NORTH GEORGIA SPECIAL EVENTS OCTOBER 2011
Rock City’s “Rocktoberfest” parties every Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 PM throughout the month. There’s German music, Polka dancing, German food, Specialty beer and costumed characters—fun for the
whole family. The Buddenstrasse (Avenue of the Booths) is located at Lover’s Leap and includes artisan vendors of all kinds and kids’ activities like pumpkin painting. The smells of grilled bratwurst, homemade sauerkraut and roasted potatoes are sure to tempt your tastebuds. You can sing along to Oompah Karaoke, join in the Chicken Dance or just enjoy the beer. There’s always a lot to see and do at Lookout Mountain’s Rock City. The physical address is 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750.
Every year the tiny town of Suches, located at 3,000 ft above sea level in “The Valley Above the Clouds,” holds its Indian Summer Festival. It is held on the grounds of the Woody Gap School, Georgia’s smallest public school. Suches is located on GA Hwy 60, between Blue Ridge and Dahlonega. It’s a twisty ride getting there from Blue Ridge, but the scenery is gorgeous along the way, as witnessed above. The Indian Summer Festival is simply old fashioned small town fun. Always held the first full weekend of October, the Festival boasts great food, true mountain music and mountain handicrafts like Whirligigs, folk art, needlework and so much more. There will be clogging, an auction, a play and an old time turkey shoot. Saturday night you can come to the Country Square Dance, held in the school gym.
Blue Ridge’s Spring Arts in the Park has been a popular tradition for many years. This year, the Arts Association decided to add a Fall Arts in the Park on October 8th and 9th. It will feature over 200 arts, crafts and food booths along with music, dancing and demon-strations. Come to the downtown City Park for a fun filled weekend. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful fall leaves. You can bring the whole family, even your dog.
After you have fully fallen in love with our North Georgia Mountains, you can return the next weekend to Blue Ridge’s City Park and attend the Home Builders Showcase. From 8-5 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday, 10/15-16, you can stroll around and view a multitude of exhibits and demonstrations covering all aspects of the building industry. If you’ve ever dreamed of building a log cabin in the mountains, this is the place to come. All your questions will be answered. There will be food vendors and prize drawings.
Vogel State Park is having a Fall Hoedown on October 15th. Come celebrate autumn with a full day of activities: chili & hotdogs at noon; a cakewalk at 3:00; hayrides at 4:00; a bonfire and square/line dancing at 5:00; Trick or Treating at 6:00; and professional storytelling at 7:00. Parking is $5.
If you fondly remember small county fairs when you were growing up, then you need to bring your kids or grandkids to Blue Ridge for the annual Kiwanis Fair. There will be lots of carnival rides, exhibits, a Fairway, terrific food and local entertainers performing each day. Held Tuesday through Saturday, 10/18-22/11, the Kiwanis Fair can be found at Jones Street and Austin, close to downtown. Open 5-11PM.
The Union County Chamber of Commerce in Blairsville is hosting the North Georgia Fall Bass Tournament on October 21st and 22nd. Day One’s location is at the Ledfords Chapel Boat Ramp on Lake Chatuge. Day Two’s location is at the Deavers Road Boat Ramp on Lake Nottely. Registration is at 5:30AM; Blast-Off is at 7:00AM; and Weigh Ins are at 3:00PM. Cash prizes are guaranteed and include 1st Place--$3,000; 2nd Place--$1,000; 3rd Place--$750; 4th Place--$500; 5th Place--$300. Each day the angler with the Biggest Fish caught will earn $100. Entry fees are $100 per boat for early entry or $125 the day of the tournament. You can send your entry fee to P.O. Box 789, Blairsville, GA 30514. Call (706)745-5789 for further information.
The 44th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival “celebrates” Dawson County’s history of moonshining during the Prohibition era when liquor was illegal. During the Great Depression of the 1930’s, running moonshine through the foothills of the Northeast Georgia Mountains was a way of life. Come to the birthplace of NASCAR racing to hear all about the legends—those wild men who loved the thrill of being chased through this renowned area. Listen to stories from both “Trippers” and “Revenuers.” The fun begins at 8 AM on Saturday, the 22nd, on the square in Dawsonville. There will be lots of activities to entertain the whole family—arts & crafts vendors, festival food, kids’ games & rides, and of course, mountain music. The biggest attraction will be the cars. A parade begins at 9 AM on Saturday. You can expect to see a HUGE car show including vintage racecars and their drivers. The activities continue all day Sunday. Admission is free so if you love cars, or moonshine, come out and enjoy this fun festival.
Now if you love dogs, you need to visit downtown Blue Ridge on the 22nd for Paws in the Park. You can enjoy a wonderful fall day with your favorite pet. This event includes a costume parade, a Blessing of the Pets, education & demonstrations,
rabies clinic, micro-chipping, costume contests, photos with your pet and more. The parade starts at 10AM and I understand that llamas and cats can also participate. (I can’t imagine any self-respecting cat allowing itself to get dressed up to march in a parade, but what do I know??) Come see for yourself!
Perhaps you’d rather lace up your track shoes and join in the Northeast Georgia Harvest Run, also on the 22nd. What better place is there to appreciate the spectacular peak of leaf season than in the North Georgia Mountains? Come to Meeks Park in Blairsville on Hwy 515, just east of Blue Ridge. The Half Marathon starts at 9AM; the 5K starts at 9:15AM; and the Mile Walk is at 9:30AM. Fees are $10 for the Mile, $15 for the 5K and $30 for the Half Marathon. Proceeds will benefit several charities including the American Red Cross, Special Olympics and Meals on Wheels.
“Grace and Glorie” is the entertaining play presented this month by the Blue Ridge Community Theater. It explores the differences and similarities between two very unique 
women. It’s touching and funny and rated PG for language. Show times are at 7:30PM on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:00PM on Sundays. You can get you ticket at the Box Office or on-line at www.blueridgecommunitytheater.co. The new theater is located at 2591 East First Street across from the Swan Drive-In.
Don’t forget the 42nd Annual Mountain Harvest Arts & Crafts Sale held in Blue Ridge on the 3rd and 4th weekends of October. It is sponsored by the Fannin County Homemakers Council so you’re sure to find all kinds of yummy goodies—along with top-notch arts and crafts from regional artisans. Be sure to try the warm kettle corn—my personal fave! Admission and parking are free. The Harvest Sale is located at the Farmers Market off 1st Street on Summit, close to the Swan Drive-in and the Blue Ridge Community Theater.
