Georgia Art and Craft Fairs for Summer 2011

Crafting abounds in Georgia where you can explore everything from the down home to the upscale and whimsical. Five not-to-miss craft fairs for summer 2011 include the award-winning Sunflower Farm Festival set against a backdrop of 15 acres of glorious sunflowers and the juried Homespun Festival which features the work of bona fide local artisans. There is no need to be crafty to find locally produced family fun that is sure to please. Check out the following events and discover that Georgia is truly on your mind.

SHADY DAYS IN GAY Arts & Crafts Festival, Gay, Georgia, May 7-8, 2011 If you love country cooking and all the crafts you can tote, head on down to Gay, Georgia for Shady Days. This quaint hamlet, located on Hwy 85, is approximately 45 miles south of Atlanta and 55 miles north of Columbus in Meriwether County. The festival boasts live entertainment and a dedicated children's area for your little Matisse. The hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. I saved the best part for last. Admission is free!

25th ANNUAL MOUNTAIN FLOWER ART AND WINE FESTIVAL, Dahlonega, Georgia, May 21-22, 2011 This annual event held on the historic Dahlonega Public Square provides enough browsing and entertainment to engage the whole family. Over 70 artists of all types, including potters, photographers, painters, and sculptors, are represented with many fashioning their art while you watch. Leave with a green thumb after visiting the Garden Expo located in nearby Hancock Park. Shop for plants and seeds and listen to informative talks by top garden experts. The Expo offers a demonstration garden featuring native plants of Georgia and a children's activities area for your future horticulturists.

For the adults, 21 and over, entry into the Georgia Temptations Wine Garden, opens up the world of Georgia's growing wine industry. An excellent way to sample the best of Georgia wine, the Garden hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. until 5 p.m..

Be sure to visit the Dahlonega Farmer's Market in Hancock Park. This is the market's kick-off weekend and you can pick up delicious homemade jams and other items along with plenty of vegetables and fruits. The Farmer's Market will be open throughout the season on Saturday and Tuesday mornings. Parking for the Festival is free and available around the square. The parking garage at North Georgia College and State University is also available for $5 per day. Take GA 400 North to Dahlonega downtown public square.

SUNFLOWER FARM FESTIVAL, Rutledge, Georgia, July 2-4, 2011 What could be more beautiful than a field of sunflowers? How about 15 acres of the golden frond beauties! The Sunflower Farm Festival is an award-winning festival surrounded by---you guessed it---majestic, happy sunflowers. Set against the exquisite natural beauty of this unique rural community, you will unearth delightful handmade crafts and savor the tantalizing tastes of local BBQ.

Open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. for three days, the festival whets your appetite for the historic with tours of two homes and gardens. The wares of Georgia heritage artists and crafters tempt you with live demonstrations and a personal view of their works. Pick up a bag of fresh, locally grown produce or a plant to add to your garden. Then wander into a field of saffron and pluck a bouquet of sunflowers to take home with you or take a free hayride through the sea of yellow, dancing faces. The kids will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, art projects, games, and the Enchanted Forest nature trail and play area. For more fun, enjoy a cool glass of tea while watching the Antique Tractor Parade on Monday, or the Relay for Life Golf Parade and Pooch Parade on Sunday. After a long day of browsing, keep your toes tapping with traditional folk, bluegrass, and gospel groups.

Directions to the Sunflower Farm: Take I-20 to Exit 105. Turn south on Newborn Road; do not head for Rutledge. Travel for three miles to Keencheefoonee Road on left. Turn left onto Keencheefoonee Road and travel two miles to Durden Road on right. Turn right on Durden Road. The farm will be located less than a mile ahead.

HOMESPUN FESTIVAL, Rockmart, Georgia, July 15-16, 2011 One of the oldest continuous festivals in Georgia, the Homespun Festival sets the stage for real artisans from throughout Polk County and surrounding areas. A juried show, Homespun requires that every item must be handmade. This means no retail or computer-generated items are allowed. Favorite authentic crafted items include hand-spun pottery and hand sewn children's clothing. Lift your heart in praise on Friday night with a gospel concert from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Saturday, feel your patriotic spirit with a hometown parade, a 5K run, children's rides and games, rock climbing and more. Food vendors will be on hand to satisfy any hunger pangs you may experience.

To reach Rockmart, take I-75 North to the Cartersville Main Street exit. Turn left toward Cartersville and cross Highway 411 and continue through the Cartersville Square. Then take Highway 113 to Rockmart, approximately 16 miles. After entering Polk County, go through the second traffic light, the intersection of Highways 278 and 113; this becomes Goodyear Street. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Piedmont Avenue. Cross the railroad tracks and continue through the first traffic light. The Rockmart City Complex will be on your left. Turn right at the next traffic light, the intersection with Marble Street and Seaborne Jones Memorial Park will be ahead on the left.

YOUNG HARRIS ART FESTIVAL, Young Harris, Georgia, August 27-28, 2011 Located in Mayors Park in scenic Young Harris, this mountain festival features a juried arts and crafts show with genuine handmade items, baking and canning competition and children's craft area. Young Harris is known throughout the state for its mountain heritage and this festival showcases it in fine form. Live demonstrations bring art to life with an exciting chance to view a chainsaw artist carving his magic, a soap maker combining ingredients for a natural soap, a potter spinning his wheel, and a rarity in the modern world, an authentic blacksmith forging his creations. The show hours are from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. Put on your dancing shoes because the square dancers, line dancers, cloggers, folk music and live bands will have your feet tripping light. Admission is free. If your little ones desire to birth a masterpiece, a small price of $3 to $5 dollars is required for the cost of children's art and craft projects.

Although a mere sampling of the Georgia festival spirit, these five sterling artisan festivals will inspire your crafting sojourn. What better way to enjoy a family outing with little cash? With the money you save, be sure to take home a family heirloom or two.