A musical anniversary at the Georgia Mountain Fair
Anderson Music Hall's Special Theme Days

Jerry Goff, one of Gospel music's most renowned figures.

Sculpted figures of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson are completed at Stone Mountain. The Price Is Right and M*A*S*H debut on CBS. Chipper Jones is born, and a Gospel icon first takes the stage at the Georgia Mountain Fair.

Jerry Goff, one of Gospel music's most renowned figures, first performed at the Fair in 1972 and is celebrating 35 consecutive years doing so at the this year's Georgia Mountain Fair, which takes place July 18 through 29.

Goff will be at the Fair for the 35th time on July 22, at the 11 a.m. service and at the 2 p.m. concert. He will be performing in Anderson Music Hall, as he has in the more recent years past. But, Goff still remembers a time without the ever-popular music venue, with and without its new air conditioning.

"I have really enjoyed the excitement as the music crowds have grown to over 3,000 with the music hall," says Goff about the Fair's move to the Fairgrounds and the completion of Anderson Music Hall. "And the cool air makes it really nice now."

"Through the years, it has been exciting to watch the Fair continually grow, bringing in the very best in talent and keeping the local flavor. The Fair has become an anchor for me. You start to look forward to certain things in your life, and this is one of those things for me," said Goff.

Jerry Goff is one of the founders and lifetime members of the Gospel Music Association. He has over 50 albums to his credit and has received many awards including Gospel Music News' Best Male Vocalist and the distinguished Dove Award for the Best Gospel Album.

Goff is now headlining the first themed music day at the Georgia Mountain Fair. Sunday, July 22's musical lineup in Anderson Music Hall is focused around Gospel acts and also features an interfaith worship and music from the McKamey's, the Inspirations and the Primitives. Another Gospel Day takes place on closing day, July 29, and features the Steeles, Crystal River and Brian Free & Assurance.

Other special days at Anderson Music Hall will begin the second week of the Fair. Fairgoers can attend Tribute Day, Youth Day, Bluegrass Day and Country Days to get a full array of musical flavors.

Tribute Day will be held July 24, and will serve to commemorate two of country music's greatest figures with performances by their loved ones. Michael Twitty will perform Memories of Conway, while Tommy Cash will sing a tribute to his brother Johnny Cash. These two performers will sing in memory of their brothers at 2 and 8 p.m.

The very next day, July 25, is Youth Day at Anderson Music Hall. A youth variety show will take place throughout the day. James Childers & the Scataway Pickers will perform and feature Cody Hamilton. Also performing that day is country music superstar Pam Tillis, who takes the stage at both 3 and 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 26 brings the sounds of banjos, fiddles and mandolins to Anderson Music Hall with Bluegrass Day. This day features some of bluegrass' best groups: Seldom Scene, Country Gentlemen and Bluegrass Alliance. Also, the Southeastern Bluegrass Association will be sending a host of local groups to entertain throughout the day. The shows will start at 2 and 8 p.m.

The Fair's famed Country Days will take place July 27 and 28 and feature the 55th Annual Country Music Show with all kinds of exciting acts. Gene Watson headlines on Friday at 6:30 p.m., and Connie Smith goes on at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday. Throughout the days Fiddlin' Howard Cunningham and the Georgia Mountain Fair Staff Band will play and the Sweetheart Cloggers will dance to entertain the crowds.

With country, bluegrass and gospel shows going on throughout the 2007 Georgia Mountain Fair, there is something for every music aficionado. For more information about musicians and performance times, or for a complete description of the Georgia Mountain Fair, visit www.GeorgiaMountainFairgro unds.com.

Tickets for the Georgia Mountain Fair are $8 with $2 parking. Children under 10 are free, and no pets are allowed. A discounted FunFair Pass is also available for $20. Festival hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds camping and RV are available for overnight accommodations. Camping reservations can be made by calling (706) 896- 4191. Other accommodations may be reserved at Brasstown Valley by asking for the FunFair Package. Visit www.BrasstownValley.com for booking information. The 2007 Georgia Mountain Fair is sponsored by the Towns County Lion Club.

About the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds:

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds is home to several popular events throughout the year including the Georgia Mountain Fair, the Georgia Mountain Roots & Music Festival, the Hiawassee Festival of Arts, the Superstar Concert Series, the 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.