The Rhododendron FestivalApril 12-May 12, 2024 Open 7 days a week! Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm Sundays 12pm to 4pm Free Admission to the Festival! Tour Hamilton Gardens: $6 per person Cart Tours are $10 each Spend a day in the most beautiful part of North Georgia - Hiawassee and the stunning Hamilton Gardens. This magical botanical garden is filled with native wildflowers like trilliums, shooting stars, and trout lilies, and more than 1,500 rhododendrons and native azaleas making it the largest collection in the Southeast! During peak bloom time we will be celebrating our beautiful native flowers with a Rhododendron Festival! The Festival is held in our Courtyard and it will be open 7 days a week for FREE! Daily Special Features include: Plant Sales Garden Tours Featured artwork for sale Art Exhibit on Saturdays 11 - 4 Seminars and Classes on Sundays Our Courtyard will be open to the public for brunch and lunch in the garden! Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am to 4pm, April 12th through May 12th. Award winning food trucks, gourmet dessert and coffee vendors, unique and organic homemade ice cream as well as artistic and delectable charcuterie boards. Wine and Mimosa Bar opens at noon Saturdays and Sundays (sponsored by Crane Creek and Hightower Creek Wineries) Musical performances each Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 3pm on the Courtyard Stage

Spend a day in the most beautiful part of North Georgia - Hiawassee and the stunning Hamilton Gardens. This magical botanical garden is filled with native wildflowers like trilliums, shooting stars, and trout lilies, and more than 1,500 rhododendrons and native azaleas making it the largest collection in the Southeast! During peak bloom time we will be celebrating our beautiful native flowers with a Rhododendron Festival. Enjoy live music, food, drinks, a plant sale, daily seminars and more! Admission is free to the festival and a $6 donation to tour the gardens.

Come shop for amazing treasures at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds! Free admission. Free Parking!

Dustin Lynch has "built one of the most consistent recording careers in modern country music” (Billboard), achieving eight #1s, four Top 5 albums, 10 GOLD and PLATINUM certified singles, and tallying over 5.4 BILLION cumulative global streams. His sixth studio album, Killed The Cowboy (Broken Bow Records), makes a statement on September 29. The follow-up to Blue In The Sky, which delivered the history-making PLATINUM, six-week #1 “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)” – the most-played song at Country radio in 2022 landing at #1 on the Mediabase and #2 on the Billboard Year-End Country Airplay charts – also featured current Top 15-and-rising single “Stars Like Confetti” and hit “Party Mode.” Since his PLATINUM breakout “Cowboys and Angels” in 2012, Lynch has headlined packed venues and toured with Country's biggest names like Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, and Kane Brown. Likewise, the Tennessee native has earned industry recognition as a Grand Ole Opry member, as well as high-profile nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards.

Top Rated Bands from all over the SoutheastThursday NightsApril 25th | May 2nd | May 9th | May 16th | May 23rdLive Music 7pm to 9pmAdmission: $10Tickets at the Gate, by Phone or OnlineSeating in Amphitheater or Lawn (bring a blanket or chair) The Holler Village opens at 5pm -Food court -Adult Beverage Bar -Crafters and more!

Memory Lane Classic Car ShowFriday & Saturday, April 26th & 27th 8am-4pm Spectator admission is $10/per person. Children 12 & under are free! The festivities begin with a Memory Lane Kick-off Party on Thursday, April 25th! Calling all car enthusiasts! Join us for a Classic Car Show on Friday, April 26th – Saturday, April 27th

After more than four decades together, 38 SPECIAL continues to bring their signature blast of Southern Rock to over 100 cities a year. And at each and every show, thousands of audience members are amazed by the explosive power of the band's performance. Their many Gold and Platinum album awards stand in testament to the endurance of a legendary powerhouse. With sales in excess of 20 million, most associate the band with their arena-rock pop smashes, “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin' Into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “Fantasy Girl,” “If I'd Been the One,” “Back Where You Belong,” “Chain Lightnin',” “Second Chance,” and more – Timeless hits that remain a staple at radio, immediately recognizable from the first opening chord, and paving the way to their present-day touring regimen.

Top Rated Bands from all over the SoutheastThursday NightsApril 25th | May 2nd | May 9th | May 16th | May 23rdLive Music 7pm to 9pmAdmission: $10Tickets at the Gate, by Phone or OnlineSeating in Amphitheater or Lawn (bring a blanket or chair) The Holler Village opens at 5pm -Food court -Adult Beverage Bar -Crafters and more!

Run for the Rhodos 5kSaturday, May 4thRun for the Rhodos is a unique, blossoming event presented by Hamilton Gardens of the entertainment rich Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds nestled in exceptionally scenic Hiawassee, Georgia. This runner/walker friendly 5K experience offers racers a woodland trail course that immerses you in our ravishing Rhododendron Garden while in its full bloom splendor! The proceeds from your participation in our 2024 Rhodo Fest garden run will support Hamilton Garden's on-going mission to FUEL NATURE! All participants registered before April 18, 2024, will receive a Rhodo race tee shirt as well as finisher's greenery to plant! Honorary Finisher Awards 1st finishing Male, Female, and Master's Finisher (65 years and older) A Hiawassee, Georgia Local Love basket with tasty goodies, an AHS Garden Membership Pass which includes admission to over 340+ gardens across the United States, and guest pass for the concert of your choice held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.8am Price: $35.00 Race Fee + $3.10 SignUp Fee Registration: Price increases to $40.00 after April 4, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT

Plein air artists from all over the southeast will be competing for $2,000 + in awards. The public is invited to come and watch the artists as they paint in beautiful Hamilton Gardens, views of Lake Chatuge, or anything that might strike a creative chord. Saturday afternoon, judging will take place with the awarding of prizes, then the Artists' Gallery will be open for viewing. Paintings will be for sale

Top Rated Bands from all over the SoutheastThursday NightsApril 25th | May 2nd | May 9th | May 16th | May 23rdLive Music 7pm to 9pmAdmission: $10Tickets at the Gate, by Phone or OnlineSeating in Amphitheater or Lawn (bring a blanket or chair) The Holler Village opens at 5pm -Food court -Adult Beverage Bar -Crafters and more!

Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival Saturday, May 11th 11am-5pm Stay late and enjoy an amazing concert with Deana Carter! Enjoy: 20 acres of a beautiful Rhododendron gardens 30+ Wineries offering Tastings Live Music all Day Photo Ops Mountain Views Lake Views Food Vendors Arts & Craft vendors Free Parking Tickets: Advance Tickets: $40.00 At the Gate: $45.00 Age 16-20 $25.00 Age 15 and under free Wine by the bottle will be available to purchase. While there is an ATM on site, we do encourage you to bring cash to purchase wine by the bottle to take home with you. The Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival will be on Saturday, May 11th. Enjoy music by Wyatt Espalin & friends on two stages, arts and crafts, food trucks, and tours of the blooming Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens.

Drenched in sun-kissed natural beauty both inside and out, Nashville native, Deana Carter, took a seemingly easy route to stardom but instead chose to defy the typical Nashville artist blueprint and make her mark. And she did, taking the industry and fans by storm with her wildly successful multi-platinum international debut “Did I Shave My Legs For This?” more than two decades ago. Anchored by the dreamy super hit ” Strawberry Wine”, Carter showcased her blend of country and retro-rock sprinkled with the folksy singer/songwriter qualities that have garnered Deana Carter well-deserved respect and wild acclaim. The daughter of famed studio guitarist and producer Fred Carter, Jr., Deana grew up exposed to the wide variety of musicians her father worked with, including Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Simon & Garfunkel, Muddy Waters, Dolly Parton, and many more. Their strong influence would eventually seep into Deana's country-pop style, which reflects qualities that can also be heard in similar artists now, such as Miranda Lambert, and reflective of artists like Sheryl Crow. Her debut album, “Did I Shave My Legs For This?” boasts six songs co-written and with the album co-produced by Carter, was released to strong reviews in late summer 1996. By the end of the year, the record had climbed to the top of both the country and pop charts, quickly achieving multi-platinum status, with 3 number one singles in a row. A “first” for the genre, Deana's celebrated debut album held this distinction and many ground breaking achievements for more than 5 years and has become one of Country Music's most treasured classics of the 90's. Special Guest: Mackenzie Carpenter

Welcome to the Georgia Mountain "Fire & Smoke" Cooking Festival!Come and experience this culinary feast featuring over 100 cooks/chefs preparing their speciality items and giving generous samples of their preparations to all paid attendees. They will be cooking on many top-of-the-line grills/griddles/smokers such as Primo Ceramic Grills, Big Green Eggs, and Blackstone Griddles. This festival is taking the place of the GA Mountain Big Green Eggfest which was the largest satellite Eggfest in the country for 10 amazing years. We're making this festival bigger and better by expanding our theme and adding a variety of cookers/griddles/grills that will enhance the experience of all attendees. From savory barbecues to delectable desserts, our festival will offer a diverse selection of culinary creations. Feel free to ask questions and interact with the cooks/chefs and learn new recipes, discover innovative cooking methods, and get inspired by the creativity of our talented cooks/chefs. If all this wasn't enough, be sure to attend our Meet & Greet celebration Friday evening (05/17) at 5:00 PM being held in the antique farm museum at Georgia Mountain Fair's Main Exhibit Hall. Just bring a dish to share, or cook on one of our Primo Ceramic Grills and listen to our live bluegrass band ! Beer and wine will be available for purchase or you may bring your own beverage of choice. There is very limited parking at the Exhibit Hall so please use our shuttle which will be running continuously from the main parking areas to the Exhibit Hall. This is an innovative and one-of-a-kind event that you don't want to miss. So mark your calendars and join us for a day filled with amazing gastronomic adventures and unforgettable memories.

Enjoy the best bucking horses, bulls, world class contestants from all over the United States and Canada, and the top of the line specialty acts! This is a family event that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat with live entertainment!Tickets: Admission: $20 per person. 5 & under Free! *Processing fees apply to each purchase. Friday, May 24th, Saturday, May 25th & Sunday, May 26th - Gates open at 6pm. Rodeo begins at 8pm.

The Whiskey Mountain Band met and began rehearsing and refining their signature sound in a cabin on the slopes of Whiskey Mountain, overlooking Lake Chatuge and Hiawassee GA. The band performs regularly all over North Georgia and Western North Carolina, playing classic rock and motown with a touch of blues and country. Whiskey Mountain is a 4-pc band and sometimes adds a 2nd guitar or violin, but also does acoustic trio shows. 6PM - Come Early - VFW Auxiliary Food Truck, and a few surprises. Great family Fun! Bring A Blanket or Chair. Well behaved pets are welcome (with cleanup)! Sorry there is not a rain venue for this year. Special Thanks to you, our corporate sponsors, and the City of Hiawassee who keep our concerts going!

Gnarly Fingers is a five piece acoustic band that specializes in three and four part harmony. “The Gnarlies” as they’re known to their fans, have been entertaining audiences in north Georgia and western North Carolina for over fifteen years. They cover The Band, The Eagles, Tom Waits, Butch Hancock, Guy Clark, The Steeldrivers, John Prine, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band…, in addition to their original music and they’re known for their mix of “eclectic acoustic” music from some of the greatest songwriters. Hailing from Hayesville, NC and Hiawassee and Blairsville, GA, the core of the band consists of the original three vocalists, Pat List, Keith Layton and Tom Edwards. List provides the rhythm guitar and harmonica while Layton “smokes” on lead guitar. Edwards is now the band’s mandolin and banjo player. In addition to the original three, the lineup now includes Brian Kruger on bass, keyboard, slide guitar and vocals and Jo Holoman on fiddle and vocals. Formed in 2005, Gnarly Fingers has continued to evolve musically while staying true to their goal of performing “great songs from great songwriters”. For the past ten years, they have been regulars at all the local festivals and are frequently found entertaining at both the Hayesville and Hiawassee squares. Gnarly Fingers is known wherever they play as a “fun” band. There is always good energy around their shows and ‘spontaneous dancing’ frequently occurs where they play. Their trademark is ending all their shows with “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”. Great family Fun! Bring A Blanket or Chair. Well behaved pets are welcome (with cleanup)! Special Thanks to you, our corporate sponsors, and the City of Hiawassee who keep our concerts going!

Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens - A Thursday Night Concert SeriesThursday evenings from June 6 - June 27 June 6th | June 13th | June 20th | June 27th Food Court & Wine Bar open at 5pm Live Music Starts at 6:30pm Admission: $5 at Garden Entrance

Come to our annual summer British in the Blue Ridge (“BIBR”) Rally at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee Georgia! This is the premier British motorcycle rally in the southeastern United States, held every year since 1985. Lots of fun and activities for all, including a poker run and other mountain rides on the best motorcycle roads in Georgia, a British motorcycle show featuring vintage and new British motorcycles, field events, vendors, comradery and camping. All makes and models of motorcycles are welcome! RV hookups and campsites are available.

Happy Together Tour 2024 - Starring: The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, The Associations, Badfinger, The Vogues, and The CowsillsFriday, June 7, 2024 7pm ALL Seats: $45.00 each + handling VIP tickets Available Clear Bag policy strictly enforced.

Obe and Amber Brown singer/song writers who have been married for 20 years and love making music together. Music has been their career for the last 17 years and they have had the privilege to work with incredible artists such as Kristian Bush(from Sugarland), Casey J, and Israel Houghton to name a few. Songwriting is a big focus that has led to Grammy award recognition and many other exciting opportunities. They love to entertain and bring joy to those around them and look forward to many years of making music together. Great family Fun! Bring A Blanket or Chair. Well behaved pets are welcome (with cleanup)! Special Thanks to you, our corporate sponsors, and the City of Hiawassee who keep our concerts going! 6PM - Come Early - VFW Auxiliary Food Truck, Sister's Specialty Desserts, and a few surprises.

Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens - A Thursday Night Concert SeriesThursday evenings from June 6 - June 27 June 6th | June 13th | June 20th | June 27th Food Court & Wine Bar open at 5pm Live Music Starts at 6:30pm Admission: $5 at Garden Entrance

North Georgia's favorite Southern Rock/Country Band, Southern Vantage, covers a variety of your favorite Modern Classic Country and Modern Classic Rock hits from artists like: Skynyrd, CCR, Petty, Cash, Haggard, Eagles, Steve Miller Band, Stapleton, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, and plenty more! The band hails from Blairsville Georgia and will have you singing (and maybe dancing) all night long. Great family Fun! Bring A Blanket or Chair. Well behaved pets are welcome (with cleanup)! Special Thanks to you, our corporate sponsors, and the City of Hiawassee who keep our concerts going! 6PM - Come Early - VFW Auxiliary Food Truck, Sister's Specialty Desserts, and a few surprises.

Bert Kreischer: Tops Off World TourTuesday, June 18th 7pm Admission: $39.75 - $79.75 + handling VIP Seating available: $159.50 + handling Clear Bag policy strictly enforced. Bert Kreischer's career has evolved from being Rolling Stone's 1997 "Number One Partier in the Nation," to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business, and most recently, star of a major motion picture. According to Forbes, Kreischer has been hailed as, “one of the best storytellers of his generation, seamlessly and sincerely sharing anecdotes about his family and fatherhood while proving that there's a way to take his [party-boy] antics into middle-age.” In March, Kreischer released his highly anticipated 5th stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle and his stand-up specials, Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are currently streaming on Netflix, as well. Razzle Dazzle has charted in the top 5 standup specials on Netflix and has been accompanied by at least one of his other three specials in the top 20 since its debut. Kreischer starred in and produced the film, The Machine, which premiered in the spring of 2023, based on his signature stand-up set recounting his true experience with Russian mobsters while on a booze-soaked college trip. The Machine has been in the top 10 on Netflix since its release on the platform on September 23rd. Additionally, Kreischer wrapped the second annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival that hit sixteen of the most iconic ballparks and arenas across the country this summer. Bert is taking Fully Loaded to sea in the fall with the Fully Loaded at Sea Cruise this October and the highly anticipated event sold out in just a few days. Kreischer is currently on the second leg of his Tops Off World Tour ranging from the US and Canada to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to being named “one of the US's top stand-ups over the past decade” by The Guardian, Kreischer is a world-renowned top podcaster hosting Bertcast, with over 500 episodes, and 2 Bears 1 Cave with Tom Segura, which consistently charts in the top 10 comedy podcasts worldwide. Bert also created, hosts, and produces the YouTube cooking show, Something's Burning, which has gathered over 18.2 million views. On social media, Kreischer boasts impressive numbers, totaling 12.2M fans across all platforms, and 205.7 million total views on his YouTube channel alone. In 2022, Bert founded Berty Boy Productions, the production home to the entire video and podcast solar system that orbits Kreischer, his friends and colleagues, and the Fully Loaded Comedy brand.

Hiawassee Rod RunPresented by Kahr Motorsports & the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds June 20, 21, & 22, 2024 9am-5pm Daily Admission: $10, Children 12 & Under are FREE! Hiawassee Rod Run is open to any 1979 and earlier car as well as any 1999 and earlier truck. Any performance or sport domestic vehicles welcome. $5,000 in CASH Giveaways!

Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens - A Thursday Night Concert SeriesThursday evenings from June 6 - June 27 June 6th | June 13th | June 20th | June 27th Food Court & Wine Bar open at 5pm Live Music Starts at 6:30pm Admission: $5 at Garden Entrance

The Marshall Tucker BandFriday, June 21st Admission: $39 + handling 7pm Clear Bag policy strictly enforced. When you wake up and want to put a smile on your face, you think of the songs that always manage to reach down and touch your soul the moment you hear the first note. The Marshall Tucker Band is one such group that continues to have a profound level of impact on successive generations of listeners who've been "Searchin' for a Rainbow" and found it perfectly represented by this tried-and-true Southern institution over the decades. The Marshall Tucker Band came together as a young, hungry, and quite driven six-piece outfit in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1972, having duly baptized themselves with the name of a blind piano tuner after they found it inscribed on a key to their original rehearsal space — and they've been in tune with tearing it up on live stages both big and small all across the globe ever since. Plus, the band's mighty music catalog, consisting of more than 20 studio albums and a score of live releases, has racked up multi-platinum album sales many times over. A typically rich MTB setlist is bubbling over with a healthy dose of hits like the heartfelt singalong “Heard It in a Love Song,” the insistent pleading of “Can't You See” (the signature tune of MTB's late co-founding lead guitarist and then-principal songwriter Toy Caldwell), the testifying “Fire on the Mountain,” the wanderlust gallop of “Long Hard Ride,” and the explosive testimony of “Ramblin,'” to name but a few.

The Collins Family is a very musical family. They play at local venues and churches. They have competed in bluegrass band competitions. The kids have been singing and picking their whole life. Easton is seventeen, the lead singer and can play any stringed instrument he picks up. Carson is fifteen, sings lead and harmony, plays the mandolin, guitar and a little on piano. Tennon is thirteen, sings and is learning guitar and piano. Finley is ten, she sings and is learning fiddle. The mom, Shawna sings harmony. The dad, Ben Collins can play any stringed instrument but mostly guitar, mandolin and bass. He is the son of Randall Collins who is part of the Collins Brothers and played a stint with Bill Monroe. Both sides of this family come from a long line of musicians and singers. Great family Fun! Bring A Blanket or Chair. Well behaved pets are welcome (with cleanup)! Special Thanks to you, our corporate sponsors, and the City of Hiawassee who keep our concerts going!

Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens - A Thursday Night Concert SeriesThursday evenings from June 6 - June 27 June 6th | June 13th | June 20th | June 27th Food Court & Wine Bar open at 5pm Live Music Starts at 6:30pm Admission: $5 at Garden Entrance

Hiawassee 2024-06-22 2024-06-22 6:30 PM 8:00 PM Concert on the Square "The Collins Family is a very musical family. They play at local venues and churches. They have competed in bluegrass band competitions. The kids have been singing and picking their whole life. Easton is seventeen, the lead singer and can play any stringed instrument he picks up. Carson is fifteen, sings lead and harmony, plays the mandolin, guitar and a little on piano. Tennon is thirteen, sings and is learning guitar and piano. Finley is ten, she sings and is learning fiddle. The mom, Shawna sings harmony. The dad, Ben Collins can play any stringed instrument but mostly guitar, mandolin and bass. He is the son of Randall Collins who is part of the Collins Brothers and played a stint with Bill Monroe. Both sides of this family come from a long line of musicians and singers. Great family Fun! Bring A Blanket or Chair. Well behaved pets are welcome (with cleanup)! Special Thanks to you, our corporate sponsors, and the City of Hiawassee who keep our concerts going! " 10 W Bell St https://tourism.golakechatuge.com/events/details/concert-on-the-hiawassee-square-05-25-2024-45898?calendarMonth=2024-05-01

July 4th Fireworks!July 4, 2024 Admission & Parking: FREE! Happy Birthday, America! The prettiest place to watch fireworks on the 4th is at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds! Family friendly and plenty of room for everyone to spread out and enjoy. Bring your American Pride and let's celebrate America's Birthday! Vintage Vixens will be performing their groovy tunes from 6:30pm to 9pm. The all female band performs covers of some of the biggest hits from the 60's & 70's. Then following the performance watch as beautiful fireworks light up the night sky!