As summer quickly approaches, Dahlonega is preparing for several exciting festivals and a new art exhibit: The 10th annual Georgia Wine Country Festival,The Georgia Fine Wine Festival, the Rodin Exhibit, and The 3^rd Annual Etowah Jam Band. Wine and art enthusiasts will want to clear their schedules for these amazing events.

Wine and Dine in Dahlonega this Summer at the Georgia Wine Country Festival and the Georgia Fine Wine Festival

On June 4-5, head to Dahlonega for the10^th Annual Georgia Wine Country Festival, hosted by the Three Sisters Vineyards. In honor of the festival’s 10^th anniversary, the event has been extended throughout the month of June to include June 11th-12th and June 18th-19th. 

Did you know Dahlonega was the site of the first gold rush in the U.S.? In 1828, people from all over the country flocked to the Georgia Mountains to search for gold. This was 20 years prior to the gold rush in California, giving Dahlonega its nickname as Georgia’s “Golden City”. 

Today, there is a new way to strike gold and save some green at the same time in Dahlonega with the Gold Rush Package. This package offers discounted tickets to local gold attractions where you can learn about the city’s golden history. Explore an underground mine, pan for gold or visit the historic Gold Museum located on Dahlonega’s downtown Square. The Gold Museum offers visitors a look at the mining history of Georgia, including mining techniques and lifestyles of miners nearly two centuries ago.

The 15th annual Bear on the Square festival was held in Dahlonega April 16-17, 2011. Despite some chilly weather earlier in the week, we had a great turnout. 38,000 people gathered on the square to listen to bluegrass and gospel music, eat delicious food, and view some amazing art work from all over the country.

Bear of the Square made local headlines on CBS Atlanta.  Check out this segment featuring Blue Billy Grit!

Save the Date for next year’s event, April 21-22, 2012

The festival fun began on Friday with the Master Classes, Jamming on the Square, and the Live Country Auction. One of the most popular events was the Master Class Workshops, two-hour music workshops with top bluegrass and old time musicians and instructors. Participants were treated to one-on-one private sessions with artists to learn about their crafts. Later that afternoon bluegrass musicians gathered on the historic Public Square for street jam sessions. Musicians were huddled into circles all over the square playing their instruments with visitors joining in.