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Articles by Karen Neathawk
2026 Fall Festive Fun in the Mountains
Compiled by Sarah Riddell AREA CODE 706 Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens – Fall Series, through Oct 8. Hiawassee. 896-4191. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com. Bubbles and Boots Mimosa Festival, Sept 5. Hiawassee. 896-4191. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com. Oktoberfest 2026, Sept 10-Nov 1. Helen. 878-1908. helenchamber.com. Chattahoochee Mountain Fair, Sept 11-19. Clarkesville. 969-1866. chattahoocheemountainfair.org. The Dailey & Vincent Music Fest, Sept 17-19. Hiawassee. 896-4191. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
Festive Fun in the Mountains
Compiled by Sarah Riddell AREA CODE 706 The Concerts at Eller Holler, July 2-30. Hiawassee. 896-4191. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com. Celebrating America’s 250th Parade, July 3. Dalton. 270-9960. visitdaltonga.com. Off the Rails Summer Concert Series, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31.Dalton. 270-9960. visitdaltonga.com. 68th Annual 4th of July Celebration, July 4. Dalton. 270-9960. visitdaltonga.com. Annual 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks, July 4. Helen. 706-878-2181. helenga.org. Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks, July 4.
Revolutionary Roundup
By Angela Minor This year marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and celebrations of this feat can be found in countless corners of the United States—including the Southern Appalachians.
40th Annual Readers’ Choice Dining Awards
From the Best Burgers or Pizza, to Best Overall Restaurant – and even the valley’s Top Chef – we need YOUR help to identify and honor the very finest in our region! NEW This Year: In honor of our 40th year, we’ve changed things up and will have two rounds of public voting! Vote for your favorites from the nominees listed on the ballot, or write in your own picks to get them in the running. Every write-in nomination also counts as your vote in that category during this round.
Among The Blooms: A Photo Essay
Photo above: A bee clings to the center of a sunflower at Mill Springs Farm, located just up the road from historic downtown Jonesborough, Tennessee. From the photographer: “The farm grows a yearly crop of a variety of sunflowers. The bees love them!” Photo by Jay Huron A freshly bloomed trillium growing on a mountainside in northeastern Tennessee offers shelter to a small frog.
My Beloved Scenic
By Eula Golding Walters | Photos Courtesy of the Author Photo Above: A happy 8-year-old Eula Mae standing in front of her father, Woodrow, in this Golding family photo taken in 1952. On a chilly September morning in 1935, two men working a crosscut saw felled a giant oak tree, signaling the birth of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Beneath the Swinging Bridge
Text and Photos by Joan Vannorsdall Photo above: Portrait of Stuart Gay and Mabel Pendleton centered on the front of their shared tombstone. Crown Hill Cemetery is a quiet and beautiful place to wander. The 163-year-old burial ground sits high above Main Street in Clifton Forge, Virginia, overlooking once-stately houses and old brick school buildings, church spires, and the rail tracks running along the Jackson River. And embracing it all, the blue-hazed mountains.
Holiday/Winter 2026 Festivals & Events Guide
From the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, our annual compendium is the perfect travel companion. Inside, you’ll find gatherings celebrating food and drink, the arts, music, and more—all worth building a mountain road trip around. Pick your favorite festival theme and start planning! By Karen Neathawk / Photo above: Christmas at Biltmore, November 6-January 10, Asheville, North Carolina. Nov 1. Veterans Parade. Tazewell, VA. Nov 6-Jan 3.
Summer 2026 Festivals & Events Guide
From the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, our annual compendium is the perfect travel companion. Inside, you’ll find gatherings celebrating food and drink, the arts, music, and more—all worth building a mountain road trip around. Pick your favorite festival theme and start planning! By Karen Neathawk / Photo above: 4th of July Parade & Festival, July 4, Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Visit Blowing Rock June 21. Father’s Day Blues & Brews.
Fall 2026 Festivals & Events Guide
From the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, our annual compendium is the perfect travel companion. Inside, you’ll find gatherings celebrating food and drink, the arts, music, and more—all worth building a mountain road trip around. Pick your favorite festival theme and start planning! By Karen Neathawk / Photo above: Knoxville Asian Festival, August 29-30, Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo courtesy of Asian Culture Center of TN Sept 21-27. Mayberry Days. Mount Airy, NC.
2025 Festivals & Events Guide
Festivals and their dates are always subject to change of circumstance; we’ve worked to verify all, but please check ahead before setting out for festival fun. For every weekend for the rest of the year, there’s a great excursion awaiting, with a perfect event built in. Ready to start planning?
Holiday / Winter 2025 Festivals & Events Guide
For every weekend for the rest of the year, there’s a great excursion awaiting, with a perfect event built in. Nov 1 — Montpelier Hunt Races. Montpelier Station, Virginia. Nov 1-2 — Everything Outdoor Fest. Simpsonville, South Carolina. Nov 1-2 — Head of the Hooch Regatta. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Nov 1-Jan 4 — Christmas at Biltmore. Asheville, North Carolina. Nov 1-Jan 4 — Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Nov 6 — Winter Magic & Chili Cookoff. Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Fall 2025 Festivals & Events Guide
For every weekend for the rest of the year, there’s a great excursion awaiting, with a perfect event built in. Sept 22-28 — Mayberry Days. Mount Airy, North Carolina. Sept 23-27 — SC Foothills Heritage Fair. Seneca, South Carolina. Sept 24-27 — Henry County Fair. Ridgeway, Virginia. Sept 25-27 — Dailey & Vincent Music Fest. Hiawassee, Georgia. Sept 26 — Chattanooga Bacon & Barrel Food & Whiskey Festival. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sept 26 — Greer Alive. Greer, South Carolina.
Summer 2025 Festivals & Events Guide
For every weekend for the rest of the year, there’s a great excursion awaiting, with a perfect event built in. June 21 — Brewfest. Knoxville, Tennessee. June 21 — CommUNITY BBQ Bash Art and Farmers Market. Chattanooga, Tennessee. June 21 — Georgia State Fiddlers Convention. Blairsville, Georgia. June 21 — Hometown Market/Pride Block Party. Fairmont, West Virginia. June 21 — Hops in the Hills Craft Beer Festival. Maryville, Tennessee. June 21 — Jackson Square Lavender Festival. Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Spring 2025 Festivals & Events Guide
For every weekend for the rest of the year, there’s a great excursion awaiting, with a perfect event built in. March 21-May 22 — Biltmore Blooms. Asheville, North Carolina. April 12-May 11 — Hamilton Gardens Rhododendron Festival. Hiawassee, Georgia. April 18-June 8 — Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. April 25-May 4 — Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. Winchester, Virginia. April 28-May 3 — New River Birding & Nature Festival. Fayette County, West Virginia.
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