Visitors to Blue Ridge, Ga., will find several ways to celebrate the long Labor Day weekend thanks to Good Samaritans of Fannin County Inc.
Among the featured events are a picnic/rummage sale, community worship service/ice cream social and a daylong barbecue featuring live music. All take place in City Park on East Main Street.
“This year marks the 36th year of the Labor Day Bar-B-Q, and Good Samaritans of Fannin County welcomes everyone to downtown Blue Ridge,” says Carlie Hammond, CEO of Good Samaritans, in a news release. “This will be an exciting holiday weekend full of fellowship, food, music and fun for the whole family to enjoy.”
Good Samaritans, she explains, is a cooperative effort of area churches across denominational lines that raise funds to help neighbors in need. The ministry is based on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. Participating churches are Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Tri-State Christian Center, The Ridge Community Church, World Harvest North, St. Anthony’s Catholic, St. Luke’s Episcopal-Anglican, Morganton Baptist, First Baptist of Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge United Methodist, Faith Presbyterian, Crossover Community, Cherry Log Christian and Temple Baptist.
Saturday, Sept. 3
* Pic-Nic-Nac: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Think of this as a merger of picnic and knickknack. Breakfast and lunch concessions will be available for guests to enjoy a picnic in the park. They’re also welcome to rummage through tables to discover knicknacks offered by churches, nonprofits and local artists and crafters.
To reserve a table for sales, contact Hope at 404-510-4673. Churches and nonprofits are asked to donate 10 percent of profits to Good Samaritans. Local artists and crafters will be charged a $15 fee per table. Tents will be set up, but exhibitors must provide their own tables.
Sunday, Sept. 4
* Community Worship: 6-7:30 p.m. Pastors from Good Samaritan-participating churches will take part in this outdoor service, and song leaders will guide a congregational singing. The old-fashioned ice cream social, with treats provided by the Blue Ridge Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, will immediately follow.
Monday, Sept. 5
* Labor Day Bar-B-Q: 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair for this dinner-on-the-grounds repast, which will have a soundtrack of gospel and bluegrass music by live bands.
Meal pricing is determined by the choice of meat: St. Louis-style pork ribs ($13), chicken ($10) or pulled pork sandwich ($9). Dinner plates include all the fixings: baked beans, bread, no-mayo pepper slaw, pickles, iced tea, a crisp Mercier Orchards apple and homemade brownie or pound cake for dessert.
Limited quantities of whole chickens, racks of ribs, pork butts and the signature barbecue sauce will be for sale while supplies last. Drive-through service will be available. Cars should enter along East Main Street and exit via Summit Street to old Highway 76/East First Street (for GPS directions use 906 E. Main St., Blue Ridge).
Advance tickets for the barbecue are available from participating churches, the Fannin Chamber of Commerce on Orvin Lance Drive, American Wholesale Print Shop on Appalachian Highway/515 East, BB&T, Community & Southern and United Community banks.
For more information, find Good Samaritans of Fannin County on Facebook.