HOMER – What started out as a way to get holiday travelers out of their cars for a little while on Labor Day weekend has grown into a two-day event in downtown Homer.
The 47th-annual Homer Festival will be held from 6-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, in the downtown area.
Anelia Chambers shared some memories of the festival’s early days, that started as a “Coffee Break” for motorists passing through downtown Homer on what was then U.S. 441.
The second year, more activities were added to the event, held on the school campus. Eventually, the festival was moved to the downtown green near the historic courthouse.
“One of the popular events was the Tom Thumb wedding,” Chambers said. “People came from everywhere to see it and the other activities.”
Lineup for the parade begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Banks County Elementary School on Ga. 51 South. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and makes its way from the school to Old Highway 441 through town, turning left onto Yonah-Homer Road.
The schedule of entertainment for the event is as follows:
Friday, Aug. 30
- 6 p.m. – The Barber Family
- 7 p.m. – Georgia
- 8 p.m. – Starr Phipps
- 9 p.m. – Georgia
Saturday, Aug. 31
- 11 a.m. – Banks County High School Band (after 10 a.m. parade)
- 11:45 a.m. – American Idol contestant Clay Page
- 12:45 p.m. – The Tabb Family
- 2 p.m. – Caleb Davidson
- 3 p.m. – Outlook Band
- 4 p.m. – The Jordan Family Band
- 6 p.m. – Larry Scroggs Band
- 8 p.m. – Steven Phillips & Midnight Express
Yonah-Homer Road will be closed in the downtown area throughout the festival hours. Trucks should plan to detour before getting into the area.
For more information on entering the parade, call (706) 677-3510.
