Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, which opened in 1978, is home to several popular events throughout the year including the Georgia Mountain Fair, Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In, Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Superstar concerts, and Georgia's Official State Fiddlers' Convention. Located on a 161-acre (0.65 km²) tract along the shores of Lake Chatuge in the north Georgia mountain community of Hiawassee, the Fairgrounds offers a glimpse into the past with its historic Pioneer Village, an expansive and comfortable music venue in the Anderson Music Hall, and 189 RV camp sites with lake views and modern conveniences.

The Fairgrounds is also home to the Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens, the largest native azalea and rhododendron garden in the Southeast U.S., with more than 5,000 plants.^[1]^[2]

History

A ride during the Georgia Mountain Fair

The Georgia Mountain Fair began in 1951 as a Lions Club project. The fair typically includes carnival rides, exhibits, a photography show, the Miss Georgia Mountain Fair contest, and live music.^[3] The fair has hosted internationally-known musicians such as George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and Kenny Rogers.^[2] Between 1989 and 1994, the fairgrounds was the home to Georgia's official historic drama, The Reach of Song.^[4]

Miss Georgia Mountain Fair

2024: Rylee Kitchens, 21, of Towns County^[5]

References

^ "HAMILTON RHODODENDRON GARDENS". Explore Georgia. Georgia Department of Economic Development. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
^ ^a ^b Moore, Carl S. (2008). Clay County, N.C.: Then and Now. Genealogy Publishing Service. ISBN 978-1881851240.
^ Johnson, Phyllis (2024-07-25). "Georgia Mountain Fair on the horizon". Clay County Progress. Hayesville, NC: Community Newspapers Inc. p. A8.
^ "Georgia State Historical Drama". eReference Desk. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
^ Ferguson, Deby Jo (2024-08-22). "Kitchens crowned Miss Georgia Mountain Fair". Clay County Progress. Hayesville, NC: Community Newspapers Inc. p. 1A. Retrieved 2024-08-24.