Locals and visitors who enjoyed food, arts, crafts, music and activities. This is the 52nd year the festival has been run by the Dalonega Jaycees, and the fourth time it's been emceed by Henry "Doc" Johnson, who has taken over the gig from the late Guy Sharpe, the long-time Atlanta weatherman.
"I kind of just stand around here and talk about it, tell people to go see the vendors, that sort of thing," said Johnson, "They have lots of arts and crafts, good food, lots of local groups like the fire department have booths set up to raise money for things they need. The Jaycees do an absolutely incredible job."
Johnson hosted a number of festival activities on the main stage. "We have wheelbarrow races, a beard-growing contest, a liars contest, hog calling, balloon toss--it used to be cow chip toss, but we changed it to something more sanitary--clogging, arm-wrestling, all kinds of stuff, he said, "It's a lot of fun. It's a good place to bring the family and have a good time."
Dahlonega's own Cathy Tucker, who has been coming for over a decade, said her favorite part is the food.
"They have gyros; they have roasted corn; they have roasted peanuts, funnel cakes and lots and lots of good sweet drinks, coconuts," she said, "I come every year, without fail, both days."
North Georgia College and State University student Brian West, a Lilburn native, who won the Sunday armwrestling competition in his weight class, was there for his second year.
"I really like the culture. It's really unique. I enjoy mountain culture and stuff like that. A lot of the festival activities up on stage were realy fun to watch. I'll be coming back as long as they have it," he said, "I'll take my kids and everything, as long as they still have it up here."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/10/123961