Spring has sprung, the temperatures are climbing, and everything is blooming! The last weekend in May, Memorial Day Weekend, is an excellent time to get away from the hub bub of daily life and Escape to the Blue Ridge Mountains to enjoy the beauty that is bursting all around us!
Extreme or Serene
There is no shortage of fun to be had around town, but if just relaxing with your favorite people (and pups) in a fabulous cabin is your idea of a good time, we totally get it. Many of our cabins are equipped with game rooms, hot tubs, fire pits, and wooded trails to explore. There is also horseback riding stables, zip lines, and whitewater rafting close by for added immersion into the wonders of Mother Nature.
Downtown Blue Ridge
In downtown Blue Ridge you’ll enjoy attending the 48th Annual Spring Arts in the Park event on Saturday and Sunday, May 25th & 26th. This Southern tradition features more than two hundred arts, crafts, and food booths for you to admire fine arts and mountain crafts. You’ll also be able to see artist’s demonstrations, hear some great music, and support the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association! The event is held rain or shine, and well-behaved leashed pets are welcome. Admission is $5 and children 12 and under are free!
Photo Courtesy of The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Center
Music will be abundant in the Downtown area as well. Grumpy Old Men Brewery and Tipping Point Brewing Co. will have live music playing. Check out our local vineyards for more fun and music as well! Another great spot for live music is the Boat Dock Bar & Grill, which by the way, did you know, they are a sunny spot for shady people? Check them out. They offer great views of Lake Blue Ridge, delicious food, and fantastic drinks! Last but not least, Misty Mountain Hops for late night music and drinks is a must stop!
And to honor our fallen loved ones The Tri State Community Band and Singers of North Georgia will come together to remember our veterans and first responders with a Salute to America Concert. The concert will take place May 26th at 6pm in Fannin County High School’s Performing Arts Center. A free-will donation will be collected. Then on Memorial Day on the 27th, a special Memorial Day Ceremony will be held in Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park. The North Georgia Honor Guard will be conducting the ceremony, where there will also be a rifle salute and Taps, posting of the colors, placing wreaths, the singing of the National Anthem, and a Huey on display. The ceremony will take place in the park from 12pm-1pm.
Downtown Blairsville
About thirty minutes East of Blue Ridge in the town of Blairsville, you’ll encounter their annual Spring Arts, Crafts, & Music Festival. Saturday morning begins with a Memorial Day Parade and the rest of the day and all-day Sunday you can enjoy more than 200 local and regional artists. Many musicians will also be on site to entertain you and your family. There is no charge to attend, but plenty of family fun is sure to be had!
Hiawassee
Every year the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds hosts the Hiawassee Pro Rodeo Memorial Day weekend! Celebrate the long weekend by watching bucking broncos & bulls at the annual Hiawassee Pro Rodeo! See some of the world’s best contestants from the U.S. and Canada as well as some amazing specialty acts! The whole family will love it! Tickets are $20 for adults and children 5 & under are free!
Ellijay
Every spring Ellijay celebrates their “Apple”lachian town with the Georgia Apple Festival! This year’s event takes place May 25th-May 27th in East Ellijay. There will be craft vendors, live music, food vendors, and family fun! Celebrate spring in North Georgia in Ellijay! Pets are welcome!
Memorial Day weekend also falls during the Ellijay Songwriters Festival, a 14 day musical event where premier Nashville and Georgia songwriters and bands will perform at some of Ellijay’s best wineries, breweries, restaurants, and music venues. And over 60 of these incredible performances are FREE! On top of great live music the event will also feature food & craft vendors, a golf tournament, a car show, outdoor activities, wine dinners, a Memorial Day celebration, and all kinds of fun family entertainment. The event runs in Ellijay May 20th-June 2nd.
McCaysville/Copperhill
If you’ve never experienced a trip on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, you should definitely consider boarding in downtown Blue Ridge and taking an enjoyable two hour ride to the revitalized cities of McCaysville, Ga and Copperhill, Tn. Yep, this is your chance to stand in two states at one time! Grab an ice cream or sweet treat at Happy Bear Ice Cream & Treats. Maybe Cuban is more your style and you prefer a Cuban coffee and empanada at the Rum Cake Lady for an afternoon treat. Pick up the latest record at Deaf Man Vinyl or a new treat for your bestfriend at Mainstreet Mutt. There is so much to explore in the Copper Basin’s twin cities!
Whatever plans you make for the holiday weekend, we hope that you are spending it with all the ones you love creating memories and enjoying the freedom that we get to enjoy in the great United States of America. As we approach Memorial Day Weekend, we want to take a moment to thank all of the men and women that have so courageously given their lives to defend this beautiful country in which we are so fortunate to live. There is no greater sacrifice one can make and the patriotism that these honorable souls displayed deserves our recognition and gratitude, not just one weekend a year, but all year long. Thank you for your service.
