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Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival event

Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds • 1311 Music Hall Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546
  • Date: 5/16/2026
  • Starts: 9:00 AM

🔥 Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival

📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds • 1311 Music Hall Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546
💵 Taster Ticket: ~$30 per person (purchase directly through official site)
🎟️ Official Event Info: https://georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/localevents/id/446

The Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival is a culinary celebration that highlights outdoor cooking, smoky flavors, and community fun at the scenic Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, Georgia. This festival draws experienced cooks and grill masters — both amateur and professional — from around the country and Canada to showcase their skills.

Attendees (often called tasters) can stroll the fairgrounds tasting a wide variety of creations, speak with cooks about techniques and recipes, and enjoy a day of food-centric festivities.

🍽️ What to Expect

🔥 Cooking Demonstrations & Competitions

  • Live cooking by seasoned ceramic-cooking and outdoor-cooking enthusiasts.

  • Dishes may include BBQ, smoked meats, savory sides, and other specialty recipes.

🍴 Tasting Experience

  • With a tasting ticket, visitors can sample a variety of foods prepared by the cooks throughout the festival.

  • Interacting with cooks offers insights into grill techniques, spices, wood smoking, and more.

🍹 Fairground Atmosphere

  • While food is the focus, the fairgrounds setting adds to the experience — many visitors enjoy the grounds, explore the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds facilities, and mix the festival visit with other nearby spring events.

👥 Meet & Greet (Optional)

  • The day before (May 15, 2026), there’s typically a Meet & Greet party in the evening (around 5 PM – 8 PM), giving attendees a chance to mingle before the festival day. 

🍷 Visitor Information

📍 Location & Setting:
The festival takes place at the historic Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, which sits along scenic Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee and hosts events year-round — from food festivals and rodeos to music shows and holiday traditions.

🍽️ Tickets:
Tasting tickets are generally ~$30 per person and are best purchased directly from the fairgrounds’ official ticketing page (avoid third-party resellers).

🚗 Amenities:

  • Parking is available on site.

  • Fairgrounds often host food vendors and other attractions on the day of the event.

  • Clear bag policies, concessions, and other fairground rules typically apply.