2008 Memorial Day Events in Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains

North Georgia Mountains

Presents
Arts in the Park in Blue Ridge Georgia
May 24th from 10:00 - 6:00
May 25th from 10:00 - 5:00

If you're planning a weekend getaway and are looking for something the whole family will enjoy, head to the North Georgia Mountains and the 32nd Annual Arts in the Park Festival. The festival will feature over 150 arts and crafts and fine art booths along with great food, demonstrations and exhibits. The Arts in the Park Festival will be held under the oaks in the beautiful City Park in Blue Ridge.

for more info call
706-632-2144 or email BRMAA@etcmail.com

Memorial Day Service
Veterans Memorial Park on Hwy 9 North, Dawsonville
May 26, 2008

Please join us as we pay tribute to our Veterans who paid the ultimate price for love of country and for those who served that have passed on. Wayne Watkins, president of the Viet Nam Veterans of America Chapter 970 will preside over the service.

Our key note speakers will be Rick Harris, Viet Nam Veteran and father of 1st Lt. Noah Harris. Noah was killed in action in Iraq and Mike Berg, Viet Nam Veteran and chairman for the Dawson County Board of Commissioners. Dee Carroll will perform a song that she wrote for her nephew CPL Zach Endsley who was killed in action in Iraq 2007. Roy Coleman and Bill Sexton will present the laying of the wreaths. Dan Titus will play bagpipes and Veterans Alliance will present colors, play taps and a twenty-one gun salute. 3-4 pm

p.hamalainen@dawson.org or
Pam Hamalainen 706-265-6278

2nd Annual Mountain Lakes Classic Antiques Show
Rabun County Civic Center
May 23, 2008 through May 25, 2008
Friday and Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Sunday Noon-5:00pm

Featuring some of the finest antique dealers from across the United States. Hosted by the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce. $6 in advance and $8 at the door

(706) 782-4812

Towns County Celebrates it’s Heritage
On the Square in Hiawassee, GA
Saturday, May 24

The revitalizing Arts and Heritage Festival theme on Saturday, May 24,
will emphasize the 1950s and 60s. Drag out your saddle oxfords,
poodle skirts or slim pencil-line skirts, white bobby socks,
narrow leg blue jeans, penny loafers, guys grease your hair,
wear white retro polo or striped shirts, black leather jackets;
or
wear 1960s psychedelic hippy flower fashions, sandals,
bell bottoms, mini skirts (if you dare), long mother-earth dresses,
long hair for women and men with beards, and the like.

Towns County Historical Society will host a day filled with fun, entertainment, food, and participation for children and adults. Bring your lawn chair for this unique day of free entertainment. Gather at 11:00 am at the Courthouse for a multi-generational Towns County class reunion picture and snacks. At 12 noon music will begin on the square. County officials will give short speeches about local events. Entertainment will be provided by bands, singers, square dancers, with a space walk and games for the little ones. Don’t miss several appearances by Elvis and Frank Sinatra. Food and drinks will be sold by the Towns County Red Cross along with other vendors. Arts and Crafts artisans will have original work for sale and view the exhibits on the Courthouse Porch all afternoon. Bring old photographs to be scanned at the Historical booth. (Rain location: School Auditorium, 3 miles east on Hwy. 76)

This will also be the first free summer concert on the square with music from the 50’s starting at 6 pm and the Red Cross Silent Auction will have special items from 5 pm.

The Historical Society will have items for sale such as the Sesquicentennial Parade video, and Sesquicentennial Calendars (with 2008 dates). This year’s emphasis is on preserving historical houses as landmarks which enrich the county and the ongoing Wisdom of our Elder's oral history project, THANKS Bruce, Ina, and Archie’s photo.

TCHS Membership is $15 per year www.townshistory.org TCHS, PO BOX 932, Hiawassee, GA 30546, phone 706-896-1060. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and cushions. Improve the quality of our present by preserving our past.

The Towns County Heritage Festival receives selected funding from the Grassroots Arts Program supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through an appropriation of the Georgia General Assembly and administered by The Sustainable Arts Society with NEA backing. Locally sponsored by Towns County Historical Society and the Mountain Regional Library.

for more information call 706-896-1060 or email towns_county_ga_history@yahoo.com

Memorial Day Blast
Unicoi State Park
May 23, 2008 through May 26, 2008

Outdoor activities
800-573-9659 ext 305

Western North Carolina

Asheville Music Jamboree
May 23, 2008 through May 25, 2008

Deerfields is located 20 minutes south of Asheville in the Mills River Community.

Welcome to the Asheville Music Jamboree. For well over a century, the climate, the scenery and the welcoming openness of the people of Asheville have captured the hearts of poets, painters, princes and paupers alike. Regardless of status or standing, people have been drawn here from across the map, sharing their talents and ideas to create a cultural tapestry that's enormously rich in diversity and unrivaled beauty. The Asheville Music Jamboree will embrace that diversity and beauty, inviting patrons from all walks of life to enjoy an eclectic mix of world-class entertainment and to celebrate a unique sense of community in an intimate setting of rolling hills and bountiful apple orchards. Confirmed artists include... Warren Haynes and Govt Mule Burning Spear Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk The Lee Boys Jason Isbell RAQ Afromotive Barrel House Mamas Laura Reed and Deep Pocket Jaime McLean Band Josh Phillips Folk Festival Kellin Watson New Familiars Jeff Sipe Trio ...and many more to be announced, so stay tuned!

(828)357-8483

WNC Trout Jamboree
Macon County Recreation Park, US 441 South, Franklin
May 24, 2008

The Western North Carolina Trout Jamboree will be unveiled on May 24 in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. This exciting new event will feature a cooking competition which will include best trout recipes (fried, broiled, grilled, appetizers, etc.), side dishes, desserts, etc. If you are not interested in the cooking competitions, there are plenty of other activities to keep you entertained. There will live entertainment throughout the event, including several Appalachian clogging groups which are always real crowd pleasers. In addition there will be fun activities for kids and adults of all ages, plenty of good food (not just trout), a variety of live bands for all tastes and fun games and contests for everyone.

1-828-524-3161 or
facc@franklin-chamber.com

Village Square Art & Craft Show will be held in the Pine Street Park and the Highlands Village Square on North 5th Street.The show features area artisans selling woodwork, pottery, jewelry, fine art, folk art and more.

(828) 787-2021

A Green Living Fair
Highlands Civic Center
May 24, 2008

A Green Living Fair will be held from 10 to 5 at the Highlands Civic Center. The fair features vendors selling environmentally-friendly construction products, non-toxic home products, solar and wind energy, organic products and more. Movies and educational programs will be scheduled each hour. Non-profit conservation organizations will also be represented. From 7 to 11 a.m. there will be a tailgate produce market in the parking lot.

(828) 526-90938 Ext. 320

Village Square Art & Craft Show
Highlands Village Square and Pine Street Park
May 24, 2008 through May 25, 2008

An art and craft show featuring regional artisans--fine art, folk art, metal work, pottery, jewelry, woodwork and more--will provide for a fun weekend in the Highlands Village Square and neighboring Pine Street Park. Plenty of parking and food, plus a public bathroom available.

828-787-2021 or
cypicturelady@aol.com

This two day festival has it all! Friday night entertainment is loaded with local talent featuring an emphasis on old – time gospel. Saturday entertainment is as varied as the region - a highlands pipe and drum corps, classic country and bluegrass, or high energy newgrass. In addition to music, the festival offers local arts and crafts, food, games for the kids, and fun for the whole family! Bryson City Riverfront Park Mitchell Street, Exit 67 from Hwy. 74

828-488-3681, 800-867-9246

A full weekend of native dance, food, arts, crafts, and entertainment - an excellent introduction to the Cherokee culture. Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Exit 74 (US 441), US Hwy 74.

800-438-1601

Tennessee Mountains

MountainFest in Downtown Gatlinburg, TN
Friday, May 23 - Saturday, May 24

MountainFest is a summer celebration of Gatlinburg's heritage and features a a variety of events and activities including craft demonstrations, bluegrass & Appalachian Mountain music, and local food favorites.

(865) 436-4178 or info@gatlinburg.com