The stage is almost set for the unique, hometown atmosphere at the Gold Rush Days festival in downtown Dahlonega this weekend. Since it started in 1956, vendors, volunteers and the rest of the community look forward to festival. The 200,000 people expected to flock to the Lumpkin County town will celebrate Georgia’s first discovery of gold in 1828, all while enjoying the arts and crafts of more than 300 local vendors during Dahlonega’s biggest weekend.