Festivals and Special Events

Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race

In the spring of 1998, the first Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race started as Georgia’s first adventure race. Eleven years later the race continues to be a favorite of racers throughout the Southeast. Teams look forward to a new adventure welcoming spring to Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Organizers of the Twelfth Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race on April 4, 2009, promise a challenging contest with lots of surprises and some of the most stunning scenery anywhere. For more information please contact the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce at 706.632.5680.

Arts in the Park

Each May on Memorial Day weekend, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association holds Arts in the Park in Blue Ridge Park. More than 150 artists will particpate and visitors will be exposed to mountain music, delicious food and one of a kind pieces of art from all over America. For more information please contact the Arts in the Park at 706.632.2144.

Pickin’ in the Park

Held in the Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park in Blue Ridge, these casual jam sessions for acoustic musicians are held under the trees and pavilions along the Toccoa River every Thursday evening from 6:00 pm to dusk beginning May 26 through the end of September. Free admission to musicians of all levels and listeners who appreciate good mountain music. Bring your picnic supper and enjoy the music down by the river. For more information please call 423.496.4653

Kiwanis Fair of Blue Ridge

The Kiwanis Fair of Blue Ridge will be held June 24th - 28th at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds at 124 Jones St. in Blue Ridge. There will be great food, music, rides for all ages and clowns. The midway will be presented by Peachtree Rides.

Old Timers Day

Each year, on the Saturday closest to July 4th a celebration and parade is held in Downtown Blue Ridge. Come celebrate life “in the good ole days” with food, crafts, ice cream and entertainment. Old Timers Day is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Business Association.

July 4th Fireworks at the Marina

Each year the town of Blue Ridge celebrates Independence Day. The festivities are held on a weekend night on or near July 4th. The celebration begins at 4:00 pm with live music and food. The food is provided by the Blue Ridge Masonic Lodge. At dark one of the largest, and most fabulous, fireworks displays in the southeast is launched over Lake Blue Ridge. For more information please call 706.632.2618.

Miners Homecoming

Miners Homecoming takes place in Ducktown, Tennessee every July 4th weekend. Old -fashioned Independence Day fireworks are shot from Tater Hill in downtown McCaysville-Copperhill on July 4th at about dark-thirty.

Concerts in the Park

Blue Ridge Park is the setting for Concerts in the Park each July & August.
 The concerts feature good music, a beautiful setting and warm summer nights. Bring a quilt or lawn chair and a picnic supper. For more information please call the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association at 706.632.2144.

Smokey Bear’s Birthday

Come to the Ocoee Whitewater Center in Ducktown Tennessee and help celebrate Smokey Bear’s birthday on August 1st from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There will be free birthday cake and ice cream and Smokey HUGS! The birthday cake will be carved at 1:00 pm. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a day by the river with games, activities, fire prevention messages, prize drawings and demonstrations. For more information please call 423.496.0104.

Blue Ridge Kiwanis IPRA Rodeo

The 2009 Blue Ridge Kiwanis IPRA Rodeo will be held August 21-22. The gates will open each night at 6:00 pm and the rodeo will begin at 8:00 pm. The Rodeo will feature events such as bull riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, bareback, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing & other special events. Tickets are $10.00 in advance, $12.00 at the Gate, Children 8 and under are free with a paying adult.
 For more information please call
706.276.7458 or 706.632.6644

Labor Day Barbeque in Blue Ridge

Labor Day in Blue Ridge. This year’s Labor Day BBQ will be held on September 7th downtown in the Blue Ridge Park. The annual barbeque starts at 11 am and continues until the food runs out. For more information please call 706.455.3818.

Wildlife & Nature Art Festival & Expo

The 10th Annual Wildlife & Nature Art Festival & Expo will be held on September 19-20, 2009 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, rain or shine, in the Downtown City Park in Blue Ridge. The Expo will showcase artists from across the southeast and their artwork with a wildlife or nature theme. There will be demonstrations, exhibits, outfitters, guides and more so bring the entire family to Blue Ridge for this one of a kind art show. For more information please contact the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association at 706.632.2144

Family Fishing Festival

This event is held each year in September at the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery. The event features fly-tying and casting demonstrations along with educational exhibits, instructional information and plenty of fishing in Rock Creek. For more information please call 706.838.4723

2009 Georgia Apple Festival

Come enjoy the 38th annual Georgia Apple Festival held in Ellijay just 15 minutes south of Blue Ridge. There will be over 300 vendors with handmade and hand-crafted items, great music and down-home cookin’. The antique car show will be held on October 10th at the Civic Center and the parade is on October 17th at 10:00 am.

Mountain Harvest Arts and Crafts Sale

The Mountain Harvest Sale features local arts, crafts, food and fun on two separate weekends in October. The sale will be held at the Blue Ridge Farmer’s Market on the 3rd and 4th weekend in October. The sale is sponsored by the Fannin County Homemaker’s Council.

Light Up Blue Ridge

This old-fashioned holiday celebration, sponsored by the Blue Ridge Business Association, is held in downtown Blue Ridge on November 28th. Come enjoy the street carolers, music and special events all day. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Visit with Santa and have photos taken in the gazebo in downtown Blue Ridge City Park. Enjoy the live reindeer, children’s trackless-train rides and much more. The lighting of the “Great Tree” takes place at dusk. All of the downtown shops will be open late so bring the whole family for a day full of holiday fun, it’s the perfect way to start the holiday season off right.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Christmas Express

Each weekend in December the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway will carry Mr. and Mrs. Claus and all of the elves while passengers listen to Christmas stories and sing carols. 
For more information please call 706.632.9833.

Festival of the Trees

Come enjoy the 10th Annual Festival of Trees from December 1st through the 31st at the Ocoee Whitewater Center and partake in the beauty of the season by viewing the trees on display. See trees entered in categories such as Most Imaginative, Best Children’s Tree, Best Home-made Ornaments, Best Nature Theme, Best Historical Theme, and Most Community Spirit. These imaginative creations by local businesses, schools, and organizations are guaranteed to delight and inspire you. For more information please call 877.692.6050.