Issuu

2018

DISCOVER FUN • ADVENTURE • DISCOVERY • LEISURE

A publication of Metro Market Media

INESVILLETIME S

THE TIM ES

M .CO

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Checking out day hikes around North Georgia from an expert hiker.

Take the kids the family fair in Cumming.

Leaf peeping is easy in the Blue Ridge foothills.

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There are plenty of activities in and around Lake Lanier. Find places to camp at North Georgia’s state parks.

Welcome to Discover North Georgia Here is the annual leisure and information guide produced by the staff of The Times, offering tips on places to go and things to do in and around Lake Lanier and Northeast Georgia. We hope you find it fun and useful. If you have ideas to include in future editions, email us at kalbertson@gainesvilletimes.com.

Wineries and distilleries ��18 North Georgia Map ��28 Galleries and museums ��30 Regional calendar of events ��40 Discover North Georgia is a publication of The Times, 345 Green St., Gainesville, Ga. A Metro Market Media Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any property. form or by any means, electronic or Norman Baggs Leah Nelson mechanical, including photocopying, General Manager Advertising Director recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, Keith Albertson Michelle Jameson without permission in writing from Metro Market Media Inc. Editor Art Director

Discover North Georgia 2018 | 3

hiking north Georgia

Day hikes from an Appalachian Trail expert By Alexander Popp apopp@forsythnews.com I can tell you exactly how many days I spent living in the woods last year: 198. In 2017 I spent 198 days and nights living nearly every second of my life in the woods of the Appalachian Trail. In that time I hiked 2,189 miles from the mountains of North Georgia to the wilds of Northern Maine. Since summiting the trailâ€™s final challenge, Mount Katahdin, on Sept. 25, 2017, the return to normal civilized life has been difficult, but luckily there are hundreds of trails in North Georgia that can help me

4 | Discover North Georgia 2018

find that feeling of total peace and freedom that the trail left me with. For this issue of Discover North Georgia, I narrowed down my favorite day hikes in North Georgia to three options for hikers of any skill level. Chicopee Woods & Elachee Nature Center Ed Dodd, Geiger, Mathis and Elachee Creek Trails - Easy: All less than 1 mile Dunlap Trail to East/West Lake Trail - Easy: 5 miles Directly south of Gainesville and just a few short minutes down 985, lies Elachee Nature Center and

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Alexander Popp on top of Springer Mountain in March 2017, after his first day of hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Opposite page: This view from the top of Blood Mountain in North Georgia was taken after days of heavy snow in spring 2017.

the Chicopee Woods Area Park, the place where I trained with my backpack before hiking the Appalachian Trail and possibly one of my favorite day trip hikes in Georgia. This 1,900-acre network of trails and protected woods is perfect for any activity, from a leisurely afternoon walk out along the Ed Dodd, Geiger, Mathis and Elachee Creek Trails, to a vigorous run or hike around Chicopee Lake by the Dunlap, East and West Lake Trails. I have spent more afternoons than I can count walking the 5-mile lake loop trails between The Elachee Nature Center and Chicopee Lake. Even now after having moved back into the metro Atlanta area, I still make the drive back to Gainesville every so often to walk those trails. There are a lot of things that make this trail system great; the entire network of trails is well marked with different blazes for each trail and the trail itself is relatively flat without any dramatic elevation gain or loss, making it perfect for hikers of all skill levels. But the thing I like most about Chicopee Woods is the diversity of its scenery. Within the 1,900-acre park is a wide variety of forests, creeks, streams and wildlife. The East and West Lake trails loop around Chicopee Lake, offering views and opportunities for bird and aquatic animal sightings, and nearly every other every mile of trail follows creeks and springs that crisscross the property. All things considered, if you can't make an hour drive up to North Georgia to day hike, local parks like Chicopee 6 | Discover North Georgia 2018

Woods are a great alternative. Elachee Nature Center and the Chicopee Woods Area Park is located at 125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. The park charges a $5 day pass for parking at the trails, and dogs are not allowed except on Saturday and Sunday. More info can be found at www.elachee.org. Amicalola Falls State Park Amicalola Falls East Ridge trail - Moderate: 2.1 miles Amicalola Falls State Park is possibly one of the most trafficked trails or parks in the state. People come from all over Georgia to hike around the towering 700-footAmicalola Falls and see great views of the Appalachian foothills. The Amicalola Falls East Ridge trail is a 2.1-mile loop trail that begins at the Amicalola Falls Visitor Center and follows the Appalachian Approach trail one mile up to the top of Amicalola Falls, before returning to the visitor center via a long series of stairs and observation bridges. Because of its beauty and accessibility, this trail can get extremely crowded on weekends and holidays, so I have always found it best to hit this trail early before the masses arrive. When attempting this trail, you should expect a fairly vigorous climb, gaining 600 feet of elevation in a mile. At the top, you will find a view that looks down into the valley, a parking lot and bathrooms.

For the decent hike back down to the visitor’s center, follow the falls down the mountain via the many levels of stairs and bridges. More info on this hike and others in the Amicalola Falls State Park can be found at www.gastateparks. org. Blood Mountain Appalachian Trail Woody Gap to Neels Gap Difficult: 11.1 miles The last time I hiked up Blood Mountain, there were 3 inches of snow and ice on the ground and each step I grew more and more sure that I was going to slip and break something. Instead of turning back and waiting for the snow to melt like any sane person would, my hiking partner and I chose to push on up the trail to Neels Gap. Neither of us ended up falling that day, and the reward for our daring was the sight of miles of mountain countryside blanketed in snow and ice. Blood Mountain is the highest peak in the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail and nearly every step up is a battle. The 11.1 mile stretch between Woody Gap to Neels Gap is a long, but beautiful day hike or overnight trip. Starting out at the Woody Gap parking area the trail is rough with rocks, quickly climbing up to Big Cedar Ledges before dipping down to the Lance Creek Restoration camping area. This camping area has access to water and four tent pads and bear cables for hanging food.

After the Lance Creek camping area, it is 5 miles of mostly rolling uphill to the summit of Blood Mountain with three stream crossings along the way. If you are breaking this 11.1-mile hike into an overnight affair, a great place to stop for the night is the Woods Hole Shelter. The shelter is a mile and a half from Blood Mountain’s summit, and has space for six to eight people inside the shelter and plenty of space for tents around the shelter. If you plan on staying overnight at the shelter, be sure to hang your food from the bear cables nearby. Once you reach the top of Blood Mountain, you’ll be rewarded with a view of beautiful North Georgia from more than 4,400 feet.

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Discover North Georgia 2018 | 7

Sawnee Mountain landmark offers picturesque vistas By Frank Reddy To sit at the Indian Seats atop Sawnee Mountain is to witness a world swathed in reverent stillness — treetops like thick blankets rolling over hillsides and Lilliputian houses dotting the landscape with regal gray shadows of the North Georgia Mountains perched against the horizon. On a clear day, one can even spot the state’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald, and any number of the many other faraway mountains. “It’s a great view, and it’s so easy to get to,” said Melissa Mitchell, customer service representative senior at the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitors Center. She said hikers can use either a 1.9-mile or .75- mile trail to access the famed Indian Seats at the top and enjoy the vista. The Indian Seats are “outcroppings at the top of Sawnee Mountain,” according to Laura Pate, marketing and community relations manager with Forsyth County Parks and Recreation. Pate said according to folk legend, Native Americans would sit at the top of the mountain, perched in the Indian Seats, as a sort of lookout to see who was approaching. Mitchell said the Indian Seats are spots in the rock that have eroded over time. “People started calling it the ‘Indian Seats,’” Mitchell said. “(Hikers) will actually sit in the seats and dangle 8 | Discover North Georgia 2018

their legs over the rocks. It’s a very clear view of the North Georgia Mountains.” In addition to the breathtaking view, there are other adventures to be had at Sawnee Mountain and the visitors center there, including 11 miles of hiking trails with various levels of difficulty, a 40-foot climbing tower, picnic areas as well as interactive activities at the center itself. Sawnee Mountain Preserve is about 40 miles north of Atlanta and provides, in total, about 821 acres of scenic passive space. The trails are not stroller-friendly, and no dogs are allowed at the park. For more information, visit www.forsythco.com and click on the parks and recreation tab.

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Discover North Georgia 2018 | 9

Fa m i ly f u n aT T H E FAI R

The Cumming Country Fair & Festival can bring crowds of more than 200,000.

Fairgrounds home to more than just the fair By Kelly Whitmire kwhitmire@forsythnews.com The city of Cumming is home to only about 6,000 residents, but the city's biggest event of the year — the Cumming Country Fair & Festival — can bring crowds of more than 200,000. Since 1995, each fall the fairgrounds come alive with food, entertainment, rides and more. “We are a year-round special events facility, and our signature event is the Cumming Country Fair and Festival, which is in October," said Fairground Administrator Dave Horton. "It runs 11 days, and we've got a big carnival midway, a lot of fair food vendors and other vendors. We have ground acts, which are different specialty shows that do two to three shows a day. That's free with admission to the fair. We also bring in major entertainment several days throughout the fair.” Concerts are also free with admission to the fair. Acts like Atlanta Rhythm Section, The Oak Ridge Boys and the Charlie Daniels Band have performed in recent years. The fair also memorializes the area's history with a Cherokee Indian Village, which consists of two historical log cabins and other buildings and traditional performances and demonstrations and a year-round exhibit at the fairground is

10 | Discover North Georgia 2018

Heritage Village, a “living history exhibit” with a blacksmith shop, sawmill, cotton gin and many other historical buildings and exhibits. “We have what we call Heritage Village, which is like a turn-of-the-century town. We have several different venues within that people love to watch,” Horton said. “We also have a native American Village (where) we have an encampment set up and some of the vendors down there doing demonstrations and dance and that sort of thing.” Despite a one-day closure, the fair brought more than 172,000 in 2017. The attendance record was set in 2016 at 222,007 visitors. “If you have 11 good days of weather, then we're going to be in a 200,000-250,000 (attendance) range,” Horton said. “On some of the other events, it just depends on the event ... all events are a little bit different, but they're always well-attended. It's been amazing to see how the community receives it and supports all the events out there, whether they are our events or community events that are being put on.” While the fair is the biggest event of the year, it is far from the only exciting thing happening at the 30-acre campground. Each spring, Taste of Forsyth is held at the fairgrounds, as well as an Easter egg hunt.

Visit Hiawassee & Young Harris On Beautiful Lake Chatuge “We always do it on Easter weekend, so we also coordinate an Easter egg hunt for the kids,” Horton said. To celebrate Independence Day, the fairground is the site of a fireworks display — usually held on July 3, meaning visitors can have two straight days of fireworks — and is the ending location for the annual ThomasMashburn Steam Engine Parade. Outside groups also use the fairgrounds venue for charity events, such as Relay for Life, Ride for Kids Motorcycle Ride, races, the National BBQ Cup's Que'n In Cumming event, graduation ceremonies for Forsyth Central High School and other community gatherings, such as church-sponsored car shows. “We have some that we’re trying to put together right now that will be new events for this year,” Horton said. Recently, the Cumming City Council approved using the fairgrounds for Ghost Out through 2019. Ghost Out is an annual program put on by local agencies at county high schools that aims to prevent intoxicated and distracted driving. The event will be open to students in eighth grade and up and could include a simulated DUI and arrests. Local agencies including Forsyth County Sheriff ’s Office, Forsyth County Fire Department, Cumming Police and the Georgia State Patrol will be involved. The event will also have a teen maze — a life-size game in which students will deal with the results of randomly selected lifestyle choice. The North Georgia Quarter Midget Association plays host to 16 to 17 races for competitors ages 5 to 16 when the fairgrounds isn’t otherwise being used. The fairgrounds typically hosts a rodeo on the final nights of the fair, in addition to the IRPA World Championship Rodeo, which will be held this year Aug. 31- Sept. 2. Horton said the fair and fairgrounds aren’t just popular for those living in Cumming and Forsyth County. “We have a lot of support from outside the county,” he said. “We've had comments that (visitors) come from a surrounding county, and they have their own fair, but they come to ours because they just like ours better.”

June 30 - July 1

Made in Georgia Expo www.madeingeorgia.net July 4

Independence Day Boat Parade www.golakechatuge.com July 13 - 14

Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruizin www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com July 20 – 28

Georgia Mountain Fair

www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com August 17 – 18

Tomato Daze Weekend

www.cranecreekvineyards.com September 6 - 8

Dailey & Vincent LandFest in the Mountains www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com September 19 - 23

BASSmasters Toyota Angler of the Year Tournament www.golakechatuge.com October 12 – 20

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com October 27

Appalachian Brew, Stew & Que

www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com November 3

Blacksmith & Fine Crafts Auction www.folkschool.org Nov. 22 – Dec. 31

Mountain Country Christmas in Lights www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

For more information on lodging, dining, shopping and other upcoming events, call the Towns County Chamber of Commerce at 800-984-1543 or visit www.golakechatuge.com. Discover North Georgia 2018 | 11

leaf peeping in autumn

Tallulah Gorge State Park in Habersham and Rabun counties. The park surrounds Tallulah Gorge, a 1,000foot deep gorge formed by the Tallulah River, which runs along the floor of the gorge.

Color your world close to home this fall By Pamela A. Keene If you’ve ever driven into Northeast Georgia in the fall, you have experienced the amazing beauty of nature. With the hillsides covered with hardwoods, each year provides a palette of lemon yellow, deep burgundy, apricot and bright reds. Helen has become a focal point for leaf peepers and festival goers. “Helen’s Oktoberfest from early September until the end of October brings visitors from all over the world, but it’s just one of many events taking place here each fall,” says Jerry Brown, executive director of Alpine Helen

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Convention and Visitors Bureau. “People think of us as a hub for enjoying all that the region has to offer all year round, but with the draw of the fall color added to our festivals and events, this is really our most popular time.” Brown says that the fall color each year can vary. “The peak season will vary, but typically, it starts in early to mid-October and goes into the first week or so of November,” he says. “When you’re fortunate enough to live nearby, we suggest coming up during the week.” Over the past several years, the autumn

color has varied in the time it peaks, but it has been reliably picturesque. “People really enjoy the change of season,” says Chelsea Bennett, park manager at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston. “There’s a misconception that in the South we don’t get much difference in our seasons, but all you have to do is come to Northeast Georgia to dispel that myth.” Much of the fall color’s duration and intensity depends on the summer weather, the amount of rainfall and the range of temperatures. A wet summer can bode well for good color, but if the region experiences lower than normal rainfall, the leaves may drop earlier without

Victoria Bryant State Park, photo courtesy Georgia State Parks.

much change. It stands to reason that for residents, a Sunday afternoon drive makes sense. People who come from longer distances head up to the mountains on Fridays, but by Sundays, they’re headed back home. It’s much easier to head north on a Sunday than to join the

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thousands of other visitors who are just wrapping up their weekends in the mountains. Georgia’s state parks draw good attendance in the fall. In addition to Victoria Bryant, Black Rock Mountain State Park, the highest state park in Georgia, tends to experience leaf change a littler earlier than most because of the altitude. “Our state parks offer many activities for individuals and families all year, from guided hikes and nature programs to campfires and other events,” says Kim Hatcher, public affairs coordinator for Georgia State Parks. “With our active Facebook page and our statewide calendar at explore.gastateparks.org you can find activities and events that suit your lifestyle and interests.” In the Northeast Georgia Mountains, there are 15 state parks, two state historic sites and one state wildlife management area. The region is laced with trails from easy to challenging. Some parks are pet-friendly; others have biking trails. Check out the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, the Appalachian Trail, which starts in North Georgia, or any of the numerous hikes to waterfalls. Amicalola Falls, near Unicoi State Park, is very popular, but you can also find less-traveled trails to waterfalls that yield stunning views and breath-taking photographs. A little research will lead you to some natural wonders that are even more beautiful against the

A portion of the South Rim trail above Tallulah Gorge at Tallulah Gorge State Park.

colorful backdrop of fall foliage. If you want to camp, Georgia’s state parks offer choices from primitive sites to yurts and cabins. However, Bennett says that the fall is the most popular time for camping at state parks and that many campsites are booked as much as 13 months in advance. But a day-trip northward reaps great rewards to view the color. “The best time to come is during the week,” Bennett says. “In reality, the colors won’t change that much between a weekday and the weekend, so take a drive to see the natural beauty right here in Northeast Georgia this fall. If you can, the weekdays are the best times to come up.” Good resources for fall color include gastateparks.org and www.exploregeorgia.org.

Discover North Georgia 2018 | 15

S i p p i ng away t h e day

Big things happening at Cherry Street Brewing By Kelly Whitmire kwhitmire@forsythnews.com It has taken a few years, but Forsyth County's only brewpub is getting national attention. Cherry Street Brewing Cooperative recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, and founder Nick Tanner said a lot has changed in that time. “Over the five years, we've tripled our brewing production,” Tanner said. “Our first year we did about 400 barrels of beer, and then last year we did 1,200 barrels of beer for the whole year. So, that's major to increase that much over a five year period for our size.” Tanner said each barrel was 31 gallons of beer, meaning Cherry Street produced more than 37,000 gallons of beer in 2017. Though the brewery has existed a relatively short time, it has already earned some significant national accolades. “We're really fortunate and grateful for the amount of awards we have won,” Tanner said. “We've won multiple people's choice awards at different cask events and different beer competitions, most importantly the 2017 Grand National Champions at the U.S. Beer Open, which is an amazing honor. We're the smallest brewery to have won the Grand National Champions, which is awesome.” Tanner said he believes the brewery's focus on

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detail and quality helped Cherry Street compete with much larger brewers. “It's a matter of quality start to finish,” he said. “It's coming up with the recipes, sourcing the ingredients, putting it all together, the attention to detail when you're physically brewing the beer. All the way through, attention to detail is our No. 1 focus.” Long before being nationally recognized, Cherry Street’s beginnings can be traced to Fort Collins, Colorado, where Tanner started brewing beer while attending Colorado State University. Even the name comes from the road in Fort Collins where he and friends would meet to discuss and practice their hobby. Nestled between the storefronts of Forsyth County’s Vickery Village are the brewery and the Cherry Street Taproom, a bar where visitors can try the beers. Cherry Street operates in partnership with Rick Tanner's Bar and Grille, which is operated by Tanner's father. “Once the beer is packaged or kegged and then tapped and served, it's about personality,” Tanner said. “It's all personality and attitude, and we pride ourselves on our taproom customer service, and what we've done in our taproom and in-house over the years.” Tanner said the bar has become popular for both residents and those who are beer hobbyists

and will travel to visit new breweries and try their offerings. “We have pretty much turned into a neighborhood, locals bar,” he said. “We feel that most of our business comes within five miles around us. However, we do have the people who travel for beer. And there are all different types of people, demographics that travel and all for different reasons.” In addition to being a neighborhood hangout, the bar is also home to many events. “We like to share our excitement and enjoyment for what we do and our passion,” Tanner said. “We do multiple things throughout the year. The biggest event that we do is the last weekend of April — this year it's April 28 — and it's our Cherry Street Spring Beer Fest.” Tanner said the event is primarily a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Forsyth County and features special beers, live music, a corn hole tournament and a kids area with crafts, inflatables and other activities. Last year, the event brought in about 1,500, and Tanner said he was hoping for more than 2,000 this year. The brewery is also the sight of an event near the first day of summer to tap its Summer Fling Watermelon Blonde Ale, Victoberfest — featuring German beers, food and, this year, a polka band — and an anniversary celebration of the brewery's opening on Dec. 12, 2012, or 12/12/12. While having many events locally, the beer is also becoming more popular across the state. “We were in North Georgia for four years, but then we signed with a wholesaler last year to go all the way south,” Tanner said “Now, after five years, we are distributing the entire state. We have beer from Blue Ridge to Athens to Augusta all the way down to Savannah (and) Columbus.” In 2017, the brewery also began canning beer for the first time, which helped with the expansion. “We are doing limited runs of cans into the wholesale market across the state, which has really taken the reach of our brand much further,” Tanner said. “Cans being able to go in package stores drastically increases our presence in the market.” As Cherry Street gains more of a foothold across the state, Tanner said American craft beer is having a moment right now. “The craft beer is really establishing a culture. In the world, American craft beer is truly unique,” Tanner said. “The way we brew our beer, a lot of other countries are now trying to brew American craft beer styles, where we always try to brew other styles like German and Belgian. So, America is finally developing a true beer culture like Germany, Belgium and England.”

Discover North Georgia 2018 | 17

Wineries Chateau Elan 100 Rue Charlemagne Drive, Braselton. 800-233-9463, www. chateauelan.com Yonah Mountain Vineyards 1717 Ga. 255, Cleveland. 678-5256050, www.yonahmountainvineyards. com Montaluce 501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega. 800-251-4385, www. montaluce.com Habersham Winery 7025 South Main Street, Helen. 706-878-9463, www. habershamwinery.com Cavender Creek Vineyards 3610 Cavender Creek Road, Dahlonega. 706-867-7700, www. cavendercreekvineyards.com Wolf Mountain Vineyards 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega. 770-867-9862, www. wolfmountain vineyards.com Castell Vineyards & Winery 121 Julian Farm Road, Dawsonville. 404-405-5219 CeNita Winery 591 Dock Dorsey Road, Cleveland 706-865-7478, www.

cenitawinery.com The Cottage Vineyard & Winery 5050 US-129, Cleveland. 334-3288575, www.cottagevineyardwinery. com Currahee Vineyards & Winery 3301 W. Currahee St., Toccoa. 706-768-5382, www. curraheevineyards.com Frogtown Cellars and Vineyard 700 Ridge Point Drive, Dahlonega. 706-865-0687, www.frogtownwine. com Kaya Vineyard and Winery 5400 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega. 706-219-3514, www. kayavineyards.com Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards 1299 Ga. 17, Sautee Nacoochee. 706-878-1056, www. visitgeorgiawineries.com Serenity Cellars 265 Laurel Ridge Road, Cleveland. 706-219-4213, www.serenitycellars. com Sweet Acre Farms Winery 7584 Bill Wilson Road, Alto. 678769-5335, www.sweetacrefarms.com Sylvan Valley Lodge and Winery 747 Duncan Bridge Road, Sautee Nacoochee. 706-865-7371, www.

sylvanvalleylodge.com Three Sisters Vineyards 439 Vineyard Way, Dahlonega. 706-865-9463, www. threesistersvineyards.com Breweries Left Nut Brewing Co. 2100 Atlanta Highway, Gainesville, www.leftnutbrewing.com Cherry Street Brewing Coop. 5810 Bond St., Cumming, 770-205-5512 Distilleries Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery 415 Ga. Highway 53 E., Dawsonville. 770-401-1211, www. dawsonvillemoonshinedistillery.com Lovell Bros. Whiskey 1896 Dicks Hill Parkway, Mount Airy, 706-778-5550, www. ivymountaindistillery.com Z. Brown Distillery 2148 Town Creek Church Road, Dahlonega. 706-348-2019, www. zbrowndistillery.com The Gainesville Distilling Company 456 Industrial Boulevard, Gainesville, gainesvilledistilling.com

Cherry Street Brewing Cooperative in Forsyth County recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. 18 | Discover North Georgia 2018

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L i v i ng t h e l a k e l i f e

Kristen Amerein gives Alexander Maravegias, Amerein's son-in-law, a boost as he demonstrates how to use a Flyboard on Lake Lanier.

Lanier offers adventure for residents and visitors By Layne Saliba lsaliba@gainesvilletimes.com You can’t talk about Gainesville without talking about Lake Lanier. It’s kind of at the center of what everybody does around here. You’re either crossing over it on a bridge, fishing on its shores or riding your boat around on it. That’s the good thing about a lake that stretches for miles. The different amenities it brings to the area make it one of the best attractions around. But one thing you might not think about are marinas that residents and visitors can take advantage of, especially during this time of year. The only marina on the north end of the lake is the Gainesville Marina off of Dawsonville Highway. But to the south, there’s Aqualand Marina, Port Royale Marina and Holiday Marina among a few others. “As the weather warms up, there will be a lot more people coming down,” said CJ Denning, event coordinator at Gainesville Marina. She said the Gainesville Marina is a little smaller than other marinas in the area, but it is still a full-service marina. It has all the usual amenities like a gas dock, wet and dry boat storage, boat service and boat sales.

20 | Discover North Georgia 2018

It also has a fleet of eight pontoon boats it rents out to visitors who want to enjoy a day or weekend on the lake. Denning said that while it’s a small fleet, it helps keep the rentals in their best shape. Gainesville Marina also has towable tubes for rent for those that want to have a little more adventure when they’re out on the water. The marina offers a pavilion right on the water with grills, too, for anyone who stores a boat there or rents one for the day. And if you don’t want to cook on the grill yourself, Skogies Lakeside Restaurant, which serves up typical lakeside fare, is on the property. “It’s a lot quieter on the north end of the lake,” Denning said. “A lot more family-oriented compared to other places where it’s a little more loud and party-hearty.” If you’re looking to have a little more fun, you can head to Aqualand Marina. That’s where Lanier Boat Charters rents out everything you’ll need for a day, or night, on the lake. Justin Head, operations manager for the company, said it has six tritoons, which “are basically just updated pontoon boats.” They are all just a year old, so he said there’s not much wear-and-tear on them at all. Lanier Boat Charters even offers sunset cruises

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and houseboat rentals on top of the jet skis, kayaks and canoes it has for rent as well. “We pay a lot of attention to make sure everybody is really enjoying what they're getting,” Head said. “I’m hands on with about 90 percent of the clientele coming through the doors.” He said they’ve tried to offer competitive prices and make the rental process a little easier than it is at other places, which has helped introduce new people to the lake who may not have otherwise gotten a chance to enjoy it. “I think we’ve found a little bit of success in reaching people who haven’t necessarily looked at the lake as a resource,” Head said. It’s only their second year of rentals, but after a successful first year, Head said they’re already expanding

to other lakes. It’s a family-run business, so he said one of his favorite parts is seeing families come to rent equipment. “I’d say about 40 percent of the people coming through are people who live around the area and they’re bringing in their family from out of town,” Head said. “So there is a lot of kind of showing off Lake lLnier.” Lake Lanier isn’t the only lake around, though. There are quite a few others. While there are some smaller lakes situated near campgrounds that are good for fishing, the more well-known ones are what people enjoy most when they're exploring new places. There’s Lake Burton, Lake Hartwell and Lake Allatoona, all under an hour-and-a-half drive from Gainesville. These lakes, while not as close as Lake Lanier, are just as beautiful.

Paddlers prepare for the USA Canoe/ Kayak Sprint Canoe/Kayak National Team Trials at the Olympic venue.

Paddle away at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park By Marcus Rodrigue mrodrigue@gainesvilletimes.com The Lake Lanier Olympic Park, which hosted the rowing events during the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, gives visitors to Northeast Georgia a chance to experience a slice of history. Or they can just enjoy a picnic by the water. From sightseeing to concerts to recreational water sports, the park offers plenty of entertainment options 22 | Discover North Georgia 2018

for visitors to the area. The facility has expanded in recent years — and has more plans in the works — to become more attractive and accessible by the public. “We have meeting spaces and buildings available,” said park manager Robyn Lynch. “We’re not just rowing and kayaks. You can come here for picnics, activities, concerts or fundraisers. There is a lot going on the park.” Indeed, the venue is packed with amenities: the Olympic Tower Plaza, the Olympic Park Boathouse,

Dragon Boat races on Lake Lanier.

picnic areas, a public beach, public boat launch and courtesy dock area. But the main attraction is still the Olympic Tower Plaza, which hosted the canoe, kayak and rowing events in the Centennial Games. According to the venue’s website, it now holds “sporting, social, civic and entertainment events” while being available for rental. What makes the park so special, Lynch said, is that it’s the only remaining site from the 1996 Olympics that’s still being used for its original purpose. “It adds that historic value and the fact the venue has been behind supporting the park for the last 20 years and wants to keep it as a viable venue for the community,” she said. There’s plenty for members of the community to do at the park, especially if they enjoy water sports. The Olympic Park Boathouse hosts novice paddling and rowing classes while offering vessels for rent for those seeking a relaxing afternoon on the water. It’s also the base of operations for the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club, which won the USA Sprint Canoe/ Kayak National Championships last August, as well as the Lanier Rowing Club. Boating enthusiasts can take advantage of the public boat launch and courtesy dock area, from which visitors can access the picnic areas, beach and public restrooms. The beach features a designated swimming area and sandy shoreline, though no lifeguards, while the picnic area provides scenic views of Lake Lanier. On top of that, “There are always events happening where people can watch regattas, boat races or rowing

races,” Lynch said. The most popular among them is the Atlanta Dragon Boat Festival, which returns to Lake Lanier for its 22nd annual edition Sept. 8. Lynch said up to 8,000 people have attended the one-day festival that mixes highly competitive boat racing with a showcase of Asian cuisine. While the Atlanta festival annually attracts teams representing companies and nonprofit groups from around the country, the park will host an even greater audience this year. The International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Championships will be held at Lake Lanier from Sept. 12-16, marking the event’s first trip to North America. National federations from as many as 25 countries will participate in both 10-man and 20-man races across Junior, Senior and Master divisions Lynch said about 1,500 athletes are expected to attend the event, all of them among the best in the world at their craft. “It’s very exciting for Gainesville to bring the first one in North America,” she said. As if the park needed any more history. LAKE LANIER OLYMPIC PARK 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506 For more information, call 1-855-536-1996 or 770-5350397, or visit http://www.lakelanierolympicvenue.org/. For rentals and more information, call the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club office at 770-287-7888 or email info@ lckc.org. Discover North Georgia 2018 | 23

TAKE THE CREW CAMPING

Fort Yargo State Park. Below,Victoria Bryant State Park, photos courtesy Georgia State Parks.

Parks have plenty of places to pitch your tent By Sarah Woodall swoodall@gainesvilletimes.com North Georgia residents and visitors alike don’t have to venture very far for the ultimate outdoor escape. For the adventurous types, hiking trails leading up to the scenic, tranquil summit views of the Blue Ridge mountains are just a short drive away. Perhaps a more easygoing pace may tickle your fancy, as this area of the state is home to Lake Lanier, one of the nation’s most popular inland water destinations for fishing, boating, and swimming. The 59 square miles of water and 692 miles of shoreline is quite accommodating for spring and summer retreats. Whichever destination that may be, a number of the surrounding counties — Hall, Habersham, Forsyth, Lumpkin and White — provide an abundance of campgrounds to put visitors within reach of their chosen form of leisure. And if living in a more simpler time doesn’t completely fit your lifestyle, these popular campgrounds provide visitors with many of the more common amenities, including boat and swim access, electrical and water hookups, laundry facilities, bath houses, playgrounds, grill spaces and even 24-hour live-in security. A number of campgrounds around Lake

24 | Discover North Georgia 2018

Lanier allow pets, so long as your four-legged companions remain on a leash and steer clear of the common ground areas of each site. The majority are also of accessible to disabled visitors and prohibit any alcohol or intoxicant use on the campgrounds. Hall County Of the 11 most popular lakefront campgrounds, seven — including one state park — inhabits Hall County. Some of the more popular spots include: • Don Carter State Park: This is the newest state park on 38,000-acre Lake Lanier. On the north end of the reservoir, guests have access to a large, sandy beach for swimming, multi-use trail for

Cornelia Historic Train Museum

hikers and bikers, kayak and paddleboard rentals as well as many of the more common amenities. This state park has 44 tent, trailer and RV campsites as well as eight cottages for rent. Leashed pets are also allowed at the park. • River Forks: Located near Keith Bridge Road, this camper’s delight is nestled beside the 40,000-square foot beach and accommodates for 63 campsites. This park also gives visitors many — if not all — the amenities that include: Picnic areas, 24-hour live-in security, RV site, walking/bike trails, boat ramp and visitor parking. All campgrounds are pet friendly as well. • Ducket Mill Campground: This site located off Ducket Mill Road and on Lake Sidney Lanier stretches along 692 miles of shoreline and is within driving distance of civilization. This popular landing spot for anglers has plentiful populations of bass and catfish, while boating enthusiasts can explore the lake’s many bays and secluded coves. Duckett Mill has 97 campsites with electric and water hookups, along with 14 tent-only sites. Amenities include a boat ramp, drinking water, restrooms, hot showers, laundry facility and playground. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited, while visitors are encouraged to buy their own firewood locally and burn on-site as a measure to protect the surrounding forests from treekilling pests. Set times for check-in and check out also apply. • Bolding Mill Campground: In Gainesville, this campground has 88 sites with electric and water hookups, and nine tent-only spots. Major amenities include a laundry facility, playground, hot showers and swimming area on the beach. Don Carter State Park for birding and hiking and Sawnee Mountain Preserve are nearby. For other essentials, fuel, shopping and restaurants are within 10 miles of the campground. The purchase and use of local firewood are encouraged as well. Forsyth County • Bald Ridge Creek Campground: One of seven US Army Corps of Engineers-managed campgrounds on the shores of Lake Lanier, virtually all campsites are on the waterfront and access to some of the more appealing spots for Kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing. • Sawnee Campground: Another US Army Corps of Engineers campground, this one sits on the most southwestern portion of Lake Lanier and is open yearround. It has just the right amount of solitude and convenience. Campers can bask in the wonders of the great outdoors while knowing Atlanta is not too far away. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the Buford Dam, or take a drive over to the nearby Sawnee Mountain Preserve.

26 | Discover North Georgia 2018

GENERAL CAMPING RULES

• If visiting a campground, all must reside in places specifically provided or marked • It is a requirement that all vehicles, RVs and trailers are parked on the campsite or driveway • Drivers must adhere to traffic signs and posted regulations within the campsite • During quiet hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m. ) campers should be mindful of others within the campground • Clean up all garbage, litter or any foreign substances in respect of the environment and future campers. • In areas where bears are common: Keep all garbage food locked and/or in bear canisters. Never leave food out and unattended as wildlife is always active. Keep all cooking and cleaning far way from tents so odors won’t attract bears near sleeping quarters. • Within campgrounds and/or other recreation areas: Fires must be completely extinguished before leaving. Do not leave fire unattended. • Pets and animals must remain on a leash at all times while in recreation areas • Animals — with the exception of guide dogs — are prohibited from common swimming areas • Use of fireworks within campgrounds are strictly prohibited • Leave all natural areas unscathed. Do not carve, cut or damage any live trees

Habersham County • Lake Russell Recreation Area and Campground: This landing spot is ideal for a number of outdoor activities while offering 42 tent and RV campsites. Enjoy a family fishing excursion on the 100-acre Lake Russell, break a sweat on one of the four nearby bike trails or even enjoy a relaxing evening by the campfire. • Sugar Mill Creek RV Resort: Located between Clayton and Clarkesville on Laurel Lodge Road, this resort is rated as one of the Top 5 RV parks in the state according to about.com and is ideal for swimming, hiking, horseback riding, boating and golfing next to Lake Burton. It has 48 RV sites with five primitive tent areas to choose from, not to mention the tranquil soundscapes of two running creeks through the resort. As for accessibility to outside entertainment, Hiawassee and historic downtown Helen are within 24 miles of Sugar Creek. Tullulah Gorge State Park and Panther Creek Waterfall in Clarkesville are also a 30-40 minute drive away. Sugar Mill is an ADA accessible, pet friendly and family friendly escape that includes other services such as laundry facilities (paid), fire pits, convenience store, picnic areas, playground, free wifi and bathrooms with showers. Lumpkin County (Dahlonega) • DeSoto Falls Recreation Area: Located off highway 129 and en route to Blood Mountain, this scenic camping spot is just inside the Chattahoochee-Oconee

National Forest boundary and has a number of outdoor adventures at your disposal. There are two waterfalls beside the DeSoto hiking trails, and adjacent to the campground, the Frogtown Creek is a hotspot for trout fishing. This site has a 14-day stay limit and leashed pets are welcome. • Toto Creek: This campground lies 30 miles north of the Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier, featuring beautiful lakefront views. This getaway is ideal for boating, fishing, swimming and a number of watersports. Aside from the more common amenities, restaurants, an urgent care facility, bait shop and bank services are within 10 miles. • Foothills Campground: Aside from the camping element, this destination located off Long Branch Road in Dahlonega is within minutes of numerous sites, including 11 wineries, the Gold Museum, Dawson County Recreation Park and historic Helen. Campers can enjoy backpacking, biking and even kayaking down the Copper Mine Rapids. White County • Yonah Mountain Campground (Cleveland): Open year-round, this clean and well-maintained RV resort is conveniently located at the foot of Yonah Mountain, where visitors can partake in many outdoor adventures. Picturesque waterfalls, nature trails and fishing hubs along the Chattahoochee River are all within reach. Other nearby attractions include Cabbage Patch

BabyLand, the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway. During festival season, be sure to swing by Oktoberfest in Helen, Dahlonega’s Gold Rush Days or the Hiawassee Georgia Mountain Fall Festival. • Jenny’s Creek Family Campground (Cleveland): This campsite located in the North Georgia Mountains and near an abundance of hiking trails. It offers all the family-friendly amenities: Large shady sites, tent camping, RV grounds, renovated bathrooms with hot showers, laundry, fishing pond and convenience store. Pets are also welcome. Barrow County • Fort Yargo State Park: This refuge in the city of Winder is both historic and beautiful. This popular park houses a 1,792 log fort, one of the only remaining structures built by early settlers for protection against Creek and Cherokee Indians. It also is a prime vacation spot for camping as folks can choose from a variety of cozy accommodations: o Three cottages o 13 adventure cabins o 40 tent, trailer and RV campgrounds o Six yurts — a more glamorous style of camping, these wooden and canvas tents are complete with furniture, electricity, ceiling fans, screened windows and an outdoor deck. All yurts can sleep up to six campers, though, do not allow pets.

Discover North Georgia 2018 | 27

Hot spots to visit McCaysville in North Georgia 5

15 Hiawassee

Rabun

Clayton Blairsville Towns MurrayBald Blue Ridge Fannin 1. Brasstown 76 eld 2. Alpine Helen 17 Union 3. Tallullah Gorge Lakemont 14 alton Chatsworth 4. Babyland 52 General Hospital Helen Ellijay 19 Habersham 76 5. Elvis Museum 18 225 White 6. Atlanta BotanicalGilmer Clarkesville Garden Gainesville 52 13 Lumpkin Cleveland Oakman 7. Chateau Elan Dahlonega 12 Toccoa 183 Cornelia 8. Road Atlanta alhoun Stephens Jasper Dawson 9. Lanier Islands 23 Gordon 11 53 Fairmount Franklin 17 La 10. Cumming Dawsonville 129 441 53 Pickens 75 Fairgrounds Banks Carnesville 60 19 17 11. North Georgia Ball Ground Homer Bartow 85 Ha Gainesville 16 Premium OutletsCherokee 575 372 Forsyth 106 41 12. Gold Museum L. Sidney Lanier 52 Canton 20 13. Amicalola Falls Commerce Cumming Jackson Hall 140 14. Unicoi State Park Madison Cartersville 10 15. Georgia Mountain Jefferson 106 Buford Woodstock Danielsv Fairgrounds Alpharetta 16. Interactive Colbert 72 72 Kennesawfor Kids Neighborhood 61 Duluth AuburnBarrow Winder Cobb 17. Jaemor Farms Paulding Og 18. App Trail head 29 Lawrenceville

Roswell Marietta

allas

Athens

LilburnGwinnett Smyrna Doraville Watkinsville Clarke Walton Lexington der Springs Austell Snellville 61 Decatur Monroe Oconee glasville Maxey

Atlanta

Douglas

ton

166

Union City

Fayetteville

Coweta

range

Griffin 362

27A 109

Stovall

Pike

212

Jackson

Lamar

The Rock 74

Thomaston

Madison

Morgan

Green

Newborn

129

Greene

Shady Dale

Jasper

Eatonton

Monticello

Putnam

Adgateville

L. Sinclair

83 11

Barnesville

Manchester

28 | Discover North Georgia 2018

Orchard Hill

Zebulon 19

Butts

Greenville Meriwether

Newton

Stewart

Henry

Spalding

Grantville

McDonough

Hampton

Social Circle Covington

Clayton

Fayette

Conyers Rockdale

Lone Oak

Dekalb

Forest Park Jonesboro Stockbridge

Peachtree City

wnan

Fulton

College Park

East Point

Forsyth Monroe

Wayside Jones Gray

Milledge

22 49

Baldwin

Gordon 74

Ivey

441

Wilkinson

2018 BLAIRSVILLE-UNION COUNTY GEORGIA

Historic Courthouse

2018 EVENTS CALENDAR

June 9-10 Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games June 23-24 12th Annual Mountain Fling Arts & Crafts Show June 30 Lake Nottely Boat Parade

Lake Nottely

July 4 Independence Day at Vogel State Park July 21-22 Butternut Creek Festival August 25 A Taste of the Mountains September 1-2 Mountain Heritage Festival September 8 Mountain Music & Arts & Crafts Festival October 6-7 October 13-14 October 20-21 October 20 October 27 October 31

Brasstown Bald

Indian Summer Festival Blairsville Sorghum Festival Blairsville Sorghum Festival Good Neighbors Car Show Fall Festival at Vogel State Park Hometown Halloween on the Square

November 17-18 Mistletoe Market December 1-31 Tour of Trees December 1 Kris Kringle Mountain Market & Christmas Parade December 8 Christmas Tree Lighting at Vogel State Park

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find culture

GALLERIES Atlanta Botanical Gardens Gainesville 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville. 404-888-4760, atlantabg.org/visit/gainesville The Bowen Center for the Arts 334 Ga. 9 N., Dawsonville. Open Tuesday through Saturday. 706-216-2787, www.bowenarts.org Helen Arts and Heritage Center 25 Chattahoochee Strasse, Helen. Open Monday through Saturday. 706-878-3933, www.helenarts. org Leo Castelli Gallery John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts 429 Academy St., Gainesville Available by appointment only. 770-534-6263, galleries.brenau. edu/visit Quinlan Visual Arts Center 514 Green St. N.E., Gainesville. Open Monday through Saturday. 770-536-2575, www.quinlan artscenter.org Roy. C. Moore Art Gallery Open Monday through Friday and by appointment. University of North Georgia

Gainesville campus, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. 678-717-3438, ung.edu/art-galleries/ gainesville Manhattan Gallery, Brenau University Downtown Center 301 Main St. SW, Gainesville. Open Monday through Friday. Guests must check-in with front desk attendant to view this gallery. 770-534-6263, galleries.brenau.edu/visit Sautee Nacoochee Center 283 GA-255, Sautee Nacoochee. Open Monday through Sunday. 706-878-3300, www.snca.org Sellars Gallery, Simmons Visual Arts Center 200 Boulevard, Gainesville. Open Monday through Thursday. Closed daily 12:15-1:15 p.m. 770-534-6263, galleries.brenau.edu/visit Presidents Gallery, Simmons Visual Arts Center 200 Boulevard, Gainesville Open Monday through Thursday. 770-534-6263, galleries.brenau.edu/visit

MUSEUMS Elachee Nature Science Center 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. Open

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Monday through Saturday from March to November, Monday through Friday December through February. 770-535-1976, www.elachee.org Crawford Long Museum 28 College St., Jefferson. Open Tuesday through Saturday. 706-367-5307, www.crawfordlong. org Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site 1 Public Square N, Dahlonega. Open Monday through Sunday. 706-864-2257, gastateparks.org/DahlonegaGoldMuseum The Educational Foundation and Museum of Beulah Rucker 2101 Athens Highway, Gainesville. 404401-6589, www.beulahruckermuseum.org The Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center Chattahoochee National Forest, 98 Foxfire Lane, Mountain City. Open Monday through Saturday. 706746-5828, www.foxfire.org

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids 999 Chestnut St. SE, Gainesville. Open Monday through Sunday. 770-536-1900, www.inkfun.org

Georgia Racing Hall of Fame 415 Ga. 53, Dawsonville. Open Monday through Sunday. 706-216-7223, georgiaracinghof.com

Northeast Georgia History Center 322 Academy St. NE, Gainesville. Open Tuesday through Saturday. 770-297-5900, www.negahc.org

• An easy walk to restaurants, shops & activities • Rooms & suites with balconies on the banks of the river • Enclosed heated pool & outdoor activity area for year-round use • Hospitality rooms with jacuzzis, fireplaces & kitchens • Meeting space for 200+ 33 Munich Strasse • Helen, GA • www.Helendorf.com Group Inquiries & Reservations 706-878-2271 Discover North Georgia 2018 | 31

zipping through trees

Unicoi Aerial Adventure Park in Helen

Ziplines in the area offer unique fun By Layne Saliba lsaliba@gainesvilletimes.com There are a lot of things to do in and around Hall County as the heat starts to roll in. You could go out on the lake, you hike and bike area trails or you could fly as high as the trees. Ziplining is gaining popularity and Hall County, including the area around the county, isn’t lacking in choices. There’s North Georgia Canopy Tours in Lula, Unicoi Zipline & Aerial Adventure Park at Unicoi State Park, Nacoochee Adventures in Helen and Lake Lanier Canopy Tours in Buford. One of the most recent additions to these adventures is the level-two zipline course at Unicoi State Park, just under an hours’ drive from the square in downtown Gainesville. “People have always been coming to the park,” said James Garity, a manager with Unicoi Zipline. “Unicoi is the largest state park in Georgia. It’s right at 1,050 acres and we’ve got a 53-acre lake. It’s right next to Anna Ruby Falls. It’s also just five miles away from Helen. So a lot of people have been coming here for a while.” While Unicoi State Park is a nice place to visit, Garity said it’s even better when guests get to see it from above. That’s why it teamed up with Historic Banning Mills, which the world’s largest combined-length zipline course, to create the

32 | Discover North Georgia 2018

zipline courses at Unicoi. The adventure resort in west Georgia wanted to bring the fun to other places, so it has been helping out state parks by building the courses and supplying the personnel to staff them as long as the park provides the utilities and land. “It’s mutually beneficial,” Garity said. “We don’t have to pay for land, they don’t have to pay for a zipline park, but we both get to benefit from the agreement.” The level-one zipline at Unicoi opened in May 2016 and is an introduction of sorts to ziplining. Riders only have to be 8 years old and weigh at least 50 pounds. They zipline through 11 lines, with lengths ranging anywhere from 65 feet to 450 feet, and walk over seven bridges. “You stay right up close to the lodge and everything,” Garity said. “So you get really cool aerial views of the lodge and the scenery that’s right up next to it. You also get good panoramic views of the lake.” Level two is more extreme with eight additional lines and two more bridges. It opened up in April of 2017 and takes riders on lines that reach 1,240 feet in length. Riders have to be at least 90 pounds and 10 years old to ride level two. “It’s definitely a better way to get out and actually see the park itself,” Garity said. “A lot of

WE HAVE IT

IN HALL

Cool off at the Laurel Park Sprayground or find out about any of the other Hall County Parks & Leisure locations online.

hallcounty.org

Unicoi Aerial Adventure Park in Helen

people who have lived here locally, theyâ€™ve always walked along the trails and everything like that, but now you get to fly through the air, above the trails, and just see everything from an aerial point of view rather than just from the ground.â€? The level two course sends riders as high as 150 feet in the air while ziplining over a valley and can reach speeds of 55-60 mph. If that sounds scary, Garity said they

34 | Discover North Georgia 2018

“go above and beyond any safety that is required for a challenge course.” Even further, as a source of encouragement, he said their motto when it comes to riders who are nervous is “Regret is real. Fear is not.” “The fear that you have of heights only lasts for a couple seconds until you actually make the first jump,” Garity said. “But if you walk away from it, you’ll always regret not actually making that jump.”

Zipline tours North Georgia Canopy Tours Where: 5290 Harris Road, Lula Contact:770-869-7272 Unicoi Zipline & Aerial Adventure Park Where: 1788 Highway 356, Helen Contact: 706-878-4740 Nacoochee Adventures Where: 7019 S. Main St., Helen Contact: 706-878-9477 Lake Lanier Canopy Tours Where: 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford Contact: 678-622-3990

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fLOAT DOWN CO UNT RY

Helen's tubing businesses booming Labor Day weekend crowd just downstream from the Main Street bridge.

Tubing season brings fun on the ‘Hooch By Layne Saliba lsaliba@gainesvilletimes.com Hall County is the perfect place to be around this time of year, especially when it comes to tubing the Chattahoochee River. You can go north and try it out in Helen or you can head south and try it out around Atlanta. Either way, “Shootin’ the Hooch” has become one of the most exciting, leisurely pastimes for people in north Georgia. Helen is one of the most popular destinations for tubing down the Chattahoochee because it offers so much more than other places with its Bavarian-themed town. Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing are the best options in Helen. Cool River has been around for quite a while, since 1990, and has almost perfected the art of tubing. “Helen is a tourist town anyway, so people are always here from out of town,” said Brianna Stewart, who worked for the company for eight years. “But for tubing, people come from out of town just for that. They want to do it all year ‘round. We get calls every day. They still want to

36 | Discover North Georgia 2018

Tubers float under Hall's Mill Bridge near Highway 60 in Dahlonega as they rent their tubes from nearby Appalachian Outfitters.

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go tubing, even if it’s cold.” During the busy season, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Stewart said Cool River sees thousands of people come through to grab a hot pink or lime green tube to float down the river with friends. It offers two ride lengths at Cool River for guests, both of which are priced the same. There’s a long ride which takes about two hours and there’s a short ride which is about an hour. “We don’t know exactly how many people go through, but it’s a lot,” Stewart said. “Like Fourth of July, if you drive by the river, all you see are tubes in the water.” If taking off near Atlanta is more your thing, you still have a couple of options. There’s the Nantahala Outdoor Center and Shoot the Hooch, among a few others. Barbara Russell, general manager with Shoot the Hooch, said it was the first tubing company in the Atlanta area. It’s in Roswell and she said it’s also the only company in the area with its headquarters actually on the Chattahoochee River. Tubers take off at Don White Memorial Park and

ride down the river for 1.5 miles. Russell said Shoot the Hooch has a good reputation and is easy to get to for everyone in the area, which is why most of its 500 tubes are full each day during tubing season. “We put in about 30,000 people a year,” Russell said. She said some people even bring music, drinks and food to enjoy during their time on the river. One of the unique parts about the 1.5-mile stretch is the little island it passes. Sometimes, tubers stop to take a break and enjoy time with friends on the island before finishing out the trip. “You don’t have to put out any effort,” Russell said. “You just sit in a tube and float from the take-out point. And everybody just sits there and chit chats and enjoys the beauty of the Chattahoochee River.” • Cool River Tubing, 590 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, 706- 8782665. • Shoot the Hooch, 203 Azalea Dr., Roswell, 770-650-1008. • Appalachian Outfitters - Canoeing and Kayaking, 2084 S Chestatee, Dahlonega, 706-864-7117 • Cool River Adventures, 112 Poplar Stump Road, Helen 706-878-9471 Appalachian Outfitters prepare to launch a group of tubers down the Chestatee River in Dahlonega.

Top left, bottom: Tubing through Helen during Labor Day Weekend.

38 | Discover North Georgia 2018

Discover North Georgia 2018 | 39

reaso ns to celebrate

Spring Chicken Festival in Gainesville.

A guide to top events and festivals By Pamela A. Keene For each month of the year, the Southeast Tourism Society names its top festivals across the Southeast. Invariably, festivals in Northeast Georgia make the cut early every month. In fact, Georgia is one of 12 states that belong to the organization. “It is quite an honor to be selected as a Top 20 Tourism Event for a particular month,” says Wendy Thomas, director of marketing and communications for the organization. “The events are reviewed by an impartial panel and chosen for their diversity, the types of events and activities they offer and how much impact they have in the region. You know that if you’ve chosen to attend one of the Top 20, you’re in a for real treat and plenty of fun.” The Southeast Tourism Society was founded in 1983 by Bill Hardman Sr. an early pioneer of tourism, to support and improve tourism as an economic engine in the Southeast. Today the organization is led by his son Bill Hardman Jr., and it carries on the traditions established more than three decades ago. In addition to sponsoring the Top 20 Events and festivals each month, it offers educational opportunities and Marketing College for tourism professionals, and it advocates for tourism-based economic development for communities across the Southeast. From music festivals and arts and crafts shows, to seasonal celebrations and events that honor

40 | Discover North Georgia 2018

our region’s agricultural and historic heritage, Northeast Georgia is rich with plenty of festivals and activities all year long. Revisit an old favorite or make new traditions that showcase the best that Northeast Georgia has to offer.

Summer

Hot times in the summertime abound in Northeast Georgia. People from across the Southeast escape to the mountains for relief from the heat of the season, seeking fun destinations for family vacations or a short getaway. You can celebrate the nation’s birthday throughout early July with music and fireworks, or visit arts and craft shows at the area’s small towns and vineyards.

May 31- June 2, Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival, Helen. www.helenballoon.com June 1-3, North Georgia Highlands Seafood Festival, Young Harris, wwwnorthgeorgia highlandsseafoodfestival.com June 2, Gainesville-Hall Dragon Boat Challenge Gainesville, www.lakelanierolympicvenue.org June 2, Fretting the Foothills Music Festival, Braselton Town Green June 9-10, Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games, www.blairsvillescottishfestival.org June 9. John Jarrard annual Lake Show, Gainesville, www.lakelanierolympicvenue.org June 22-24, Mountain Fling, North Georgia Technical College, Blairsville, www.artguildstore.com June 23, Hall County Bicentennial Celebration, Laurel Park June 23, Lavender Fest, Sautee-Nacoochee, shop.thelavendercottageandgarden.comshop.

thelavendercottageandgarden.com/news-events June 22-24, Art-Tiques Vintage Market, downtown Braselton Friday 12-7, Saturday 9-6, Sunday 10-5 Saturdays, Ida Cox Music Festival, 7-10 p.m, Toccoa, www.idacoxmusicseries.com June 30-July 1, Made in Georgia Festival,Young Harris. business.golakechatuge.com/events/details/made-in-georgia- festival-29370 July 4 Festival, Parade & Fireworks, downtown Braselton, www.downtownbraselton.com July 14-15, Painted Fern Festival, Clayton, northgeorgiaartsguild. com/ July 19-21, Pirates of Lanier Charity Poker Run, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, www.piratesoflanier.org. July 21-22, Butternut Creek Festival, Blairsville. www.butternutcreekfestival.com July 20-28, Georgia Mountain Fair, Hiawassee, www. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/events/georgiamountain-fair July 20, Friday Night Live Red, White & Tunes Concert & Fireworks, Clarkesville, www.clarkesvillega.com Aug. 2, Wine Walk, downtown Braselton Aug. 3-4, Big E Festival and Elvis Tribute Artists Competition, Clayton, www.bigefest.com/ Aug. 3-4, Dillard Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival, Dillard, www.dillardbbq.org/ Aug. 24-26, Art-Tiques Vintage Market, Historic Braselton Gymnasium, Friday 24, 4-8 p.m./ $5 admission to shop early, Saturday 25, 9-6 p.m., Sunday 26, 10-5 p.m. Aug. 25-26,Young Harris Art Fest,Young Harris, www. robinrobertspromotions.com/picture-gallery.php Aug. 25,Yonah Mountain Crush Fest.Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Cleveland, www.yonahmountainvineyards.com/crushfest/

Fall

Cooler temperatures, fall color and the busiest festival time of the year and you’ve got a formula for a busy fall. No matter what your interests, you can find it in Northeast Georgia. The mountain heritage and culture is centerstage with music, arts and crafts and festive foods. The region is ripe with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides and family activities that reflect the long-time traditions of this festive season. Highlights include an abundance of events and activities at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, including its multi-day Fall festival and fiddlers Convention, which brings together a combination of arts and crafts, heritage demonstrations and some of the best fiddlers in the nation from Oct. 12-20; and the Appalachian Brew, Que and Stew Festival on Oct. 27; and a plentiful schedule of concerts. Oktoberfest in Helen is an international affair. It takes place from Sept. 6 through Oct. 28.

Through Dec. 9 Gibbs Gardens Colorfests and Festivals, Ball Ground, www.gibbsgardens.com Sept. 1, Grape Stomp Fest, Blairsville. www.paradisehillsga.com Sept. 1, Folk Pottery Arts Festival, Sautee Nacoochee, www.snca.org Sept. 1-2, Mountain Heritage Festival, Blairsville, www.unioncountyhistory.org Sept. 6-Oct. 28, Oktoberfest, Helen, www.helenchamber.com oktoberfest.html.

3RD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH (APRIL - AUGUST)

JULY 4TH

Celebration

Admission: $5.00 (13 & up) Street Dance | Food & Craft Vendors Childrens’ Activities 10am - 10pm Fireworks 9:30 pm at Fairgrounds Annual Steam Engine Parade @10 am

Friday & Saturday 8 PM Sunday 7 PM AUGUST 31ST Admission: SEPTEMBER 2ND 13 & up - $15.00, 5 - 12 - $10.00 IPRA (International 4 & under - FREE, Seniors 65+ $10.00 Professional Rodeo 8 Event Rodeo includes: Association) World Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Steer Championship Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Rodeo Bareback Riding, Calf & Team Roping, Cowgirls Breakaway Roping

OCTOBER 4TH-14TH

Cumming Country Fair & Festival

Mon- Thurs 4 pm - 10 pm Friday 4 pm - Midnight Sat. 10 am - Midnight Sunday 12:30 - 9:00 pm Fair Admission: 11 & up - $7.00, 10 & under - FREE Advance Tickets Available Sept. 3rd- 28th Parking - $5.00 Handicap Parking Available- $5.00

235 CASTLEBERRY ROAD CUMMING, GEORGIA

770-781-3491| WWW.CUMMINGFAIR.NET Discover North Georgia 2018 | 41

Sept. 8, Mountain Music & Arts & Crafts Festival,Vogel State Park, www.gastateparks.org/vogel Sept. 7-15, Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Clarkesville, www. clarkesvillega.com Sept. 8, Snake Day, Elachee Nature Science Center, www.elachee.org Sept. 12-16, ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, www.lanierdragonboat2018.com/. Sept. 15, Spirit of Appalachia Food, Wine & Art Festival, Sautee Nacoochee, www.whitecountychamber.org Sept. 14-15, Clermont Days, www.clermontdays.net Sept. 14-15, Scarecrow Trail, North Georgia Zoo and Farm, Cleveland, www.northgeorgiazoo.com Sept. 22, John Jarrard Foundation Concert, Brenau University, Gainesville, www.johnjarrardfoundation.com Sept. 22, Big Red Apple Festival, Cornelia Oct. 6-7, Indian Summer Festival, Suches, www.suches.com/ festivaldetails.htm Oct. 6, Foxfire Mountaineer Festival, Rabun County Civic Center, www.foxfirefund.org Oct. 6 Howl-O-Ween Gainesville Oct. 7-8, Folk School Fall Festival, John C. Campbell Folk School, folkschool.org Oct. 4-14, Cumming Country Fair and Festival, Cumming, www.cummingfair.net Oct. 10-13, Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta, Braselton. www.roadatlanta.com Oct.12-14, Mule Camp Market, downtown Gainesville square, www.gainesville.org, www.gainesvillejaycees.org Oct. 12-21, Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Blairsville, www. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/events/fall-festival Oct. 13-14, Fall Arts in the Park, Blue Ridge. www.blueridgearts.net Oct. 13-21, Sorghum Festival, Blairsville, www.blairsvillesorghumfestival.com/ Oct. 20-21, Gold Rush Days, Dahlonega, dahlonegajaycees.com/ gold-rush-days Oct. 20, Zombie 5K Run, downtown Braselton Oct. 26-28, Mountain Moonshine Festival, Dawsonville, www.kareforkids.org Oct. 26-28 Braselton Antique Festival, Downtown Braselton Friday 12-7, Saturday 9-6, Sunday 10-5 Oct. 27, Harvest Balloon Festival, Sterling on the Lake, Flowery Branch. www.harvestballoonfestival.com Oct. 27 Trick or Treat on the Trail, Gainesville Oct. 27-29, Boo at the Zoo, North Georgia Zoo and Farm, Cleveland, www.northgeorgiazoo.com Oct. 27, Appalachian Brew, Stew and Que Festival, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com Oct. 27-28, Harvest Festival, Toccoa, www.mainstreettoccoa.com harvest-festival Oct. 31, Trick-or-Treat on the Clarkesville Square, downtown Clarkesville, www.clarkesvillega.com

Winter

Northeast Georgians love to celebrate, and a little cold weather doesn’t hold us back. Many activities focus on the holidays, such as the Fasching Festival and the annual Lighting of the Village in Alpine Helen, and numerous light displays, holiday parades and New Year’s Eve festivities across the region, but even after the first of the year, you can venture out other arts, historic and 42 | Discover North Georgia 2018

cultural events. Nov. 9-10, Cumming Steam, Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Exposition, Cumming. Nov. 17, Celebrate the Holiday in Braselton, 7 p.m. Braselton, www.downtownbraselton.com Fasching Festival, Helen, helenga.org Saturdays Dec.-Feb.,Winter Wonderland Tours, North Georgia Zoo and Farm, Cleveland, www.northgeorgiazoo.com Nov. 22-Dec. 29, Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, Hiawassee, www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com ChristmasFest, Toccoa, www.mainstreettoccoa.com/christmasfest Dec. 8, Caroling through the Park,Victoria Bryant State Park, Royston, explore.gastateparks.org/info/202781 Dec. 8, A Downtown Clarkesville Christmas, www.clarkesvillega.com Dec. 13-15, Christmas in Cornelia, Cornelia City Park Jingle Mingle, Gainesville, www.exploregainesville.org. Dec. 9 Mingle with Kringle, Main Street Market, Gainesville, www.exploregainesville.org. Christmas on Green Street, Gainesville, www.exploregainesville.org. Dec. 15, Habersham County Christmas Parade Bicentennial. Cornelia Dec. 31, Nugget Drop, Dahlonega, www.dahlonegafirstnight.org. Jan. 1, Polar Bear Swim, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, www.exploregainesville.org. Feb. 15-17, WinterFest: Arts & Coach Tour, Sautee Nacoochee/ Helen/Unicoi Lodge, www.winterfestartstour.org

Spring

After the ups and downs of North Georgia’s sometimes-unpredictable weather, people are itching to get back outdoors. Never fear, the attractions, parks and towns of the region are waiting. From arts and crafts shows, such as like the Mountain Laurel Festival in Clarkesville, to concerts and food-centric events. April, Spring Chicken Festival, Gainesville, www.gainesville.org Late April, Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival, www.downtownbraselton.com April, Bear on the Square, downtown Dahlonega, www.bearonthesquare.org April, Apple Blossom BBQ Festival, Cornelia, May, Mountain Laurel Festival, , Clarkesville May, Rubber Duck Derby, Lake Lanier Olympic Park. www.lakelanierolympicvenue.org May, Lula Railroad Days, Lula, lula.city Dahlonega Arts and Wine Festival, dahlonega.org Strawberry Festival, Jaemor Farm, Alto, www.jaemorfarms.com Bavarianfest, Helen, www.helenga.org Springtime Festival, North Georgia Zoo and Farm, Cleveland, www.northgeorgiazoo.com Taste of Forsyth, Cumming, www.cummingfair.net

For up to date information about Northeast Georgia’s festivals and special events, visit exploregeorgia.org and click on the Northeast Georgia Mountains Region. This site is developed and maintained by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Robin Roberts Promotions LLC The City of Young Harris, Ga. Great Variety of Seafood Vendors from the North Georgia Mountains to Savannah!

Live Music • Arts & Crafts

ENJOY, FIRST HAND, THE MOST ENCHANTED VALLEY IN NORTH GEORGIA ... YOUNG HARRIS

GET READY TO:

• Eat some serious seafood and sweet treats • Tap your toes to live music • Stroll through more than 50 arts and crafts exhibitors

These are just a few of the highlights of the North Georgia Seafood Festival. Presented by Robin Roberts Promotions and the City of Young Harris, this Festival features tons of delicious food, outstanding music and affordable homespun arts & crafts. Stroll the park with our stilt walker.

BEER & WINE GARDENS We ID

Sit back, have a beer and crack some peanuts from a barrel. Or enjoy fine wine from Crane Creek Vineyards and Engelheim Vineyards.Also enjoy fresh goat cheese from the High Mountains Meadows Farm & Creamery along with Edies Just Desserts butter & wheat crackers and crisp bread rounds.

THE NATIONAL CRAB RACE Friday and Saturday! Winners will receive achievement awards.

Take part in our “BOOTIE” AUCTION

June 1-3, 2018

Mayors Park • Hwy 76 • Young Harris, Ga.

Friday 1pm-9pm • Saturday 10am-9pm • Sunday 10am-5pm Free Parking • Admission $5 • Children Under 12 Free (Handicap parking available adjacent to the Festival) Bring a chair or blanket to sit back and enjoy the music! NO COOLERS PLEASE Musical Guests Include: Matt Rogers • Gold Standard Band • Sugar Bone Music Rollin’ Bones • Waymores Outlaws • Tom Floyd • Country River Band

FREE admission to Veterans on Friday, June 1st from 1-5 with proper ID. Music salute to the veterans at 4:30!

Presented By

Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa AND Leon Farmer & Company Sponsors

on Saturday at 1 pm

to benefit the Towns County Food Pantry

Visit www.northgeorgiahighlandsseafoodfestival.com for a schedule of Music, Artists, Craft Demonstrations and Food Menus,Tickets & More! 706-897-6179

An outdoor adventure every day Anna Ruby Falls Archery & Air Rifle Ranges Canoeing & Kayaking Gold & Gem Stone Panning Golfing Hiking, Biking & Backpacking Over 20 Waterfalls Paddle Boarding Smithgall Woods State Park Tubing & Swimming Unicoi State Park & Adventure Lodge Unicoi Wine Trail & Wine Tours Year Round Trout Fishing Yonah Mountain Zip Lining & Challenge Courses

Alpine Helen white county

Convention & Visitors Bureau Regional Visitors Information Center

Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center

726 BRUCKENSTRASSE HELEN, GA 30545

122 N. MAIN STREET C L E V E L A N D, G A 30533

800.858.8027 HelenGA.org

706.865.5356

WhiteCountyChamber.org

HELEN â€¢ CLEVELAND SAUTEE NACOOCHEE