May 19-20
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| 04-27-09 City of Dahlonega Prepares for 175th Birthday Celebration |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA Dahlonega, Georgia, home of the first American Gold Rush, is preparing for the 175th birthday celebration in September, 2009. Festivities will include a farmers market, antique vendors, period costumes, event re-enactments, gold mining demonstrations, and a birthday party in Hancock Park on Saturday September 19 and Sunday, September 20. Dahlonega is located only 60 miles North of Atlanta, and is home to the Dahlonega Gold Museum, which is the second most visited State Park in Georgia. In 1833, when Dahlonega was first becoming an official city in North Georgia, women were not allowed in the Courthouse, and judges were few and far between. A traveling judge would come to town twice a year, and “Court Week” would begin. Prisoners were marched from the jail to the Square, and the men who had business within the courthouse would take to their tasks, leaving the women to be occupied with purchasing vegetables, fabrics, and other goods, and to be entertained by medicine shows and visits with far away family and friends. It was a very eventful and bustling time on the Square, as people traveled from all over North Georgia to join in the festivities, and take care of business “in town.” Heritage Days is planned to be a way for visitors and locals alike to step back in time and enjoy the entertainment and goods of our original settlers. Festival organizers include the Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, the Dahlonega Merchants’ Association, the Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority, the Dahlonega Gold Museum, the Lumpkin County Historical Society and more. “We’re very excited about this weekend, as we will be kicking off our Annual Heritage Days festival, which is planned to be a new antique festival in North Georgia each year on the Dahlonega Square the third weekend of September. Celebrating with all of the Lumpkin County partners is going to be a great way to start this new venture right!” stated Amy Strickland, President of the Dahlonega Merchants’ Association. Antique dealers interested in participating are encouraged to visit www.dahlonega.org for booth information. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available by contacting Stephen at the Lumpkin County Visitors Center at 706-864-3711, or Amy Strickland at 706-864-5991. Click here to view a video invitation from festival organizers. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FMkLLaIzyA)
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