Summer Fun in Dahlonega

Summer is right around the corner, and Dahlonega has an action-packed season headed your way. From art festivals to wine festivals to live music, there is more than enough activity in Dahlonega to keep you busy! Read below for upcoming events or visit www.dahlonega.org for more information.

Ongoing Events:

Appalachian Jam Sessions – April 28 – October 13, 2012

Every Saturday from April through October, North Georgia’s mountain music pickers and singers will flock to the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site.  From 2-5 p.m., mountain style musicians are invited to participate in the Appalachian Jam.  Listeners and musicians alike will enjoy the acoustic bluegrass and old time string music on the Public Square every Saturday.  Visitors are asked to bring their own chairs.  

First Friday Night Concert Series – April – October 2012

On the first Friday of each month from April through October, the music in the park showcases the diversity of local musicians monthly.  The free series is held in Hancock Park, located one block north of the square, and is a fun, family-friendly way to wind down from the week and set the tone for a great weekend. 

Dahlonega Farmer’s Market – May through October 27, 2012

The Dahlonega Farmers Market opened for the season on May 5, 2012 in a new downtown location. This year the market will be located at West Main and Waters Street in the downtown square across from The Holly Theater. This new location offers convenient parking, and most importantly, shade! Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Dahlonega Farmers Market will offer the finest quality vegetables, fruits, honeys, culinary herbs, plants, jams, jellies, garden seeds, and more.

Artist Market – May through October 2012

Please visit and shop The Olde Cannery Market, sponsored by the Dahlonega Arts Council.  The weekly Saturday market will be the site of unique arts and crafts.  Items featured include handmade cottage goods, natural soaps, paintings, woodworking, ceramics, pottery and jewelry.  The Market will be open from 10 am to 5 pm each Saturday through the month of October.

Upcoming Events:

 Mountain Flower Fine Arts Festival – May 19-20, 2012

The 26th Annual Mountain Flower Fine Art and Wine Festival will be held on the Dahlonega Public Square. More than 70 artists of all varieties will be present, and visitors will be able to watch some of them as they create their art on the spot. From pottery to two dimensional art to photography, there will be something for everyone. Parking is free and located around the square and just off the square.

Wine Festival Weekend – June 2012

2012 marks the 11^th anniversary of the Georgia Wine Country Festival, held annually at Three Sisters Vineyards in Dahlonega-Lumpkin County.  Due to the popularity of wine lovers visiting Dahlonega the first weekend of June, the Wine Festival will be extending the celebration to every weekend in June.  Festival hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, and admission will be free. www.ThreeSistersVineyards.com    

BlackStock Vineyards and Winery will be participating in the Fine Wine Festival on June 9-10th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The event will feature more than 30 dishes from the area's finest restaurants and more than 60 wines from a dozen of Georgia's finest vineyards.  Highlights from the festival include live jazz music, arts and crafts, and a petting zoo. Tickets are $40 per person. http://www.bsvw.com/  

North Georgia Chamber Music Festival – June 2012

Nine world-class musicians will bring their talents to the North Georgia College & State University for the inaugural North Georgia Chamber Music Festival, which features four programs of music spread out over two weekends in June.

The four concerts will be held in the Gloria Shott Performance Hall. The festival features two Friday night concerts at 8 p.m. and two Sunday afternoon concerts at 3p.m. http://www.northgeorgia.edu/chambermusic/

The 22nd Annual Mountain Top Rodeo – June 22-23, 2012

Shine up your spurs, get out your timers, and get ready to RODEO! Dahlonega will be a highlight on the Rodeo circuit not only for all the world-class competitive action, but also for the breathtaking beauty of its North Georgia Mountain location. This year promises to be one of the best years to date with non-stop action, hilarious antics, and more fun than you can handle. This year’s rodeo will be on Saturday June 22nd and Sunday June 23rd. Midway, which houses the vendors and exhibitors, opens at 6 p.m. while the events begin at 8 p.m. each night.  For information or directions visit www.rranchga.com or call 706-864-6444.

Fourth of July Festivities – July 4, 2012

Celebrate the 4^th of July family-style in Dahlonega on the historic town square. The day begins with the new Dahlonega Firecracker 5k/10k race. Enjoy the rest of the day with friends and family while watching parades, waving flags, and eating the traditional 4^th of July meal straight off the grill. The celebration concludes with the most anticipated event of the day, the firework display.