Outdoor activity calendar

The Gainesville Chicken Festival – held at Lake Lanier Olympic Park for the second year – was a huge hit as teams tossed, basted, brushed, and barbequed their dishes vying to become the cook-off king.

In the end, Gainesville Fire Department was named grand champion with other teams winning or placing in the various categories, split between Backyard and Professional divisions.

The October 22 event was mostly about the food but included fun for kids and vibes from The Murphs.

“This was the second year at Lake Lanier Olympic Park and we are very pleased with the location,” said Robyn Lynch, tourism director for Gainesville. “We plan to keep the festival at this location.” She said some 4,000 turned out for the festival and potential parking issues were eased by Gainesville’s Trolley. “(It) was such a hit with the community and we were pleased that we could add this service to the event.”

See Chicken, page 47

PHOTOS BY VICKI HOPE

Clockwise from left: Diners sit under the partially built shade structure. Gainesville firefighters were kept busy all day. A youngster gets a pat from the official chicken. A young girl takes home her "pet" chicken.

See Don Carter State Park Facebook page for park activities. o Campfire Treat Series, Tallulah Falls. Make and eat sweet treats around campfire, 3-4 p.m. Nov. 4, 11 & 18, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $2, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981. o Dogs on the Run 5K, Cumming. Run with your dog (or not), 9 a.m. Nov. 5, North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Dr. $3035. www.fivestarntp.com. o Tree Identification Hike, Clarkesville. Join park ranger for hikes on Wildlife and CCC Camp Trails to learn forest ecology, tree identification, and southern Appalachian history, 910:30 a.m. Nov. 5, Moccasin Creek State Park, 3655 Hwy. 197. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-947-3194. o Fall Leaf Peeping, Gainesville. Canoe/kayak paddle on peaceful section of Lake Lanier for viewing fall colors, 9-11 a.m. Nov. 5, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $20. www.exploregainesville.org, 770-287-7888. o Intro to Fly Fishing in Appalachia, Clarkesville. Ranger-led class in trout behavior, knot tying, casting and more, 1:30-3 p.m. Nov. 5, Moccasin Creek State Park, 3655 Hwy. 197. $10, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706947-3194. o Wilshire Trails Group Run, Gainesville. Run with Lanier Running Club, 8:30 a.m. Nov. 6 & 26, Wilshire Trails Park, 849 Wilshire Rd. www.lanierrunningclub.org. o Whitewater Watch Hikes, Tallulah Falls. Strenuous hike down to Bridal Veil Falls to watch kayakers paddle the drop during seasonal whitewater release on Tallulah River, noon-3 p.m. Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981. o Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls. Mile and a half night hike down 310 stairs to suspension bridge over falls, 6-7:30 p.m., Nov. 8, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-7547981. o Steam Engine, Antique Tractor, Gas Engine Exposition, Cumming. Annual event shows off motorized equipment of the past, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Nov. 11 & 12, Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. https://cummingfair.squarespace.com/ o CLASH Endurance Atlanta, Braselton. Half marathon trail run, 5K on raceway and mountain bike race & festival at Fox Factory Proving Grounds at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, solo and relay categories, camping available, various times and entry prices, Nov. 11-13, Michelin Raceway, 5300 Winder Hwy. https://clash-usa.com/clash-atlanta. o Laurel Ridge Hike, Helen. Guided hike to learn about native laurel; views of Yonah Mountain, 10-11:30 a.m. Nov. 12, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087. o Midland Greenway Group Run, Gainesville. Run with Lanier Running Club, 8:30 a.m. Nov. 12, Wild Wing Café, 311 Jesse Jewell Pkwy. www.lanierrunningclub.org. o Clay Dragon Kids Class, Gainesville. Kids ages 6 and older sculpt clay at garden, 1-3 p.m. Nov. 12, Gainesville Garden of the Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $34, $29 members. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. o Fidelis Militus Obstacle 5K, Tallulah Falls. 5K race with optional obstacles, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12, Tallulah Falls School Farm Course, 295 Tallulah Gorge Scenic Loop Rd. $30. www.active.com. o Run for Rangers 10K/5K, Dahlonega. 10K road/trail run 9 a.m., 5K road run 9:15 a.m., Nov. 12, Hancock Park, North Meadors/Warwick St. $30-$36. www.active.com. o Mountain Half Marathon, Dahlonega. Run mainly on gravel forest roads where US Rangers train, 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13, Camp Merrill, 1 Merrill Dr. $60-$65. www.active.com. o Floral Design, Gainesville. Make holiday floral arrangement, 11 a.m.-noon Nov. 19, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $34, $29 members. www.atlantabg,org, 404-888-4760. o Farm Animal Fun Day, Sautee Nacoochee. Learn about livestock kept at historic farm, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 19, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy 17. $6, free to children younger than 6. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. o Beginner Archery, Tallulah Falls. Learn to shoot an arrow or improve your skills, 1-2:30 p.m. Nov. 19, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. Must be strong enough to pull 30-pound bow. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981. o Family Yoga, Gainesville. People of all ages practice joyful, uplifting experience, 1-2:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. $36-$40. www.atlantagb.org, 404-888-4760. o Dirty Spokes Chateau Elan Muscadine Trail Run, Braselton. 3/5.5-mile vineyard and trail runs, 8:30 a.m. Nov. 20, Chateau Elan, 100 Rue Charlemagne. $35-$50. www.dirtyspokes.com. o Get Basted Turkey Trot 5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon, Cumming. 8 a.m. Nov. 20, North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Dr. $21-$25. www.fivestarntp.com. o Limestone Shirt Factory Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Half Marathon, Gainesville. 8 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, Riverside Military Academy Track, 2001 Riverside Dr. $35-$50, plus suggested three canned goods. www.runnersfit.com. o Lantern Walk: Tinkergarden Pop-Up Trail Class, Gainesville. Families make lanterns and walk the garden, 3-4 p.m. Dec. 1, See Outdoor calendar, page 45