Hoschton: A blend of ‘très chic!’ and ‘aw, shucks!’

If you miss the sign, you won’t realize you’re leaving Braselton and driving into Hoschton until you notice the scarecrows fluttering in the breeze. They’re along the main artery through town — dressed as mechanics and cowboys, football players and referees, angels and demons, even characters from the “Wizard of Oz.”

Where the city limits of these two towns abut, it’s hard to tell them apart. Both have antiques stores for browsing, locally run restaurants and other small-town businesses. But the upscale development around Château Élan Winery & Resort has given some sections of Braselton a tonier look and overshadowed more folksy Hoschton. Hence, the scarecrows.

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Mark Davis / mrdavis@ajc.com

To help distinguish Hoschton from neighbor Braselton, the entire town worked together to set a Guinness World Record for most scarecrows in a ZIP code.

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Pouya Dianat / pdianat@ajc.com

Road Atlanta in Braselton is a regionwide magnet for fans of speed. The Petit Le Mans is coming up in early October. And people who want to experience racing can sign up for lessons there.

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Château Élan

Château Élan Winery and Resort looks like it’s one tank from Paris instead of just a short drive northeast of Atlanta.

• Photos: Hoschton scarecrows

• Town tries to set scarecrow record

Getting there
Braselton and Hoschton are off I-85, Exit 126, about a 45-minute drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.
Information
For Braselton, 706-654-3915; www.braselton.net.

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Hoschton (properly pronounced like PUSH-ton, but with an H, according to the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce) recently went all-out attempting a Guinness World Record for the most scarecrows in a single ZIP code, an effort the whole town got behind. All indications are they set a record, with more than 4,000.

Both towns deserve a visit, especially the weekend of Sept. 26-27, when Hoschton’s annual Fall Festival takes place, and visitors can catch a free event Sept. 27-28 at Château Élan’s Equestrian Center.

Don’t miss

• Hoschton Fall Festival: You’ll find everything you’d expect in a small-town celebration — plus scarecrows, which will be on display through September. There will be arts and crafts, food vendors, children’s games, a parade with floats and antique cars and tractors, a talent contest and entertainment by Banks and Shane (7:30 p.m. Sept. 26) and Bill Gentry and the 35-Cent Rodeo (7:30 p.m. Sept. 27). For more scarecrows, take a ride out of town toward Winder on Ga. 53 for a couple of miles and you’ll see a horse farm on the left side of the road and an all-scarecrow football game in progress, complete with referees and goal posts. 706-654-3034; www.hoschtonfallfestival.com.

• Mayfield Dairy: Tour the plant in Braselton and see 125 gallons of milk processed per minute. The plant handles 150,000 gallons in a day, packaging milk for Mayfield and four other brands. Visitors watch a short film about Mayfield then don protective caps for the tour. Men with mustaches and beards beware — you’ll be asked to wear face masks as well. The tour emphasizes Mayfield’s attention to sanitation and testing of milk for bacteria and other contaminants during processing. Although ice cream isn’t made at the plant, you can still buy a cone at the end of the visit and enjoy it from a rocking chair on the front porch of the visitors center. 1160 Broadway Ave., Braselton. 1-888-298-0396; www.mayfielddairy.com.

• Château Élan: On many weekends, visitors to the resort get a bonus — a wedding in progress. Maybe that’s why so many couples book a romantic getaway here. It’s easy to feel more connected to one’s partner after watching another couple commit to a life together (discreetly, of course, from an atrium walkway). Others come for a winery tour, fine dining, cooking classes, spa treatments or golf on two championship courses designed by Denis Griffiths or the nine-hole executive walking course. Take in a free equestrian show Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 11-12. 100 Tour De France, Braselton. 1-800-233-9463; www.chateauelan.com.

• Road Atlanta: Feel the thrill of a high-speed race at a venue that puts you close to the action. This 2.5-mile Gran Prix track hosts professional and amateur race car and motorcycle events throughout the year. For a multisensory experience, sign up for the Skip Barber driving or racing school and take the wheel yourself (1-800-221-1131, www.skipbarber.com). Coming up Oct. 1-4 is the 11th annual Petit Le Mans, culminating in a 1,000-mile race on Oct. 4. 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. 770-967-6143; www.roadatlanta.com.

Shopping

• Braselton Antique Mall: A wide array of furniture, glassware, books and jewelry; look for the old bank vault inside the mall — it’s filled with books and you’ll probably find a treasure to read. 5134 Ga. 53.

• Mall of Georgia: 3333 Buford Drive, Buford, is about 15 miles away.

Where to stay

• Inn at Château Élan: Doubles are $159-$265, but the Hot Dates rate lets you stay for $99 plus tax on select days. Spa suites are $224-$299. Culinary and golf packages are available. 100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton, 1-800-233-9463; www.chateauelan.com

• Holiday Inn Express Braselton at Château Élan: Doubles $150 and up. Stay across the highway from Château Élan and get free shuttle service to the resort to enjoy the winery, golf courses, restaurants and the spa. Bring Fido — it’s a pet-friendly hotel ($20 extra per stay). 2069 Highway 211, Braselton. 770-867-8100; www.hibraselton.com.

Amanda Miller Allen is a former travel editor for the Journal-Constitution.