People love festivals for various reasons.  Some people go for the crafts, others for the music. Some people like the livestock shows and others for the carnival rides.  I go for the atmosphere and Shane goes for the food.  It doesn’t matter the size of the festival to me. It could be a small town celebration with 20 tents, or a huge production with fair rides and livestock shows.  I enjoy the people watching and eating an apple dumplin’ served up from a trailer by friendly southern folk.  Festivals are a great way to get businesses or organizations some publicity.  Some festivals have a purpose in mind: to raise funds for a community project.  Below are 15 festivals in Georgia that give back to their community.

Decatur BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival

• August 12, 2017 – Decatur, GA
• Benefiting Community Center of South Decatur is in it’s 17th year.
• Tickets are $15
• http://www.decaturbbqfestival.com/

JeepFest

• August 31-September 3, 2017 –  Japser, GA
• 100% of proceeds go on to help kids in and around community.
• Jeep owners and enthusiasts come from all of the United States to attend.

• Admission is free for spectators and passengers. $75.00 to register per Jeep

• JeepFest – https://www.sheriffsjeepfest.com/event

AJC Decatur Book Festival

• September 1-3, 2017 – Decatur, GA
• Benefiting the DBF – Promoting a year-round literary community by hosting a series of fundraising and literary events.
• Free Admission
• https://www.decaturbookfestival.com/

Rock’n Ribville

• September 16, 2017 – Lawrenceville, GA
• Benefiting Lawrenceville Police Benevolent Fund this event is in it’s 10th year.
• Enjoy live music and eat southern style barbecue
• Free Admission
• http://www.rocknribville.com/home

Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival

• September 15-17, 2017 – Blue Ridge, GA.
• Benefiting Snack in a Backpack this event consists of a Blues pup crawl on Friday night and festival on Saturday and Sunday.
• Tickets are $5
• http://www.stayinblueridge.com/blue-ridge-blues-and-bbq-festival/

Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival

• September 15-17, 2017
• Benefiting the Jekyll Island Foundation raising funds for projects related to the conservation, preservation, and educational initiatives of Jekyll Island.
• Free Admission
• http://www.jekyllisland.com/signatureevents-category/shrimp-and-grits-festival/

Tiny Home Mountain Festival

• September 23-24, 2017 – Elijay, GA
• Benefiting the local area Boy’s and Girls Club and Gilmer County Food Bank
• Explore Tiny Home Living at this festival.
• $10 for Adults, $8 for Kids and under 3 will be free
• https://www.tinymountainfestival.com/about

People First Fall Festival

• September 30, 2017
• Benefiting People First of Henry Count offering free socials for special needs families throughout the year
• Come out and enjoy music, food, games, prizes, bingo, hay ride, social for special needs children and adults.
• Free Admission
• People First

Historic Oakland Foundation 40th Anniversary

• October 1, 2017 – Oakland Cemetery – Atlanta, GA
• All proceeds benefit the Historic Oakland Foundation
• Come dressed in your best Victorian garb at the 38th annual Victorian-inspired festival features a variety of live musical entertainment, living history demonstrations, Irish dancers and an opportunity to enter some of the magnificent mausoleums.
• Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children aged 4-12, and free for children 3 and under
• http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/?event=sunday-in-the-park-2

Foxfire Mountaineer Festival

• October 7, 2017 – Clayton, GA
• Benefiting the Foxfire Fund, Inc. and support many educational programs at museum and in schools.
• One-day celebration of the rich heritage of the Southern Appalachian mountains, featuring traditional music from numerous regional performers, showcases and demonstrations of time-honored heritage skills and trades, and all manner of traditional games and puzzles for young and old alike.
• $5 per person, children age 5 and under are free
• http://theblueridgehighlander.com/calendar/index.php?eID=3287

Alive Festival

• October 21, 2017 – Suwanee, GA
• Benefiting Project Green and Back to Basics Kids Camp
• Health & Wellness, Green Living Eco Festival help attendees learn how to integrate health and wellness plus natural, organic and green products into environmentally responsible eco living and to create a positive impact on the world as a whole.
• Free Admission
• http://aliveexpo.com/alive_festival.php

Gold Rush Days

• October 21-22, 2017 – Dahlonega, GA
• Benefiting Empty Stocking Fund
• It is a time for thousands to come and see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event. It is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visits over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement!
• Free Admission
• https://dahlonegajaycees.com/gold-rush-days/

Humming Bird Festival

• October 21-22, 2017 – Hoganville, GA

• Benefiting the Hogansville Charitable Trust.

• A true small town festival, featuring 200 vendors, food court, live music, kids area, artisan crafts, and more.

• Free Admission
• http://www.hummingbirdfestival.com/

Moonshine Festival

• October 27-29, 2017 – Dawnsonville, GA
• Benefiting  KARE – taking care of our children by addressing their needs
• Car Show and festival.
• Free Admission $10.00 parking
• http://www.kareforkids.org/mountain-moonshine-festival.html

Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-off and Bluegrass Festival

• November 4, 2017 – Cabbagetown Neighborhood, Atlanta, GA
• Benefiting Cabbagetown parks, green spaces, and community center
• A little bit of country in the big city,  featuring music that was popular when residents and mill workers. They played that old-time music and preserved rural traditions right here in the middle of Atlanta! Hard work and home-cooking, small houses and big hearts, recipes and religion, family and friends, stories and songs – relics of times past kept the community vibrant as it struggled to keep strong in a fast changing world.
• This is a token event.  Purchase spoons and drink tokens on website if you want to avoid lines. They’ll also be available the day-of at each of our 5 Welcome Centers (we will accept cash or credit / debit).
• http://www.chompandstomp.com/