Month: September 2010

Dawsonville, Ga., has a colorful history, to say the least. During the first of the 19th century, the city grew as settlers and gold miners moved into the area in the wake of a gold rush in North Georgia. But Dawsonville earned its more storied, infamous reputation during Prohibition when the area became a focal point for moonshine production – considered by many local residents as more of a way of life than a crime.

Gilmer County, located about 80 miles north of Atlanta, is known as the “Apple Capital of Georgia.” The county produces 600,000 bushels of apples every year. In celebration of its heritage, the area holds the Georgia Apple Festival every October. The festival is complete with everything one would expect from a festival – from inflatable festival toys to arts and crafts to funnel cakes. Of course, there are also a number of apple delicacies, ranging

Dawsonville, Ga., has a colorful history, to say the least. During the 19th century, the city was an outpost for settlers and gold miners. But the city earned its true reputation during Prohibition when the area became a focal point for moonshine production. The so-called “trippers,” who transported moonshine, earned quite a reputation for their driving skills, and they eventually rose to the rank of folk heroes. They served as the precursor to modern-day NASCAR

Fall is festival time in Georgia, and this year’s lineup offers the opportunity to celebrate everything from apples to gold rush to moonshine. To help with planning, here are some festivals scheduled for October: Great Locomotive Chase Festival, Adairsville (Oct. 1-3) Cotton Pickin’ Fair, Gay (Oct. 2-3) Big Red Apple Festival, Cornelia (Oct. 2) Marble Festival, Jasper (Oct. 2-3) Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Hiawassee (Oct. 8-16) Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay (Oct. 9-10, 16-17) Sorghum Festival,