Dahlonega Gold Rush Days - October 17th and 18th

Dahlonega Gold Rush Days

October 17th and 18th 2009

Gold Rush Days are held the third weekend in October (the 17th and 18th for 2009), when thousands come to see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega's 1828 discovery of gold.

Over 300 art and craft exhibitors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event, and it is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visit over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement!

It has been voted one of the Top 20 Events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Included in the two day event are a parade, children's activities, a fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race, King and Queen Coronation, hog calling, buck dancing contest, gospel singing and other live entertainment, wrist wrestling, and last but not least – some delicious food!

2009 Gold Rush Schedule of Events

Saturday

• 9:00 Official start of Gold Rush Days
• 9:45 Fashion show
• 10:30 King and Queen coronation
• 11:15 Hog Calling Contest
• 11:45 Live Musical Performances begin
• 3:00 Gold Rush Days Parade
• 4:30 Cross Cut Saw Contest
• 5:00 Buck Dance Contest
• 6:00 Traffic Permitted through Square

Sunday

• 9:00 Festival Start time
• 9:45 Live Performances begin
• 3:00 Clogging Contest
• 3:45 Wrist Wrestling Contest
• 6:00 Traffic Permitted through Square

Events and times are subject to changes or delays.

Help support the many good works of the Dahlonega Jaycees

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.

Dahlonega - the gateway to the Middle North Georgia Mountains

Dahlonega - the gateway to the Middle North Georgia Mountains.

As you approach Dahlonega you begin to realize that you are finally getting into the North Georgia Mountains. When you leave GA 400 and turn left onto GA 60 heading to Dahlonega, you immediately feel the assent to higher elevations through curvy roads flanked by large acreage home sites with manicured rolling yards. (Yards that are always mowed although you never see anyone out mowing them.)

As you keep climbing you will notice that you are parallel to the rushing Chestatee River (filled with tube rafters from Memorial Day through Labor Day complements of Appalachian Outfitters.)

As the river wanders away from roadside you see the beginnings of Dahlonega's outskirts and finally as you crest a long hill you know you have arrived. Before you lies a picturesque scene of a small college town campus surrounded by beautiful range of mountains.

This is Dahlonega - founded because of the first gold gold rush in America and still successful today because of the friendly merchants and citizens. You are in for a wonderful visit.

If you are here on a Saturday start on the town square and take in the free Appalachian Jam on the Square.

North Georgia's mountain music pickers and singers flock to the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site every Saturday, April 18 through November 7. Listeners and musicians alike enjoy the acoustic bluegrass and old time string music on the Public Square.

Signs around town declare the Square to be a "quiet zone" during the jam hours so that all can enjoy the music.

As the name implies, the Appalachian Jam gives traditional mountain music players the chance to get together and celebrate the kind of music that has been performed in the Appalachian Mountains for generations. Musicians are invited to bring their instruments and gather on the historic Public Square to jam with the scheduled musicians. Everyone else should come on down and listen or dance. Bring a chair or stool and stay awhile. For more information, contact the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706-864-3513

Coming Up: In our upcoming articles we will explore the towns friendly merchants, the over thirty fine restraunts in the area, the quaint and quiet places to stay and relax, the gold rush mines and their history, the famed North Georgia College and State University, the juried arts festivals, several thunderous waterfalls, the five local award winning wineries and vineyards, the largest Kangaroo conservation preserve outside of Australia and much more. Plan to make several "day trips" or an extended weekend to see it all.

Direction Note: From Atlanta you will find Dahlonega about 90 minutes away by either GA 400 or by I-85 then I-985.

Take GA 400 from North Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cummings and Dawsonville to this area. GA 400 ends at the crossroads of GA 60 which comes from Gainesville on the right going to Dahlonega on the left. GA 400 becomes Ga 115 at this point and we will explore that direction on another day..

By way of I85 from Atlanta you take I- 985 at the split. After about 20 miles you take Gainesville exit 22 ( I-985 ends after one more exit ) and take GA 60 to the left through historic Gainesville, the Chicken Capitol of America. GA 60, also known as Green Street, takes you past beautiful old 19th Century mansions which now tastefully house law and medical offices. Continue through town toward Dahlonega. After about 10 miles you will cross GA 400 on your way to today's destination.

From the north use GA 60 from Blue Ridge, Georgia. GA 60 may be the most beautiful road in North Georgia and it runs from the town of Blue Ridge through Dahlonega to Gainesville.

Tip: If going to Dahlonega through Gainesville, we strongly suggest getting an early start so that you can stop halfway at Reid's Cafe in Murryville. Go in or drive through but you must order a Buttered Cats Head Biscuit with Bacon. The biscuit is the size of a cat's head and there is enough bacon on the thing to use your entire weeks allotment of calories.