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Bear on the Square Mountain Festival
Bear on the Square Mountain Festival
Each spring, the foothills of the North Georgia mountains echo with the sounds of fiddles, banjos, and joyful laughter during one of Dahlonega’s most treasured traditions: the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival.
The story of this beloved event begins in April 1996, when a black bear cub, separated from its mother, wandered into downtown Dahlonega and climbed a sycamore tree on the north side of the Public Square.
Startled and scared, the cub drew a crowd of curious onlookers. Law enforcement and the Department of Natural Resources worked to keep the public safe and eventually used a tranquilizer to safely remove the bear from the tree. The cub was later released back into the wild in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
What could have been a quirky footnote in local history instead sparked the community's imagination. Inspired by the unexpected visit, a group of locals came together to launch a festival the following spring. The first Bear on the Square festival was held on April 19–20, 1997, dedicated to the memory of Dr. Gene Wiggins, a beloved local scholar of Appalachian music. Its mission was to celebrate the musical and cultural traditions of the Southern Appalachians—and to honor the natural world that surrounds Dahlonega, including its wild (and sometimes wandering) residents.
Today, Bear on the Square is Dahlonega’s signature springtime event, attracting visitors from across the region for a weekend packed with authentic experiences. Old-time and bluegrass music fills the air as musicians jam spontaneously around the square while featured performers take the stage all weekend long.
A juried artist’s marketplace showcases traditional mountain crafts, from handwoven textiles and carved woodwork to folk art and pottery. Festival-goers can also enjoy music workshops, a street dance, a lively live auction, and a heartfelt Gospel Jam on Sunday morning.
The festival also includes children’s activities, a heritage center with demonstrations of Appalachian life, and delicious Southern food from local vendors, making it a perfect outing for the whole family.
Rooted in a real-life moment and enriched by community spirit, Bear on the Square is more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of heritage, nature, and the joy of gathering together in the mountains of North Georgia.
Location - Public Square, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
To find out more info or to apply to be a vendor or musician, visit www.bearonthesquare.org
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