It’s time for lazy days at the lake, burgers and hot dogs on the back porch grill, and fireworks filling up the night sky! Here in North Georgia, we are proud Americans and we go all out to celebrate this great country that we love so much! Here’s a round-up of what to expect in Blue Ridge this Fourth of July.
America Runs
If you want to start the morning off healthy, you could run in the Blue Ridge Freedom 5k or 10k which features a scenic route through beautiful and historic Blue Ridge. What a great way to start the holiday weekend!
Photo Courtesy of Blue Ridge Freedom 5K and 10K Photo Courtesy of Fetch Your News
Whatever you do, don’t miss the Old Timers 4th of July Parade! Any place downtown is a good viewing spot to enjoy the colorful floats, antique vehicles and marchers dressed in patriotic attire! The parade is from 10am-12pm on July 4th.
Dare to Be Different
For something really unusual, you could spend some time on the 4th of July weekend hanging out with gentle alpaca at the Annual Alpaca Farm Independence Day Celebration. Featured events include fiber arts demonstrations, snacks and fuzzy alpaca kisses!
Photo Courtesy of Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm
Light Up The Sky
A great way to view the fireworks is by train, on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway “Firecracker Special”. Celebrate the birth of our great nation on Saturday, July 1st for their Firework Special train. The train will depart Blue Ridge at 7:00 pm to enjoy the great Copper Basin Fireworks display just after dark and then return to Blue Ridge by 11:00pm. Bring your lawn chair and sit outside the train to view the fireworks! Activities in downtown McCaysville/Copperhill will be in full swing when you arrive. Lots of vendors for food and things to do for the kids until the fireworks start. **Customer Reservation Changes subject to $5 Change Fee**
Be dazzled with one of the largest displays of fireworks in Copper Basin/McCaysville on Saturday night, July 1st at 9:30pm. Anywhere downtown is a great viewing area!
Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks – “Fire in the Sky” – on the night of the 4th — is being put on by the Lake Blue Ridge Civic Association. Fireworks are set off on the Lake Blue Ridge Dam and are viewable by boat, at various viewing locations along the shoreline, and from a large area adjacent to the Lake Blue Ridge Marina.
Photo Courtesy of Teresa Foster Bidez
Speaking of boats – theLake Blue Ridge Boat Tie-up will be on Friday, June 30th at 7:30pm. In Blairsville, the Independence Day Boat Parade on Lake Nottely takes place Saturday, July 1 starting at 12:00pm. Anyone with a boat and the spirit to decorate is welcome to attend and be part of the fun!
Photo Courtesy of Norm Cooper
In Blairsville, Independence Day Fireworks is on July 4that Meeks Park, beginning at 5pm with vendors and ending with a fireworks show at dark. Or further north in Hiawassee you can catch a free concert by the Vintage Vixens and then a Fireworks show at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.
Bonus
Aside from great celebrations, we also are fortunate to have some great restaurants to check out and fabulous little places to shop. However you spend your 4th of July celebration, we hope that it is spent with friends, family, and lots of good food!
Happy Birthday, America! We are so very grateful to live in the beautiful United States of America. It is an absolute honor to live in the land of the free and the home of the (very) brave! Thank you to all of our men and women that have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to defend our great nation and allow us to enjoy the comfortable life we get to live.
There is truly nothing like spending summer in the mountains. While admittedly, 2020 has not been traditional in any sense, the traditions of local community, lively events, and friendly people is still the foundation of beautiful Blue Ridge! Summer has heated up and if you haven’t already made plans to spend your time exploring our vast mountains or relaxing on Lake Blue Ridge or nearby refreshing streams, what are you waiting for? Book your Escape to Blue Ridge and enjoy the hot summer days and cool mountain nights making memories with your loved ones!
Hop on the train in Blue Ridge to enjoy the great Copper Basin Fireworks display just after dark! The train will head out of Blue Ridge at 7:00 pm and return back by 11:00 pm. You can bring your lawn chair & sit outside the train to watch the fireworks display. There will be vendors & activities for the whole family once you arrive in downtown McCaysville/Copperhill.
Great beer (18 beers on tap), a fun atmosphere and a stellar philosophy – delicious beer, dog-friendly, people tolerated. Plenty of craft beers, including those brewed in the brewery, and lots of live music. It’s one of those places that locals like! July 3 – High Beams Music July 4 – DaisyChain July 10 – Travis Bowlin July 17 – Michael Mann July 24 – David Flowers
History & Hike July 4th Location: Springer Mountain Loop Trail
Photo Courtesy of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce
Hike part of the Benton MacKaye Trail & the Appalachian Trail and learn about local history and about the Civilian Conservation Corp Camp. The History & Hike series is part of the Smithsonian Crossroads Exhibit Events. The event begins at 10am and is limited to 15 participants. Pre-Registration is required and closes June 30, 2020. Once you have registered, you will receive information about meeting location, supply list & additional details. The 6-mile trail is easy to moderate and will take you about 5 hours to complete the hike. This series is sponsored by Blue Ridge Adventure Wear, Benton MacKaye Trail Association, and Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
The annual Independence Day Boat Parade on Lake Nottely is on July 4th from 12pm- 2pm. Anyone with a boat is welcome to line up at the marina beginning at 10:30 am. Boats can be decorated in any theme and it is free to participate or view. Visitors can watch the parade from areas around the marina.
Photo Courtesy of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce
Fireworks begin at dusk from about 8:30pm to 9:30pm. Places to view the fireworks include Morganton Point Recreation Area, by boat in Lake Blue Ridge near the Lake Blue Ridge Dam, Lake Blue Ridge Dam, and The Lake Blue Ridge Marina. Fireworks are being put on by the Lake Blue Ridge Civic Association.
In Blairsville, Independence Day Fireworks is on July 4th – at Meeks Park, beginning at around 9:30 pm. A day-long festival takes place just south of Blairsville at Vogel State Park, with a bicycle parade, pedal boat races, a watermelon eating contest, sack races and a number of other traditional activities for kids and families. Then head to town to watch the big fireworks show!
A beautiful vineyard and winery set in pastoral farmlands in the heart of the Southern Appalachians. Cartacay’s wine history dates to 2007, but it’s heritage consists of Cherokee roots (in fact, Cartecay translates to “bread valley”). The winery features plenty of locally sourced wines, tastings and special events, plus live music on most weekends. July 4 – Surrender Hill July 5 – Craig Hendricks July 11 – Gregg Erwin July 12 – Lindsay Beth Harper July 18 – April Rooks July 19 – Scott Stambaugh July 25 – Adrian Stover July 26 – Tommy Joe Conner
Photo Courtesy of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce
Pickin’ in Horseshoe Bend Park every Thursday, 6:00 PM to dusk, May – Sept. Live music jams & pickin’ on the banks of the Toccoa River at the Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville. Free Admission. (park is wheelchair accessible). Bring the whole family to enjoy the experience. Picnic tables available and a nice grassy lawn but you are also welcome to bring a blanket or chair.
The event features a Marketplace with a variety of Fiber Vendors, Classes taught by top-notch instructors, space to sit with your yarn projects and craft with your new fiber friends, and this year local food trucks will be available! There is an entrance fee of $5 for anyone ages 11 and older. This fee covers admission for the whole weekend. Come and shop as many days as you like and register to attend a new class each day!
The Appalachian ladies are back for their favorite cooking class of the year! Summer is when the garden is in full swing and they will be cooking up the natural and organic bounty found within. Fried squash, fried okra, fresh green beans, mashed taters, fresh corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, cornbread, and a delicious peach cobbler. Vegetarians rejoice…at this time of year, the garden produces so much bounty, meat is rarely needed. As always, they will prepare, cook, and share cooking secrets and recipes before sitting down and breaking bread together.
Photo Courtesy of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce
Spend an evening as true stories are told about life, customs and traditions of Southern Appalachian life in the North Georgia mountains. This theatrical event is based on the collected interviews, stories, and folk traditions by Foxfire. Seating is limited, pre- REGISTRATION required. This event is free to the public but donations are appreciated and all proceeds go to the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Foxfire Fund, Inc.
Stand-up comedy with Comedy Central’s hilarious Eric Hunter, great music by the amazing Adrian Stover and a catered meal in the new barn venue at Stewart’s Farm. All to help free dogs from life on a chain! A fundraiser to support Freedom For Fido, a 501c3 non-profit who builds free fences for low-income families who keep their dogs on a chain. Come out for a great night of laughter, music, and food while helping Free some Fido’s in our area!
Enjoy three fun filled days of good ole mountain hillbilly fun. See a Pioneer village, real moonshine still in the works, mountain crafts, and plenty of hot classic cars, trucks, bikes, rat rods and more!
New Homes Added To Our Program
High atop Crockett Mountain on three pristine acres in a gated community in Cherry Log, a one-of-a-kind property with stunning long-range, year-round mountain views provides the backdrop for a magical vacation. It’s called Unforgettable for a reason, and you’ll know why from the moment you arrive, take in that view, and step inside.
If your dream mountain vacation has the luxury, privacy and high-end amenities of an exclusive resort, but none of the crowds, lines, and noise, you’ll find it and much more at Falcon’s Lair. Boasting phenomenal 180-degree long-range multilayered mountain views stretching from Georgia to North Carolina and Tennessee, with cathedral ceilings and enormous windows to frame them, this tri-level showplace truly has the wow factor!
The scene is picture perfect: you’re high on a hillside with a lush green cow pasture below, a magnificent long-range Cohutta mountain vista in the distance, and the Ellijay River flowing a few hundred yards away. At Highland Harmony, this idyllic setting can be the backdrop for the vacation of your dreams. Located in Ellijay nine miles from downtown Blue Ridge, this gorgeous custom tri-level cabin offers you the ultimate in stress-free relaxation, surrounded by nature’s natural beauty.
Bringing your dog with you on your Blue Ridge mountain vacation can enrich a trip in so many ways. You’ll meet and talk to dog-loving strangers who otherwise would have passed right by you. You’ll travel to dog-friendly parks and other places that wouldn’t ordinarily be on your itinerary. You’ll have a built-in reason to go outside, exercise and have fun. Most meaningfully, you’ll have your best friend at your side. We are glad that you and your four legged pooch have decided to stay with us, and we thought we’d take this opportunity to share some of Blue Ridge’s favorite canine and people friendly spots. Keep Reading.
The days are heating up and so are the events in the North Georgia Mountains! Splash into Lake Blue Ridge on a hot July day and as the sun sets over the mountains and the temperature starts to cool off for the evening, enjoy some family time around the fire pit. There are so many fun and festive events happening in and around our little mountain community this month. Take a look and plan your Escape to Blue Ridge to experience all the mountains have to offer!
Enjoy a 5-course meal of authentic Italian dishes paired by the Chefs of Cucina Rustica with regional Italian wines! Reservations are required and space is limited.
If you want to start the morning off healthy, you could run in the Blue Ridge Freedom 5k or 10k, featuring a scenic route through beautiful and historic Blue Ridge!Show your American Pride by coming dressed in your finest red, white and blue running gear. Even more fun after the race with music, watermelon, sweet tea, and lemonade.
Don’t miss the Old Timers 4th of July Parade! Anyplace downtown is a good viewing spot to enjoy the colorful floats, antique vehicles, and marchers dressed in patriotic attire!
In Blairsville, Independence Day Fireworks is on July 4th – at Meeks Park, beginning at around 9:30 pm. A day-long festival takes place just south of Blairsville at Vogel State Park, with a bicycle parade, pedal boat races, a watermelon eating contest, sack races and a number of other traditional activities for kids and families. Then head to town to watch the big fireworks show!
Music & Trivia July 4 – 27 LOCATION: Misty Mountain Hops
Photo Courtesy of Misty Mountain Hops
If you love eating and music then you will love the laid back vibes of Misty Mountain Hops. Good food and sweet tunes make this Vinyl Pub a must!
July 4 – Trivia with Lauren July 6 – Jeb Rogers July 13 – Justin Bridges July 20 – Gopher Broke July 27 – Jeb Rogers
The skies over the twin cities of McCaysville, Ga and Copperhill, TN will be lit up on Friday night. Anywhere downtown is a great viewing area! Don’t want to drive? You can board the Firecracker Express in Downtown Blue Ridge and arrive by train. There will be a street festival, vendors with food etc. Live music. First Baptist Church of McCaysville has a fair that is open to the public, festivities start around 6 pm.
You can’t get a better venue or greater acoustics than right on the lake. With delicious food and jamming tunes, you’ll love the atmosphere and entertainment at the Boat Dock Bar & Grill at the Lake Blue Ridge Marina!
July 5 – Travis Bowlin July 7 – Shannon York July 12 – Danny Rhea July 13 – Johnathan Batten July 14 – Lindsay Beth Harper July 19 – Buck & Oz July 20 – Trevor Patillo July 21 – Gopher Broke Band July 26 – Danny Rhea July 27 – Buck & Oz July 28 — Shannon York
The Indiana Jones of Sasquatch, Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum, is coming to Blue Ridge to talk about that mysterious of all near-humans – Bigfoot, or Skunk Ape, or Yeti, or Sasquatch. Dr. Meldrum will discuss his experiences and near-misses he’s had over the 30 years he has tracked Bigfoot.
The Blue Coyote is known for their live music and entertainment. While you’re there you can enjoy their tasty bar food and a whole bunch of beer! They even have a dog-friendly patio! Stop by, check it out, and enjoy the music!
July 5 – Southern Vantage July 6 – The Bone Daddys July 12 – Natti Lovejoys July 13 – Topper/Voices of Rock July 19 – Mind the Stepchildren July 26 – Donny Hammonds Band
Looking for a serene setting on the hillsides near Ellijay with twisty grapevines, a fireplace with outdoor seating (including a statuesque still-standing chimney, which is the winery’s icon), and live music on weekends? Come out to Cartecay Vineyards!
July 5 – Adrian Stover July 6 – Gregg Erwin July 7 – Craig Hendricks July 13 – Timothy O’Donovan July 14 – Rick Byers July – 20 – Tommy Joe Conner July 21 – Johnny Summers July 27 – April Rooks July 28 – Surrender Hill
Fireworks are set off on the Lake Blue Ridge Dam and are viewable by boat, at various viewing locations along the shoreline, and from a large area adjacent to the Lake Blue Ridge Marina.
The perfect combination – yoga, followed by wine tasting at a vineyard with a view. Ashlee Lofton leads the yoga class, beginning at 10:45am and then there’s a moment of reflection before moving on to Bear Claw’s Grizzly Tasting. OMMM & AHHH. Nothing better!
Photo Courtesy of Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Working with clay, painting and a wide range of exciting art classes make up this creative summer camp for kids. This camp is for emerging artists – which is what kids are, after all. And the focus is on allowing them to explore their own exceptional creative side.
When you read a play summary that includes locations like a rooftop London bistro and a 12th floor window ledge, and descriptions of main characters like a car-selling Romeo from Dallas and ancient waitress who wields a wicked sousaphone, you know this is going to be a wild and wacky romp of a performance and you’d better be prepared to laugh. At the heart of all the craziness is love – and that alone should make it all worthwhile.
The great thing about a cooking class is you usually get to eat what you cook and this cooking class, which celebrates Appalachian roots is no different. Stories and local wisdom are shared in this hands-on workshop featuring Real Appalachian food brought to you by real Appalachian Grandmas!
Not quite a seminar and not quite a field trip, but the best of both. This program at Georgia’s tallest point is intended to help you understand the importance of a forest watershed. Water conservation techniques and this region’s ecologically turbulent history over the past 100 years are discussed – and you get a bird’s eye view of creeks, rivers and streams and an explanation of how they have evolved to form the Hiawassee Watershed. Extra special bonus – a glass of refreshing mountain lemonade at the end!
Where does food come from exactly? The grocery store, of course. Nope! Kids learn the value of agriculture production and how to take care of food products and animals during this highly popular summer camp. Tours and hands-on opportunities at three off-farm locations add variety to the experience.
Get ready for corn dogs and funnel cakes, but that’s not all. The Georgia Mountain Fair is a North Georgia icon, complete with living exhibits, arts and crafts, a pioneer village; a parade with antique cars, carnival rides and music that ranges from country to gospel including Pam Tillis, Ricky Skaggs, and more!
Harvey July 26 – 28 LOCATION: Gilmer Arts Playhouse
There’s something about having a 6-foot rabbit at your side as a constant companion that tends to make a person feel safe and secure. That’s the way it is for Elwood P. Dowd, who is content in the knowledge that Harvey, the 6-foot rabbit, is always there for him. He’s also there for others, it’s just that they can’t see him. First made famous by Jimmy Stewart, this is a heartwarming story that’s fun for kids of all ages.
Photo Courtesy of Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Open to all photographers, amateur and professional and all original photographic media, including film and digital images. This event showcases some of the best photographers in the nation, capturing the uniqueness of this region, and competing for cash prizes.
NEW HOMES ADDED TO OUR PROGRAM
https://youtu.be/pZsELhLxNKY
Dock Holiday
When you think about your dream vacation, does a beautiful mountain setting, proximity to water, and plenty of space for your family and friends top the list? Then look no further than the North Georgia cabin rental Dock Holiday. This magnificent cabin is situated in a wooded lot on Lake Nottely, and true to its name, comes with a double-decker dock that’s tailor made for swimming, fishing, and sunning.
https://youtu.be/9RlbvCMMAbY
North Georgia Overlook
Perched on a hillside surrounded by tall trees with a breathtaking long-range vista of mountains and farmland as far as the eye can see, North Georgia Overlook makes a fantastic first impression. But take a closer look at this Blue Ridge cabin rental and you’ll find even more to love. This magnificent tri-level home has wraparound decks, lofty vaulted ceilings and huge picture windows to maximize the stunning view from sunrise to sunset, whether you’re indoors or out. Its beautifully decorated and furnished interior is the epitome of rustic charm and comfort!
Wolf’s Den
When it comes to North Georgia Cabin rentals, you can’t find a better location than Wolf’s Den. Nestled in the woods with a breathtaking view of the mountains, this beautiful jewel box of a cabin takes you worlds away from “real life,” but it’s just five minutes from the shops and restaurants of downtown Blue Ridge and not much more to the area’s wonderful wineries, orchards and Lake Blue Ridge. Driving to the cabin is quick and easy, and when you arrive you’ll instantly feel calm, peaceful and relaxed in this cozy home away from home!
Cloud Nine
At the Blue Ridge Mountain cabin rental Cloud Nine, great things come in twos: two beautiful, spacious family rooms, two comfortable master suites, and two levels of indoor and outdoor living space to accommodate a large family or group of friends. Newly constructed, elegantly furnished, and decorated in an eye-pleasing blend of contemporary and country style, this beautiful hilltop home is perfectly situated to maximize its most valuable asset: a spectacular, breathtaking, awe-inspiring view that stretches far into North Carolina and Tennessee!
https://youtu.be/5fhpXoYCioY
Our Blue Heaven
What do you want most in a Blue Ridge cabin rental? If your wish list includes a beautiful wooded location that’s private but close to everything, plenty of space for your family or friends to gather and relax, and all the amenities you’d expect plus the comforts of an exclusive resort, look no further than Our Blue Heaven. Named for the old song of the same name, the cabin is ideally located on a magnificent wooded property just five miles from downtown Blue Ridge, surrounded by the wonders of nature and close to hiking trails, trout fishing, water sports and other activities. Inside, it’s built for comfort, with inviting, spacious rooms, all of them cozy and handsomely appointed with high-end furnishings in rustic mountain style.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The 9 Best Lakeside Cabin Rentals
As the days grow longer and the temperatures begin to sore, it’s finally time for our favorite season of all – Sweet Summertime! Those sunshine filled days and star filled evenings are finally here and at Escape to Blue Ridge we want to help you create memories that are as happy and warm as the rays of sunshine piercing through the trees. Take some time out to relax on the patio with a cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade while you take in the magnificent mountain and lake views of the North Georgia mountains. Once you get hot enough, splash into the lake and cool off or take a boat ride to explore all the coves of Lake Blue Ridge or Lake Nottely. As the sun begins to set, finish off your perfect day roasting s’mores around the fire or catch lighting bugs in a jar. Just because you’re grown up, doesn’t mean like you shouldn’t feel like a kid again while you’re on vacation! Slow down, savor summer, and soak up the Lake Life at one of these nine lakeside cabins! Keep Reading.
