The Grand Daddy of All Mountain Festivals in Dahlonega, Georgia

Many people associate the first discovery of gold to be in California. However, Benjamin Parks while deer hunting in the Dahlonega, Georgia area, stumbled over a shining rock. This hurt his foot. As he cussed out the rock, he was about to throw it away, when he noticed the brilliance of it. This was how gold was really discovered in the United States. However, the Cherokee Indians were the ones that knew about the gold as early as 1819. Dahlonega means "gold" in Cherokee. Once gold was discovered by Parks, the news was passed around, and quickly it was taken from the Cherokees. The Cherokees were moved out of the region towards Oklahoma, which later was known as the "Trail of Tears". It became one of the saddest known events in U. S. History.

Every third weekend of October, Dahlonega has the Gold Rush Festival which is one of the largest mountain festivals in the southeast. It has been voted the top twenty events to enjoy from the Southeast Tourism Society. Along with the Gold Rush Festival, tourists come all over the world to enjoy the picturesque setting of the fall colors along the mountain landscape. Typically, over 200,000 people visit Dahlonega over this particular weekend. You can enjoy the many mountain traditions, art, and home made crafts like hand carved cedar wood bowls or vases. You can participate in the gold panning contests, clogging, greased pole climbing, or the hog calling. Delicious southern foods are served while you stamp your foot to live entertainment while browsing through the different vendors.

Dahlonega is about 45 minutes away from Atlanta in the northeast part of Georgia.

If you have time during the weekend, try and make a reservation to see the variety of kangaroos at the Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville. It's only 15 minutes away. However, it takes three hours to go through the tour. You will be able to see not only the kangaroos but other Australian wildlife. The Kangaroo Conservation Center is open year round. However, during the winter the animals are not outside that much.

Thirty minutes away from Dahlonega, you can continue on and combine the day to enjoy Helen, Georgia's Oktoberfest . This is one the longest Oktoberfests in the U.S. This year the dates are September 13^th and will end November 4^th. Helen is a sister city of Fussen, Germany. The architectural design of the town is German. The locals will dress in their German traditional costumes during this event and will show you how to really party. German Music plays in the street however, at the Festhalle is where the main band will have you doing the "chicken dance", eating bratwurst, and toasting to "Eins, zwei, drei, g'suffa!

There's a lot to do in thar northeast hills of Georgia in October! Maybe my husband and I will see you thar!