Sorghum Festival Blairsville, Georgia |
Blairsville's most famous event, Georgia's offical Sorghum Festival, is upon us. It's the time of year when everyone congregates in town to celebrate a wonderful community and its rich heritage. Fall is a beautiful time of the year in Blairsville...The weather is crisp and the surrounding mountains are in full bloom.
The Sorghum Festival is held in the Heart of the North Georgia Mountains in Blairsville, Georgia in October every year on the 2nd and 3rd weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Those living in the Appalachian Mountains created their own games and competition and enjoyed a unique variety of music. The heritage of fun and music is celebrated at the Sorghum Festival. Visitors can participate in the game, or just have fun watching. All of those at the festival enjoy the music.
The Sorghum Festival features the very best in arts and crafts by carefully selected vendors who display a variety of items for those visiting one of North Georgia's most unique fall festivals. Among many items are jams, jellies, birdhouses, customs knives, candles, hand-sewn items from fabric, hand-made furniture, jewelry, decorative nicknacks, pottery and much more.
The Sorghum Festival also offers a variety of demonstrations for visitors. A demonstration of how the cane was crushed in the old days is a favorite. A genuine old grinder is set up, complete with the harness that connects a mule to the grinder. A re-creation of an old-time moonshine still is set up by the river, similar to a setting that would have been seen in years gone by. The process used in the old days is explained at the site. It is not unusual to hear the blast of a muzzleloading rifle or pistol on occasion, with a demonstration of the type of weapon used by the mountain people in years gone by.
The Biskit' Eatin' contest is a favorite. Eat five homestyle baked biskits (each bite must have Sorghum syrup on it) and earn a festival t-shirt.
Log Sawin' involves two people using a crosscut saw. The object is to pull the saw, then let your partner pull the saw. Fastest time wins.
Horseshoe Pitchin' allows each thrower two tosses. Most points accumulated wins.
Rock Throwin' is done by age and gender, with the goal of throwing the rock the farthest.
Pole Climbin' skills are displayed as youngsters and adults attempt to climb to the top of the pole, and in case of a tie in distance, winners are determined by time.
Every day of the festival, the oldest person attending is reconized with an award. The person traveling the greatest distance to attend the festival is also awarded a trophy.
Sorghum Festival Parade is the granddaddy of all parades in Blairsville, Georgia, a tradition that spans decades. The parade goes through downtown Blairsville as hundreds line the streets to see the floats (both large and small), the color guard, bands, performers, local organizations, vintage cars and horses. The parade is held on the first Saturday of the festival at 11 a.m., rain or shine. People come from all over the world to get some of Blairsville's delicious sorghum syrup. See you at the Sorghum Festival!
