Events

nORTH gEORGIA & bLUE rIDGE eVENTS cALENDAR

There’s always something happening in the North Georgia mountains! From lively festivals and seasonal celebrations to cozy community gatherings, North Georgia and Blue Ridge offer year-round events that capture the spirit of Appalachian charm. Whether you're planning a family getaway, a romantic weekend, or a spontaneous mountain escape, our events calendar will help you make the most of your time here. Discover what’s going on during your stay and experience the local flavor, live music, and unforgettable mountain hospitality that make this region so special.

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Events for Saturday, May 16, 2026
Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival Event

Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival

  • Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds • 1311 Music Hall Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546
  • 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.