want to attend the exciting fireworks over Lake Blue Ridge.
On Saturday night, 7/3/10, Crane Creek Vineyards, in nearby Young Harris, is bringing back the Bulletproof Trio. They play classic rock and country. Join them from 7-11 PM at the vineyards, relaxing with a glass of wine and chillin’ out to the music. Call (706)379-1236 for more information. Crane Creek is having their Annual Tomato Festival on Saturday, 8/21/10, from 11 AM-6 PM. Come celebrate “the fruit of the other vine” with your friends and family. Local restaurants and food vendors will be there with samples of their cuisine, and there will be a spectacular lunch for everyone with “all things tomato.” Lots of activities will be going on, and this will be a fine day of food and wine. Tickets will be sold at the door for $20 for adults, $10 for 13-20, and free for the under 12 set.