Tag Archives: Blairsville Georgia

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Way to Go, Union County Schools!

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Locals already know how great Union County Schools are, so it’s no surprise that the students and faculty are making waves and winning awards left and right! Very recently, Union County High School was not only honored by the Governor as one of the highest performing schools in the State of Georgia, but it was also named as an Advanced Placement (AP) Challenge School by the Georgia State Superintendent. We are so proud of the students, educators, and BOE in our community!

The community of Blairsville-Union County prides itself in investing in the quality of education that the children in our area receive, and we’re proud to see all of the improvements made in our schools in recent years, including the Fine Arts Center and Auditorium, Agriscience Center, new school busses, classroom additions and HVAC upgrades, technology upgrades, safety and security enhancements, and much more. We are also excited to see the progress made under the leadership of new Superintendent John Hill.

We love living in an area that values education and investing in the future of its students, and we’re very proud to see everything coming out of Union County Schools. Keep up the great work!

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Squeeze the Last Bit of Fun out of Summer!

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Summer is drawing to a close and school starts back soon, but it’s not too late to squeeze in some family fun in Blairsville-Union County! From parks, lakes, and trails to fantastic food and excellent shopping, we’ve got something for every member of the family to enjoy.

Blairsville is the perfect place for getting outside and having an adventure or just relaxing and unplugging before the back to school blues set in. Check out our Summer Activities page for a complete listing of things to do in our area!

Explore The Greater Outdoors at Georgia’s Favorite State Park, Vogel State Park.

 

Visit Georgia’s Highest Peak at Brasstown Bald.

 

Get out on the water at one of our incredible area lakes.

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Butternut Creek Festival 2018

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Celebrating and supporting local and regional artists and craftsmen is a big deal here in Blairsville. Around this time each year, you can find 80-85 of these artisans showcasing their work at the Butternut Creek Festival. The festival features works in a variety of categories, including basketry, candles & soap, fine art, fabric art, and decorative painting, to glass, jewelry, metal working, photography, pottery, scrimshaw, and woodturning.

While the Butternut Creek Festival is an excellent opportunity for these incredibly talented artisans to share and sell their works to the public, it’s also a fun and inviting event with something for everyone to enjoy. The festival also features fantastic musical entertainment, lots of great food available for purchase, and live art demonstrations. There are also a number of local nonprofits exhibiting that you can learn more about at the event.

The festival, which has been designated a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event since 2009, takes place on July 21 & 22 from 10 am to 5 pm at Meeks Park. Admission and parking are free and shuttles are available to get you from parking to the festival. Learn more at www.visitblairsvillega.com/festivals.

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Lakes call Families to the Mountains

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Blairsville’s lakes beckon families for old-fashioned summertime fun – those lazy days of lounging on a sunny beach, showing off underwater handstands, and wolfing down a grilled picnic lunch so you can splash back into the lake, only to be told by Mom that you have to wait the standard thirty minute before jumping back in. Fortunately for us, Blairsville-Union County is home to not just one, but three lakes!  

Lake Winfield Scott – Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area is situated high in the mountain valley of Suches.  The Winfield Scott area offers year-round recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, swimming and hiking centered around the beautiful 18-acre lake. Only non-motorized boats are allowed on the water, but fishing is great for catfish, trout, perch, brim and bass. The campground is divided into a north loop and a south loop.  Recent upgrades and renovations make Lake Winfield Scott a premier family recreation spot.

Lake Nottely – The 4,180-acre TVA-controlled Lake Nottely is a fisherman’s paradise, offering ample opportunities to land largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie and striped bass, among others. With 106 miles of pristine shoreline nestled in the mountains just northwest of Blairsville.  This unspoiled lake offers a breathtaking alpine experience for residents and visitors. Construction of the dam was completed in 1942. It is 184 feet high and stretches 2,300 feet across the Nottely River. The public can use one of three public boat ramps or our three marinas offer lake access and boat rentals. Local water sport companies offer canoe and kayak rentals in addition to an exciting Jetovator (flying waterbike) experience. 

Lake Trahlyta – Lake Trahlyta offers a view of the esthetic beauty of the mountains and is situated next to Trahlyta Falls, a stunning north Georgia waterfall.  Visitors can enjoy a swimming beach, fishing, stand up paddle boarding and pedal boats on the water in addition to mini golf, interpretive programs, music programs, hiking, fishing, bird watching, CCC museum, cottages, and camping on site at Vogel State Park.

For more information about outdoor activities and everything else going on in Blairsville-Union County, visit us online at www.VisitBlairsvilleGa.com.

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Celebrate July 4th in Blairsville!

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This Independence Day, come and celebrate with us in Blairsville-Union County! From family activities and fireworks to BBQ and live music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This year, we’re starting the party early with our annual Boat Parade at Lake Nottely on June 30, so mark your calendars and make arrangements to join us in celebrating the birth of this Great Nation and the brave and courageous people who have fought and still fight to preserve our freedom. Here’s a quick rundown of everything happening this Independence Day…

Independence Day at Vogel State Park
July 4, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Vogel State Park

Fireworks and BBQ
July 4, 6:30 PM – 10:15 PM
First Methodist Blairsville

Independence Day Fireworks
July 4, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Meeks Park

Woody Gap Fireworks
July 4, 5:30pm-10pm
Woody Gap in Suches

For a complete listing of everything happening this Independence Day, and all summer long, check out our Summer Activities page. We hope that everyone has a fun and safe July 4th!

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School’s Out! Now What? 5 Free Things to Do in Blairsville-Union County

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Students all over the state are rejoicing in the freedom and carefree schedule of summer, while parents all over the state are scrambling to figure out what to do with these students now that they’ve got with a LOT more free time on their hands. Never fear, Blairsville-Union County is here with some great FREE suggestions for things to do with your kids this summer! Whether you’re trying to fill a long weekend or in dire need of a day trip, here are just a few options for free family-friendly fun in our area…

Outside adventure: Picnic and a hike
When planning a trip to North Georgia, take some time to enjoy all the picturesque nature sites. There are so many free activities waiting for you just outside your door. Helton Creek Falls is south of Blairsville off of Hwy 19/129. This hike is only 0.6 miles long, perfect for kids of any age. Be sure to pack a lunch because the falls offer a great site for a picnic. See more options on our Hiking page.

Learn something new: Alpaca Farms
Spend an afternoon getting to know an animal not common to North Georgia, Alpacas. At the Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm or Jerae’s Unity Alpacas you can do just that. Be sure to stop by the gift stores for a selection of handcrafted jewelry and products made from Alpaca fiber. Entrance is free to both farms, but donations are welcomed. For both locations, please call or email ahead to make an appointment.

Treasure hunt: Geocaching
Geocaching has become an international pastime for family fun. Using a GPS device, enter in coordinates and follow the clues to a hidden cache. This is a fun way to get to know a new area, or appreciate all that your own neighborhood has to offer. There are plenty of Geocaches to discover in Blairsville, including one that takes you in and around the Union County Public Library.

Relax on the water: Lake trip
Lake Nottely offers a breathtaking alpine experience for residents and visitors just northwest of Blairsville. Or stay on shore and have a picnic at one of the parks surrounding the lake. Another option is Lake Winfield Scott which offers hiking, swimming, boating, and camping year round.

Fun times at the festival
In a tight community like Blairsville, there are festivals all year round where you can enjoy local crafters, fair food, and activities for the whole family (though not everything at these festivals is free). Check out our Festivals page for more information on upcoming festivals.

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Have a Dad-tastic Time in Blairsville!

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Father’s Day is this Sunday – there’s your reminder – and there’s no better place for dads to roam and play than Blairsville-Union County! There are so many ways to celebrate the dad in your life in our area, but here are a few suggestions to get you started…

Tee Time
Play a round at one of our fabulous golf courses, including Butternut Creek Golf Course, Brasstown Valley Golf Course, and golf alternatives like putt-putt and disc golf. Learn more about the golfing options in our area on our Golf Page.

Get Out and Explore
For outdoorsy dads, we have hiking trails, lakes, horseback riding, some of the best parks in the state, and much more to explore in The Greater Outdoors. Check out all of the Outdoor Activities available in Blairsville-Union County.

Food Adventure
If your dad loves food, he’s never going to want to leave Blairsville! We have an exceptional food scene with a variety of dining options you have to see to believe. Traditional southern fare, seafood, Cuban and Greek cuisines, outstanding Italian spots, farm-to-table sophistication, and many other genres of food make our area an up-and-coming food destination. Learn more about the Restaurants in Blairsville-Union County.

Toast to Dad
If your special guy enjoys a nice adult beverage, we’ve got lots to offer here in Blairsville-Union County. The exceptional wineries and distilleries are definitely worth raising a glass to. Learn more about our Wineries and Distilleries.

For more information on things to do in Blairsville-Union County, check out our website.

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Scottish Festival 2018

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It’s here! The time has come once again for Blairsville-Union County’s most popular festival, the annual Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games! At this event, We highlight our area’s heritage with traditional games, Highland music and dancing, food with a Scottish flare, and much more! Visit workshops to learn how to play the bagpipes. Discover your “clan” and learn about the rich Scottish roots of the area. Watch animal demonstrations like border collies herding sheep and falcons swooping on their “prey”. Take your wee ones to get their faces painted or go on a train ride. This festival gets bigger and bigger every year, and this year there’s a Gaelic Gallop Race and Fun Run to get things started!

The festival starts on Saturday, June 9 and continues through Sunday, June 10, so clear your schedule and head to Blairsville-Union County this weekend! Visit www.blairsvillescottishfestival.org or contact the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce for more details.