Experience the Heritage and Sounds of the north Georgia mountains

For the first time, the rich traditions and the distinctive sounds of the north Georgia mountains are coming together for an unforgettable event, the Georgia Mountain Roots & Music Festival. The Festival will take place June 8 - June 10 at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Tickets for the musical performances in Anderson Music Hall are on sale now for only $18 on Friday, $26 on Saturday and $12 on Sunday. A special Friday and Saturday two-day pass is also available for just $39. Children under 10 are admitted for free, and parking is free for the Festival. Tickets may be purchased by phone at

706) 896-4191 or online at www.GeorgiaMountainFairgro unds.com.

The 2007 Georgia Mountain Roots & Music Festival will feature both traditional and contemporary bluegrass performers, as well as Americana and folk musicians from all over the country performing on multiple stages. Shawn Mullins headlines as the musical act on Sunday in the climate-controlled Anderson Music Hall. Over 60 arts & crafts booths will be on display Saturday and Sunday, featuring everything from hand-crafted pottery and jewelry to photography and clothing. A disccatching dog performance will amaze Festival-goers on Saturday with three performances. The Festival is also inviting all local bluegrass musicians, from the novice to the advanced, to take the stage in the Pickin' Pavilion for an informal jam session. Bluegrass fanatics can come out to the pavilion throughout the weekend to pick a few tunes or just listen to others play. Admission to the arts & crafts area on Saturday and Sunday, the Pickin' Pavilion and the three disc-catching dog performances on Saturday are FREE. Check out the full schedule of events below or online at www.GeorgiaMountainFairgro unds.com.

The Festival's musical lineup features both local mountain community favorites and national bluegrass stars and is well worth the price of admission to Anderson Music Hall. On Friday, catch Ducktown Station, Dry Branch Fire Squad, the Grascals and Cherryholmes. Saturday features Blue Ridge Grass, the Lovell Sisters, Nashville Bluegrass Band, John Cowan Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Highway 76 and the Greencards. Sunday's musical entertainment is Irons in the Fire followed by Grammy-nominated folk singer Shawn Mullins at 2:30 p.m.

The 2007 Roots & Music Festival opens its doors at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 8 and closes at 11p.m. Saturday June, 9 hours are from 10 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Sunday will last from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Please note that the Art & Crafts Village will only be open on Saturday and Sunday during the Festival. Stay the weekend in Hiawassee, as not to miss a moment of the Festival. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds camping and RV sites will be available for overnight accommodations. Camping reservations can be made by calling (706) 896-4191. For additional lodging accommodations throughout the area, please visit the Towns County Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.MountainTopGA.com.

Bluegrass music lovers should also mark their calendars for the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds' Official State Fiddlers' Convention, held October 19 - 20 at Anderson Music Hall during the select weekend of the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival. During the Fiddlers' Convention, fiddlers of all ages are invited to compete in different musical categories. Competition continues until one talented musician is crowned the "Fiddle King."

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds is home to several popular events throughout the year including the Superstar Concert Series, Georgia Mountain Fair, Hiawassee Festival of Arts, Georgia Mountain Fall Festival and Georgia's Official State Fiddlers' Convention. The Fairgrounds is located along the shores of beautiful Lake Chatuge in the north Georgia mountain community of Hiawassee and offers 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.GeorgiaMountainFairgro unds.com.

2007 Georgia Mountain Roots & Music Festival Schedule:

Friday, June 8; 5:30 - 11 p.m.
Pickin' Pavilion
Music starts at 6 p.m.
Ducktown Station
Dry Branch Fire Squad
The Grascals
Cherryholmes

Blue Ridge Grass
Lovell Sisters
Nashville Bluegrass Band
John Cowan Band
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Highway 76
The Greencards

Saturday,   June   9;   10   a.m.   -
10:30 p.m.
Arts & Crafts Village
Three   Canine   Frisbee   Disc
Shows
Pickin' Pavilion
Music starts at 1 p.m.

Sunday, June 10; 11 a.m. - 5
p.m.
Arts & Crafts Village
Pickin' Pavilion
Music starts at 1:30 p.m.
Irons in the Fire
Shawn Mullins