Georgia Apple Festival

There is a reason North Georgia likes to celebrate apples. The Georgia Apple Festival celebration is focused on the apple, introduced into North Georgia in the early 1900’s. The apple saved North Georgia from the destruction of the boll weevil. It all stems from the small insect that destroyed the bolls of cotton, then by far the most prevalent North Georgia crop. The boll weevil swept through North Georgia, wrecking not only the cotton crop, but local economies as well from 1922 to 1925. North Georgia farmers had introduced the apple as a crop in the early 1900's and by the time of the boll weevil infestation, North Georgia had sufficient income from apples to offset at least a part of the damage done by the insects.

In 1970, local merchants decided to hold a celebration of the fruit that saved North Georgia. The Georgia Apple Festival is held in Ellijay every year during the middle two weekends of October. It is a celebration of the North Georgia Apple Harvest. Ellijay is known as the "Apple Capital of Georgia". The 4-day event features arts, crafts, quilts, food, apples, music, face painting, and much more. Over 200 exhibitors come from all over to bring their crafts and arts, as well as many on-site demonstrations of how selected types of crafts are made. This year's Georgia Apple Festival promises many new crafts as well as favorites from past festivals. Unique and distinctive items can be purchased at the Georgia Apple Festival.

Looking for entertainment? How about a wide variety of acts - everything from cloggers to country music, gospel to rock and roll. It’s all here at the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay. There is a parade and antique car show each year. The antique car show is held at the Gilmer County Civic Center in Ellijay, Georgia on October 11th. The parade is on the second Saturday, October 18th and begins at 10 A.M. The food is supreme - everything from savory gyros to fried turkey legs, fried cookies, fried apple pies, apple cider, and homemade apple butter. And of course there are the North Georgia Apples - the best apples money can buy.

When

  • Saturday, October 11, 2008- 9:00am - 6:00pm
  • Sunday, October 12, 2008- 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday, October 18, 2008- 9:00am - 6:00pm
  • Sunday, October 19, 2008- 9:00am - 5:00pm

Where

  • Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds

Admission

  • Adults: $5.00
  • Children 10 and under FREE

Parking

  • Parking is done by Local Boy Scouts and is free; however, a recommended donation of $2.00 is appreciated.

No Pets Allowed.

Shuttles

  • Free shuttles start 30 minutes before gates open and stop 30 minutes after gates close. Shuttle pickup is available from Gilmer High School, Gilmer Middle School, Ellijay Primary and Elementary Schools, and Mountainview Elementary School. The shuttles are a good option as parking at the fairground is limited. To get a parking spot at the fairgrounds you must get there early. Sit back and enjoy the view of Ellijay via the free shuttles.