The
second thing I learned was that Dahlonega was the site of the first major U.S.
gold rush, in 1828, hence the name.
Celebrating
this discovery of gold in them golden Georgia hills is the 54th annual Jaycees Gold
Rush Days Festival Oct. 15-16, 2011. The two-day event will feature live
musical performances by Lonesome Road Bluegrass Band, Kayla Armstrong and
Heather Faraday; more than 300 arts and crafts exhibits; children’s activities;
food and a 3 p.m. Saturday parade through downtown.
According
to the Jaycees press release, festivities kick off around 9 a.m. each day and
will include a number of special performances, such as Scotsmen playing
tradition bagpipes on the square on Saturday. Festivities include a fashion
show, treasure hunt, hog calling contest and a clogging contest where at 2 p.m.
Saturday the clogging king and queen will be crowned.
If
you can’t make the festival, be sure and visit the Dahlonega Gold Museum
located in the courthouse in the center of town. Visitors will find a
comprehensive film that explains the gold rush days and the formation of the
town, plus exhibits on the history of Dahlonega.
Visitors
can also pan for gold at the The Crisson Gold Mine, which dates back to 1847.
It’s open every day but Christmas.
Outside
of its golden heritage, Dahlonega is home to luxurious day spas, wineries,
places to enjoy horseback riding and canoeing, accommodations that range from
the Smith House Hotel with a gold mine in its basement and the elegant suites of the Park Place Hotel (shown below) to hidden cabins and
retreats in the mountains. Dahlonega is also close to the beginning of the
Appalachian Trail and a great place for hiking and backpacking.
The
perfect book for a trip to Dahlonega, especially during the haunting days of
October, is “Dahlonega Haunts” by Amy Blackmarr. The book lists homes and
businesses where folks refuse to leave with Blackmarr explaining the stories
and psychic R. Brian Keith giving his take on the spirits. It’s an entertaining
read and a great way to learn about the area.
For information about Gold Rush
Days, visit www.dahlonegajaycees.com.
For information on the Golden City, visit www.Dahlonega.org
or www.facebook.com/DestinationDahlonega.
