Harvest | A publication of
Indian Summer Festival, Oct. 2-3, Suches
Restored vintage race cars parade through downtown Dawsonville during last year’s Mountain Moonshine Festival. The event celebrates Dawsonville’s roots in stock car racing. this year’s edition is set for Oct. 23-24.
This event features arts and crafts, antiques, pottery, leather, produce, folk art and food. In addition, The Run Above the Clouds 10-kilometer road race is set for 9 a.m. Saturday. A square dance with a live band begins at 8 p.m. Saturday. Other events include clogging, turkey shoot, archery demo, auction and food. Admission is $4, parking free; all proceeds going to Woody Gap School. Contact: 706747-2401, www.suches.com.
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Oct. 8-16, Hiawasee The nine-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Festivalgoers will find mountain arts and crafts, plus exhibits, live music, a pioneer village and a Live Shark Encounter, an educational exhibit of live sharks. In addition, the festival will serve as the state fiddlers convention, bringing together top musicians from around the Southeast. Tickets are $9 per day, parking $2. Contact: 706-896-4191, gamtfair@windstream. net, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
Tom Reed
Sorghum Festival, Oct. 9-10, 16-17, Blairsville
Mule Camp Market, Oct. 8-10, Gainesville
This annual tribute to sweet syrup is held at Meeks Park off Ga. 515. Syrup making is the key craft on display, along with other art exhibits, contests, music and plenty of activities to keep children busy. The Sorghum Parade is set for Oct. 9 in downtown Blairsville, with a car show on Oct. 16 at United Community Bank. Contact: Jaycees, 706-745-4745, www. sorghumfestivalblairsville.com; car show, Good Neighbors Auto Club 828-837-8539 or 706-745-3985.
This annual event on the downtown square began as a farmer’s cub market, then became the Corn Tassel Festival. The Gainesville Jaycees took over in the early 1990s and changed the name to Mule Camp Market, reflecting Gainesville’s original name. The festival draws some 75,000 visitors each year to sample arts and crafts, music and food. Kids’ activities include face painting and a petting zoo. Contact: Gainesville Jaycees, www. gainesvillejaycees.org, 770-532-7714.
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Gold Rush Days, Oct. 16-17 Dahlonega Annual event marks Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold with more than 300 art and craft exhibitors on the town’s square and historic district. Included are a parade, children’s activities, fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race, King and Queen Coronation, hog calling, buck dancing contest, gospel singing and other live entertainment. Contact: 706-864-3513, www. dahlonega.org.
Moonshine Festival, Oct. 23-24, Dawsonville The roots of stock car racing in Dawson County, stemming from the prohibition-era “moonshine runners,” is the theme of this annual event. The celebration includes a car show and a parade Saturday. Visitors can listen to storytellers, see a moonshine still and enjoy crafts, food, music and dancing beginning at 8 a.m. daily. Other activities include children’s games and rides. Admission is free; some vendors and events include a charge, with proceeds to benefit Kare for Kids in Dawson County. Contact: 706-265-6278, 877-302-9271, www.dawson.org.