May day, May day; May is officially here! And what a busy month it’s shaping up to be! This month you can expect lots of live music at our local wineries & breweries, flowers & wine at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, the Blue Ridge Adventure Race, and the Georgia Apple Blossom in Ellijay. And at the end of the month during Memorial Day Weekend one of our favorite events is back in Blue Ridge for the 47th year in a row: Arts in the Park! Memorial Day weekend will also bring in a parade and memorial service in both Blue Ridge and Blairsville, a Rodeo to Hiawassee, and another fun craft festival in Blairsville. We hope to see many of you all this month at these great local events!
Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibition
May 1st-May 19th
Location: Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association
Come on out to the Art Center to admire featured works from over 85 artists from around the state! The Georgia Watercolor Society’s annual exhibition goes until May 19th.
Line Dancing Class
May 1st-May 29th
Location: Tooney’s Music Venue
Have you ever wanted to learn how to line dance? Well now’s your chance! Tooney’s now offers free, weekly line dancing classes Monday nights! The class is open to people of all ages and dance experience! Doors open at 6pm and classes start at 7pm. Come on down and show us what you can do!
Guided Hikes with the Benton McKaye Trail Association
May 3rd-May 22nd
Location: Cherry Log, GA
Explore the beauty of North Georgia on a guided hiking tour with the Benton McKaye Trail Association. They offer 2-4 hikes a month varying in difficulty from easy, leisurely hikes to moderately difficult hikes.
May 3rd: Lady Slipper Hike — BMT at Weaver Creek in Blue Ridge
May 5th: BMT – From Thunder Rock Campground
May 6th: Hike Inn Trail
May 7th: Nottely Dam Trail
May 11th: Cohuttas – Dally Gap Hemp Top Trail
May 22nd: BMT- Bushy Head to McKenny Gap and return
Live Music at Grumpy Old Men Brewing
May 4th-May 28th
Location: Grumpy Old Men Brewing
Stop by Grumpy Old Men Brewery Thursdays to sing along to your favorite songs for karaoke night! And drop by select Fridays & Saturdays from 3pm-6pm for great drinks, great music, and a great time. With indoor and outdoor seating available you can even bring your dog to join in the fun! Enjoy delicious fare from the ever-changing food trucks, while you listen to some fantastic local artists! And on Monday nights come on out for SINGO and Thursday nights is Karaoke!
May 4th: Karaoke Thursday
May 5th: Quinn Leach and food from Taco Food Truck
May 6th: Tyler Dalton and food from Get Skewers – Brazilian Food Truck
May 11th: Karaoke Thursday
May 12th: Travis Bowlin
May 13th: Food from Mountain Tapas – Taco Food Truck
May 18th: Karaoke Thursday
May 19th: Harold Crowder
May 20th: Gregg Erwin and food from Get Skewers – Brazilian Food Truck
May 25th: Karaoke Thursday
May 26th: Bemi and food from Get Skewers – Brazilian Food Truck
May 27th: Memorial Day Saturday Karaoke and food from Get Skewers – Brazilian Food Truck
May 28th: Food from Get Skewers – Brazilian Food Truck
Tuesdays with Morrie
May 4th-May 7th
Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater
Come on out to Blue Ridge Community Theater’s production of Tuesdays with Morrie! The show follows the autobiographical story of Mitch Albom and Morrie Schwartz. Mitch is an accomplished journalist and Morrie is his former professor; 16 years after graduation Mitch learns that Morrie is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mitch goes to visit him and his simple visit turns into a weekly one where they discuss the meaning of life. Follow their story on the Blue Ridge Community Theater stage Thursdays-Sundays April 6th-April 23rd. Shows are Thursdays- Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Call the box office at 706-632-9191 for tickets!
Pickin’ In The Park
May 4th-May 25th
Location: Horseshoe Bend Park
Every Thursday night at 6:00pm, 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!
Lake Chatuge Lady Bass Anglers Association
May 4th-May 5th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
The Gary Yamamoto Custom Wagyu Beef and Inn at BK Ranch Women’s Pro Bass Tour will be hosting their second event of the year on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, GA for The Lady Bass Anglers Association! The entry fee for boaters is $400 and co-anglers is $200.
Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens
May 4th-May 11th
Location: Hamilton Gardens
Head to the beautiful Hamilton Gardens in Hiawassee GA Thursday nights this month for their Acoustic Sunsets Concert Series. The event takes place every Thursday night now through May 11th from 6pm – 9pm and will include craft vendors, food trucks, and live music. Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets and come on out for an evening of fun!
BMW Georgia Mountain Rally
May 5th-May 7th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds will be hosting the 31st Annual Georgia Mountain Rally May 5th thru May 7th! There rides through the Appalachian Mountains, steak & chili dinners, interesting speakers, and training from the BMW Performance Center. The Georgia Mountains are the perfect place for riding!
The Rhododendron Festival
May 5th-May 14th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Head over to Hiawassee for 5 weekends filled with spring fun at The Rhododendron Festival at their beautiful Hamilton Gardens. Not only will you have the chance to tour the lovely gardens at full bloom but you will also have the chance to enjoy live music, food and craft vendors, a plant sale, daily seminars, and much more! Admission to the gardens is $5 and the event takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from April 14th-May 14th.
Live Music at Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery
May 5th-May 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!
May 5th: Hunter Flannigan
May 6th: Ryan LittleEagle
May 7th: Russ Still
May 12th: Rose Brown
May 13th: Travis Bowlin
May 14th: Ryan LittlEagle
May 19th: David Welch
May 20th: Gavin Powell & The Shetlands
May 21st: Gregg Erwin
May 26th: Hunter Flannigan
May 27th: Travis Bowlin
May 28th: Rose Brown
Live Music at Chateau Meichtry
May 5th-May 26th
Location: Chateau Meichtry
Come sip on wine by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at Chateau Meichtry. This beautiful winery located in Talking Rock, GA has both outdoor & indoor seating options, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the winery no matter the weather. On Saturdays & Sundays you can sip on your favorite glass of wine while you enjoy live music from local artists from 1:30pm-5:30pm. And there’s food trucks on the weekends as well!
May 5th: Departure: A Journey Tribute Concert!
May 6th: Man Bites Dog
May 13th: Mark Miller
May 14th: Surrender Hill
May 20th: Cotter Hill
May 21st: Shaun Michael
May 26th: Ellijay Songwriters Festival
Live Music at Misty Mountain Hops
May 5th-May 20th
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!
May 5th: Spencer Scott Smith
May 12th: Rob Grater
May 13th: Dave Flowers
May 19th: Greg Erwin
May 20th: Rusted Melody
Live Music at Tooney’s
May 6th-May 27th
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!
May 6th: Nolan Taylor
May 11th: Robert Jon & The Wreck
May 12th: Red Clay Strays
May 13th: Shannon York Band
May 19th: Jacob Bryant with Taylor Austin Dye
May 20th: Pony Bradshaw
May 27th: Tanner Usrey
Live Music and Food at Fannin Brewing Company
May 6th-May 26th
Location: Fannin Brewing Company
There’s always fun to be had at Fannin Brewing Company in Downtown Blue Ridge! On weekends they have live music, food trucks, beer, and lots of fun! Grab a beer, some eats, and enjoy the show!
May 6th: Randeaux Food Truck
May 13th: 4 Way Eatz Food Truck
May 27th: The Shack of Ellijay & Steve Vaclavik Music
May 28th: Lobster Dogs
Art Classes and Workshops
May 6th-May 20th
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association offers classes year-round for artists looking to expand their skill set. This month you can learn to express yourself through stained glass, fabric bowls, and quilting! And check out more upcoming art classes at https://www.blueridgearts.net/adult-classes.html
May 6th & 7th: May Flowers Stained Glass
May 19th: Reversible Fabric Bowls
May 20th: Introduction to “3-Dimensional” Quilts
Live Music at Paradise Hills
May 6th-May 28th
Location: Paradise Hills
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.
May 6th: Chris Carpenter
May 13th: Trailer Hippies
May 20th: Dr. Paul
May 26th: Zach Alexander
May 27th: Hill Roberts
May 28th: Gerry Herndon
Vitner’s Tours
May 6th-May 27th
Location: Crane Creek Vineyards
Learn all about the wine making process with this behind the scenes experience! Take a tour of the beautiful Crane Creek Vineyards and experience what goes into making a bottle of Crane Creek wine! You can take a Vitner Tour Saturdays at 2pm, March-November.
Blue Ridge Adventure Race
May 6th
Location: The Downtown Pavilion
Adventure your way through some of the most beautiful areas in Blue Ridge at the 26th Annual Blue Ridge Adventure Race Weekend. This year’s 10 hour race will take place on the Aska Trails with a paddle part down the Toccoa. And on the 24 hour race you’ll venture through Amicalola Falls Park and then make your way back to Blue Ridge. Come watch as teams race through mountains, lakes, rivers, trails and more.
Blue Ridge Soap Box Derby
May 6th
Location: Fannin County Middle School
Watch the annual Blue Ridge Soap Box Derby at Fannin County Middle School! It’s going to be an afternoon of fun, with all profits going to STEM education in Fannin County Schools.
Spring Bluegrass Festival
May 6th
Location: Ducktown School
Head across the border to Tennessee for the Spring Bluegrass Festival! From 11am-5pm there will be arts & crafts, bluegrass music, and lots of fun! Admission is $5 for children 12 & up.
Georgia Apple Blossom Festival
May 6th-May 7th
Location: East Ellijay
The Georgia Apple Blossom Festival is back and better than ever with craft vendors, live music, food vendors, and family fun! Celebrate spring in North Georgia in Ellijay! Pets are welcome!
2nd Annual Sydnie’s Sunset Fun Run and Skate
May 7th
Location: Downtown Blue Ridge
Run, bike or skate at this great event to honor Syndie Jones who passed away in a tragic car accident in 2021. Admission will go towards the Highland Outdoor Ministries in Sydnie Jones name. After the race get out your lawn chairs and watch the sunset, which was one of Syndie’s favorite things to do. There will also be music and food trucks at the event as well! Join in the fun from 5pm-8pm in Downtown Blue Ridge.
2nd Thursdays Stateline Stroll
May 11th
Location: Riverwalk Shops
Get moving the second Thursday of every month with the Stateline Stroll! Walk, jog, or run around the block and cross the state line on this casual stroll. Start whenever and end whenever; and when you’re finished enjoy a drink at Burra Burra or Twisted Tomato and listen to some live music at Tooney’s!
Drinking Habits- Live Theater
May 11th-May 28th
Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater
Come on out to Blue Ridge Community Theater’s hilarious production of Drinking Habits! When two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing start selling wine to make ends meet and keep the covenant doors open, reporters Paul & Sally go undercover to unveil the truth! Watch this hilarious farce unfold on the Blue Ridge Community Theater stage Thursdays-Sundays April 6th-April 23rd. Shows are Thursdays- Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2pm. Call the box office at 706-632-9191 for tickets!
Mommy & Me Mother’s Day Dance
May 12th
Location: Union County Chamber of Commerce Ballroom
Blairsville will be hosting their very first annual Mommy & Me Mother’s Day Dance on May 12th at 5pm! Your $40 ticket will pay for a fun night of dancing, refreshments, photo-ops, and a raffle. Come on out for a great event with the ones you love!
Georgia Mountain Classics Annual Car Show
May 13th
Location: Downtown Blue Ridge
The classic car show is back in Downtown Blue Ridge! Drop by May 13th from 9am-4pm for classic cars, concessions, and vendors. Interested in submitted your own car? Register on their website and receive a goodie bag for participating.
Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival
May 13th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Explore the beautiful Hamilton Gardens and drink wine all day long at the second annual Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds! There will be live music, arts & craft vendors, live music, food, garden tours, and 30+ wineries In attendance at this awesome event! Tickets are $60 a person online or $65 at the gate.
Live Music by Cody King at Sugar Creek Raceway
May 13th
Location: Sugar Creek Raceway
Sugar Creek Raceway will open their 2023 season with live music from Cody King! Then at 7pm get ready for the big race!
Josh Turner- Long Black Train 20th Anniversary Tour
May 13th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
The talented, Josh Turner, is back in North Georgia at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds on May 13th at 7pm! Known for hits like “Long Black Train,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” and “Your Man,” Josh Turner is ready to take the Fairgrounds by storm with his incredible deep bass voice! Tickets are $47 each + handling.
Discovery Days
May 13th-May 14th
Location: Project Chimps
Get the chance to go behind the scenes at Project Chimps! You’ll take a 60 – 90 minute guided tour of the chimp sanctuary where you’ll like spot some of the chimps! There will also be food vendors onsite and a space to enjoy a picnic lunch by the lovely koi pond. Come on out and learn more about these fascinating creatures!
Mother’s Day Brunch
May 14th
Location: The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen
The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen will be hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11am-3pm. There will wonderful food options available at stations like the Carving Station, the Omelet & Waffle Station, and the Pasta Station. Tickets are $54 per adult, Young Adults (7-12) $21, and children (4-7) $9. Reservations can be made through Open Table or by calling 706-896-4141.
Oil Painting Class
May 18th
Location: 4 Elements Fine Art
Learn how to paint a beautiful oil landscape painting with 4 Elements Fine Art! Oil painting lessons are May 18th from 5pm-8pm. Classes are $130 per person and include professional art supplies, a charcuterie board, wine, your instructional class with George Charriez, and your own art to take home. Make your reservation here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oil-painting-class-with-george-charriez-tickets-577667969447?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
The Beach Boys
May 19th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
You know them, and you love them; The Beach Boys will be coming to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds on May 19th!! Since the 1960’s, The Beach Boys have put out hit after hit song like “Surfin’ USA,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” and countless others! You won’t want to miss this one ya’ll! Tickets are $60 + handling.
Community Quilt & Fiber Arts Exhibit
May 26th-May 30th
Location: The Arts Center
Admire beautiful hand made quilts and celebrate our mountain heritage at the Art Center’s Community Quilt & Fiber Arts Exhibit. The gallery will be covered in both traditional and non traditional quilts as well as a wide array of fiber arts. The exhibit runs from May 26th-July 8th.
Hiawassee Pro Rodeo
May 26th-May 28th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Celebrate the long weekend by watching bucking bronos & bulls at the annual Hiawassee Pro Rodeo! See some of the world’s best contestants from the U.S. and Canada as well as some amazing specialty acts! The whole family will love it! Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children (6-12) and children 5 & under are free!
Spring Arts, Crafts & Music Festival
May 27th-May 28th
Location: Downtown Blairsville
This fun annual events takes place annually in Downtown Blairsville and this years event will be held Memorial Day weekend of May 27th & May 28th! On Saturday at 10am there will be a parade, and both days will have lots of crafters & live music! And the Spring Arts, Crafts & Music Festival is free to attend!
Memorial Day Parade
May 27th
Location: Blairsville, GA
Honor those who have fallen during their military service at Blairsville’s Annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade starts at 10:30am!
47th Annual Spring Arts in the Park
May 27th
Location: Blue Ridge Downtown City Park
The Spring Arts in the Park is back for it’s 47th year in a row! Shop artworks from over 175 juried fine artists! There will also be food vendors and artist demos all weekend long. Admission is $5 for adults and children 12 & under are free! All proceeds go towards the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association.
Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
May 29th
Location: Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park
Come out to Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives serving our great country. The North Georgia Honor Guard will be conducting the ceremony, where there will also be a keynote speaker, a rifle salute and Taps, and a Huey on display. The ceremony will take place in the park from 12pm-1pm.
