HemlockFest
When: 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4; 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6
Where: Starbridge Retreat, 396 Starbridge Road, Murrayville
Cost: $20 Friday, $30 Saturday and $15 Sunday; three-day pass $55; Children 15 and younger are admitted free with a supervising adult ticket holder.
More info: hemlockfest.org/blog
Bands scheduled to perform are: Jesse Mariah Williams, Local Honey, Jason Childs, Freddy’s Finest, Copious Jones, Col Bruce Hampton & the Madrid Express, Dead Affect, Lara Polangco Potter, Lisa Jacobi & PLANET, The Ain’t Sisters, The Nervous Ticks, Gibson Wilbanks, String ‘n Bones, The Jess Goggans Band, Electric Codpiece, Soulhound, Lantern Parade & Burning of Adelgid Effigy, Donna Hopkins Band with special guest Ralph Roddenbery, Deep Blue Sun (mainstage) & Unifire Theatre (rear field), Rob Brooksher, Bluegrass Flashmob, Amy Ray, The Pussywillows and The Jason Kenney Band.
Camping, canoeing, hiking and all things related to the great outdoors will be part of the annual HemlockFest in Dahlonega.
The annual festival will be from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4; 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Starbridge Retreat.
Just 7 miles from the historic city in Lumpkin County, the retreat is a 50-acre private resort in the foothills of the Appalachians. Starbridge features a 5-acre pond, several acres of wooded primitive camping sites, a shower house, a 150-year-old cabin and a lighted stage in a field surrounded by forested hills.
More than 20 bands offering a mix of rock, blues, folk, bluegrass and world music are set to perform on the stage during the three-day festival.
For adults, booths will sell art and handcrafts from Georgia and all over the world. They may learn more about the biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians with guided nature walks.
For children, they may go canoeing, meet live critters, listen to storytellers and engaging in archery, puppets, group games and educational exhibits. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
HemlockFest also provides an infant care tent with rocking chair and changing table.
Vendors will offer an array of menu items. Local beer and wine selections are available for sale to participants age 21 and older.
HemlockFest is meant to increases public awareness of Eastern and Carolina hemlock tree problems. The silent auction as well as ticket sales, vendor fees and sponsor donations raise funds to help save the eastern and Carolina hemlock trees from devastation by the hemlock woolly adelgid and to provide financial support for area colleges and universities in their efforts to save the hemlocks.
Adult tickets are $20 for Friday, $30 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday. Admission for camping onsite and a three-day pass are $55. Children 15 and younger are admitted free with a supervising adult ticket holder.
For more information, visit hemlockfest.org/blog.