Farm Markets and Summer Fests
The festival season is well underway here in the mountains. It’s the perfect opportunity to take home a piece of our proud mountain culture, whether you buy a hand-turned wood bowl from a local artisan or fresh-grown corn from a mountain farmer. Mark your calendar for these events:
June-September: Downtown Market
Saturdays: 8am-Noon
Crafts, fresh produce, baked goods and more in the downtown Blue Ridge City Park. – facebook.com/DowntownMarketBlueRidge
June-October: Union County Farmers Market
Tuesdays: 2pm-6pm & Saturdays: 7am-1pm
Everything from beekeepers and bakers to potters and painters (and farmers, of course!) just up the road in Blairsville. – ucfarmersmarket.com
June 9-10: Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games
Get your bagpipe on at this annual celebration of all things Scottish. The kilts will be flying as athletes compete in caber toss, heavy hammer and more. Add in some music, dancing, weaponry and Scottish & British inspired foods, and you’ve got the makings of a perfect day in the Highlands! – blairsvillescottishfestival.com
June 16: Blue Ridge Mountains Wine & Jazz Festival
Bring your blanket and lawn chairs for a full day of hot jazz, great wines, fine art and delicious cuisine. Gates open at 1 p.m. and the music plays from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Top jazz performers from across the region will perform, and regional wines will be available by the glass or bottle. – blueridgewineandjazz.com
June 23-24 & September 22-23: Ride the Rails Festival
A five-mile round-trip ride by railroad motor car plus model trains at the historic Mineral Bluff Depot. – tsmri.org
June 23-24: Mountain Fling Arts & Crafts Show
Free indoor show at North Georgia Technical College in Blairsville. – artworksgalleryga.com
June 29-July 4: Independence Day Festivities
Fourth of July parades, train rides, boat parades and fireworks. – blueridgemountains.com/events
July 12-14: Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In
Classics, street rods, rat rods and more at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. – gammoonshinecruizin.com
July 20-28: Georgia Mountain Fair
Musical performances, arts & crafts plus carnival rides and cultural attractions at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. – georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
July 21 & 22: Butternut Creek Festival
Arts, crafts & musicians along the shores of scenic Butternut Creek at Meeks Park in Blairsville. – butternutcreekfestival.com
August 17-18: Blue Ridge Kiwanis Rodeo
Seven rodeo events each night at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds, including bull riding and a professional rodeo clown. – blueridgekiwanis.org
August 25: Hard Cider & Craft Beer Festival
Craft beer and cider tastings, live music and food vendors at this first-ever event at Mercier Orchards. – mercierorchards.com
September 1-2: Mountain Heritage Festival
Music on the porch, arts & crafts, food as well as demonstrations on the grounds of the Historic Mountain Life Museum in Blairsville. – unioncountyhistory.org
September 6-8: Dailey & Vincent Landfest in the Mountains & on the Lake
Ricky Skaggs, the Oak Ridge Boys and other top-name acts performing at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. – georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
September 8: Mountain Music & Arts & Crafts Festival
Appalachian, Bluegrass and Gospel music, plus art and craft booths and food concessions at Vogel State Park in Blairsville. – georgiastateparks.org/vogel
September 14-15:
Blue Ridge Blues Crawl & Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival
On Friday night, “crawl” through 8 different restaurants featuring live music, food and drinks in downtown Blue Ridge. Then on Saturday, smokin’ Blues, smoky barbeque and plenty of cold beer fill the day. – blueridgebluesandbbq.com
