This Weekend in Georgia

There's no more beautiful time in Georgia than glorious fall, and here are some things going on over this Columbus Day Weekend in Georgia:

Tybee Island Pirate Fest
October 8 - 10, 2009
Tybee Island, Georgia
Ahoy, mates, swashbucklers of all ages will be converging on Tybee Island to participate in the 5th Annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest on October 9th and 10th! Don your most colorful pirate costume, and gather your crew of marauding buccaneers. Featuring a Pirate Victory Parade, fireworks, live entertainment with 10 bands including the Marshall Tucker Band! There will also be costume contests, loads of children’s activities and the Thieves Market filled with treasures, grog, and grub! Admission to the oceanfront festival grounds is $10 per person for a weekend pass, children 12 and under are free. For more information, call the Tybee Island Visitor Center at 800-868-2322 or visit http://www.tybeepiratefest.com. Arrrrrrr!!!

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
October 9 - 17, 2009
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, Georgia

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee is hosting an annual, unique attraction, the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival from October 9-17. The event features 9 days of exciting musical performances, educational demonstrations, a flower show, Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention, and new for 2009 The Great Bear Show. Experience the oldest and longest running animal educational show in the country. Here's their website for more information!

Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee
October 9 - 10, 2009 Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick, Georgia
Come enjoy an authentic taste of the Georgia coast with the 5th Annual Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee! This full day event promises to be fun for the entire family. The festivities will begin early Saturday morning with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia 5K Freedom Run and continue with the popular Pooch Parade, Brunswick stew tastings, the Classic Car Show, and full day of free concerts. It's all happening at Mary Ross Waterfront Park and the streets of downtown Brunswick. For more information on the Stewbilee, visit the website. Georgia Traveler's Gerald Bryant and Phil Proctor visited the Stewbilee and tasted some amazing stew in our first season. Check it out here!

And those are just a few of the ways you can get out there and enjoy Georgia! For more ideas, visit the Explore Georgia website operated by our production partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

This Weekend in Georgia

Annual Old Fort Jackson Auction and Low Country Boil
Saturday, August 29, 2009, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Savannah, Georgia
Bring the whole family to Georgia’s oldest brick fort for a silent auction featuring an awesome variety of items, savory low country boil, mouth-watering barbecue, fun games and activities for the kids. Stick around for cannon firings and fireworks to end the celebration. All proceeds from this event support operations, preservation, and educational programming at Old Fort Jackson National Historic Landmark, so come and give history a helping hand! For more information about the Fort Auction, contact 912-232-3945, or visit the Coastal Heritage Society's website.


Festival of Arts
Saturday, August 29 - Sunday, August 30, 2009, 10 AM - 5 PM
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, Georgia
Beautiful north Georgia comes alive with fine art and handmade crafts at the first annual Festival of Arts at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Shady hardwoods protect guests from harsh summer sun and balmy breezes waft off the crystal waters of Lake Chatuge. The fairgrounds offer ample parking, RV camping facilities, and a rhododendron and nature garden with trails overlooking the lake and the mountains. The Pioneer Village includes a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, sawmill, and a smokehouse. Admission is $5. For more information, visit the Festival of Arts website.


Tools and Skills that Built a Colony
Saturday, Aug 29, 2009
Wormsloe State Historic Site, Savannah, Georgia
Visit Wormsloe, the Colonial home of Noble Jones, an early Georgia settler, and learn about the crafts of the American Colonial period. Woodworking, blacksmithing, candle making, spinning, dying, and cooking will all be demonstrated. Step back in time and relive the part of the history of the European settlement of Georgia. There is a small admission charge. Visit Wormsloe State Historic Site's website for more details.

And those are just a few of the events you can find this weekend in Georgia. For more ideas, visit the ExploreGeorgia website operated by our production partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

This Weekend in Georgia

It's the Mountain Music Series! This Saturday, May 30, head up to Red Top Mountain State Park in Cartersville and enjoy a summer evening at the Vaughn Cabin, listening to the sounds of live mountain and bluegrass music. Bring a lawnchair or blanket and have fun with the whole family. The music starts at 8 PM. Call the park for the band of the week: 770-975-4226. There is a small parking fee; more information is available at friendsofredtop.org. To see Georgia Traveler's David Zelski participate in the Iron Pour at Red Top Mountain, visit the Georgia Traveler website.


Continuing in the music vein...Dulcimer music lovers, on Saturday, May 30, there will be a hands-on introduction to the mountain dulcimer at Mistletoe State Park in Appling! Don't miss this chance to learn the king of old-time mountain music. Folks who own their own dulcimers are encouraged to bring them along for tuning and playing tips. The class runs from 10 AM til 12 PM. For more information call 706-541-0321, or visit the Mistletoe State Park website.


Chili and stew enthusiasts, you won't dare to miss "Fire in the Mountains" in Hiawassee. It's a chili/stew cook-off from 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday, May 30. Professional judges will be on hand to judge entries by community cook-teams. There will also be fire-safety demonstrations, bluegrass music, and fun! This is one for the whole family. For more information, visit www.townscountyfirecorps.org, or call 706-896-6472.




And those are just a few of the great ways to explore Georgia this weekend. For more information, check out the Explore Georgia website operated by Georgia Traveler's production partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.