Weekend Promises, Festivals, Fairs, and Fun – Weather Permitting
Now that we are officially in the Fall Season, what better way to enjoy the cooler weather than with a local festival.
And there’s a number of them going on this weekend, weather permitting.
Lavonia is celebrating the season with its annual Fall Festival on Main St. downtown.
The Lavonia Fall Festival takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the downtown area of East and West Main streets in front of the Gazebo.
This Festival continues to grow in size and appeal drawing folks from all over Northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina.
A major attraction is the opportunity to catch a train ride on the Lavonia Express provided by Hartwell Railroad.
This year, Chamber spokesperson Susan Poole tells WLHR News they’ve added a seventh Hartwell Railroad train ride.
Train rides take place throughout the day at 9a, 10a, 11a, 12:30p, 1:30p, 2:30p and 3:30p. Tickets are $5 and are sold in front of the Lavonia Train Depot. Children under two ride free. Tickets go on sale at 8:30 Saturday morning
The Lavonia Fall Festival generally features over 80 vendors including food, arts and crafts vendors as well live entertainment throughout the day and lots of good food.
In Hartwell, it’s the third annual Farm Fest Saturday from 9a to 3p.
Sponsored by the Hart County Chamber, Chamber Director Nicki Meyer says it promises to be another fun event for the entire family.
“It’s a new venue this year. It’s going to be at the YMCA and we’re very blessed that they’re allowing us to use their back field, which is big enough for all of our animals,” Meyer said. “We’ll have a petting zoo and the FFA is bringing their animals.”
The local FFA chapter will also hold livestock shows Saturday morning.
In addition, there will be equestrian demonstrations, pony rides, a petting zoo and lots of other games and rides for the kids.
Meyer said adults can also enjoy lots of local vendors selling homemade, home grown, and home baked goods. And new this year is the Ugly Truck contest which is open to all truck owners.
“Anybody can come in and they will get a free t-shirt. Registration fee is $12.50 and there are three categories, worst rust, worst paint, and worst overall. The winners in each category will get a trophy and $25 gift certificate,” Meyer explained. “You just need to come in before 10a and enter your truck. Everybody who attends Farm Fest gets to vote for an ugly truck. The winners will be announced at 12:30p.”
From Hartwell, it’s a short hop down to Bowman for the Bowman Fall Festival.
But the fun in Bowman starts tonight at 6:30p with their annual Community Bingo at the Bowman Community Center, which includes hamburgers, hot dogs and a good family time.
The festival Saturday gets underway at 9a and features arts and crafts vendors, food and entertainment throughout the day.
Bowman’s fall festival caps off Saturday evening with a street dance at 7p with music provided by Funk Factory.