Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver will headline the Georgia Mountain Fair on July 26. The band has won multiple Grammy, Dove and International Bluegrass Music Association awards, and Lawson has been inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. (Photo: Facebook.com)Beer, barbecue and music are the common bonds in three North Georgia festivals this weekend. Following is a roundup of what to know before you go.
BBQ, BLUES AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
» Where: Edwards Park, 3508 Cleveland Highway, Dalton, Georgia
» When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, July 21
» Admission: $2
» For more information: 706-503-1809
This is the second year that Target Marketing has presented a barbecue cook-off in Dalton to benefit a Whitfield County youth organization.
Seven teams of grill masters will compete to win over a panel of six judges who will select the winner. Visitors will be able to pay a small fee to sample their meats.
In addition to the barbecue, there will be 10 food vendors selling festival concessions. Visitors can browse the booths of 50 craft vendors while enjoying an afternoon lineup of music.
Bluegrass band John Brown & Co. kicks off the music at 11 a.m., followed by Tyson Leamon & the White Line Drifters at 12:30 p.m. and Blue Matter blues band at 2:30 p.m.
Winners of the barbecue cook-off will be announced at 4 p.m. after which Connor Priest will wrap up the music with an hour-long set at 4:30 p.m.
A rain date has been set for Sept. 8 at the same location in case of bad weather.
GEORGIA MOUNTAIN FAIR
» Where: 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee, Georgia
» When: July 20-28
» For more information: 706-896-4191
The 68th Georgia Mountain Fair opens Friday, July 20, with carnival rides, arts and craft vendors, Miss Georgia Mountain Fair pageant, a parade, even a human cannonball daredevil show.
But it's the music that draws visitors to this event. Just a little under 2.5 hours from Chattanooga, the drive is a scenic day-trip into the mountains.
This year's fair opens Friday with The Bellamy Brothers. Other headliners over the eight days include Joe Diffie, the Malpass Brothers, T. Graham Brown and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
Baby boomers won't want to miss the show July 27 when Herman's Hermits featuring Peter Noone takes the stage. Everybody sing along: "I'm Henry VIII I am!"
HIKE, BIKE & BREW BEER FESTIVAL
» Where: Lula Lake Land Trust, 5000 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Georgia
» When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, July 21
» Admission: $65
» For more information: lulalake.org/events
This outdoor beer festival allows guests to hike or bike on 8 miles of scenic trails - which have beer stations conveniently located along the route!
Festivalgoers will receive a commemorative cup to carry with them from station to station for fill-ups. Not only does the event offer the chance to try a new brew you haven't tasted before, but at the end of the trek you get to vote for your favorite to win the title of Lula Lake's Favorite Brew.
Eight breweries are participating: OddStory Brewing Co. (last year's winner), Chattanooga Brewing Co., Phantom Horse Brewing Co., Moccasin Bend Brewing Co., Hutton & Smith Brewing Co., Heaven & Ale Brewing Co., Big River Grille & Brewing Works, and Bell's Brewery.
Saturday's beer festival includes the addition of restaurant sponsors.
Bob's Brick Oven, 2 Sons Kitchen & Market, 1885 Grill, Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint and The Tap House will provide signature bites for attendees. Restaurant booths and a stage will be set up under the big tent in Good Shephard Meadow.
Saturday's entertainment will be local band Solar Moonshine. The band is made up of Roger Davis, Kathy Webb, Rick Hoffman, Bill Lee and Steve O'Neill.
Battlefield Outdoors will bring bikes for rental.
Tickets are $65. All proceeds help fund Lula Lake Land Trust's mission of conservation, education and low-impact recreation.