Blairsville is a mountain town located near the Chattahoochee National Forest. It is the county seat of Union County and the only incorporated community in the county.
Known for its scenic beauty, Blairsville is a place for hikers. The Appalachian Trail goes through town and is one of the area's most notable draws.
Vogel State Park, Georgia's oldest state park, and Brasstown Bald, the highest natural point in Georgia, are located in the area. Brasstown Bald has a visitors center at its top.
Festivals abound throughout the year. Don't miss out on the Sorghum Parade or the Green Bean Festival.
Blairsville received designation in 2011 as an official Appalachian Trail Community, meaning it has been acknowledged for advocating mindfulness of the Appalachian Trail as a key local and national resource. Four years earlier, the territory was certified as a Georgia Better Hometown, recognizing it as a great locality in which to live - or visit.
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BLAIRSVILLE’S BEST-KEPT SECRETLocated on 18 acres in the North Georgia mountains, Lake Winfield Scott features multiple campsites and hiking trails, along with a boat launch near the head of the lake. Go swimming, or bring your fishing gear and your license. RVs are allowed in some areas. Group camping is available for up to 25 people.For reservations call 1-877-444-6777 or go to recreation.gov. More info can be found at n-georgia.com/lake-winfield-scott-campground.html.
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*FESTIVALS ABOUNDScottish Festival and Highland Games: Meeks Park is host to the yearly remembrance of the area’s strong Scottish legacy. Music, dance, food, workshops and even a genealogy tent can be found there each June. And what Scottish celebration would be complete without a Kilted Golf Classic at the Old Union Golf Course? Visit blairsvillescottishfestival.com for all the details.Green Bean Festival: Ever had a green bean pizza? Not only can you at the Green Bean Festival, you can enter an eating contest involving them. Pick up a new recipe for preparing green beans; take a tour of a canning plant; check out the arts and crafts. It’s all available one day a year each July. Learn more at ucfarmersmarket.com/Events/GreenBeanFestival.aspx.Sorghum Festival: It takes two weekends — Oct. 8-9 and 15-16, this year — to cram in all the fun of the Sorghum Festival. Exhibits, food and music are only the beginning. Highlighting the event are the nightly square dances on Saturdays. And who couldn’t go for a biscuit-eating contest? Find out more at blairsvillesorghumfestival.com.
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*BREAKING BREADThe Aviator Cafe offers everything from salads and soups to smoothies, but the sandwiches and wraps are the big sellers. Several meats and cheeses are available and sliced to order. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. (417 Blue Ridge St.; 706-781-1043; theaviatorcafe.com)Jim’s Smokin’ Que has it all, whether feeding one or taking the family for a “pig-a-nic.” The “Kickin’ Butt” sauce is for sale, too. Awarded a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor in 2014, Jim’s also has a mini-golf course on the grounds where PGA stands for Pigs Gone Amuk. Open Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (4971 Gainesville Hwy.; 706-835-7427; jimssmokinque.com)The Sawmill Place will help get your morning started with bacon or sausage, grits or biscuits, and of course, farm-fresh eggs. The lunch feature is a meat and three vegetables straight from local farmers. Hurry. The place closes at 2 p.m., and it’s breakfast only on Saturdays. (1150 Pat Haralson Memorial Drive; 706-745-1250; thesawmillplace.com)
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*FAST FACTSPopulation: 566 (in 2013)Landmarks or geographic features: Brasstown Bald, the state’s highest peak at 4,784 feet, welcomes guests to its visitors center and observation deck from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, April-December. Try visiting in autumn, and take a camera. Visit exploregeorgia.org/listing/576-brasstown-bald-visitor-information-center for more.Date founded: 1835History: Originally a dwelling for American Indians, Union County drew several white settlers when word spread that gold had been found in the hills there during the 1820s. The county is believed to be named for the political group the Union Party, which at the time encouraged the removal of the American Indians. The city is reportedly named for Kentuckian and Andrew Jackson backer Francis Preston Blair, a newspaper editor in Washington, D.C.Most famous resident: Byron Herbert Reece (1917-1958), a poet-laureate of Georgia as well as a novelist.Unique tradition: Blairsville is renowned for its sorghum. It’s the state’s only area that grows sorghum particularly for syrup-making because of its specific climate and soil.