St. Petrick’s Day celebration rescheduled for late April with little change
Community, News March 24, 2022
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Rescheduling has completed for a spring time celebration in downtown Ellijay with the St. Petrick’s Day event. Put on in partnership with FOGAS (Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter) and the Gilmer Chamber, the event was cancelled on its original March 12 date for 2022.
However, the event is returning in one month to make up for the cancellation. With snow and high winds forecasted, much of the event would not have been able to go on. FOGAS members were concerned for pets and citizens to hold the event on its original date.
Through continued comments and questions on social media, many asked for a reschedule instead of a full cancellation. Unfortunately, a very booked April means the reschedule won’t occur until April 30, 2022. FOGAS Vice-President Sylvia Harris stated that they did not want to interrupt or pull away from any other events in Ellijay and this weekend, as the last weekend in March, will host their Pet Vaccination Clinic and Spay/Neuter Day.
With so many events going on in the early spring, Harris said that the month will be very busy. However, she said they have been very fortunate in that the majority of the vendors and events have confirmed to be joining the rescheduled St. Petrick’s Day. Pets are also adoptable throughout the event from the Gilmer County Animal Shelter, Pickens County Animal Shelter, and Homeward Bound. Other pet rescues will also be present for the day showcasing their rescues including goats, llamas, and horses.
Additionally, they have managed to keep the celebration events the same. The event goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m in the parking lot behind Dalton State College, but the parade through downtown begins at the Ellijay Elementary School at noon. Registration can be done online or in-person if you arrive early before the parade. Additionally, for those looking to potentially adopt a pet, you can “test-drive” adoptable pets from animal shelters or Homeward Bound.
Harris also noted that the parade will go from the elementary school, to the square along North Main Street, around the square and down Dalton Street, and then returning to the school via Teem Street and North Street again. They have noted that the Parade Walkers will be exiting the parade at Broad Street but Parade vehicles & floats will continue down Dalton Street and back to McCutchen Street.
Even an off-season visit from Semper Fi Santa will be happening at the event. Despite the day, FOGAS is returning to the Irish holiday for citizens and visitors alike to join in.
While most of the vendors are returning, a few openings were left and the St. Petrick’s Day Celebration is accepting both vendor and parade participant applications. An additional food vendor offering vegetarian and/or vegan options is also desired. Vendor fees are set at $40 with electricity and $35 without electricity. Joining the parade holds a $5 walker fee and a $25 float, vehicle, or group fee.
FOGAS hosting spay/neuter and vaccinations clinic this weekend
Community, News March 24, 2022
ELLIJAY, Ga. – A spay/neuter day along with pet drive-through Vaccinations are being hosted this weekend through local organizations including FOGAS (Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter) and the Animal Medical Clinic of Jasper.
According to FOGAS Vice-President Sylvia Harris, the Spay and Neuter Clinic will be held tomorrow, Friday, March 25, 2022, while the Vaccination Clinic will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022.
The spay/neuter clinic requires certificates from supporters and is being held at the Animal Medical Clinic in Jasper, Georgia from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Saturday’s vaccination clinic, however, will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon in the parking lot behind the Chamber’s Downtown Welcome Center and welcomes everyone to show up. Offering Rabies, DHCPP, DHLPP, FeELUK/FVRCP, and Bordella vaccinations, the clinic is being sponsored by Dr. Chester & the Animal Medical Clinic of Jasper.
A portion of proceeds made from the vaccination clinic from the vaccinations, ranging from $10 to $20, will go to benefit Friends Of Gilmer Animal Shelter community programs.
St. PETrick’s Day canceled due to possible inclement weather
Community, News March 9, 2022
ELLIJAY, Ga. – While St. Patrick’s Day will be coming next Thursday, the holiday will see celebrations starting this weekend for citizens and visitors to downtown Ellijay, Georgia, with St. PETrick’s Day.
An annual event, the celebration, like so many others, has seen cancellations over the last two years due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, committee lead for the St. Petrick’s Day event and Vice-President of FOGAS (Friends Of Gilmer Animal Shelter) Sylvia Harris said that they are looking to continue this weekend’s event without fail. Going so far as to say rain, shine, or snow will not stop this events return, Harris was enthusiastic about the chance for citizens and pet lovers to once again return to their parade through the downtown area.
The return of the annual pet parade and festival saw a great response from several organizations and businesses as Harris reports that the vendor spots sold out and they had to close the registration almost a full week ahead of the deadline. In addition, as part of their efforts to support the county and tourism in it, the Gilmer Chamber has also partnered with FOGAS, who is hosting St. Petrick’s Day this year, with a grant for advertising and marketing for the event.
This year, St. Petrick’s Day is seeing some upgrades and minor changes to the venue that will allow even more fun with the whole family, even the furry members. Harris noted that while the event has been held on North Main Street in past years, utilizing the parking lot next to First Baptist of Ellijay, they will be marching all the way around the square and up Broad Street to the parking lot behind Dalton State College and next to the county courthouse.
The event goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m in the parking lot behind Dalton State College, but the parade through downtown begins at the Ellijay Elementary School at noon. Registration can be done online or in-person if you arrive early before the parade. Additionally, for those looking to potentially adopt a pet, you can “test-drive” adoptable pets from animal shelters or Homeward Bound.
Those pets are also adoptable throughout the event from the Gilmer County Animal Shelter, Pickens County Animal Shelter, and Homeward Bound. Other pet rescues will also be present for the day showcasing their rescues including goats, llamas, and horses.
More than just a parade of pets, the event hosts face painting, Friends of Harrison Park, local vendors for things like homemade animal treats, local businesses, and a bounce house for kids among other things. Additionally, the pet contests return again. Make sure both family members and pets dress up for the event. Pet Contest categories include Best Dressed, Best Vocal Performance, Best Trick with Young Handlers (17 and under), Most Unusual, and the Best Owner Pet Look-alike.
Though planning started slow in November 2021, Harris said they monitored things and looked to hold the event and made plans. Yet, they felt unsure if the event would follow through or if cancellations and closures might happen again. However, the closer the event has come, the more confident organizers became. Harris said about the event’s return, “It feels very exciting because you’re bringing the community together and we’ve had so many positive responses. You can feel the excitement that people have that they are actually going out to fun events again. For those of us putting it on, it feels great.”