Dahlonega Heritage Days Celebration Sept. 19 & 20

Dahlonega Heritage Days Celebration Saturday, September 19, to Sunday, September 20, 2009 The Dahlonega Merchants Association is introducing our Annual “Heritage Days Celebration” in which Dahlonega will be celebrating our 175th Birthday this year. Heritage Days of Dahlonega will be held the third weekend in September, 18-20th, 2009. The “Heritage Days Celebration” is going to be in conjunction with festivities arranged by the City, County, Chamber of Commerce, the State of Georgia, and historians familiar with the history of Dahlonega. Itis an honor to be able to offer a new festival for antique lovers, and share the celebration with so many entities. As a result, it is felt that this is going to be a wonderful kick-off for the new annual event. Initial activities planned for this event are inspired by events that actually took place in Dahlonega in the 1830-1880’s. Dahlonega, Georgia is the site of the first major American Gold Rush, and has a very rich history. One chapter of Dalonega's story is that women weren’t allowed in the Courthouse until 1889. For over 50 years, the judge would travel by carriage into Dahlonega for “Court Week.” Prisoners were held at the Olde Jail, which has been preserved as a Historical Marker and is open to the public for tours. During Court Week, they would be brought to the Courthouse in the middle of the town Square. Merchants, farmers, families, interested parties and more would come to town for Court Week, and there would be festivities planned throughout the Square for the women and people waiting for their time in Court. The atmosphere was festive and communal, with friends and family traveling from all over North Georgia to come for Court Week. The Dahlonega Gold Museum will be participating with special events as well. In 1849, Dr. Matthew Stephenson stood on the Portal upstairs at the Courthouse that is still standing today. The Gold Rush in California had begun, and miners from Dahlonega were leaving this community and heading out West to continue their search for gold. Dr. Stephenson begged the miners to stay here, stating that there was still “gold in them thar hills!” while pointing towards Crown Mountain and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Prospecting had become difficult in Dahlonega, after a 50 year stretch of people building their lives here on dreams of striking it rich. Contrary to what many Westerner’s may think, Mark Twain was inspired by the speech given in Dahlonega, Georgia. This event will be re-enacted as part of the events of the weekend. Because of the depth of this celebration, The Merchants Association is limiting booths in the Antiques area of the celebration to quality, authentic antiques, preferably from the period between 1800-1900. An emphasis should be placed on 1800-1900, and nothing newer than the 1940s will be considered appropriate for your actual booth. This will be a juried entry festival. In addition, The Merchants Association will be using all of its resources on a local, state and National level to promote this event. Dahlonega is currently celebrating our new status as one of Main Street City (www.mainstreet.org). Dahlonega's commercial District is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places (http://www.nps.gov/nr/), and most recently Dahlonega has acquired the status of a Preserve America City (http://www.preserveamerica.gov/). Dahlonega is also a National Tree City, designated by the Arbor Day Foundation. Dahlonega is home to North Georgia College and State University, and classes will be in full session, so The Merchants Association will be working with the university to make sure students and faculty are participating as well. Everyone is working diligently to have as many participants and visitors as possible this weekend, so the sponsors and participants will receive great exposure. With all of these designations, as well as Dahlonega’s festival rich annual schedule, The Merchants Association is sure this event will be well received by the entire Southeastern United States. As a result of the magnitude of this celebration, The Merchants Association is asking that the merchants, townspeople, antique dealers, volunteers and other participants dress in period clothing from the 1800s. There are several seamstresses and historians who will be happy to assist you in planning for this, and we encourage you to have fun with a little research and come dressed for our new “Dahlonega Heritage Days Celebration!” Please see www.Dahlonegamerchants.org for more information. They will be updating the site as more information becomes available.