Variety of community events in Rabun popping up this Saturday for fun, food
Whether it’s celebrating corn; having a BBQ with volunteer firefighters; or being a spectator for the North Georgia Highland Games, there’s something for everyone on Saturday, Sept. 24.
The Inaugural Tiger Corn Festival is popping up this Saturday from 9 a.m. until about 2 p.m. on the grounds of Tiger City Hall, 3010 Old Highway 441 S., Tiger.
Dr. Guy Gober with Tiger Clinic and Pam Wheeler are spearheading the event that will feature arts and crafts and live music.
The festival is hosted by the nonprofits Creating Ties That Bind: For Soldiers and Families Wounded By Loss and Prostate Cancer Awareness Resources, Inc. (PCAR). Gober said it’s important to bring awareness to all patients in need.
Proceeds will go toward these nonprofits and local scholarships for Rabun County students.
Gober said the purpose of the festival is “to celebrate the history of corn in North Georgia and celebrate the Town of Tiger.”
“Wherever you grow corn, you can have a festival,” said Gober, who wants to celebrate corn grown near Tiger Clinic.
Wheeler explained the festival will feature live music from local musicians previously featured in Rabun County; snacks such as popcorn provided by Tom Major at the Tiger Drive-In; water provided by First American Bank; and vendors with face painting, corn husk dolls and wreaths, educational resources, acrylic paints and car air fresheners, and other handmade arts and crafts. Opportunity drawings also will be available.
Gober said there will be a corn kernel jar where attendees can guess the number of candy kernels and win the filled jar.
Additionally, there will be cornhole competitions where teams can throw corn cobs and beanbags for a dose of corny fun.
Gober said people also will be able to buy freshly grown, organic corn by the ear from the neighboring cornfield.
Anyone with questions about the festival can contact Wheeler at 706-982-3380 or Gober at 706-280-5684.
“We have every intention of making this an annual event,” Gober said of the festival as he looks forward to a great turnout.
Gober detailed the environmental history of corn in the Georgia mountains and how it deals with the role and place of nature in human life.
The environmental history of the Georgia mountains starts with the Mississippians, the first people to live in permanent settlements there. At the time of the first Spanish contact in 1540, Mississippian villages were well established along the mountains, major rivers and tributaries, according to information provided by Gober from New Georgia Encyclopedia.
By 1700, the Cherokee Indians had located numerous villages in the mountains and, like the Mississippians before them, grew corn and beans in the river bottoms and hunted large and small mammals in the near and distant forest.
After the forced removal of the Cherokees in 1838, much of the Georgia mountains was awarded to white settlers in 40 and 160-acre tracts. The better land along the main watercourses was settled first and immediately put under cultivation. Most property, however, was left forested – as much as three-fourths, according to federal census records. Major crops include corn, oats, rye, and wheat, but minor crops like sweet and Irish potatoes, flax and sorghum were also commonly grown, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia.
Farming in the Georgia mountains suffered greatly during the Civil War (1861-65) with notable reductions in crop production and improved acreage. Afterward, a new wave of land speculators and timber barons entered the mountains, hoping to transform them into their private domain of capital and wealth.
Today, much of the mountains are federally or state protected and these lands are used by thousands of residents for numerous outdoor activities, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia.
And Gober plans to use the land in the Town of Tiger in Rabun County to host the annual Tiger Corn Festival for years to come.
North Georgia Highland Games
Also beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday until 5 p.m. is the North Georgia Highland Games. The event benefits Place of Hope North Georgia and cost for spectators is $20. Kids ages 12 and under are free.
It will be held at the pavilions located behind the Rabun County Civic Center, 201 W. Savannah Street, Clayton.
The North Georgia Highland Games will feature kilted athletes competing in seven traditional Scottish games including Caber Toss; Hammer Throw; Stone Put; Weights and more.
There also will be food and beer; bagpipes and drums; birds of prey; children’s activities; vendors and more.
For more information about the event, visit the North Georgia Highland Games for Charity Facebook page.
Friends of Tallulah Gorge State Park celebrate Your State Parks Day 2022
On Saturday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers from Georgia Power, Tallulah Adventures/Wander North Georgia, the Friends of Tallulah Gorge State Park volunteer group, and community members will join forces to help out at this popular state park. The event will begin at the Beach parking lot on the west side of the park with registration.
There will be trail trash to pick up (more than you would believe), trails to map and re-blaze (easy to use software Easy Trail GPS app) and clearing of shrubs and bushes.
Bring work gloves, water, sunscreen and a hat. Call in advance to pre-register at 706-754-7981 or arrive before 9 a.m. to get organized and join a team.
There is a $5 parking fee or annual pass requested. This annual day takes place in nearly all of Georgia’s state parks and is a day to recognize all that our state parks give us. It also is a chance to give back and say thanks.
Rabun County Fire Services Station 12 BBQ
Rabun County Fire Services Station 12 will host a BBQ with music and raffles on Saturday. The event is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. There also will be a boot drive at the Tiger four-way.
Mountain City Playhouse ‘80s night
On Saturday, Sept. 24, from 6:30-9:30 p.m, the Mountain City Playhouse will host ‘80s Night. Dress in your 1980s attire and join us for a rad time! DJ Mark will be spinning the tunes. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Admission will include two slices of pizza. There will be snacks and drinks for sale.
Flat Creek Baptist Church Homecoming
To bring the weekend events home, Flat Creek Baptist Church will have its Homecoming on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10:30 a.m. Earl King will preach the morning service. Singers will be King’s family from Bryson City, N.C. Everyone is welcome.