FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2011

BEAR ON THE SQUARE FRIDAY NIGHT EVENT

TO HAVE LIVE AND SILENT AUCTIONS THIS YEAR

The 15th Annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival Live Country Auction, scheduled the evening of Friday, April 15, has added a silent auction. The event will take place in the festival's Main Stage Tent in Dahlonega’s Hancock Park adjacent to the town’s historic Public Square.

A preview of auction items for the live and the silent auction will begin at 5 p.m. with Shoal Creek Band providing music at 5:30 p.m. Dinner, provided again this year by Shenanigan’s Irish Pub and Bourbon Street Grille of Dahlonega, begins at 5:30 p.m. The live auction will begin at 7 p.m. with local auctioneer Randy Pruitt moderating, and the Buzzard Mountain Boys will be performing occasional skits and songs throughout the live auction.

Glenda Pender, president of Bear on the Square, said the auction is held each year as a way of thanking the community and our sponsors for their continued support of the festival. The auction features the work of area folk artist Billy Roper, along with the work of other talented local artists and juried artists taking part in Bear on the Square's Mountain Marketplace, including artists from the John C. Campbell Folk School, the festival's marketplace sponsor. There will also be bidding on gift baskets, gifts, services and other products from the local business community.

Melanie Pruitt, auction chair, noted, "As in the past, we need the support of our local merchants, businesses, and community to make this auction a success. We will begin accepting donations and contributions any time between now and the deadline date of Thursday, April 14.” Pruitt urged those planning to provide items for the auction to contact her prior to the deadline at melanie.pruitt@windstream.net or by calling her at 706-864-0374.

Contributors will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Items can be dropped off at Cranberry Corners, the auction donation headquarters, or auction committee members will pick up the items from contributors. “Please include a brief description of the item and its approximate retail value,” said Pruitt, who also expressed appreciation to the community for its continued support of the event. “This is what keeps this festival going year after year, and we want to thank you in advance."

Sponsoring the Live Country Auction again this year is North Georgia Wealth Management Group (www.ngwmg.com) of Dahlonega. Founded by Laura J. LaTourette, CFP®, the independent financial planning practice specializes in serving pre-retirees and retirees with fee-based and hourly financial planning and fee-based wealth management services, including wealth transfer and preservation through wealth structuring, estate planning, investment management and trust services.

Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, Inc., which stages the festival each year, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit cultural arts organization whose mission is to preserve and celebrate the culture of the Southern Appalachians through the presentation of music, traditional craft, and folkways. Tax deductible donations are welcome and can be sent to P.O. Box 338, Dahlonega, GA 30533. More details about the 2010 Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, including information about music performances, the juried artists marketplace, workshops, and other activities can be found at www.bearonthesquare.org.