From bluegrass twang to Latin swing, “biskits” to funnel cakes, greased pole climbing to quilting, and face jugs to corn husk dolls … the communities around Lake Lanier and the mountain headwaters celebrate their diverse heritage this season. Here’s a sample of fall festivals and family activities coming up through November:
o 55th Oktoberfest, Helen. Bavarian-themed music, food, dancing, drinks, Thurs.-Sat. Sept. 4-18, nightly Sept. 25-Nov. 2. $10 Mon.-Thurs., $15 Fri. & Sat; $25 Fri./Sat. pass; Sundays free; half price children 6-12; free to children younger than 6; free to active/retired military with ID. See website for hours: www.helenchamber.com, 706-878-1619.
o Equality Fest, Gainesville. Music, art, performances, vendors celebrate LBGQT+ and minorities, 2-9:30 p.m. Sept. 13, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Clermont Days. Parade, arts & crafts, food, entertainment, family activities, Sept. 19-20, Downtown Clermont. Vendors open 4 p.m., live music 7 p.m. Sept. 19; Sept. 20 activities include 9 a.m. opening ceremony, 10 a.m. parade, plus food, vendors, cake walk, kids’ activities, live music, 9 p.m. fireworks. www.clermontga.com.
o Cumming City Center Fall Market. 100 artisans, children’s activities, food trucks & more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 13, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Flowery Branch Fall Festival/Block Party. Crafts, children’s activities, live music, food trucks, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27, Main Street, Downtown Flowery Branch. www.troop-228.com.
o Hurricane Shoals Arts in the Park, Maysville. Arts, crafts, 5K run (8 a.m. Sept. 20), living history village, kids’ activities, bluegrass music, plus historic gristmill milling corn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 20 & 21, Hurricane Shoals Park, 416 Hurricane Shoals Rd. www.hurricaneshoalspark.org.
o Latino Festival, Gainesville. Celebration of Latino culture, food, art, music & dance, 3-9 p.m. Sept. 27, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Lula Fall Festival. Folk art, pottery, crafts, children’s activities, entertainment and more, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 26, noon-5 p.m. Sept. 28, Rafe Banks Park/Lula Ball Park, 5831 Athens St. www.cityoflula.com.
o Cumming Country Fair & Festival. Carnival rides, live music, bull-riding, petting zoo, doggie sports, sea lion show, human cannonball, chainsaw carving, haunted attraction, and heritage village, Oct. 2-12, 4-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays; 12:30-9 p.m. Sundays; Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. See website for ticket information: www.cummingfair.squarespace.com.
o Foxfire Mountaineer Festival, Clayton. Traditional music and crafts, greased pole climbing, sack racing, longest beard contest, crosscut saw contest, children’s activities, food, and demonstrations of rail splitting, team plowing, and quilting, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 4, Rabun County Civic Center, 201 W. Savannah St. See website for admission cost. www.visit.explorerabun.com.
o Indian Summer Festival, Suches. Crafts, food, and music, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 4 & 5, Woody Gap School (smallest public school in Georgia), 2331 Ga. 60. $5 age 13 and older, $3 ages 7-12, free to children 6 and younger. www.indiansummerfestival.org. 706-747-2401.
o Mule Camp Market, Gainesville. Food, arts & craft vendors, carnival rides, Friday festival kick-off concert at Boot Barn Hall, Saturday concert at Midland Greenway Amphitheater, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 10 & 11, noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 12, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. See website for updates. www.gainesvillejaycees.org, 770-532-7714.
o Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Hiawassee. Big name country and blue grass performers, pioneer village, daredevil and cowboy circus, carnival rides, flower show and crafts exhibits. $7 arts & crafts ticket, additional cost for rides and concerts, Oct. 11-12, 16-18, hours vary, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Rd. Free to children age 12 & younger. No pets. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
o 56th Annual Sorghum Festival, Blairsville. Vintage mule-run sorghum mill, sorghum “biskits,” crafts, mountain music, dancing, pioneer demonstrations, biskit eating contest, hatchet throwing, and old timey games, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 11 & 12, 18 & 19, Meeks Park, 490 Meeks Park Rd. Parade Oct. 12. $5, free to ages 12 and younger. See website for schedule. www.blairsvillesorghumfestival.com/706-745-2272.
o 20th Annual Gainesville Chicken Festival. Fifteen-plus teams compete in chicken cook-off, plus kids’ zone, venders’ market, live music and more, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $6 wristband for 10 chicken samples, $25 for 5 wristbands. Cook teams apply on-line. Off-site parking with shuttle: New Horizons Lanier Park, 675 White Sulphur Rd. Limited dock space and on-site parking. www.exploregainesville.org., 770-531-2664.
o 54th Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay. Apple treats, food trucks, crafts, demonstrations, music, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays Oct. 11 & 12, 18 & 19, Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S. Main St. No pets or firearms. $10, free to children 12 and younger. www.georgiaapplefestival.org, 706-636-4500.
o Gold Rush Days, Dahlonega. Parade, crafts, food, plus panning for gold, hog calling, buck dancing, gospel singing, and blue grass music, Oct. 18 & 19, Public Square/Downtown Historic District. See website for hours. www.goldrushdaysfestival.com.
o Mountain Farm Celebration, Sautee Nacoochee. Old fashioned country fair with pioneer skills and exhibits, traditional craft vendors, mountain music, biscuits baked in wood-fired antique stove, old timey games, plus first floor tour of historic mansion, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 25, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $8, free to children 5 and younger. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.
o Vogel’s Fall Festival, Blairsville. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 25, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. Food trucks, live music, crafts, cake walks, duck races, storytelling, hayrides, bonfires, cottage/tent decorating contest, trick or treat in campground, $5. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.
o 57th Annual Mountain Moonshine Car Show/Festival, Dawsonville. Huge car show, race car parade (9 a.m. Oct. 25), moonshine still, free moonshine samples, crafts, games, kids’ rides, music, and more, Oct. 24-26, Dawsonville Municipal Complex, 415 Hwy. 53 E. See website for updated information. www.kareforkids.org. 706-216-5273.
o Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival. 300 antique/art/craft vendors, live music, food trucks, noon-7 p.m. Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 25, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Oct. 26, Downtown Braselton, 115 Harrison St. www.explorebraselton.net.
CORN MAZES & HARVEST CELEBRATIONS
o Uncle Shucks Corn Maze/Pumpkin Patch/Dark Rows Haunted Trail, Dawsonville. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, gem mining, kids’ activities, wagon rides, bonfire and more, Sept. 14-Nov. 10. Sept. & Nov. hours: 4-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. October hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 10a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Nighttime Haunted “Dark Rows” Trail Fri. & Sat nights Oct. 3-Nov. 1, 125 Bannister Rd. $17-$27, free to children 4 and younger. www.uncleshucks.com, 770-772-6223.
o Jaemor Farms Harvest Celebration & Corn Maze, Alto. Farm extravaganza with corn maze, hayrides, apple cannon, pumpkin train, farm games, duck race, and more, Sept. 13-Nov. 2. Weekends only in September, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun. Daily Sept. 29-Nov. 2, Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m See website for Pumpkin Patch information and admission cost. 5340 Cornelia Hwy, Ga.365. www.jaemorfarms.com, 770-869-3999, 770-335-0999.
o Kinsey Family Farm, Gainesville, Cumming. Families plan a traditional fall pilgrimage for buying pumpkins, fall decorations, farm animal feedings and farm products. Oct. 1-31, hours to be determined. 7170 Jot Em Down Rd, www.kinseyfamilyfarm.com, 770-887-6028.
o Burt’s Farm, Dawsonville. Pumpkins galore, scenic hayrides, pumpkin pies and seasonal decorations greet patrons at the Burt family farm near Amicalola Falls. Pumpkin patch & store 9 a.m.-6 p.m. See website for Nov. hours and hayride information. Burts Farm Rd. No pets or firearms. Hayrides $6.50 plus tax per person, free to children 2 and younger. www.burtspumpkinfarmgeorgia.com, 706-265-3701.
