Ahhhhhh, August! It’s time to start checking the newspaper circulars for Back to School deals on sneakers and backpacks, and to get the kids ready for a return to Readin’, Writin’, and ‘Rithmatic. But don’t lose sight that it’s still summer and that means festivals abound, there’s an outrageous amount of live music at local wineries and breweries, and the end of the month is the beginning of U-Pick Apple season in Blue Ridge, Blairsville and Ellijay! Take a look at the upcoming events and plan your Escape to Blue Ridge to experience all the mountains have to offer!
National Juried Photography Show
August 1st – August 31st
Location: The Art Center (Blue Ridge Mountain Art Association)
Come on out to the Art Center now through August 27th to see beautiful digital media from local artists. Enjoy photography or videography? Submit your work and see if you can win Best in Show! Artists and art lovers alike are welcome!
Live Music at The Dogwood
August 1st – August 27th
Location: The Dogwood
Relax on the beautiful patio, under 100-year-old trees at The Dogwood in Downtown Blue Ridge! With delicious cocktails, an amazing limited menu, and live music from local artists on Fridays & Saturdays starting at 5pm, you’ll love your time at The Dogwood!
August 1st: Roscoe’s Roadshow
August 19th: Surrender Hill
August 26th: Robbie Litt
August 27th: Mattie Croxton
3D Off the Wall Exhibit
August 1st – August 27th
Location: Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association (The Art Center)
Come appreciate amazing three-dimensional works of art from local artists at the 11th Annual 3D Off the Wall Exhibit! The exhibit will highlight a variety of three-dimensional mediums and is open to three-dimensional artists of all genres. The opening reception will take place July 16th from 5pm – 7pm and the exhibit will be on display through August 27th.
Live Music at ROE.
August 2nd – August 31st
Location: ROE. Blue Ridge
Come out to Blue Ridge’s newest restaurant ROE. Tuesday & Wednesday nights from 6pm – 9pm for live music from Trevor Ciongoli. Catch him performing in the captains quarters bar every Tuesday & Wednesday while you dine on delicious fresh seafood!
Live Music at Misty Mountain Hops
August 5th – August 27th
Location: Misty Mountain Hops
Misty Mountain Hops is a music-centric restaurant and pub so it’s only fitting that they bring in live music. Stop on by Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm – 9pm for great food and great live music from local artists!
August 5th: Danny Rhea
August 6th: Steve Vaclavik
August 13th: Gabe Myers
August 19th: Andy Johnson
August 20th: Cannon Tyler
August 26th: Lindsay Beth Harper
August 27th: Frankie Sparks
Live Music at Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery
August 5th – August 28th
Location: Bear Claw Vineyards
For award winning wine, live music, and food truck Bear Claw Vineyards is the place for you! Join them every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for live music and food trucks. Kids and dogs are welcome too! The live music schedule for each weekend is shared on their website each Thursday so be sure to check back!
Live Music at Lake Blue Ridge Marina
August 5th – August 26th
Location: Boat Dock Bar & Grill at Lake Blue Ridge Marina
Relax on the shores of Lake Blue Ridge from the Boat Dock Bar & Grill at the Lake Blue Ridge Marina. There you’ll have a beautiful view of the lake, delicious entrees and cocktails, and live music on the weekends! Live music is 6pm – 9pm on select Fridays. You’ll feel relaxed and renewed in no time!
August 5th: Jimmy Riemer
August 12th: Danny Rhea
August 19th: Travis Bowlin
August 26th: David Welch
Live Music at Paradise Hills
August 5th – August 27th
Location: Paradise Hills, Cabins-Spa-Farm Winery
Visit the winery at the beautiful Paradise Hills hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The tasting room offers Paradise Hills wine, a selection of craft beers, hard cider, and wine slushies as well as cheese and charcuterie boards, tapas, and shared platters. You can enjoy your drinks and snacks as you listen to local artists perform Fridays 4pm – 8pm & Saturdays from 1pm – 5pm.
August 5th: Rusted Melody
August 6th: Trailer Hippies
August 12th: Bob Keel
August 13th: Chris Carpenter
August 19th: Stephan Busie Band
August 20th: Tom Edwards
August 26th: Hill Roberts
August 27th: Dr. Paul
Summer Heat Music Festival
August 6th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Come on out to Hiawassee and beat the summer heat at the Summer Heat Music Festival! There will live music in the Anderson Music Hall from 6 local bands, as well as live and silent auctions, food trucks, arts & crafts, a classic car show, a bounce house, pony rides, face painting, and so much more! This fun event takes place at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds on August 6th from 10am-8pm. Tickets are $20 a person and children 12 & under are free! All proceeds will benefit the Towns County Sherriff’s office.
Summer Harvest Faire
August 6th
Location: Folk Apothic at Deep Roots Orchard
Join Folk Apothic for a day of Appalachian fun at the Summer Harvest Faire! There will be local music, food, pie and hot dog eating contests, fun in the sprinklers, and lots of canned & baked goods. Interested in showing off your own canned or baked goods? Contact Folk Apothic to participate! Join in all the fun from 11am – 6pm.
Art Classes and Workshops
August 6th – August 20th
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association offers classes year round for artists looking to expand their skill set. On August 6th from 10:30am – 4pm take part in a leather making workshop and on August 20th from 10:30am – 4pm try out Art Therapy with Clay. And check out more upcoming art classes at https://www.blueridgearts.net/adult-classes.html
Live Music at Cartecay Vineyards
August 6th – August 28th
Location: Cartecay Vineyards
Sip on delicious wine surrounded by the North Georgia Mountains at Cartecay Vineyards! Enjoy live music select Saturdays & Sundays from 1:30pm – 5:30pm. Listen to the music of local artists while enjoying your wine outside either on the Chimney Patio or the Tasting Barn’s covered porch. Live music, good wine, and beautiful mountain scenery; it doesn’t get much better than that!
August 6th: Surrender Hill
August 7th: Ryan Little Eagle
August 13th: Andrew Golden
August 14th: Jorge Valenzuela
August 20th: Gregg Erwin
August 21st: Brett Cantrell
August 27th: Hush Money
August 28th: Travis Bowlin
Live Music at Bin 322 Wine & Tapas Bar
August 6th – August 27th
Location: Bin 322 Wine & Tapas Bar
Where else can you find regional wines from all over the world, tapas and other delicious international platters, and live music!? At Bin 322 Wine & Tapas Bar! Drop by Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm – 9pm to enjoy live music from local artists and choose from their great wine selection. And on Monday nights from 6pm – 8pm join in on SINGO, music style bingo! There’s always fun to be had at Bin 322!
August 6th: Denise Moo
August 13th: Loose Shoes Duo
August 20th: David Welch
August 27th: Gwen Hughes and Tom Ladow
Downtown Market Blue Ridge
August 6th – August 27th
Location: 400 West Main Street
Enjoy this wonderful market every Saturday from 9am – 1pm now till November (weather permitting) right in the heart of Downtown Blue Ridge! There will be all kinds of vendors offering food, artisan goods, arts & crafts, furniture, and more!
Oil Painting Class
August 6th – August 18th
Location: 4 Elements Fine Art and Custom Framing
Have you ever wanted to refine your art skills? Now is your chance to learn from the best! Take an oil painting class at 4 Elements Fine Art from George Charriez. Classes are offered August 6th from 2pm – 4:30pm and August 18th from 6pm – 8:30pm. Only a limited number of seats are available so call or email to make your reservation!
Thursday Fun Runs at the Riverwalk
August 7th – August 28th
Location: Riverwalk Shops
Partake in a fun run every Thursday night at 5:30pm with the Riverwalk Run Club! You’ll leave from the Burra Burra, and the 3.1 mile run will take you by the Toccoa river and through town. You’ll get to run through 2 states and cross the famous steel bridge! After the run stay for drinks at the Burra Burra overlooking the Toccoa River. Don’t walk, RUN to this great event!
Pickin’ In The Park
August 7th – August 28th
Location: Horseshoe Bend Park
Every Thursday night at 6pm, May – September visit Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville, GA for live music and picnicking by the Toccoa River. Picnic tables are available but feel free to bring a picnic blanket and lawn chair as well. Admission is free so bring the whole family to enjoy!
Death Trap
August 11th – 28th
Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater
Our very own Russ DeSena is acting in the latest feature at the Blue Ridge Community Theater – Death Trap. Russ is playing the role of Portor Milgrim in this classic comedic thriller. The main character, Sidney Bruhl is a washed-up playwright that finds a chance to rise to the top once more, a shot he’d be willing to kill for. Deathtrap is a funny play full of twists and turns that will keep you spellbound until the very last moment. Shows are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. The show runs August 11th till August 28th, call the box office at 706-632-9191 or go online for tickets!
Live Music at Tooney’s
August 12th
Location: Tooney’s Music Venue
Come on out for live music at Tooney’s HUGE music venue select Friday and Saturday nights and enjoy the best live music McCaysville has to offer! Check their website often for live music updates. And every Thursday night get ready to take to the stage with open mic night!
August 12th: Freebird
Georgia Mountain Fair
August 18th – August 27th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Venture on over to Hiawassee, Georgia for some good old fashioned fun at The 71st Annual Georgia Mountain Fair! There will be carnival rides, music performances, arts & craft booths, special attractions & experiences, delicious food, a parade, a beauty pageant and so much more! This is a fantastic event runs daily August 18th – August 27th. See their website for times full details https://georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/localevents/fair
26th Annual Kiwani’s Rodeo
August 19th – 20th
Location: Kiwani’s Fairgrounds
Prepare to be entertained at the 26th Annual Championship Rodeo! There will be bronco riding, calf roping, calf scrambles, bareback riding, bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and so much more! There will also be a “Boot Toss” raffle and food vendors. You won’t want to miss this fun filled event running from 6pm – 10pm August 19th – 20th.
Mark Chesnutt & Tracy Morgan
August 20th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Country legends Mark Chesnutt & Tracy Morgan will be coming to Hiawassee at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds! With decades worth of number one hits these two know how to put on a performance! Tickets are $50+ handling and you can get into free to the 71st Annual Georgia Mountain Fair with your purchase!
Georgia Mountain Classics Cruise Ins
August 26th
Location: Dairy Queen / DQ Grill & Chill, Blue Ridge
Admire a selection of classic cars at this free event happening on the 4th Friday of every month March thru September at 6pm! Bring your own classic car to register and get $4 off Dairy Queen certificate when you register! Ice cream, classic cars, and a good time!
Red Shoe Party
August 26th
Location: Chateau Meichtry
Have you ever participated in a Red Shoe contest? Well now’s your chance! Chateau Meichtry will have 3 categories including sportiest, most glamorous, and most creative. There will also be music, dancing, and a silent auction. All the red shoe fun takes place from 6:30pm – 10pm.
Union County Gospel Music Festival
August 26th – August 27th
Location: Union County Fine Arts Center
Praise the lord, Union County Fine Arts Center is putting on a Gospel Music Festival with the very best of gospel artists in the area! There will be 3 shows in two days; Friday the 26th at 6:30pm, Saturday the 27th at 1pm and Saturday the 27th at 6:30pm. Hear from artists like The Inspirations, Phil Cross & Poet Voices Jordan’s Bridge, and so many others! Get your VIP or General Admission tickets here: https://www.northgeorgiasings.com/
Hangover for Hounds
August 27th
Location: Buck Bald Brewing
Come out to Buck Bald Brewing to support a great cause and enjoy some delicious brews! There will be 10 B3 brews on tap, a 50/50 raffle, and all proceeds will go towards the Humane Society of Blue Ridge. Drop by from 1pm – 5pm.
