The Dahlonega Trail Fest -- set for September 8-10 and presented by Yahoola Outdoors and REI Co-op -- is a celebration of the outdoors and Dahlonega’s designation as an Appalachian Trail (AT) Community.
The weekend festivities include a free concert on Friday featuring Gopher Broke and Threadbare Skivvies and free pizza while it lasts, and a mini-film festival of REI adventure films on Saturday, all taking place in Hancock Park. Also in Hancock Park on the pavilion stage, speakers will talk about their adventures as long distance hikers, including Gene Espy, the second person to ever thru-hike the AT (in 1951), who will tell about that epic adventure.
Booths around the square and in Hancock Park include equipment vendors and manufacturers’ reps, local craftspeople, and outdoor-related non-profits. North Park Street in downtown Dahlonega, will be transformed into a miniature version of the Appalachian Trail, with boot fitting and pack fitting stations by REI.
The South Park Street parking lot on the square will include a 25’ climbing wall and a mountain bike pump track with demo bikes. REI is conducting free paddleboard and kayak lessons at Lake Zwerner (also known as the Dahlonega Reservoir).
Jekyll Island beer, Tiger Mountain wine, and Urban Tree cider will be featured in a Beer Garden tent on Warwick Street in front of Hancock Park. Shenanigans Irish Pub and Bourbon Street Grille will provide hot and cold light fare in the Trail Fest Grub Tent.
All in all, the Dahlonega Trail Fest will offer something for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Come out and celebrate with Dahlonega, the Southern Gateway to the Appalachian Trail. Celebrate our beautiful mountains and rivers. Dahlonega is truly the center of outdoor recreation in North Georgia!
More information at: www.DahlonegaTrailFest.org.
