Enjoy an Autumn family adventure during Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

With its mild temperatures and colorful fall foliage the North Georgia Mountains provide a perfect fall escape, and from October 6 -15, the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds will host an ideal family adventure. For these 10 days, the Fairgrounds will be filled with arts & crafts, history, music and excitement during the annual Georgia Mountain Fall Festival. For a complete list of scheduled activities, discounted admission days and musical performance times, visit www.GeorgiaMountainFairgrounds.com.

Throughout each day of the Festival, visitors will be entertained with a wide range of musical performances including country, gospel and the

popular Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention. Musicians such as Joe Diffie, Phil Dirt and the Dozers, Connie Smith, The Dixie Melody Boys, and "Fiddlin" Howard Cunningham and the Georgia Mountain Men of County will take the stage in the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds' Anderson Music Hall on selected days of the event. In addition to the diverse group of musicians, the Festival will host the local Hiawassee Cloggers as well as a variety of other single acts.

The Fall Fair Pioneer House.

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds will also play host to Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention during the second weekend of the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival. Throughout this event, performers of all ages will compete in various musical categories such as senior fiddler, junior fiddler, bluegrass band, finger-style guitar, flat pick guitar, banjo and mandolin. After initial competitions, a winner will be declared in each category. Then, the winner from both the junior and senior fiddling groups will compete in a "Fiddle Off," where that winner will be declared the "Georgia Mountain Fiddle King." This year, the Fiddler's Convention will be held on October 13 - 14. A complete listing of rules and information on how to enter can be found on the Fairgrounds'Web site.

Visitors will also feel as though they have traveled back in time during the Festival. Scattered throughout the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds' Pioneer Village, locals hold "old ways" demonstrations for visitors to enjoy and experience the past. There, they can watch how moonshine was distilled, quilting demonstrations, corn milling and, perfect for a fall festival, an authentic apple cider press. After watching the demonstrations, attendees can stroll through the Village and enjoy the Fairgrounds' replica of a quaint an old mountain town. The Pioneer Village is home to a one-room schoolhouse, a log home, a mercantile store and a smoke house, which guests are invited to tour. These authentic structures were moved to the Fairgrounds to preserve the area's rich history.

Attendees will also enjoy the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival's arts & crafts exhibits. Each day of the Festival artisans from around the country will display their work in covered booths throughout the Fairgrounds. Art enthusiasts will love strolling on the shaded and paved paths as they enjoy watching many of the crafters at work and the eclectic selection items for purchase. Visitors can also tour the Festival's annual Flower Show in the Hiawassee Garden Building on the property. The show will be held each day of the event.

The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival will host the acclaimed Rosaire's Lions and Tigers show. This caged wild animal act features Siberian tigers and African lions and will surely captivate audiences of all ages. Performances will be held three times daily each day of the festival.

From tasty barbeque, sweet cotton candy to hamburgers and hot dogs, no one will leave the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival hungry. With a wide range of festival favorites, there is something for every craving during the event. The food booths are run by local civic organizations and serve as a fundraising tool for non-profit groups in Towns County.

Tickets for the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival are $8 with $2 parking, and children under 10 are admitted for free (musical performances are included in ticket price). Adiscounted three-day Fun Fest Pass is available in advance or at the gate for $20 and is valid any three days of the Fall Festival. No pets allowed. Festival hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds camping and RV sites will also be available for overnight accommodations. Camping reservations can be made by calling (706) 8964191. For additional lodging accommodations throughout the area, please visit the Towns County Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.MountainTopGA.com. The 2006 Georgia Mountain Fall Festival is a project of the Towns County Lion Clubs.

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are the home to several popular events throughout the year including the Georgia Mountain Fair, the Georgia Mountain Bluegrass Festival, the Rhododendron Festival, the Hiawassee Festival of Arts, the Superstar Concert Series, the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival and Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention. The Fairgrounds are located along the shores of beautiful Lake Chatuge in the north Georgia mountain community of Hiawassee and offer 189 beautiful camp and RV sites, most with lake views. Sites are equipped with modern conveniences and are available year round. For more information on the property and campsites as well as a complete listing of events, visit www.GeorgiaMountainFairgrounds.com.