DAHLONEGA — An autumn tradition in Lumpkin County, the annual HemlockFest brings together artists and music lovers to raise awareness about the woolly adelgid, a parasite that kills hemlock trees.

“We have two main objectives. One is raising awareness of the issue and keeping that alive. Also raising funds,” HemlockFest organizer Forest Hilyer said. “The more people the better; we get more reach. Another part of this is for folks ... that run the beetle labs is keeping the fire under the issue so that they feel fired up.

“So it’s like a way to re-energize and keep the issue alive.”

Hilyer has been the organizer of the event since 2005.

Live music and bands, games, vendors, face-painting, a kids’ village, a hemlock discussion panel and canoeing are just some of the things offered for visitors at the three-day festival that concludes today.

However, the main cause of the festival is awareness and motivation for those trying to help the cause.

“HemlockFest is probably one of the most important events from my perspective as a lab operator, because the proceeds that are generated from this event will come to us, and the other predatory beetle laboratories,” said Paul Arnold, professor of biology, chairman of biology and director of the predatory beetle facility for Young Harris College. “The lab that we have at Young Harris College ... we’re a pretty low-budget lab, so it means a lot for us to have financial help.

“We don’t get any kind of funding at the federal or state level being a private college. So we have to generate our own money through donations and events like this. I can honestly say if it wasn’t for HemlockFest our lab would’ve folded years ago.”

North Georgia College and State University and the University of Georgia both had representatives from their beetle labs in attendance.

Hilyer also said in the embryonic stages of HemlockFest, camping wasn’t available. He had to search for a place that could accommodate the cause.

For those attending the event Saturday, the weather couldn’t have been better, and the music was a big hit.

“It’s really cool. My dad came last year, and they were all stoked about it last year. I’ve never been. This is my first year,” said Eric Mask of Snellville, who was enjoying the band Squirrelheads.

“This band’s pretty rockin’. They’ve been good entertainment.”

One person who was staying all weekend was Mary Jo Sanders of Dacula. She’s attending the event for the first time with her husband and two friends.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful. I think it’s great for the community,” Sanders said. “I think to raise awareness for the hemlock trees is a great cause. It’s also a great group of people getting together, sharing things they love: Mother Nature, music and supporting the local vendors.”

The HemlockFest continues today. The gates open at 10 a.m. There will be music, arts and crafts, question and answer sessions with different organizations attending the event and a silent auction.

Admission is $10. The event is held at 396 Starbridge Road, Dahlonega.

For more information, check out www.HemlockFest.org, or call 706-867-5157.