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

Where to Find These Summer Festivals