Georgia Mountain Fair returns with vintage flair and family fun

Activities at the Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee will include carnival rides and demonstrations of quilting and blacksmithing. Credit: JLB Photography

Activities at the Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee will include carnival rides and demonstrations of quilting and blacksmithing. Credit: JLB Photography

A trip to North Georgia offers gorgeous views of the mountains and stunning sights of the green pastures. It’s known for its fruit farms and hiking trails. But it’s also home to the Georgia Mountain Fair, a nine-day family-fun affair attended by both locals and travelers.

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Each summer, thousands of people flock to Hiawassee to participate in it, and this year will be no different. The event, planned for July 20-28, is returning for the 68th year to take visitors a step back in time.

Folks will have a chance to tour a log home with furnishings, a store with products and goods “that only your grandmother might recognize,” a one-room schoolhouse, and other old-time structures. Attendees can even enjoy demonstrations of quilting and blacksmithing, visit about 65 arts and crafts booths, take carnival rides, view the parade, and much more.

There will also be musical performances from an array of artists, including the Mountain Home Music Band, The Inspirations, Etta May and Jimmy Fortune.

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What’s new this year? Organizers are introducing the Human Cannonball Daredevil Show, which will feature a family of acrobats performing unique stunts.

“This is our first time ever having it,” Thomason said. “We’ve never done anything like this before, so I think it’s going to a be nice addition to the fair.”

And the food will be plentiful. The smoked trout is a popular dish, but there will also be plenty of traditional bites such as hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes and barbecue.

Thinking of making your way to the fair? Leave your coolers at home. Those aren’t allowed. You can bring your pets to the campgrounds but not the fairgrounds. And if you need a place to cool off, there are a few shady trees and air-conditioned buildings around.

“It’s an experience,” Thomason said. “We want people to come out and go back home with a good feeling.”

Georgia Mountain Fair

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