Friday, October 1, 2010

FALL'S FESTIVALS & FAIRS





Enjoy Fall's festivals, fairs & food before Fall colors fade into winter


Georgia's  mountain regions offer vistas of ever changing scenery, lakes, roaring rivers, music, good food and celebrations. October is the month to journey to north Georgia for the leaf change.  Alot of the region's towns offer festivals celebrating everything from crops, heritage, the gold industry to centuries past.    You will find bluegrass music, hog calling contests, clogging and buck dancing and even a liar's contest.  Artists, crafts, musicians and parades are staples at many of the fairs.  Find your favorite festivals in our list below and enjoy October's many views and celebrations before the days shorten, the weather cools and Fall's colors fade.

•Kangaroo Conservation
Enjoy an outback adventure in the picturesque North Georgia mountains. Kangaroo Conservation Center has the largest collection of kangaroos outside of Australia. Restricted to adults and ages 5 or above. Friday & Saturday only and last tour is Oct. 30th. Dawsonville, GA, 706.265.6100. www.kangaroocenter.com
•78th Annual North Georgia State Fair
Through October 3rd ~ As the largest fair in metro Atlanta, the North Georgia State Fair attracts nearly 300,000 people and features live music, free attractions, shows, farm animals, flower shows, blue ribbon competitions, local square dancers, fair foods, games and rides at one of the largest carnival midways in the United States. A covered arena guarantees free concerts rain or shine.  Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, SW, Marietta. 770.528.8989, www.northgeorgiastatefair.com
•Atlanta Greek Festival
Through October 3rd ~ Music, dancing, singing, food and wine demonstrations. $3; ages 12 and younger $1. Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 404.633.7358, www.atlgoc.org/festival.htm

•Oktoberfest
Through October 31st, Helen, GA ~ nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, is a re-creation of an alpine village complete with cobblestone alleys and old-world towers. Sundays in October free admisson.  www.helenchamber.com

•Enchanted Maize Maze
Through October 31st ~ A cornfield labyrinth of trails. Located at the foot of Lookout Mountain in Georiga. For hours, prices and directions 706.820.2531. There are also hayrides, a kiddie hay maze, a hay pyramid, pumpkin patch & good cookin.’ www.enchantedmaze.com
•Netherworld
Through November 6th ~ 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. at the Georgia Antique & Design Center at 6624 Dawson Blvd., Norcross.  The Travel Channel has called it “the most elaborate haunted house in America” that “makes Hollywood creature features look like Bambi.”  The Today Show says, “Here, goose bumps are guaranteed.  AOL City Guide warns that it  “brings screams, goose bumps, and unthinkable horrors.”  And, for the last few years, Netherworld has been considered one of the Top Haunted Houses in the World.  404.608.2484, www.fearworld.com 

•Uncle Shuck’s Haunted Maze
Through November 22nd ~ Returning attractions will include the large cornfield maze, one haunted maze section (October only), one soybean maze in the Kiddie Corner activity area, hayrides along the Etowah River, bonfire area and the pumpkin patch. A two-acre sunflower field will be added, with the large yellow blooms available for purchase. In addition, an “Amazing Scarecrows” exhibit area and contest will be featured with the pumpkin patch. Dawsonville, 40 minutes from metro Atlanta, two miles West from the North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall on Georgia Hiwy. 53. www.uncleshucks.com
•Leaf Watch 2009
Through early November ~ Autumn’s arrival means multicolored leaves. To help leaf peepers plan their autumn escapes, Georgia’s state parks has launched “Leaf Watch 2010” to track fall color as it moves across the state. Found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/leafwatch throughout October and early November, travelers can get updates on fall color and make reservations for the many campsites, cottages and lodge rooms offered at Georgia’s state parks. 1.800.864.7275.

•7th Annual Virginia Highlands ‘Rocktoberfest’
October 1st ~ 5 p.m. - Midnight. Music begins at 6 p.m. The First Big Oktoberfest of the Year! $5 cover. 822 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta - 404.874.7147 (Back Parking Lot & Inside Limerick Junction &  Blind Willie’s), www.usaentertainment.net/vahirock.html 

•Fadoktoberfest 
October 2nd ~ 2 p.m. to close. There are only a couple of times a year Fado takes the party to the streets in Buckhead and the annual Oktoberfest celebration is one of them! So, strap on your fanciest lederhosen and sexist dirndl skirts and head down early. The outdoor street festival starts at 2 p.m.  Day includes a Polka Band, bratwurst eating contest, strongman stein holding competition and live music.  Advance tickets $5.  273 Buckhead Avenue, 404.841.0066, www.fadoirishpub.com/atlanta/fadoktoberfest

•Alpharetta Scarecrow Fest
October 2nd ~ A gathering for the entire community celebrating scarecrows and the spirit of the fall harvest.  Over 50 lively scarecrows created by school children line Hwy 9, downtown hayrides, fall crafts, farmer’s market, live music, food and fun. FREE. For info: 678/297-6000 x-1008 or www.alpharetta.ga.us.

•Hotoberfest Beer Festival
October 2nd ~ 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.  Beer tasting of 110+ craft brews 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Earth • Beer • Music... on the grounds of the Glenwood Park community. www.hotoberfest.net to win free tickets

•2nd Atlanta BBQ Festival
October 2nd ~ Noon - 8 p.m.  1 day, 10 restaurants, 50 BBQ teams. Blues & bluegrass music and kid’s area. $6 advance/$10 day of and 12-and-under free. Atlantic Station special events area, www.atlantabbqfestival.com

•Crossroads Antiques & Art
October 2nd ~ A tradition since 1969, Crossroads at Crabapple Antique and Art Festival, Mayfield Road in Milton.  An old-fashioned festival with musicians, food & fun under old oak trees surrounded by buildings dating back to the 1800s.  This one-day festival features 50 Antique dealers from 6 states and 50 juried artists as well as children’s activities. 770.448.3860, www.cityofmiltonga.us/
•Rock N’ Ribs Fest
October 2nd ~ 1 - 9 p.m.  On the Square in Downtown Lawrenceville.  Sponsored by 97.1 The River with live music, a kid’s zone, ribs & sandwich plates from area restaurants (McCray’s Tavern, Texas Roadhouse, California Dreaming, Spiced Right BBQ, Oyster Bay & Heavenly Dreams Q) and a beergarten by McCray’s Tavern.  www.rocknribsfest.com/home.html
•Historical Rock Hike
October 2nd  ~  10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Join Tallulah Gorge staff for a hike to see rock formations that were named during the Victorian era. The hike is very strenuous, off the beaten trail. . Bring lots of water and a snack. Space is limited so please call and sign up in advance. $5 parking.706-754-7981. Tallulah Gorge State Park, Hwy. 441, Tallulah Falls. www.gastateparks.org/info/Tallulah

•Indian Summer Festival
October 2nd & 3rd ~ $6 Advance, $8 at the door.  Arts, Crafts, barbeque, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, a turkey shoot, pony rides and live band with country square dance.  Woody Gap School (Georgia’s smallest public school), GA Highway 60, Suches, GA.  706.838.5378. www.suches.com/festivalinfo.htm

•Norcross Arts Fest
October 2nd & 3rd ~ Art, live entertainment, children’s rides, silent auction & food on the streets of historic downtown Norcross. 678.641.2686, splashfestivals.com

•Appalachian Jam
October 2nd & October 9th ~ 2 PM - 5 PM. Come listen to the sounds and songs of yesteryear. North Georgia’s mountain music singers and pickers will appear on the grounds of the historic Dahlonega Gold Museum. Enjoy acoustic and old-time strings as the sounds of yesterday fill the air - 465 Riley Road, Dahlonega, GA , 706.864.3513. www.dahlonegadda.org

•Sunday In The Park
October 3rd ~ Historic Oakland Foundation is proud to present the 31st annual Sunday in the Park from Noon  – 6 p.m. The Victorian street festival began in 1979 and offers fun, food, and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy delicious food from Six Feet Under, The Varsity, Tin Lizzy’s, Doc Chey’s, Pallookaville and more. There will be a variety of live musical entertainment, an artists market, living history demonstrations, storytellers, Irish dancers and a scavenger hunt.The suggested donation is $5. Admission for children 3 and under is free. Free parking. 248 Oakland Avenue, SE, Atlanta, 404.688.2107, www.oaklandcemetery.com

•Cumming Country Fair and Festival
October 7th - 17th ~ Amusement rides and games, fireworks, a heritage village with a working saw mill, corn mill and more, family shows and concerts included in the admission price. $7; $3 for 5 to 18, under 4 free. Cumming City Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming. 770.781.3491, www.cityofcumming.net

•GA National Fair
October 7th - 17th ~ Exhibits, midway rides, games, concerts and nightly fireworks. $8; $7 seniors; free for children 10 and younger. Georgia National Fairgrounds, 401 Larry Walker Pkwy., Perry, GA, 1.800.987.3247, www.georgianationalfair.com

•GA Mountain Fall Fest
October 8th - 16th ~ Country music stars, crafts and exhibits - mountain style.  1311 Music Hall Road (Park Road at U.S. 76), Hiawassee. 706.896.4191, www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
•37th Annual Lilburn Daze
October 9th ~ Arts & Crafts Festival with 200 booths, crafters and food concessions. Children’s play area with a big slide, moonwalk, pony rides, clowns, train ride and a rock-climbing wall. 770.982.4808, 76 Main Street, Lilburn.  Free admission & parking. www.cityoflilburn.com

•Oakhurst International Arts and Music Festival
October 9th ~ 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. An artists market with more than 75 artists plus children’s activities & live music. Free admission. Harmony Park, East Lake Drive at Oakview Road. 404.371.9583, oakhurstartsandmusicfestival.com
•41st Sorghum Festival
Weekends October 9th & 10th, 16th & 17th  ~ The culture of the Mountains. Activites include Sorghum Parade, car show, biskit’ eatin’ contest, square dancin’, pole climbin’, log sawin’, rock throwin’, and horseshoes throwin’, 706.745.5789 - Fort Sorghum, in Blairsville.  Free admission, free parking. www.blairsville.com/sorghum.asp
•Prater’s Mill Country Fair
October 9th & 10th ~ A family-friendly jaunt through history, the festival is centered around the old water-powered, still-operating gristmill which was built in the mid-1800s near Dalton, GA. For more information 706.694.MILL (6455).  Admission $5, children under 12 free, free parking. www.pratersmill.org
•39th GA Apple Festival
October 9th & 10th, 16th & 17th ~ North Georgia’s apple harvest with arts and crafts, parade, car show and bushels of apples. $5; children younger than 10 free. Lions Club Fairgrounds, Old Ga. Hwy. 5, Ellijay. (Shuttles available from schools). 706.635.7400, www.georgiaapplefestival.org
•10th Little Five Points Halloween Festival
October 15th & 16th ~ Live local bands, costume contest, parade, children’s activies in Davis Plaza noon - 5 p.m. Hours: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Oct. 16; noon-10 p.m. Oct. 17. Free admission. Little Five Points, Atlanta. 404.230.2884. www.l5phalloween.com

•St. Mountain Highland Games
   October 15th & 17th ~ Athletic events, dancing, music, piping and drumming. Food, vendors. Sounds of bagpipes, fiddles and harps. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $15 Saturday, $13 Sunday, children $4; Stone Mountain Park, U.S. 78 East, Stone Mountain. 770.521.0228, www.smhg.org
•Great Decatur Beer Tasting Festival
October 16th ~ Noon - 5 p.m. $35. 100’s of local & international beers, live music and food, Decatur Square, 404.371.9583, decaturbeerfestival.org
•Fall Hoedown
October 16th ~ 2 - 9 p.m.  Celebrate autumn’s arrival with line, square and round dancing, hayrides and campfire stories. $5 parking. Vogel State Park, Blairsville, GA 706.745.2628. www.gastateparks.org
•34th Harvest Square Fest
October 16th ~ 9 a.m. til 6 p.m.  Many local area artists and craftspeople. Exhibits include painting, pottery, woodwork, metal, jewelry, glass, fabric, floral designs and more. Also, Halloween Happenings and Scarecrows on the Square. Marietta Square, for more info, 770.794.5601.  www.mariettaga.gov

•Gold Rush Days
October 16th & 17th ~ Fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event, 706.864.7247. www.dahlonega.org
•Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike
October 22nd, 6 PM to 8 PM & October 24th, 7:45 PM to 9:45 PM. Join Tallulah Rangers an a moonlit hike down into the gorge. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. Tallulah Gorge State Park - Tallulah Falls, GA 706.754.7981. gastateparks.org
•Sugar Hill Fall Festival
October 23rd ~ Free. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Carnival games, rides, petting zoo, face painting, parade at 10 a.m., arts & crafts, live music and more... E.E. Robinson Park, Level Creek Road, Sugar Hilll. 770.831.7413, www.cityofsugarhill.com

•Olde Town Fall Fest
October 23rd ~ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Arts and crafts, continuous entertainment. Food. Free. Olde Town, Main and Commercial streets, Conyers. 770.602.2606, www.conyersga.com
•Candler Park Fall Fest
Octobert 23rd & 24th ~ 101th Anniversary: Francine Reed and League of Decency highlight the musical lineup of 15 acts at Atlanta’s most hospitable fall festival. Also: kids actvities, food, beer, and more than 90 artists will be featured at this year’s event — which also happens to be the 101th anniversary of this quirky intown neighborhood. www.candlerpark.org/fallfest


•43rd Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival
October 23rd & 24th ~ Visit an old Moonshine still; listen to stories from the “Tripper’s” and Revenuer’s.  Friday night cruise-in.  Sat: parade, crafts, food, entertainment, and bicycle tour 706.216.5273 - Toll Free: 877.280.8147, Dawsonville, www.dawson.org
•Fall Jonquil Festival
October 23rd & 24th ~ 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Vendors from across the Southeast offer arts and crafts. Food. Children’s activities include pony rides, inflatables, sand art. Free Admission. Village Green, 2800 King St., Smyrna. 770.423.1330. www.ci.smyrna.ga.us

•Taste Of Atlanta
October 23rd & 24th ~ An outdoor food festival held throughout the streets of Tech Square in Midtown. The event features more than 70 of the city’s best restaurants, live cooking demonstrations from national and local celebrity chefs, wine experience, live performances and more. For more info visit www.tasteofatlanta.com
•Halloween Hikes
October 23rd, 29th & 30th ~ Fundraiser 7 - 10 p.m., half mile of lighted trails with nature-theme characters Gather around a campfire, face painting, crafts. $8 per person. Chattahoochee Nature Center.  770.992.2055 ext. 236, www.chattnaturecenter.com
•Goblins in the Garden
          October 24th ~ 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Young goblins are invited to wear their favorite spooky costume for Halloween treats and fun. This is the culminating event of the month-long Scarecrows in the Garden. Pony rides $4, Ride-On-Train $2 (adults ride free with child under 3). Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404.876.5859, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

•Chastain Park Arts Fest
November 6th & 7th ~ This is the second year for this event on Chastain’s north end.  Over 100 artisans, free admission. www.chastainparkartsfestival.com