Friday, June 26, 2009

Fun on the Fourth in the Georgia Mountains!


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!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Sunflowers and Southern Fare Dinner

With mouths waterin’ and appetites rearin’ up, Persimmon Creek Vineyards is eager to welcome gourmand aficionados, Virginia Willis and Tasia Malakasis for the Sunflower and Southern Fare Dinner on July 25th at 7 PM! Chef Virginia Willis will prepare a multi-course Southern spread featuring seasonal specialities from her book, Bon Appetit Y’all, paired with Persimmon Creek Vineyards wines. In addition, the meal will feature Tasia Malakasis’ Belle Chèvre goat cheeses from Alabama. Elaborately decorated tables will celebrate the sunflowers grown on the vineyard property. www.persimmoncreekwine.com Cost is $95 per person, please call 706.212.7380 for reservations.

New Market at Lake Burton

WELCOME to FARMfare!!

FARMFare, located on Hyw 76 next to Timpson Creek Gallery, is a NEW family and friend operated market right on the shores of Lake Burton! Shelves are stocked full with some of the best and most delicious foods and beverages starting with the kitchen basics like fresh baked breads, pies and cakes, local eggs, goat cheese, bacon and of course produce. Best of all, most all of their products are grown or made locally! FARMfare also offers refreshing beverages, ice cream and a selection of gourmet indulgences that are sure to leave your mouth watering. After satisfying your appetite, take a moment to browse their selection of nature inspired art and other unique items. Store hours are Tuesday –Saturday 10:30am-5pm. Phone 706-982-5343.

Northeast Georgia Mountain Home and Garden Show

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Special Events in Rabun County this weekend, in connection with the Northeast Georgia Arts Tour

3RD Annual Mountain Lakes Classic Antiques Show!
Rabun County Civic Center, Clayton , GA . June 18th – June 21th. Featuring antiques dealers from across the country. Returning again this year is J. Christopher Mitchell, 12 year veteran appraiser for the Antiques Road Show. New to the show this year is a restoration booth for
crystal repair, porcelain, painting, and gold leafing. The date are Friday, June 19, and Saturday,
June 20,10AM-5PM, and Sunday, June 21,12PM-5PM. Advance tickets $6.00 or $8.00 at the gate, Preview Party and Pre-Show Thursday, June 18, 6PM-8PM, Preview Party tickets can be reserved by Contacting Linda Nicholson at 706-746-7415 or linda@mountainlakesclassic.com.

Persimmon on the Square - June 20, 2009; 1-4 PM; Artist Bob Francisco will be doing
painting demonstrations at Persimmon on the Square. 28 East Savannah St, Clayton.
Enoteca-style tasting room, featuring tastings of Persimmon Creek Vineyards estategrown
wines. For more information call 706-212-7972

Lillian E. Smith Center for the Creative Arts/Foundation: Open for guided Tours Sun.
June 21 --2pm- 5pm 383 Hershey Lane, Clayton, GA. The Lillian E. Smith Foundation,
Inc., was established to honor the memory of the person whose name it bears. Lillian E.
Smith, acknowledged as a significant writer and humanitarian, held at the center of her
being her function as a creative artist. She also deeply valued the power of the arts to
transform the lives of all human beings. Visit her home site which now serves as an artist
retreat for quiet solitude and privacy. The LES Center is approximately one mile from the
76 EAST /441 intersection to Old Chechero Road, continue on that road for
approximately one-tenth mile to Carver's Chapel, take the gravel road (to the right) which
is Hershey Lane for approximately four-tenths mile up the hill until you reach the
Director's Cottage at the Center, 383 Hershey Lane.

St. James Flower and Liturgical Arts Festival. - Third Annual Flower Festival. 260
Warwoman Rd, Clayton, GA 30525. Floral arrangements will be on display by members
of the Flower Guild as well as hand-made Church Vestments. Flower arranging
demonstrations will be held 11am-2pm on June 19 and June 20. Noted speaker, writer
and gardener, Peter Loewer of Asheville, to speak on Friday afternoon June 19th. For
information contact: jht1938@windstream.net

Tallulah Falls Station: Newly reopened Tallulah Station located in Rabun County at 105
Moss Street in Tallulah Falls, Ga. is now home to Wild Wood Works Studio, Idyllwood
Gallery and Depot Delights. Featured events during the tour on Saturday June 20th:
Blacksmithing demonstrations by Chris Smith, and Rustic furniture making by Don
Bundrick from noon through 5 p.m. Idyllwood Gallery and Wild Wood Works Studio
will be open to the public from 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. with the works of Regional artists
Sandy Webster (multimedia), Jim Couper (landscape paintings), Katherin Weber-Scott
(fabric) and Don Bundrick (rustic furniture) on display. In the focus gallery, local artists
Chris Smith, Victor Eller, Susie Schnurr, Nancy Garrett, and Anthony Morgan will be on
display as well. Depot Delights will be open 9a.m.-6p.m. serving sweet treats including
ice cream, fudge, truffles, candy, boiled peanuts, old fashioned sodas and more. Come
out and support the arts in Tallulah Falls! Call 706 839-1906 for more info.

Main Street Gallery features two demonstrating artists



Main Street Gallery in Clayton features several demonstrating artists this weekend in conjunction with the Northeast Georgia Arts Tour -- painter, Jennifer Knighton; wood turner, Travis Barnes; and bird sculptor, Kathy Kimmel.

New art on display in the gallery includes pottery by Roger Corn, paintings by Dorethey Gorham, fused glass jewelry from Israel -- and more. The front window is full of cedar critters created bJ.L. Nipper in Tennessee -- great fun and conversation pieces for any home, garden or deck. Come see!

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.

Chef Louis Osteen comes to the Lake Rabun Hotel

The Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant welcomes award-winning Chef Louis Osteen.

Talented and personable, Osteen has won the James Beard Award for Best Southeastern Chef and solidified his place as a legendary southern chef. One of Charleston's originals, he is author of Louis Osteen's Charleston Cuisine, and is credited by some for establishing low country cooking as a tourist draw in Charleston. Osteen has been a part of the Southern food renaissance from it's beginning. He helped found the Southern Foodways Alliance and has been featured on numerous television shows and in several magazines.

He visited the Lake Rabun Hotel 30 years ago and has come back! Look for wonderful delicacies from this iconic Southern Chef in the days to come. Call 706-782-4946 for reservations, and start planning your getaway to the Northeast Georgia Mountains!

As always, the Rabun County Convention & Visitors Bureau, is happy to help you plan your stay in the Northeast Georgia Mountains!

Zell Miller Book signing at Prater's Main Street Books

Northeast Georgia Arts Tour June 19-21

Open House Weekend -- June 19th - 21st

The Northeast Georgia Mountains are alive with creativity! At last count, over 150 Artists are scheduled to demonstrate art-in-the-making at our 38 Art Zone Tour locations. To See who's where....Plot your own course....and Set your own pace click here

Meet painters, potters, folk potters, jewelry makers, glass, wood, stone, fiber artists and more as they share their creative techniques-- many of whom are emerging,internationally known and collected artists. There are just too many names to name drop!

Plus Special Events!

In addition to demonstrating artists, several special events are scheduled throughout the weekend. Highlights include: Middle Eastern Dance, Folk Pottery Festival, Mountain Lakes Classic Antique Show, St. James Flower Festival, special gallery events and more!!!!
Check out More Fun Things To Do

Dine, Wine and Relax!
In the mood for Italian, Burgers, Pasta, Seafood, delectable sandwiches or a decadent dessert?
Plan to sample our regional cuisine and wines while touring. Our dining guide features something for everyone's taste and budget. Tour Eats And, after a busy day of seeing the sights, rest your head at one of our charming country inns or B&B's. Wake up refreshed and ready to cover more creative ground! Tour Lodging

Our Next Open House Weekend: Nov 13th - 15th
You can Join Us Anytime! Most venues on the Tour are Open Year Round!

Email us if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Children's Heritage Days at Foxfire

The Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center presents Children's Heritage Days this summer on Saturday, June 27 and Saturday, July 25, from 9 am - 2 pm, rain or shine. Children ages 7-12 will participate in hands-on activites and make projects to take home. They will see demonstrations of daily living over a hundred years ago in Appalachia including blacksmithing, woodworking, weaving, and more. Children will also participate in old-timey games and activities and make a toy typical of the time period to keep.

Register early as space is limited to 12 children per date: the fee is $30 per child, which includes a snack and lunch. Foxfire offers a $5 discount for each additional sibling. Drop off and pickup is at the Foxfire Gift Shop at 200 Foxfire Lane in Mountain City.

Parents are welcome to stay and observe and assist at no extra cost. Please mail your payment to reserve your space to the Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center P.O. Box 541 Mtn City, GA 30562. Call 706-746-5828 for more information and to obtain a registration form.