Apple Blossom planned after 3 years of cancellations
News April 10, 2022EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Gilmer Chamber is accepting vendor applications for the 2022 Annual Apple Blossom Festival. The spring event has seen three cancellations over the last three years for various reasons and is once again on schedule to see its return in 2022.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, the past two years have seen the event cancelled in favor of caution for both attendees and vendors. Last year, the event was also set in motion with plans and vendors on track for May. However, a last minute statement from the chamber said, “Out of an abundance of caution and desire to keep our public safe, the decision has been made to cancel the 2021 Georgia Apple Blossom Festival.”
This statement came after rising case numbers of COVID-19 had many thinking the virus would return as bad or worse as the height of the outbreak that saw cancellations of virtually every major event in 2020, including the same Apple Blossom Festival. As numbers declined again in late summer, the 2021 Apple Festival returned as planned despite the cancellation of the earlier spring festival.
The year before that, the Apple Blossom Festival was cancelled in 2019 due to weather conditions. Chamber representatives said they could not reschedule the event due to many of the vendors already having full schedules and other difficulties.
This year will also represent new Chamber President Jennifer Grimmer’s first Apple Blossom Festival since taking office. Last year’s Apple Festival saw Grimmer leading the Chamber to a record setting first weekend for sales. She operated alongside former President Paige Hutto as a consultant during that festival where the Chamber operated with modifications for distancing between vendors and attendees as much as possible.
Now, with just under a month left until the planned return, Gilmer’s Apple Blossom Festival is scheduled to see its return on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday, May 8, 2022, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Vendors will be setting up on Friday, May 6, 2022, 1 pm to 7 pm. Those still wishing to apply as vendors can do so on the Chamber’s Website.
Festival of Trees kicks off with Christmas open house at Gilmer Library
Community, News December 4, 2021ELLIJAY, Ga. – An annual event, the Festival of Trees that Gilmer’s Library hosts during December showcases tress from local businesses, organizations, and entities. Each year hosts the celebration to kick off the season and has become an essential part of Gilmer’s Christmas Traditions.
A well anticipated event, the commissioners discussed the Christmas celebration briefly with representatives of the library as early as October during the budget meetings. With December finally here, the library has 23 trees standing in the building from across the county.
The Festival lasts through December and citizens can visit the Calvin Jackson Drive location just off of Highway 282 during normal operation hours of the library, but December 1, 2021, saw the open house event hosting games, ornament crafting, and other Christmas events during the night.
Children present were treated to videos from Santa Claus throughout the night as he read The Night Before Christmas and special messages.
The library hosted VR experience stations playing Beat Saber. Several games including ornament ring toss, a cakewalk, bean bag “snowball toss,” and others. An entire section of the library’s basement hosted tables full of supplies and equipment for crafting homemade ornaments.
Additionally, a special guest showed up for the night. Calder, Gilmer Public Safety’s Crisis Response Therapy Dog, spent the night saying hello and receiving some petting from kids and adults alike. Not just a part of Public Safety, Calder is a charter member of the ACES Crisis Response Therapy Dog Team. He is currently in training for search, rescue, and recovery with Emergency K-9 Operation, Inc. Search and Rescue. Even he wasn’t a super dog for being able to search for and then both physically rescue and emotionally calm people, he is extending his reach even further participating in educational and reading programs.
All this combines to make Calder specially capable of working with anyone facing emotional, mental, or physical challenges.
Some of the reading programs, as his handler explained, involve him simply sitting and listening to children read to him, others are more advanced, and his emotional training helps him with people in dangerous situations or just having trouble with reading aloud.
Calder traveled both upstairs and downstairs during the open house to visit all sections of the celebrations as the Festival of Trees is solely on the main floor. Each tree hosts its own theme and group. From the toolbox ornaments adorning the Lowe’s tree to the songbirds all resting on the branches of the Garden Club of Ellijay’s tree to the messages and photos in ornaments of the CLC’s (Christian Learning Center) tree, each and every tree has little things to notice and find and enjoy.
The Gilmer Animal Shelter tree, an entire “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme sees Jack Skellington’s own dog Zero atop the tree, but look closer and follow a certain orange and black ornamental wrap and you’ll notice a familiar snake from the movie munching on presents.
Animal Shelter Director Daniel Laukka, who attended the event to support the efforts of library he said, told FYN that his tree specifically had another hidden detail that many couldn’t know or notice. Laukka said every single ornament on the tree either came from the private collection of one of the shelter’s workers or was hand crafted by shelter employees.
The trees included the Apple County Quilt Guild, Girl Scouts of Gilmer County, Samaritan’s Purse, Lowe’s, Gilmer County Master Gardeners, Garden Club of Ellijay, the Gilmer Chamber, Gilmer County Genealogical Society, Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter, the Tabor House, the Gilmer Animal Shelter, the Gilmer Library’s Lego Lab, Gilmer Christian Learning Center, the UGA Extension Office, Coosawattee Shrine Club, Harry Norman Realty, Kids Ferst Readers of Gilmer County, Boys and Girls Club, OAKS Senior Living, Safe Choice Pregnancy Care Center, Faith Hope and Charity, Friends of the Gilmer Library, and Walnut Mountain Garden Club.
Make sure to see all of the trees in FYN’s Gilmer Festival of Trees photos on Facebook.
Apple Festival first weekend sets records for vendors
Community, News October 11, 2021ELLIJAY, Ga. – Looking at record setting festivals like 2016, a single weekend reaching about 26,000 people visiting the Apple Festival, according to the Gilmer Chamber, may not seem like a record setting weekend. But the record comes from spending according to vendor reports that Chamber President and CEO Jennifer Grimmer shared with FYN.
Friday saw the Apple Festival Parade kick off the grand return to the annual event with its Golden Year theme to celebrate this being the 50th Annual Georgia Apple Festival. A somewhat shorter parade than usual was held in downtown Ellijay, at 6:00 p.m., as the parade followed its usual path up River Street, around the square, and down North Main Street. However, Grimmer said the quality of many of the floats have hit a high point this year, making the decisions for awards even harder.
Those winners included the Girl Scouts in First Place, Artful Provisions in Second Place, and the Gilmer Animal Shelter in Third Place.
Grimmer also said that the Chamber may look to changing the day and time of the parade again next year, but will be looking for input from citizens and vendors on what day and time they feel would be better.
The festival commenced the day after the parade as vendors opened up to a very foggy morning on Saturday to officially open the gate for the return to festival days.
With many other surrounding county’s festivals like the Marble Festival in Pickens County cancelled again this year, thoughts were that attendance could increase this year. But within the first two days of the festival, the Chambers records report roughly 26,000 attendees came through the festivals fairgrounds. While many of these also visited downtown, many more attend the festival’s extension and secondary location called Apple Arts. With no gate or counter, there isn’t an estimate for how many attended Apple Arts that did not attend the festival on the fairgrounds. Grimmer noted that the Chamber is happy with the 26,000 attendees. Though it is not a record setting attendance weekend.
“We had an absolutely amazing weekend,” said Grimmer as she shared the attendance numbers. She explained her excitement as she also shared a report from the festival vendors. Many vendors reported sales not only increased over recent years, but exploded into unforeseen numbers. Many vendors sold out of their entire stock of merchandise in just two days or less. What they brought with them to last for two weekends did not even survive two days of this year’s festival.
Even the local apple houses were feeling the demand as Grimmer reported one of the apple houses had to go mid-day to resupply and bring more apples to the fairground.
When asked, Grimmer said that yes, a few vendors said they would be unable to return next weekend because they simply don’t have or cannot get enough stock by then. Many others reported that they would be spending five days in full production mode and searching for supplies to return this Saturday to continue providing for demand. Many vendors reported this has been either their best or among their best weekends ever. The fairgrounds were not exclusive to this either as Apple Arts in Downtown shared similar stories from all of its vendors.
Grimmer surveyed as many vendors as she could to garner the response and experiences of this return to the event. Sharing the report of one vendor who has been at the festival for 20 years, Grimmer said, “He usually doesn’t make a sale until after lunch and he had people at his booth at 9:02 buying.”
Grimmer also explained how this translates to locals. In addition to sales for vendors, many of which are local artisans, local organizations and non-profits are feeling the increase with donations and things like parking lots and exposure through the festival. From the Lion’s Club to Boys and Girls Club and Boy Scouts, all are benefitting from the return of the festival. Of course the businesses are benefitting from the overflow through restaurants and local merchants. Grimmer shared a report from Misty Hollow experiencing “the third highest day ever.”
So much business was being done that the Chamber experienced its own issues from trying to maintain the ATMs and refilling the machines and even had a short time when they ran out of $20 bills from most of the machines.
Surveying the vast majority of the vendors, she said that not one single vendor said they were disappointed or experiencing a down time.
Grimmer said their was some overwhelming feelings, but said that thanks to the staff helping out, volunteers running smoothly, and the return of former President Paige Hutto returning as a consultant, the festival has run smoothly and addressed issues to allow the success that it has seen. She even noted and said she’s been very thankful to how the community is working together. Vendors willingness to spread out in aid of social distancing and volunteers stepping to fill needs were just some of the things. Grimmer also said she has been really thankful that a couple vendors called ahead and though they had to cancel last minute, she said she was very proud of vendors saying they could have had a positive exposure and probably shouldn’t attend.
But local community is a part of the efforts, too. Some locals are still staying at home to avoid the traffic and crowds, but many have been seen at both the fairgrounds and downtown, attending the parades, signing up to volunteer, signing up for the car show, participating in the 5k, dealing with the traffic, and continuing to support the Chamber and the annual event in all of its forms and outside programs.
The Chamber isn’t sitting on the success though. Grimmer noted that most of the Chamber staff don’t have a single day off between October 4 and October 22. What may seem strange is that while most of the time is spent continuing to deal with and prepare for the second weekend, some of this time is already preparing for next year. Taking notes and sharing ideas, Grimmer said that the Chamber is already looking at things that could be better done and are looking for public input like the parade times and working alongside the school system, the county, and its people.
Apple Festival sets final preparations for returning celebrations
Community, News September 29, 2021ELLIJAY, 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.”
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.
Chamber cancels Apple Blossom but looks to later festivals with hope
Community, News February 16, 2021EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – With new President/CEO Jennifer Grimmer guiding the Gilmer Chamber, an official announce came today regarding three major Chamber events in 2021, including the upcoming Apple Blossom Festival.
Through email and social media, the Chamber has officially announced the cancellation of the 2021 Apple Blossom Festival. The festival was cancelled last year in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. This year also looks to be the cause as a statement from the Chamber said, “Out of an abundance of caution and desire to keep our public safe, the decision has been made to cancel the 2021 Georgia Apple Blossom Festival.”
The cancellation is already drawing comments from the community in droves with many saying they understand or it is the right decision. Others question the reasoning and compared the event with other businesses and their decisions. According to Grimmer, citizens have been asking about the events this year and their status. Grimmer released a statement today in the Chamber’s email saying, “I am happy to confirm that we are on track for the Apple Festival and Taste of Ellijay! While we are disappointed that the Apple Blossom Festival will not happen in 2021, we are very excited for 2022 and already planning some new features that we believe everyone will enjoy.”
The Apple Blossom Festival’s social media is echoing the sentiment with updates on their efforts on the 2022 Georgia Apple Blossom Festival and saying the have “full intent to make next year’s Apple Blossom Festival the best one yet!”
With encouragement and hope settling in for Taste of Ellijay and the Apple Festival this year, citizens can only wait and watch for updates as the county continues navigating county, state, and federal responses to the virus. As the Chamber and events coordinators speak with vendors and make plans, FYN will update the events’ status as details become available.
Will Gilmer feel an economic impact from cancelling the Apple Festival?
News August 13, 2020ELLIJAY, Ga. – With the recent announcement of the cancellation of the 2020 Apple Festival, many are still wondering about the impact, the decisions, and the virus’ toll on the festival season.
Earlier this year, Chamber officials were planning on make-up days for the Apple Blossom Festival left over from May. At one point, discussions were set to host the Apple Blossom Festival in August and then the Apple Festival in October as normal. Now, neither of these festivals will see make-up days as the boards over each have fully cancelled the events.
Most of the citizens concerns voice through comments and social media revolve more around the virus than any economic impact. Some are applauding the choice, like Dylan Slade who called it a good decision stating, “Public Health Foremost.”
Still others are discounting the choice. Courtney Graham didn’t state whether she thought the cancellation was good or bad, but did state, “The apple houses are open, the rental cabins are open, they will still come.”
This statement does hold some merit as FYN gathered reports from the county and cities. According to Gilmer County’s Financial Officer, Sandi Holden, the collections of Hotel/Motel Tax in June alone reached $113,870. According to county records, their Hotel/Motel Tax has never been over $100,000 in the last three years. Comparing June to the same month in previous years, 2019 totaled $78,044. In 2018, June totaled $75, 108. In 2017, June totaled only $52,838.
Additionally, there has been only one month that reached $90,000. That was October 2019.
Ellijay is not that different, either. Their year-to-date report shows them already reaching $8,196 by July. Just under half of last year’s total collection of $16,882 and just over two-thirds of 2018’s $11,399 total.
However, October is consistently among the highest months for the county, showing that the Festival season does have a major impact on local economy. October was the highest month of the year for Hotel/Motel Tax in both 2018 and 2019. In 2017, it was third highest behind November and July, the highest month.
Digging deeper than just Hotel/Motel Tax, SPLOST collections on sales tax in the County paint a very similar story with one notable difference.
Just like the Hotel/Motel, SPLOST shows the months of June and July of 2020 setting records for collections in the county. According to Holden, June 2020 saw a SPLOST revenue of $440,176. July 2020 saw a SPLOST Revenue of $453,981.
SPLOST Revenue has only gone above $400,000 three times in the last six years. December 2019 reached $406,020. November 2018 reached $400,655. In those years, October has never gone above $400,000. The final also came in 2020, January reached $401,243.
Therein lies the difference. Whereas the Hotel/Motel Tax saw major increases in October, SPLOST collections saw less so, with October usually falling behind November and December in collections.
Comparatively, April of 2020, which worried local county and city governments and saw halts to projects and capital spending as they awaited the numbers to see how bad the economy would get, saw a collection of $374,630. Higher than any previous year’s October except 2019.
Locals are split with some saying they are happy with the decision and others questioning different signals from different entities. Some online have commented saying that one entity is cancelling the festival while another entity is pushing forward with opening schools, a hot topic in August with news stories from all over Georgia highlighting the issue.
However, one downtown business owner is optimistic despite the cancelled festival.
Steve Cortes, owner of WhimZ Boutique and Heart and Vine and a former head of the merchant’s association, said, “It’s certainly going to have an impact.”
Cortes explained, however, that his hope is that a lot of people will still come. Even in recent years, he notes that his business has had many vacationers, leaf-lookers, and others who either didn’t know of the Festival or weren’t planning to attend.
Cortes admitted there would be an impact, but added on saying, “I don’t think it’s going to have as big of an impact as everybody fears.”
He said that he believes many of the counties visitors have already made plans and probably won’t cancel them. And so he is preparing for an increase as he notes he has continued following guidelines with masks and other ways to combat the virus in his store.
One major note he added, is that August is looking better than his recent months in the business. Comparing sales and business with previous years, August has been optimistically close.
Comparisons of finances are suggesting just as many people could be heading our way in October. It seems an impact is coming, but no clear picture is available yet on what kind of increase or decrease could be seen. Cancelling the festival could mean that business is more spread out across the county, or it could mean overcrowded Apple Houses and Vineyards. It could either mean a more spread out October instead of focused into two weekends, or it could mean a dip from the record setting two months that the county has seen in June and July.