NORTH GEORGIA EVENTS FOR AUGUST
As summer comes to a close and the kids are getting ready to go back to school, the activities around Blue Ridge, Georgia are still in full swing. Our summer season lasts through Labor Day, and August is a great time to visit the North Georgia Mountains. This month could be an opportunity for your family to have one last summer fling and make some memories.
Here is a list of local activities that I hope will tempt you to try something different the next time you visit Blue Ridge. While some are water related and seasonal, many go on year round. The activities that are starred (**) have articles or blogs on this www.Rainbowcabins.com website that will give you more detailed information.
Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party
Smokey will be 66 years old this year! Come to the Ocoee Whitewater Center on August 7, 2011, from 10 to 2:00 to help Smokey celebrate. There will be games, goody bags, fire prevention programs, prizes and lots of cake & ice cream. Bring a camera and have your picture taken with Smokey. While you’re at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, you may hike or bike the trails, watch rafting on the river, visit the gift shop, grab a bite at the café or just take in the scenery from the rocking chairs on the deck. There is no fee for this event other than $3 for parking. The Center is located on US Hwy 64, 6 miles west of Ducktown, TN—just a short drive from Blue Ridge.
The Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In is held each year at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee on Hwy 76. Live mountain music shows, hundreds of hot rods, a swap meet, exhibits, the Pioneer Village and craft vendors will be in attendance. Linda Vaughn, the first lady of drag racing from the mid-60’s to the early 80’s, will be on hand as well as Bill Brooks, as Elvis, to provide musical entertainment. 
The 15th Annual Kiwanis Rodeo will be held at the Fairgrounds in Blue Ridge on August 19th and 20th, 2011, at 8:00 pm. This western rodeo event will feature bull riding, barrel racing, team roping and other special events. Tickets are $12 at the gate. Children 8 & under are free.
Jones Street off of East 2nd Street
The Crane Creek Vineyards Annual Tomato Festival is Saturday, August 20th, 2011, from 11 AM to 6 PM. Celebrate the “Fruit of the Other Vine.” This fun family event will have great food, great wine and great music provided by Cornbread Ted & the Butterbeans. Tickets will be sold at the door--$12 for adults, $13 for kids 13-20, and free for children 12 and under. The setting is spectacular and Crane Creek is a beautiful little winery located in Young Harris.
Crane Creek Vineyards also offers Friday Evening Tapas from 6-8; Soup Kitchen Saturdays from 11-5; and First Wednesday Wine for Women.
**The Blue Ridge Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning in the downtown City Park from 8 AM to noon, June thru October.
**Pickin’ in the Park is great family fun. This event is held at Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville every Thursday evening from 6PM to dusk. Bring a picnic dinner and listen to some talented local musicians play true mountain music. The kids will have a ball, as Horseshoe Bend Park is located right on the banks of the beautiful Toccoa River. They can fish, wade, tube and play on the playground. If you’ve never been to this park, you’re really missing something special.
**The Misty Mountain Railroad will delight children of all ages. This is a work of art and a labor of love which features 14 Lionel trains that travel over one mile of track. You will be amazed to actually walk through this exhibit and be amongst the trains as they cross bridges and trestles and go through tunnels in scenes which depict the North Georgia Mountains. Mr. Griffin designed this exhibit and shares his love of trains with the public every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday at 2 PM sharp.
**The Swan Drive-in Theater has double features of first-run movies every weekend for only $6 for adults and $3 for kids.
**Blue Ridge Ghost Tours are offered on Friday and Saturday nights at 7 PM.
The Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge, GA, sponsors Bingo every Thursday night at 7:30. Located at 124 Jones Street at the Fair Grounds, the Kiwanis Club does a lot to benefit the children of Fannin County. Bingo games are very popular with the locals. Cards are $10 each and all proceeds benefit children’s charities. Adults and children are all welcome. Lots of prizes will be awarded to the winners.
**The Art Walk in historic downtown Blue Ridge occurs every 3rd Saturday evening of the month from 5-8 PM. Come take a stroll through four stunning galleries, enjoy some free refreshments and see why Blue Ridge has become a haven for creativity.
**Hightower Creek Farm offers a barn tour every Saturday, April though December, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Come enjoy a carriage ride and learn all about the Gentle Giant horse breeds of the Clydesdale and the Shire. Located in Hiawassee, it’s just a short drive from Blue Ridge.
**Mercier Orchards is one of Blue Ridge’s most popular destinations. Merciers specializes in many crops, some of which are available for you to pick yourself. August is the beginning of their apple season and you can take a tractor ride out to the orchards and pick the best of the crop. Some of the early season varieties are Ginger Gold, Gala, Detroit Red, Honey Crisp and Golden Supreme. If any of these varieties are your favorites, come early to avoid the crowds later in the apple season.
**The Friday Night Concert Series is located at the historic Old Court House on the Square in downtown Blairsville. The concerts range from blue grass to classical.
**The Amicalola Deer Park is open every Saturday from 11-5, and during the week by appointment. This is a sanctuary where rescued and rehabilitated animals coexist in harmony. It was designed to help special needs children, but everyone is invited and will love it! You will ride out into the fields and woods and actually hand-feed the deer. Bring some cash as you’ll want to purchase $2 bags of feed.
**The Garden & Woodland Medicine Trail Tours are every Monday from 9-1. These self-guided tours teach you about the native plants of our mountains and their medicinal and religious purposes.
**Of course, the summer months are the time to go tubing, white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, and swimming. We have the ideal rivers, creeks and lakes for all those activities. You can hike, mountain bike, ride horses, fish and shop and even go zip lining year-round. When it comes to dining, we have some of the best and tastiest restaurants you’ll find anywhere. Be sure to try Harvest on Main, Kristy Lee’s Courtyard and Cucina Rustica. The North Georgia Mountains are the perfect place to vacation!