Gold Rush Days is a big festival in a small Georgia town. The festival, held on the third weekend in October, October 20-21, 2007, commemorates Dahlonega’s discovery of gold in 1828.
“Gold Rush Days has been voted one of the Top 20 Events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society”. according to the website. Thousands of people flock to the mountain town to enjoy the beautiful fall colors peaking and to celebrate the 1828 discovery of gold in Dahlonega.
The mountain festival attracts about 200,000 people to Dahlonega, GA. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors will gather in the Historic District Public Square. The popular event is filled with lively activities and fun for the family. The two day event features a parade, fashion show, gold panning contest, children’s activities, hog calling buck beard content, liar’s contest, cross-cut saw contest, balloon throwing contest, pipe smoking contest, dancing contest, wheelbarrow race, gospel singing and the coronation of the King and Queen. The festival promises to have delicious food available for visitors.
The Georgia Gold Rush hit Dahlonega in 1828. The rivers had been mined by Cherokee Indians and Spanish explorers as far back as the 1500”s. The “discovery” of gold in 1828 brought an influx of miners panning for gold. There was so much gold being produced in the region that the government built a gold mint in Dahlonega in 1838. Gold production decreased, but the gold rush continued until 1849, when gold was discovered in California. The miners headed west to find gold in the west.
The story of the country’s first gold rush is told inside the historic 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse. The Lumpkin County courthouse is the oldest courthouse in Georgia. Dahlonega prospered with the gold mining and the U.S. Branch Mint opened in 1838. The Dahlonega Mint coined more than $6 million in gold before it closed in 1861. Exhibits in the museum include a set of these coins, a gold nugget that weighs more that five ounces, a large hydraulic cannon and a nozzle used to blast soil from the mountainsides.
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Visitors who want to take in some beautiful natural landscape would do well to spend some time exploring the region. Dahlonega is a beautifully scenic mountain village surrounded by natural wonders.The Chattahoochee National Forest and beautiful waterfalls are just a step away from the town. The forest is a haven for outdoor lovers and fans of nature. Activities in the forest include horseback riding, canoing, kayaking, biking, hiking or just enjoying. the fall colors should be peaking during the Gold Rush Days, making the trip in the mountains to beautiful fall color drive.
Vineyards dot the landscape around the small town. Wineries are set within spectacular settings. The region is well known for its wine making. Visit the wineries and do some wine tasting in the mountains. Wineries include Blackstock Vineyards, Frogtown Cellars, Three Sisters Vineyards and Wolf Mountain Vineyards.
Dahlonega is 71 miles from Atlanta, Ga; 209 miles from Birmingham, AL and 235 miles from Charlotte, NC.
Following are some lodging options in Dahlonega.
Lily Creek Lodge. Romantic, European style bed and breakfast inn with a swimming pool and hot tub. Four miles from historic Dahlonega. 706-864-6846.
Holiday Inn Express. Luxurious hotel in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains with excellent mountain views. Located one mile from downtown. Amenities include outdoor pool, business center and high speed Internet. 706-867-7777.
Days Inn. Located one mile from the historic square. Amenities include swimming pool, lite breakfast and large seasonal outdoor swimming pool. 706-864-2338
Econo Lodge. 706-864-6191
Super 8 Motel. 706-864-4343.
Information subject to change.
