This Weekend in Rabun

It’s not too late to get your tickets for the hilarious comedy about Texas' third smallest town "Greater Tuna” presented by the North Georgia Community Players. The show runs Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 pm, and there’s a Sunday matinee at 3 pm.

Begin your Saturday at the Simply Homegrown Market in historic downtown Clayton, in front of Butler’s II on North Main Street, 9 am. – 2 pm. For this week’s market listing,

The Hambidge Summer Festival, Music, BBQ and Raku is this Saturday from 10-4. Begin your experience with glazing and firing your own pot. While you wait, have fun, enjoy some BBQ and experience other art! Music, wine tasting, silent auction and raffle, native plant sale, opening of the 5th Annual Georgia Pottery Show, and demonstrating artists throughout the day.

Crawl all over downtown Clayton to taste fabulous food, wine, and listen to great music! Join the fun at the first annual Clayton Crawl Saturday evening from 6 – 9 pm. Sample fabulous food from local restaurants set up at the Rock House and at Veterans Park. Taste local wines from Tiger Mountain and Persimmon Creek Vineyards along with featured wines from around the world on the wine lists of participating restaurants. Enjoy live music by jazz saxophonist David Fry in Rock House Park and Brian Sanders playing down by Butler’s II. Follow Rabun on Twitter for regular updates throughout the event!

There will also be live music at Prater’s Main Street Books from 6 – 8 pm, with William Prater on keyboard, and an artful gathering on the porch at the Globe Gallery. Well known artist, Jean Wilkes, will be onsite at Reeves Furniture painting some of her beautiful accessories and textiles. You don't want to miss it!

The 6th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival at Glen Ella Springs & Meeting Place begins at 11:00 am Sunday and ends at 6:00 pm, with Twilight Supper in the pavilion. Along with creative tomato concoctions, enjoy music, fine arts and crafts! www.glenella.com

It’s Junior Ranger Week at Tallulah Gorge State Park, for ages 10-13. www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah.

The Dillard House offers complimentary horse drawn carriage rides on Saturday afternoons through September. Check online for ongoing classes held at the Center on Warwoman and also at the Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts.

PLANNING AHEAD

“Greater Tuna” continues performances next weekend on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon.

Next Saturday, July 25, is filled with a variety of activities for all ages:

o Foxfire Children’s Heritage Day provides an opportunity for children ages 7-12 to participate in hands-on activities and make projects. www.foxfire.org
o Local Lake Burton author, Jenny L. Cote, and her Scottish Terrier Max, will be signing her new pre-teen Christian series at Prater’s Main Street Books from noon – 2 pm.
o The North Georgia Arts Guild hosts the 2009 Art at the Lake Show & Sale at the Lake Rabun Pavilion from 10-6, www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com
o Chef Virginia Willis will prepare a multi-course Southern spread featuring seasonal specialties from her book, Bon Appetit Y’all, at Persimmon Creek Vineyards, www.persimmoncreekwine.com
o Meet artists Salley Robbe, Millie Speeg, and Bev Rambo at the new Greenleaf Gallery location in Highlands from 4 – 6 pm.
o Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a Sock Hop at the Old Clayton Inn at 7 pm.

Finish out the month and kick off August with the 13th Annual Dillard Bluegrass and BBQ Festival July 31 – August 1, with two days of top bluegrass performers, plus the Georgia state championship KCBS cook-off, and beautiful crafts.

A calendar of upcoming August events is attached. Be sure to follow my Traveler blogs for details on these and other happenings. Become a fan of our Facebook page, and follow Rabun on Twitter for the latest!

Pick your own blackberries!

Hillside Orchard Farms is now picking blackberries. The cost is $2.00/pound, u-pick. Store hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Fun on the Fourth in the Georgia Mountains!

Photo: Peter McIntosh

The Fourth of July Celebrations start early in Rabun County, actually beginning on Friday, July 3rd, at 7:30 am with the 3rd Annual Rabun Ramble 5K and 10K Roadrace at Lake Rabun Pavilion. Participants can either run or walk as they enjoy all the breathtaking views of Lake Rabun Road.

The evening brings a Steak and Seafood Cookout at the Dillard House, lasting from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The Dillard House will also be hosting a free Patriotic concert by the Air National Guard Band of the South beginning at 7:00 pm.

The fun doesn't slow down on the 4th of July, as you have your pick of Saturday morning activities. Tallulah Gorge State Park is hosting a Gorge Floor Hike at 9:00 am, followed later by a Holiday Canoe Outing at 2:00 pm, so be sure to sign up in advance for both of these activities! Another way to celebrate for the athletically inclined is the Lake Burton Fun Run! This scenic course will open up to runners, joggers, and walkers at 9:00 am, with all proceeds donated to the Lake Burton Fire Department.

If all this exercise is making you hungry, you can relax and refresh at the Fourth of July Party and Wine Tasting hosted by Tiger Mountain Vineyards. They will be open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm with live music, cheeses, and award-winning wines. The Dillard House will also be preparing an outdoor feast, beginning with an outdoor Hamburger Cookout at noon, a live band at 4:30 pm, followed with an outdoor Barbeque at 5:30 pm, and topping the evening off with a fireworks show!

Fireworks shows will be going on all around the county, so you can choose your spot and get settled in advance, or the brave adventurer can even attempt to see more than one show! Besides the visual treat at the Dillard House, the fireworks show at Lake Burton will begin at 8:45 pm, and the fireworks show on Lake Rabun will begin at dusk.

And why stop there? July 5th marks the 31st Annual Lake Rabun Wooden Boat Parade. Spectators can view this spectacular event at 10:30 am from the Methodist Church boathouse on Lake Rabun Road.

No matter which celebrations you choose to enjoy, you're guaranteed an exciting Fourth of July weekend in Rabun County!

4th Annual Habitat Hoedown

The fourth annual Habitat Hoedown, a family event, is scheduled for Thursday July 16, at The Dillard House restaurant from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm. A fantastic array of BBQ, side dishes and the special dessert table make this a feast worth attending!

Clogging dancers, a wonderful silent auction, and a special live auction during the dinner make the whole evening a very special affair. All proceeds directly benefit the building of a Habitat for Humanity Home in Rabun County. Tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for children. To reserve your spot, call Barbara Cantrell at 706-212-2101, Gail Hopper at 706-212-2103 or Milt Gillespie at 706-746-3595.

13th ANNUAL DILLARD BLUEGRASS & BARBEQUE FESTIVAL

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northeast Georgia, Dillard comes alive July 31 - August 1 with two days of top bluegrass performers, plus World Class Barbeque Teams competing in the Georgia State Championship Cook-off sanctioned by the KCBS.

Live entertainment begins with the opening ceremonies @ 3:00pm Friday and continues until 9:00 pm. Saturday offers a full day of music for bluegrass enthusiasts, beginning at 11 am and continuing until 9 pm.

Admission is $10.00 for ages 12 and over. Children under 12 are free. BBQ sandwiches and plates cooked by BBQ pros are on sale as well as food for all tastes. All food sale profits benefit community charities. Free parking and shuttle service is provided. Eau de barbeque air freshener priceless! www.dillardbbq.org

Oak Ridge Boys open Smoky Mountains Center

Visitors to Rabun can now experience world class performances at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, located just across the state line in Franklin, NC. Destined to become a premier venue, this 1,500 seat state-of-the-art facility opens July 3 with the Oakridge Boys in concert.

An exciting line-up includes: Billy Crash Craddock, Alda, Folkmoot, Charlie Daniels, Mark Schultz, Shenandoah, The Foreigner, Sawyer Brown, David Phelps, Ronnie Milsaps and more!

Visit their website, greatmountainmusic.com, for concert details and ticket information. Another great reason to plan a getaway to the Northeast Georgia Mountains. Call the Rabun County CVB or visit our website at www.gamountains.com for information on lodging, dining and other attractions in the area.

the Clayton Crawl: wine, food and music

A great combination for a VERY FUN event planned for Saturday, July 18, from 6 - 9 pm. Crawl all over downtown Clayton to taste fabulous food and wine and listen to great music!

Taste local wines from Rabun County's award winning vineyards, Tiger Mountain Vineyards and Persimmon Creek Vineyards, along with wines from around the world that are featured on the wine lists of local restaurants

Sample great food from Rabun County's best Restaurants in Rock House Park and Veterans Park

Live music by Robert Ray and David Fry

Buy your Clayton Crawl T-shirt for just $10. The $10 charge includes a souvenir glass (while supplies last). Get your tickets at Prater's on Main Street, Fromage & Other Fine Foods and Grapes & Beans. For more info, please contact Linda or Jenny at Fromageclayton@yahoo.com or call 706.982.1284.

Remember Don't Drink and Drive. . . Crawl (to your favorite accommodations)

Rabun Ramble Road Race July 4

Join runners from across the US for the 3rd annual Rabun Ramble Road Race, which will be held on Saturday, July 4 2009 at 7:30 a.m. at the Lake Rabun Pavilion (1897 Lake Rabun Road, Lakemont Ga. 30552) 475 runners entered the 2008 race, with 250 race day entrants alone -- so come on out, even on race day, and enjoy the run!

Applications and information available are at www.rabunramble.com or you can call Sandy O’Brien at 706-782-7043.

Dinners at Persimmon Creek Vineyards

Welcome the arrival of spring with a Vernal Equinox Celebration on March 21st. The dinner will be held at the vineyard (where better?). Come and enjoy the first asparagus of spring!

Lavender’s Blue Dinner ~ Lavender is versatile in the kitchen and is prized by creative chefs as a culinary herb. Come and find out why! Saturday, June 27th

Sunflower Celebration Dinner ~ Please join Tasia Malakasis of Belle Chèvre cheeses and guest chef Virginia Willis for a Celebration of Sunflowers and Southern Fare! Saturday, July 25th

A Cornucopia of Flavors ~ a celebration of Persimmon Creek grown heirloom corn featuring Chef Hilary White of The Hil at Serenbe. Saturday, August 15th

Please call 706.212.7380 to make a reservation.