It's not all about apple picking and ziplines. North Georgia has family-friendly fun in focus during these fall festivals near Atlanta:

Sept. 10 through Nov. 1, 2015

Oktoberfest (Helen) – The longest running Oktoberfest celebration in the United States is back for its 45th consecutive year. Beer, brats and festive music will be offered Thursday-Sunday during its first week then daily through November 1. $8/person Monday-Friday, $10/person on Saturday; free on Sunday

Sept. 12-20, 2015

Northwest Georgia Regional Fair (Calhoun) – Open for nine straight days, the fair invites guests to enjoy live entertainment each day alongside rides and typical festival fare. $5 per person; children under 5 years old get in free.

Sept. 12, 2015

Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Music Festival (Blue Ridge) – Local and regional barbecue experts set up in Blue Ridge for a one day festival set to feed your senses and your stomach. In addition to the 'cue, the festival features live performances throughout the day. $5 per person for adults

Also this weekend: 12th Annual Mountain Music Festival (Blairsville)

Sept. 19-20, 2015

Celebrate Autumn Arts & Crafts Show (Blairsville) – Head to the mountains to enjoy this two-day juried arts and crafts show with booths both inside and outside at North Georgia Technical College. Free to attend.

Arts Festival at Rose Lawn (Cartersville) – The historic grounds of Rose Lawn host the annual festival filled with the work of artists from across the Southeastern United States this September. In addition, the American Association of University Women will hold their book sale during the event. Free to attend.

Also this weekend: High Cotton Market in Ringold, Crush Festival at Cartecay Vineyards (Ellijay), Campfest (Mountain City)

Sept. 26, 2015

Downtown Dalton Beer Festival (Dalton) – Dalton Green Park welcomes crowds for its annual festival featuring 40 brews, live music, corn hole, college football games on the big screens and more. $25 per person in advance; $35 per person at the gate

Farm Fest in Hartwell (Hartwell) – Rediscover the town's farming roots with this down home festival featuring historical reenactments, arts and crafts, hayrides, farm fresh produce and more. $5 per person; children 12 years old and younger are free

Oct. 3-4, 2015

Indian Summer Festival (Suches) – Head to the Valley Above the Clouds for a weekend full of fun on the grounds of Georgia's smallest public school. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day there will be live family-friendly entertainment, a turkey shoot, hand-to-hand combat demonstrations and more. $4 per person; children six years old and younger are free.

Also this weekend: Great Locomotive Chase Festival (Adairsville), Georgia Marble Festival (Jasper)

Oct. 10, 2015

Big Red Apple Festival (Cornelia) – The 28th year of the festival features entertainment at the depot, local artisans selling their wares, the Key Club Apple Festival Car Show, festival fare and a Kid Zone. The highlight of the festival is the hay ride to Chenocetah Fire Tower, which is only open during the festival, where you can see views of the changing fall foliage around Lake Russell. Free to attend.

Also this weekend: Georgia Apple Festival (Ellijay), Prater's Mill Country Fair (Dalton), Georgia Mountain Fall Festival (Hiawassee)

Oct. 10-11, and 17-18, 2015

Blairsville Sorghum Festival (Blairsville) – This hometown festival has family-friendly fun waiting you including arts and crafts vendors, live music, square dancing, biscuit eating, pole climbing, log sawing, horseshoes, rock throwing and a sorghum mill grinding cane and cooking sorghum. $4 perperson; children 12 and younger are free.

Also this weekend: 10th Annual Fall Festival at Vogel State Park (Blairsville), Harvest Balloon Festival (Flowery Branch), Gold Rush Days (Dahlonega)

Oct. 23-24, 2015

Hillbilly Hog BBQ Throwdown & Fall Leaf Festival (Cleveland) – Head to Babyland General Hospital to explore this festival, benefiting the United Way of White County. New for 2015 is a sauce tasting tent.

Also this weekend: Mountain Moonshine Festival (Dawsonville),Dr. Long's 200th Birthday Frolic (Jefferson), Depot Days Fall Festival (Hartwell), Harvest Festival at Cane Creek Vineyards (Young Harris)

»RELATED: Places to go in downtown Atlanta

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