Georgia is home to a rich environment that boasts of a profusion of festivals. In an attempt to help guide you through the maze of summer festivals, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution compiled a list of diverse options that reflect the vast culture of festivals that’s deeply entrenched in Georgia.
Balloons Over Fayette Festival
This family-friendly event features hot air balloon tethered rides, food trucks, a kid’s zone and performances from Matt Stell, The Young Escape, Logan Mize and Stars Go Dim.
5 -11 p.m. June 7-8. Whitewater School Complex, 100 Wildcat Way, Fayetteville. 770-716-4320. fayettecountyga.gov/parks_and_recreation/balloons_over_fayette.htm
Peachtree Corners Festival
This three-day festival features arts and crafts from local vendors, performances from up-and-coming as well as well-established musicians, events for kids and a performance car show.
Friday 7-10:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday Noon-5 p.m. June 7-9. Free. The Corners Office Park, 6025 The Corners Parkway, Peachtree Corners. peachtreecornersfestival.com
Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games
You don’t have to be a lauded Scottish knight, like William Wallace, to have a good time at the Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games. The event features Highland dancers, Scottish athletes, family clans, bagpipes and drums, and traditional Scottish musicians.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 8-9. $15 per day or $25 for both Saturday and Sunday; children 12 and under are free. Meeks Park, Highway 515, Blairsville. blairsvillescottishfestival.com
Atlanta Summer Beer Festival
Watch out Ashville, N.C. because the Atlanta Summer Beer Festival features more than 150 beers, more than 25 wines, live music and a DJ tent.
4-8 p.m. June 15. $40 in advance, $45 after June 6, $55 day of event. Historic Fourth Ward Park, 665 North Ave Northeast, Atlanta. atlantasummerbeerfestival.com
Frogtown Crawfish Festival
This Columbus-based festival saves you from having to head to the bayous to get your fix of Louisiana crawfish. The festival also includes games for kids, music, drinks, and arts and crafts.
Friday 6-11:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. June 21-22. $10 per day, children 12 and under are free. Woodruff Park, 1000 Bay Ave, Columbus. frogtowncrawfishfestival.com
Georgia Mountain Fair
The 69th annual fair showcases North Georgia’s rich history and culture with unique attractions, arts and crafts, carnival ride and musical performances from artists including Ricky Skaggs, Neal McCoy and Pam Tillis.
10 a.m.-8 p.m. (concerts begin at 8 p.m. on select nights). July 19-27. $12-$90, children 12 and under are free. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee. 706-896-4191, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
Barbecue & Bluegrass
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Roswell’s Barrington Hall with games on the lawn, hayrides in the front yard and music from the Smoke Rise bluegrass band. Barbecue, beverages and desserts will be available for purchase from the Mill Kitchen Restaurant and Bar.
11 a.m-4 p.m. July 4. Free. Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. 770-640-3855, roswellgov.com/discover-us/southern-trilogy-historic-house-museums/events/barbecue-and-bluegrass
PeachFest
Get your Georgia on by supporting the almighty peach at PeachFest, which features 70 food artisans, pastry chefs and barkeeps that are inventing new peach-infused dishes and drinks.
3-7 p.m. July 21. $70-$100. Peachtree Center, 225 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. peachfest.org
IPRA Rodeo
While not your traditional festival, the IPRA Rodeo is a three-day, family-friendly event that will be held over Labor Day weekend event and features bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, cowgirl breakaway roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping and saddle bronc riding.
8 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (The event starts at 7 p.m. on Sunday). Aug. 30 – Sept. 1. $10-$15, children four and under are free. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming. 770-781-3491, cummingfair.squarespace.com/ipra-rodeo
Helen Oktoberfest
If you’re in search of beer, brats, bands and leather breeches called Lederhosen, the Helen Oktoberfest is your move. The longest running Oktoberfest in the United States, which is housed at Helen Festhalle, features German-style bands, food, beer, long tables and the Gemütlichkeit.
Sept. 5-8, Sept. 12-15, Sept. 19-22, Sept. 26 -Oct. 27. Monday-Thursday 6-10:30 p.m., Friday 6 p.m.-Midnight, Saturday 1 p.m.-Midnight, Sunday 1 p.m.-7 p.m. $8-$10 (free on Sundays). Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen. 706-878-1619, helenchamber.com/oktoberfest.html
