Hold the date: Fourth Annual Hiawassee Festival of Arts

Are you planning to invite some out of town guests or just having the family up for a weekend get-together. Well, this is the weekend to do it. Over 100 juried artists from all over the country gather in Hiawassee to present their work. Mark your calendar for the Fourth Annual Hiawassee Festival of Arts, Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The festival features local and national artists specializing in watercolor, oil and acrylic painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass, wood, metal and fiber art. The World Music and Jazz Society provides music throughout the festival so you can relax, enjoy the artists and sample a variety of foods from smokehouse prime rib sandwiches and mountain barbeque to stuffed baked potatoes and finish up with a frozen cappuccino or ice cream treat. Located at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, the Festival is presented by the Mountain Arts Association, with the generous support of United Community Bank, Inc., Georgia Vision Center of Hiawassee, MountainTopGA, blueridgehighlander. com, and Ridges Resort and Club.

"Several renowned artists have already accepted including David Goldhagen, whose magnificent glass sculptures are displayed at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and our 2006 Best in Show, watercolor artist Troy Crisswell," commented Cheryl Barrett, MAA President. "We're particularly excited about the Children's Pavilion this year as we have added a number of interactive projects for the little ones. It is also an opportunity to showcase young talent from Towns, Union and Clay Counties who participate in the "Artists of Tomorrow" contest. These art students in 1st through 12th grades are invited to submit work for cash awards and prizes."

Those of you who don't have your tickets yet, may want to stop by the Georgia Mountain Fair Office as Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year, Sara Evans, will be featured Saturday night at the Anderson Music Hall during the festival. Yet another reason to save that date! For more information, visit www.hiawasseefestivalofarts.or g or call the Mountain Arts Association at (706)896-9739.