Gold Rush Days

NOTHING BUT APPLAUSE! WELL DONE!
I am so glad that we decided to attend this festival today because it was PHENOMENAL. It has grown exponentially since our last visit and you will only find quality vendors and businesses at this festival. The local Jaycees had a mighty hand in organizing and planning this festival and it was very apparent today. There were no businesses soliciting, or trying to sell their plumbing services, hot tubs, home improvement services or anything remotely related. Many of the businesses are paired with local charitable organizations and that is always fine with me. I don’t mind supporting organizations that help to improve the lives and resources of the community. I think that it is a wonderful opportunity.
Like I said this festival has really grown since my last visit a couple of years ago. It has at least doubled in size with great venues, meal options, and entertainment. When last attended on a Saturday, we couldn’t even find a place to eat breakfast and many of the local merchants weren’t even open. Not so today, we were not only able to enjoy the festival, but we also were able to visit many of the local stores and businesses. I really appreciated this change. We were also able to get a great breakfast at one of the local restaurants as well. We were so busy shopping that we missed out on the local entertainment although we were able to hear the music as we shopped around.
For those who are worried about missing church, the local Baptist church has services in the park every year during festival weekend. We got in on the tail end of service this time but it is definitely something that I would attend in the future. The music was great and people stayed around to visit with one another following the service. The park is just across the street from Town Square so it is perfectly located.
My husband and I thought that we would just get there early, do a little shopping and be back home by 11am. WRONG! Dahlonega is just 45 minutes from Alpharetta, so we arrive shortly after 8am. Parking was free and just yards from the festival vendors. We immediately start searching for breakfast and end up at Don Pollo, a local restaurant that serves breakfast all day. Our breakfast was delicious and the perfect way to start the day.
After breakfast, we started on our way and did not stop until about 1:30. We were absolutely exhausted!
We decided have lunch on the way home because we just like to be able to sit down and have our lunch. This is the ultimate festival because it has everything, good food, (lamb sliders and fried tomatoes, great leather and western wear stores, seasonal items, (holiday décor and gourdes), souvenir items, great historical buildings with character, great people, entertainment, (music, sawing contest), cool unique vendors, (demonstrating «fair hair» on little girls), jewelers, artists, and just tons more to see.
This festival just soared to the top of the list as our favorite fall festival!
We can’t wait to return to the festival in the next few weeks to witness the fall colors and to see more of this quaint community.
Well done Jaycees and all of those volunteers and sponsors who worked so hard to put on a stellar event!

I don’t think the Dogwood Festival draws in this many people. Every last possible square inch of the three blocks surrounding the square were covered with people, tents, shops, restaurants, dogs, a stage, everything that makes for a good festival! It was my first time going and we wound up coming by accident, but I’m so glad we stumbled upon this little gem. Tons of vendors doing all kinds of art, jewelry, soaps, candies, collegiate gear, signs, Christmas items — the variety was endless! You don’t see that at many Atlanta festivals anymore… Add to that some amazing boiled peanuts and plenty of food options — both street food AND tons of open restaurants on the square — and you’ve got yourself the makings of a fantastic festival. The «parade» was also fun and different; there’s no clowns and cars and crazy costumes here. Instead the parade celebrates the soldiers in training at the college in town, and it was a big sight to watch a 20+ minute parade of non-​stop army members walk through the streets including a full army band. Would gladly come back!
The festival takes place the third weekend in October each year. Parking can be troublesome and traffic backs up, but don’t fret. We paid $ 10 to park, but we were right there on the square. Some places wanted $ 20 but they’d drive you to the festival, while some small non-​profits were offered $ 5 lots in conjunction with local businesses if you were willing to take a longer walk. It’s well worth it to go, so don’t let that deter you — remember, if this was in Atlanta you’d pay $ 8 to ride MARTA round trip! ;)