Georgia’s gorgeous spring weather will soon give way to summer, so make the most of May at these rural events!
Calling all fiber artists and enthusiasts to the Fiber Festival in the Valley May 10-12 in scenic Sautee Nacoochee! The three-day festival takes place at the Sautee Nacoochee Center in White County, just a stone’s throw from Helen. Featuring workshops on Friday and vendors of all sorts Saturday and Sunday, the weekend’s activities also include live demonstrations of a variety of fiber arts as well as the opportunity to observe fiber-producing animals like llamas and rabbits up-close. May is a great time for an outdoor experience in north Georgia, and this unique event is a great excuse to visit one of the state’s loveliest areas.
Speaking of outdoor fun, Brunswick is the place to be on May 11, for the 86th Annual Blessing of the Fleet. A celebration of the hardworking men and women of the coast’s shrimping industry, Brunswick’s annual blessing is one of the oldest in the world! The one-day festival includes a kids’ fishing tournament, boat parade and race, live music and vendors of all sorts. The blessing itself takes place at 1 p.m. at Mary Ross Park on the East River in historic downtown Brunswick.
As the month rolls on and the days heat up, the mountains of north Georgia are the place to be! Make plans to be in Blue Ridge May 25-26 for the 48th Annual Spring Arts in the Park. Designated as one of the state’s top five art towns by the Georgia Council of the Arts, Blue Ridge has become a destination known for the arts. The spring art festival boasts more than 170 artists, exhibitors and vendors and attracts approximately 20,000 attendees.
Love a festival? Then split the last weekend of May between Blue Ridge and nearby East Ellijay, where the Georgia Apple Blossom Festival takes place May 25-27. Situated between Penland’s Apple House and Panorama Orchards just off Georgia Highway 515 south of Ellijay, the free festival features food, music, arts and crafts and kid-friendly fun.
Spend a little longer in Gilmer County this May and experience all or part of the Ellijay Songwriters Festival. The 14-day event begins May 20 and runs through June 2, pairing good music with good foods and beverages. More than 70 live performances by 41 songwriters will take place in local restaurants, wineries, music venues, and breweries. Fret not, music lovers, because more than 60 of the performances feature free admission.
With all this to do in rural Georgia, there’s plenty to keep a person entertained without wasting one minute in big-city traffic. Let us know what’s happening in your neck of the woods next month, and we just might feature it here on the Rural Georgia blog and on our Facebook page. Until then, friends, keep it rural!
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