Ellijay’s Fourth of July celebration

Community
July

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Events going on all weekend have set Ellijay, Georgia, as a prime North Georgia location for the 4th of July holiday as local wineries, organizations, churches, and the city itself have prepped for Sunday night and Monday to celebrate America’s Independence Day.

The main draw is the city celebrations lasting all evening on Monday, July 4, 2022. With partners in the City of Ellijay and the Gilmer Chamber, the Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association (DEBCA) kicks off the day’s events at 3 p.m. with the patriotic program including music on the square and the annual parade at 6 p.m. After that, citizens will only have a few hours to shop, visit and then find a seat before the 9 p.m. fireworks display. DEBCA is still looking for Parade Participants, Vendors, and Volunteers to help direct the parade. To be a part of this Community Event come by Gilmer Arts, 207 Dalton St (across from ETC) or visit the event page online.

In addition to the main event, Buckley Vineyards will be having their 4th of July celebration on Sunday, July 3rd from 12:30pm-10:00pm. They will be having food, live music, and fireworks including an open mic event from 1 p.m. to 8:00pm, Robbie Litt Band will be performing. Fireworks will start after dark. Reece’s Cider Co. will be having live music performers and food trucks all weekend long. On the 4th, Hush Money will be performing form 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Smokehouse Grill will be catering. Cartecay Baptist Church will be hosting a food, fellowship, and fun event at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, 2022, with hamburgers and hot dogs and are asking attendees to bring dessert if you feel up to it. They will have “bouncy houses, kiddie train, and games” before hosting a movie. This comes in addition to other live music events on Sunday and Monday at other wineries and events that aren’t holding fireworks displays.

Citizens should also pay closer attention this weekend with increased traffic from both vehicles and foot traffic in the area as well as recent changes like the addition of the stop sign on North Main Street.

Apple Festival sets final preparations for returning celebrations

Community, News
Festival

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Whether its a time when you stock up and stay home or a time when you meet the coming crowds to tour the grounds, two weekends in October undoubtedly change the face of Gilmer County every year with the Georgia Apple Festival.

Except, that wasn’t true last year. Amid the pandemic, the Gilmer Chamber has had to cancel several festivals and events over the last two years including the Apple Blossom Festival, Taste of Ellijay, and the most popular event, the Georgia Apple Festival. Even as recent as Spring of this year, pressure from the outbreak has been felt as the Chamber cancelled the 2021 Apple Blossom Festival.

Despite its popularity and efforts to hold the event in some form adhering to restrictions, the Georgia Apple Festival was cancelled in 2020 as the Board of Directors stated, “The difficult decision was made following the guidance of the local healthcare community, after consultation with local officials, and with extensive feedback from vendors, volunteers, and local citizens.”

Festival

Preparing for next week’s event, The Lion’s Club sign at their fairgrounds is heralding the return of the 50th Georgia Apple Festival.

Chamber President and CEO Jennifer Grimmer told FYN earlier this year that the Chamber and those involved were working with former Chamber President Paige Hutto on the major event as she continues along her first year with the Chamber. In a statement in February, Grimmer said, “I am happy to confirm that we are on track for the Apple Festival” However, rising COVID numbers in positive cases over the summer months had some doubting whether the event could happen if it continued.

However, recent weeks have seen the preparations spike. And this week even saw the sign at the fairgrounds posted with the official details for the event.

Additionally, a theme has fallen on the Festival. This year is not just a return to the annual event, but a “Golden Year” theme marks the return with the 50th Georgia Apple Festival.

FYN’s current understanding is that some details of the festival could be very different this year including more space among the vendors. Those vendors have been among main concerns of the Chamber with cancellations as they have reached out for feedback and suggestions for future events and planning. Vendors that rely on festivals like this have been specifically hurt in the last two years as the Apple Festival is not the only cancellation they have suffered.

The Chamber even noted last year that they were working with some to potentially rollover certain fees to this year in efforts to help and support the vendors that make up such a large part of the festival.

The event’s return is right around the corner this year as it moves back into its usual dates on the second and third weekends of October. As this Friday is first of October, that means the event starts next weekend. The official dates are October 9, 10, 16, and 17. The festival begins at 9 a.m. every day and ends at 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 5 p.m. on Sundays.

With the return of the festival also comes the return of events all over Gilmer County including Apple Arts on the downtown square and the Apple Festival Parade, as well as other supporting events like the 5k Road Race and the annual car show. The Apple Festival Parade will be held on October 8 this year, at 6 p.m. However, the Chamber said it still needs more participants for the event.

The parade hosts the theme “The Golden Year” in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Georgia Apple Festival and prizes will be awarded to the best, most original participants according to the Chamber.

The supporting events can all be found on the Georgia Apple Festival Website including the Annual Apple Classic Auto Show on October 9 and the Apple Festival 5k Road Race at the Ellijay Elementary School on October 9 at 8 a.m. Unfortunately, the 2021 Ellijay Apple Queen Pageant will not rejoin the events this year.

Additionally, the Gilmer Chamber is still in need of volunteers to help with the operations and are asking people to contact them to volunteer.

Local Winery Celebrates Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Announcements, Business, Community, Featured, Festivals, Gilmer County Chamber, Neighborhood Merchants, News

One of just many new and upcoming local wineries in Gilmer County celebrated their grand opening on Thursday July 29.

The Gilmer Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new Buckley Vineyards and wished them success. Chamber Director Bobby McNeil opened the ceremony and gave the floor to owners Kevin and Gay Buckley. After a short speech, the couple, surrounded by chamber ambassadors, cut the ribbon to officially debut their new winery. Approximately a hundred people attended the event which included music from sixteen-year-old Adrian Lyles who was a hit with the crowd.

Kevin Buckley, owner, addresses the crowd .

Each year, local Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors welcome new businesses with a special Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Ambassador Lee Johnson explained they have been very busy lately catching up with some of the new previous business owners after the pandemic.  Ambassador Kimberly Adamson was in attendance along with several others as well.

Also, celebrating a grand opening was a new limo service that will transport patrons to local wineries. Owner Tim Grimmer cut his own business ribbon too.

Sage Food Truck held its grand opening too. The vendor will serve some great cuban sandwiches and set up shop every weekend at Buckley Winery.

Buckley Vineyards opened earlier this year after acquiring the old Henry Evans homestead property.  The property is surrounded by  Turkey Creek and has a beautiful scenic view.  Kevin and Gay, owners of the property, have turned it into a beautiful winery and produce many of their own wines. They also sell some micro-brewery beer. The winery is just one of the local wineries.

Kevin explained that he loves gardening and has always wanted to open his own vineyard.  With some help learning the ropes from Mike Ott, owner of Ott Vineyard and Farms, in the field of growing grapes he has achieved his dream. The Buckley Winery is located at 708 Henry Evans Rd., Ellijay, Georgia, and is open seven days a week.

 

Tim Grimmer is pictured here cutting the ribbon.

New food truck owner ‘Sage’ also cuts a ribbon at the event for his grand opening.

Author

Pam Guenther

I am a native of N.H but more recently lived in Florida for most of my life recently moving to Georgia. I am a graduate of Concord, N.H. High School and also the N.H. tech Institute. I raised three children, my youngest being a Florida Highway Patrolman in Gainesville Fl. I love the mountain life and enjoy writing, walking, motorcycles and most outdoorsy activities. I love meeting new people and making new frineds because everyone has a story!

Wineries, Alchohol, and locations debated in BOC

News
Second Amendment, Officials, threat, road, wineries, plan, Restraining Order, early voting

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County’s BOC is back to alcohol discussions this week as the monthly meeting debated concerns about locations of farm wineries.

Kicking off the public discussion in both the county’s work session and regular meeting, Michael Smith voiced concerns over the location of a winery on River Hill Road. With a church nearby, he brought up the alcohol ordinance and distance requirements set forth by the Board of Commissioners. He specifically noted Gilmer Code section 10-62 referencing these distances.

County Attorney David Clark noted that Farm Wineries have exceptions built into their ordinances. These exceptions mean that they do not have to adhere to the same distance requirements.

Smith’s argument focused on the alcohol ordinance and his belief that it should cover wineries and tasting rooms as well. Smith said in the Regular Meeting, “If we have ordinances to regulate the other alcohol sales in the county, we should have ordinances about this.”

As Clark refocused the meeting to the county’s meeting to offer a chance for citizens to voice opposition or support, he reminded the public that the Commissioners meeting is not a place to offer new or old evidence to “retry” the public hearing. However, Paris and Clark encouraged citizens that the board did want to hear support or opposition.

The very next speaker, Mr. Andrews of Cantrell Road, offered 370 names on a petition in opposition to the winery and tasting room.

The speakers came for both sides with close to 15 or more people speaking to both for and against the application.

Paris and Hubert voiced concerns about noise and some of the things that come with tasting rooms and wineries. Paris noted that events seem to go without saying with tasting rooms, and with that comes parking and traffic considerations.

They also both voiced concerns about the vote saying they didn’t want it taken as a general opinion on wineries in the county. Paris made a motion to approve the farm winery in the meeting. However, no second came.

And after a clarification from Clark on the Wineries and Tasting Rooms in the ordinance, Paris said he didn’t see much difference between them.

He withdrew his motion. But commented to the public saying, “This is one of those things that half of you folks are going to leave here fuming and the other half will be smiling, and, probably, nobody up here is going to be happy about anything.”

According to Paris, this location was denied once before with a previous application as well. Ultimately, the motion came to deny the rezoning with a 3-0 vote.

Harrison Park Calendar of Events

Community, Harrison Park

ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Harrison Park Advisory Board discussed their calendar of upcoming events during their meeting on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

The events are as follows:

Saturday, August 31, 2019 … Saturday, September 14, 2019 … Saturday, September 28, 2019: Movies in the Park. 7:30 pm on all three days. Free to the public. Movies will be mostly rated G or PG. There will be a donation bucket, T-shirt sales, and either Coke or Pepsi vending. The board has raised $750 already, and are expecting to raise $2,000 total for the event. They are currently expecting around 200 people.

Saturday, July 13, 2019: HealthIt 9 am – 11 am Animal Hospital will be present. Feel free to bring your dogs on a leash for a short presentation on heart worms, then a dog walking party!

Saturday, August 10, 2019: HealthIt at 9 am with chiropractic services discussion and organized exercises.

Saturday, September 14, 2019: HealthIt at 9 am. Yoga or Tai Chi (to be announced).

HealthIt for October will likely be skipped due to a busy schedule, with November to be announced.

Saturday, October 5, 2019: Crooners and Cocktails fundraiser. Ticket prices are expected to be $100 per ticket. Music and catering to be announced. Time to be announced.

Saturday, October 26, 2019: Chili cook off. Time to be announced, but will be in the afternoon sometime.

Harrison Park is located at 75 McCutchen St, Ellijay, GA 30540 and is, of course, open to the public!

Friends of Harrison Park can be found at http://harrisonparkellijay.com/ and their Facebook page is located at https://www.facebook.com/harrisonparkellijay/

The next board meeting will be at the Ellijay City Hall (197 North Main Street, Ellijay, GA 30540) on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 9 am. The public is welcome to attend!

https://youtu.be/EOgIJhX072M

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Gilmer Chamber: Spring Activities Are Starting Up!

Gilmer County Chamber

Karla and BKP are at the Gilmer County Library! Karla discusses the upcoming events in the county and talks about all of the holidays that are celebrated this week.

https://youtu.be/oRYtyt_mXIY

Gilmer Chamber presents Karla’s Korner: Catching a Braves Game and Other Activities

Gilmer County Chamber

Karla and BKP discuss fun activities to do when leaving Gilmer County. Braves games, Amicalola State Park and Fort Mountain State Park are great options for a fun family day!

https://youtu.be/UGvSaGPlkz0

Gilmer County Chamber: Upcoming Events in Gilmer County

Gilmer County Chamber

Karla and BKP discuss the upcoming events in Gilmer County!

https://youtu.be/0A_TSc8TEr8

Gilmer Chamber: A Busy Time in Ellijay!

Gilmer County Chamber

There is so much to do in Ellijay in the coming days and weeks that you’re crazy if you can’t find something to do! Head over to the Gilmer Chamber website to check their Calendar of Events and see what you can get into!

https://youtu.be/k6r6dds_-N8

Gilmer Chamber: Easter is Coming Soon!

Gilmer County Chamber

Karla and BKP go over the different events happening in the county.

https://youtu.be/qLDjZMQjJ8E

Gilmer Chamber: What’s Happening in Ellijay?

Gilmer County Chamber

Karla and Brian talk about the opening of the new downtown Welcome Center and discuss different events happening in our local area!

https://youtu.be/iOz9BJDHu1c

Gilmer Chamber: Opening a new Welcome Center!

Gilmer County Chamber

Karla and BKP discuss the brand new Welcome Center and St. Petrick’s Day

https://youtu.be/ayKg7WLh1a0

Venue size concerns revisit BOC

News

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer is once again in issue with rezonings when considering items this month.

Considerations of wineries, tasting rooms, wedding venues, and lot sizes came to discussion in February’s Commissioner meeting.

The major contentions came when considering a conditional use permit for a “large” wedding venue. The item for A-1 Agricultural with Conditional use for 582 Cinnamon Lane created debate between Public Works Director Jim Smith, Planning and Zoning Director Karen Smith, and County Attorney David Clark as the board sought guidance and information about the issue.

The venue actually came as two items, the board unanimously approve the winery and tasting room in one vote, then discussed the conditional use for the large wedding venue at the same location.

Jim Smith warned the board to consider the county roads when allowing the possibility of more vehicles and traffic of a large venue.

Ultimately, it was Attorney David Clark who noted that the current item was a wedding and events venue as opposed to Large Recreational Venues which expected larger crowds.

Gilmer County Commission Chairman Charlie Paris noted concerns and calls he had gotten on the issue. He later said in the meeting that he wouldn’t support the larger numbers of over 200 people at the event. However, he indicated he didn’t want to restrict them to less than 100 either.

Smith later raised concerns about the public accessing the venue through Cinnamon Lane, preferring they instead use Old Flat Branch road.

Final approval for the wedding and events venue came with conditions including no more than 200 people, ingress and egress be through Old Flat Branch road, and that expenditures related to it, such a deceleration lanes, be the responsibility of the facility owners at the location.

All three board members voted to approve the conditional use permit.

Gilmer Chamber: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Business, Gilmer County Chamber

Karla and BKP announce all of the upcoming events in the area and talk about Valentine’s Day!

Gilmer Chamber: Valentine’s Day Events

Gilmer County Chamber

Karla discusses the upcoming events happening in our area!

Gilmer Chamber: Upcoming Events in Gilmer County!

Gilmer County Chamber

Karla and BKP discuss the upcoming events in the county!

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