Staff Photo by Doug Strickland/Chattanooga Times Free Press - April 26, 2013. Chris McGuire with Fat Bottom BBQ grills a rack of ribs Friday at the BBQ Boogie & Blues Street Festival in Calhoun, Ga. The festival continues Saturday.Calhoun may be small in size (only 11.7 square miles), but it's big on things to do.
Got the shopping bug? Calhoun can fix that with over 50 shops at its first-class outlet mall. Hungry? The city has a restaurant so good it doesn't need a sign. Like big-time high school sports? Calhoun is home to one of the state's top prep programs. Want history? The New Echota Historic Site is crammed full of it.
There are more reasons to stop in, including a nationally sanctioned barbecue contest and one of the state's largest country fairs.
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VISIT CHEROKEE CAPITALThe New Echota Historic Site is one of the most significant Cherokee Nation sites in the country. It was home to the first Indian-language newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix; the capital of the Cherokee Nation; and the beginning point of the infamous Trail of Tears.>Today, you can take a self-guided tour through 12 original and reconstructed buildings, including a council house, print shop, an 1805 store and the home of missionary Samuel Worcester. Also among the activities are hikes along the Pond Overlook Tons of Fun Trail and the New Town Creek Nature Trail.The visitors center includes a gift shop and 17-minute film.Tickets cost $5.50-$7, and the park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. (1211 Chatsworth Highway; 706-624-1321)Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
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SHOPPER’S PARADISELocated just off Interstate 75, Calhoun Premium Outlets offers shoppers discounts from 25 to 65 percent off. The outlet includes more than 50 shops, featuring everything from high-end clothing to athletic wear, tools, salon services and food.Various coupons can be found at the outlet’s website, premiumoutlets.com.>The outlet is also offering a VIP Shopper’s Club membership, where members gain access to special sales, coupons and news about events. There is no cost to join.Hours for the outlet are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.Source: Calhoun Premium Outlets
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GET YOUR ‘Q ONHit the streets in Calhoun April 28-29 for a world-class barbecue competition. The sixth annual BBQ Boogie and Blues event is a nationally sanctioned competition sponsored by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and features dozens of professional teams squaring off for top honors.>In addition to the food, the event includes live entertainment, a fashion show, arts and crafts booths, a kids’ zone and a benefit bike race. There is no cost to attend.Source: bbqboogieblues.com
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PREP SPORTS RULECalhoun High School’s athletic programs annually produce area and statewide champions.Few cities in Georgia can match the Friday night excitement of Phil Reeve Stadium, home to the three-time GHSA state champion Yellow Jackets. Coach Hal Lamb’s team has won its last 102 region games and made it to the Class AAA semifinals last season.>The Reeve, as its known locally, boasts a Jumbotron scoreboard and is regularly filled to capacity on game night.The softball team has captured three consecutive state titles, while the baseball team also owns multiple championships and the basketball and soccer teams annually make deep playoff runs.Source: GHSA.net
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WHERE FARM MEETS FUNThe Cherokee Capital Fairgrounds will once again host Georgia’s second-largest fair Sept. 9-17, the Northwest Georgia Regional Fair. Organizers call it an “old-fashioned” fair, complete with agricultural exhibits and contests. Of course, there are also plenty of carnival rides and games, food, drink and nightly entertainment.The fun begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, while gates open at 5 Monday-Friday. Cost to enter is $5 and there is free parking on-site.Source: Northwest Georgia Regional Fair
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*CALHOUN UP CLOSEPopulation: 15,899Biggest employers: Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries, Mannington Mills and Gordon HospitalDate founded: 1852History: Calhoun was part of the Cherokee Nation until 1835, when Georgia claimed the land. The city was founded as Dawsonville and later renamed Calhoun.Most famous residents: Musician Roland Hayes; businessman Bert Lance; Cherokee Nation leaders Elias Boudinot, John Ridge and Stand Watie; and American Lt. Gen. and Director of the Joint Staff, Ray B. Sitton*Source: City of Calhoun; Gordon County Chamber
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FULL-SERVICE BBQ AT ITS BESTAny visit to Calhoun means spending a little time at Dub’s High on the Hog BBQ. Known for its fall-off-the-bone ribs, the locals’ favorite dining spot also features most traditional barbecue dishes — pulled pork, beef, chicken, all in a variety of sauces and spices.The menu also includes non-BBQ items such as burgers, salads and shrimp, and an extensive kids’ menu. Dub’s is also a full-service restaurant, serving wine and beer.It’s easy to speed past this barbecue joint because city code prohibits it from putting up a sign — locals say it’s so good it doesn’t need one — so watch for the bright-red tin roof and log-cabin style building. (349 S. Wall St.; 706-602-5150)Source: Dub’s High on the Hog BBQ