A weekend of celebrating cars, moonshine and the history of Dawson County will benefit the area’s children.

The Mountain Moonshine Festival will be run from Friday, Oct. 21, to Sunday, Oct. 23, in downtown Dawsonville. The event explores Dawson County’s history through Prohibition and the Great Depression and the era’s moonshine runs through the foothills of the North Georgia mountains.

It begins with registration at 9 a.m. Friday for the 10 a.m. “moonshine run,” in which 70 vintage cars, aged 1962 or older, will depart the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame at 415 Ga. 53 in Dawsonville.

A parade of these vehicles and revenue cars will kick off the weekend’s festivities at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Event organizers expect thousands of tourists flock to Dawsonville, “the birthplace of NASCAR racing,” to hear about legends such as Lloyd Seay, Roy Hall, Raymond Parks and Gober Sosebee, moonshiners known for being chased through the hills.

Guests may visit an old moonshine still, listen to stories from “Trippers” and “Revenuers.” The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame houses the largest collection of vintage race cars and authentic moonshine-hauling cars. Children guests will have the chance to meet several well-known race car drivers.

The downtown Dawsonville square will feature live entertainment from various artists and a large array of vendors with “something for everyone,” according to the event website. Festival souvenirs such as T-shirts, caps and refrigerator magnets will be available for purchase.

The event benefits KARE for Kids, Inc., a Dawson County-based nonprofit that cares for the county’s children. KARE regularly provides children in need with winter coats, shoes, clothing, medicine, eye glasses, educational resources, summer school fees and toys.

For more information, visit www.kareforkids.org/mountain-moonshine-festival.html.