Events in Northwest Georgia
Georgia's Historic High Country Travel Association

For complete details on these and many other regional events contact us.

Fairs & Festivals

Here in the High Country, we love to celebrate our cities, our people and the things that make us special. This love is evident in the heritage of many special events. In April, we honor the vine of the south at the Kudzu Cook Off Festival in downtown Dalton. May brings many events including these: The Finster Festival in Summerville which celebrates the folk art of our own Howard Finster, The Arts in the Park Festival - a tradition in downtown Blue Ridge since 1977, Downtown Carrollton's Mayfest with arts & crafts and entertainment, and in Downtown Ringgold there's gospel music and living history at 1890's Days. Two May events have been designated as part of the Top 20 Southeastern U.S. Events: The Prater's Mill Country Fair in Dalton (Varnell), and Rome's Mayfest on The Rivers. Rockmart has hosted The Homespun Festival each July since 1978.

Autumn is naturally a colorful time in the High Country. This is attributed to both Mother Nature and to our lively events. In September, Dallas welcomes the Paulding Meadows Arts & Crafts Festival, The Roselawn Arts Festival (since 1976) is held in Cartersville, nearby Canton sponsors Riverfest (since 1985), and Fort Oglethorpe celebrates Labor Day at The Post in Historic Barnhardt Circle.

October is a big month for fairs and festivals. Visit these: New Salem Mountain Festival on Lookout Mountain (since 1976), Heritage Days Celebration in Trenton, the second run of Prater's Mill Country Fair, Carrollton's Cherokee Rose Storytelling Festival, The Great Locomotive Chase Festival (since 1969) in Adairsville, the Georgia Marble Festival in Jasper, The Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay (since 1972), The Mountain Harvest Sale (since 1970) at the State Farmers Market in Blue Ridge, and Rome's Heritage Holidays (since 1979) and the Chiaha Harvest Fair (since 1965).

Musical Celebrations

Bluegrass fans migrate each June, July and October to the Sugar Creek Music Park in Blue Ridge. Red Top Mountain State Park's Summer Bluegrass & Storytelling Series is a popular happening each Saturday night beginning Memorial Day and continuing through July. Throughout the year special performances are held at The Public Square Opera House Dinner Theatre in Adairsville. Carrollton hosts The Sacred Harp Music Festival each April. Open-air concerts are held during the summer months in Rome, Acworth and Blue Ridge.

Native American Events on The Chieftains Trail

All of the region's state historic sites host special events throughout the year that interpret the Native American culture. Experience it at these events:

• Indian Festival & Mother's Day Pow Wow (Mother's Day weekend in May) in Canton.
• Native American Festival in Cartersville in October.
• Vann House Days in July.

Events along The Blue & Gray Trail
Remember life during the Civil War at these events:

• Battle of Resaca each May in Calhoun
• Battle of Picketts Mill (first Sat & Sun in June) in Dallas.
• Battle of Tunnel Hill in September, north of Dalton.
• Kingston's Confederate Memorial Day Observance (Nation's oldest continuous service) always the last Sunday in April.

A High Country Holiday

December brings a chill to the air and warmth to the heart at holiday events in every city in the region. These are just a few to try: A Moravian Christmas at The Vann House in Chatsworth. Carols & Candles of Christmas Past at Oak Hill in Rome. Coosa River Christmas (Rome) and Holiday Reflections on Lake Allatoona (Cartersville) usher in the season on the water.

Enchanted Garden of Lights

For the holiday season, Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights is a family tradition. This year marks the 9th Annual Enchanted Garden of Lights, November 21 through January 3 nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., except for Christmas Eve night. This award-winning, light extravaganza features more than 25 holiday scenes and nearly a million lights that transform the gardens’ natural daytime splendor into a nocturnal fantasyland. Enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating, hot cocoa and nightly Music Under the Moon entertainment.

Open November 21, 2003 – January 3, 2004. Group rates available.

Unique Events

Each April, outdoorsmen participate in trail running, canoeing, mountain biking and mystery events in the Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race. Equestrians will enjoy the North American Beaulieu Classic (Chatsworth) and The Atlanta Steeplechase (Cartersville) each April. Yard Sale fans will want to visit US 11 Antique Alley (GA's section of 250-mile yard sale) in May. Roping and bull riding is centerstage in May at Rome's Silver Hills Rodeo. Other big rodeos are held in Calhoun, Cartersville and Blue Ridge. Rock hounds come to Cartersville each June for the annual Weinman Rock Swap. Spooks and spirits are at home on The Haunted Trails & Hayrides at Red Top Mountain State Park late in October.

Corn mazes

Two Historic High Country members feature the popular Corn Maizes during the fall season. In Cherokee County, Cagle's Dairy serving the Atlanta area and on Lookout Mountain, Rock City’s Enchanted MAiZE serves the Chattanooga area.

Rock City has added a new fall attraction: a cornfield maze that will intrigue adventurers. High atop Rock City’s Lover’s Leap watch the corn grow in the field below at Blowing Springs Farm in Chattanooga Valley. Then from Labor Day through October, challenge your skills with a visit to the Enchanted Maize Maze. Enjoy 10 acres of fall fun as you weave your way through the twists and turns of this amazing cornfield maze.

Checkpoints along the trail post questions that if answered correctly will steer you in the right direction to find the way through the maze. Rock City’s Enchanted Maize Maze is fun, educational, and a new experience for anyone or any group: scouts, churches, schools, youth groups, etc.
Also on site are hayrides, a kiddie hay maze, a hay pyramid, pumpkin patch, food, and much more.
Open September 12 – November 1, 2003. Group rates available.