35th Annual Chattahoochee Mountain Fair
When: Friday through Sept. 18
Where: Habersham County Fairgrounds, 17 Toccoa Highway, Clarkesville
Contact: For more information call 760-768-6890; for a schedule of events and other details, click here
Pricing information:
Under 6, free
Ages 6-10, $2, Ages 11 and up $5
Sunday Sept. 12: Church youth groups $10 all day (includes unlimited rides and concert, but tickets must be purchased in advance.
Thursday, Sept. 16- Seniors' Day, age 60 and over $4
Saturday, Sept. 18- Family Day, $1 rides from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; children's entertainment on the stage from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair has been around for more than 30 years, so finding something new and different to add can seem like an impossible task — but organizers have done it.
"Instead of bringing in a lot of big names, we wanted to highlight local talent for our live entertainment," said Brenda Kinsey, president of the Habersham County Fair Association.
"We've got a band from Banks County — 'The Other Side of Homer' — and we've also got Freddie Way, a performer who is from Banks County, but moved to Habersham."
That's just one of the new additions for the 35th annual event, which will be held at the Habersham County Fairgrounds, 17 Toccoa Highway in Clarkesville.
The fair will open on Friday and will run through Sept. 18.
There will also be a three-ring circus-style performance by the Fearless Flores Thrill Show.
Other novelties for this year include a living statue and a craft market.
"Everything in the craft show has to be handmade by the vendor, in the United States," Kinsey said.
"We told them that if we come around and they're selling something that doesn't follow those guidelines, we'll ask them to leave."
With around 30 different crafters, Kinsey says there is likely to be something to tickle most fancies. Fair-goers can expect to find everything from wooden bowls, to stained glass and even handmade baskets.
Despite the new additions, folks can still plan on enjoying traditional activities like carnival rides, livestock shows, the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Pageant and of course, lots of good food.
Keeping the kiddies entertained won't be a problem either - fair organizers have planned everything from a petting zoo, to karaoke and camel rides.
Another big, entertainment addition will be the Big E Championship Show.
"On Sept. 18, we're going to have a tribute to Elvis. There's a boarding house in Cornelia that houses an Elvis museum and each year (the museum) has been having a Big E Festival," Kinsey said.
"(They) decided not to do it this year, so we're going to bring some of the former winners to perform in a big tribute show."