| Event Summary |
| When? Second, third and fourth weekend of the month of October Where? Blairsville, Georgia Why? Fun for the whole family to celebrate the coming of Fall. |
Celebrating the advent of the dramatic Fall season in Blairsville, Georgia is marked in spectacular small town fashion by the Sorghum Festival. The Sorghum Festival in the Blue Ridge Mountains is held annually in October and has been established since 1995. Bands playing classic Bluegrass music, cloggers, artists and artisans selling their handcrafted goods bring life and flavor to the event. The Sorghum Festival is one of the longest in Blue Ridge area of North Georgia, spanning over three weekends, the second, third and fourth weekend of the month of October. Your drive into Blairsville, Georgia will be a major highlight during this time of leaf changing that celebrates the beauty of Fall in the Mountains. Our Kaylor Mountain cabin rentals in the Blue Ridge Mountains are the perfect nesting spot for the festival.
The Sorghum Festival kicks off with one of the largest parades on the mountain. The imaginative floats are locally crafted courtesy of local business and civic groups. Spectators are showered with candy and trinkets by those manning the floats in Mardi gras style.
Three Weekend Event
Over the three weekends, visitors will enjoy competing for prizes in traditional competitions including:
Biscuit Eating Competition – but be warned – to be in the running, one must devour at least ten to even be considered a worthy opponent.
Pole Climbing – the fastest person to the top of the highest pole is the champion!
Log Sawing Competition – Be the fastest to cross-cut a log – a sport for the ladies and gentlemen.
Horse Shoe Throwing – Held at Fort Sorghum – take your best aim.
Rock Throwing – The best throw wins a prize – go the distance!
If you are not up for the rigors of fair-style competitions, bring your Antique Car and show off her mint condition. Enjoy swapping stories with the owners of 200 or more antique car enthusiasts.
In the evening, head over to the Junior High School Gym for live music and square dancing. No need to bring a partner, as this town’s friendly inhabitants will gladly do-see-do you. Then fall into a happy sleep in front of a roaring fire at Kaylor Mountain Cabins in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The hive of activity, however, is Fort Sorghum. Vats of the namesake Sorghum syrup are produced and used to produce Sorghum sweetened baked goods that are liberally for sale to take a sweet taste of Blairsville, Georgia home with you. If you are determined to be the person or family that has traveled the furthest to attend this event, you will take a trophy home with you!
Blairsville has delivered on its promise to make you feel like a local over these 3 weekends in October for over 10 years. In addition to warm memories, take home enough Sorghum Syrup to try this recipe below. Every time you eat one of these delicious Sorghum Syrup Popcorn Balls, think of next October’s Sorghum Festival and your stay at Kaylor Mountain Cabins in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains:
Sorghum Syrup Popcorn Balls Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup pure sorghum syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 quarts popped popcorn
- butter, for hands and pan
PREPARATION:
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar, sorghum syrup, water, salt, and butter. Cook to the hard ball stage (about 250° on candy thermometer), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Working quickly, stir in popped corn and turn into a buttered pan. With buttered hands, shape into balls and place on waxed paper to cool.
Makes about 6 popcorn balls.
Recipe courtesy of Anna Bidstrup.
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