Well, it’s fall again and there are a lot of things to do in Dahlonega, most notably Gold Rush Days Festival. That’s right, the 2017 Gold Rush Days Festival is just around the corner on the third weekend of October—the 21 and 22nd. Nearly 200,000 folks will descend upon the Dahlonega downtown to commemorate the discovery of gold here by Benjamin Parks in 1828. There will be over 300 arts and craft and food vendors on the public square and historic district.
Festivities will kick off with the Gold Rush 5k which takes you around the beautiful campus of the University of North Georgia and through the historic streets and neighborhoods of Dahlonega. Check out the official route. The entry price increases on October 19 at 5:00 pm, and shirts are available in limited quantities so register today.
The festival officially begins at 9:00 am with various events happening throughout the day. Stroll through the booths and check out some neat arts and crafts, peruse the shops, grab a bite at one of local restaurants or food vendors, take a ride in a helicopter to check out the festival from the air, or visit the old 1864 County Jail and Museum, which’ll be open both days from 10 am to 4 pm with free admission. The weekend will also include magic shows, fashion shows, wrist wrestling, story telling, saw competitions, and the music of the Gina Bailey Band, T.W. Holeman Music Group, Crossroads Band, Radford Windham & Stepback Cadillac.
The day’s highlight will be the Gold Rush Days Parade featuring classic cars, tractors, floats, dancers, and even Civil War reenactors. If you or your business would like to participate in the parade, fill out the application. That’ll happen at 3:00 pm immediately followed by the Gold Rush Days Concert on the main stage featuring local musicians Radford Windham & Step Back Cadillac. A huge thank you to the DeSalvo Agency in Dawsonville for being the 2017 Gold Rush Days Stage Sponsor.
UNG Cadet Band marching in the Parade
For a full schedule of events, check the Dahlonega Jaycees Facebook post.