This past weekend brought the Rabun County community together along with tourism from other parts of Georgia and other states with the Southeast British Car Festival in Dillard; the Painted Fern Art Festival in Clayton; and a concert featuring Jeb Gibson hosted by the Clayton Merchants and Business Association (CMBA) in Clayton.
More than 170 cars were featured during a car show at The Dillard House on Saturday, Sept. 17, for the Southeast British Car Festival, according to Larry Norton, chairman of the North American MGB Register.
“We had a great turnout. It was very successful,” Norton said.
Norton said the festival has been in Dillard every two years since 1992 and brings different types of British cars. This year’s event even featured two motorcycles.
Participants competed in valve cover car races, and a silent auction was held during the festival as well.
A banquet on Saturday night unveiled the winners in each category of cars.
A moment of silence also was observed in honor of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Sept. 8 after reigning for seven decades.
Norton said the Southeast British Car Festival is unique among other festivals because participants participate in different events within the community to show
case everything Rabun County has to offer.
Registered participants were part of self-driving tours, guided tours, wine tours and visited the Tiger Drive-In.
Awards Ceremony
The owners of the cars took home awards in each category.
-Best in Show: Zack Merrill
-Class A- Mini Cooper: First Place- Gary Whiting
-Class B- MG TD: First Place-Garry Todd; Second Place-Bruce Austin; Third Place-Jay Franklin
-Class C-MG Other: First Place-Reinout Vogt
-Class D-Triumph Combined: First Place-Gene Lennon
-Class E-Triumph TR3: First Place-David Appleby
-Class F-Triumph TR4 and 250: First Place-Brooks Jeffery
-Class G-British Modified: First Place-Mike Cook; Second Place-Ralph Ratta; Third Place-Russell Pierce
-Class H-Jaguar Combined: First Place-Dave Peck
-Class I-Triumph TR6: First Place-Ronnie Babbit; Second Place-Jeff Rountree; Third Place-Phil Robertson; Fourth Place-James Paullin
-Class J-Triumph Spitfire: First Place-John Preston
-Class K-Morris: First Place-Zack Merrill
-Class L-Modern MGs: First Place-Terry McClain
-Class M-MGA 1956-1959: First Place-Mark McCarraher; Second Place-Mark Ahlstrom; Third Place-Patricia Towers; Fourth Place-Steve Miles
-Class N-MGA 1960-1961: First Place-Greg Poffenbarger; Second Place-Oliver Hoffman; Third Place-Jim Brown
-Class O-MGA 1600 MK II: First Place-Jay Franklin; Second Place-Philip Robertson; Third Place-Melon Doris
-Class P-MGA Coupe: First Place-Dave Terhune
-Class Q-Sprite/Midget: First Place-Wayne Telman; Second Place-Edward Holden; Third Place-Jeffery Sigrist
-Class R-MGC: First Place-Carole Looft
-Class S-Austin Healey: First Place-Bill Richey; Second Place-William Pickens
-Class T-Britannia: First Place-Ted Stewart; Second Place-Keith Armour
-Class U-MGB-GT Rubber: First Place-Gilbert DuPre
-Class V-MGB-GT Chrome: First Place-John Colwell; Second Place-Abe Cheij; Third Place-Dan Bosso
-Class W-MGB 1974 ½ -1979: First Place-Rick Watts; Second Place-Tim Merrill; Third Place-Tom Nadelhoffer; Fourth Place-Ronald Platt
-Class X-MGB 1980: First Place-Steve Phillips; Second Place-Nigel Keen; Third Place-Gene Cooper; Fourth Place-Rand Meyer
-Class Y-MGB 1970-1974: First Place-Ian Massey; Second Place-Nigel Hoffman; Third Place-Judson Chapin; Fourth Place-John Brockman; Fifth Place-Paul Flexner
-Class Z-MGB 1962-1969: First Place-Marty Shane; Second Place-Brian Crabtree; Third Place-Linton Atkinson; Fourth Place-Aviva Hoffman; Fifth Place-Mark Hitchcock
For details about the festivals and to see pictures of the cars, visit https://peachtreemg.com/Dillard-2022 for more information.
Painted Fern Art Festival
Community members came out to support the North Georgia Arts Guild as it presented its Premier Members’ Show, Painted Fern Art Festival, at the Rabun County Civic Center Sept. 17 and 18.
“The festival was well attended,” said Randy Sells, exhibitor chairman, noting more than 40 artists and fine crafters were featured.
Painted Fern Arts Festival is held annually in September and features skilled artists and artisans with a wide variety of mediums represented.
This year, the show featured a bake sale to support the North Georgia Arts Guild scholarship program. Sells thanked all of the contributors to the bake sale, who were both guild members and friends of the guild.
“We all enjoyed the talents of the baker and confectioners,” Sells said.
The “Peoples’ Choice Winner” award went to Judy Schmidt from Seneca, S.C., for Paper Mache. This category was voted by ballot by those attending the festival.
The “Producer’s Award for Best Booth” went to Brenda Hutchings from Sautee, S.C., for fiber artist/spinner/art dolls and wearables. This category was selected by P.F. Festival Committee.
The show also featured a tribute and memoriam to Lee Johnson, a well known Clayton artist and long time member of the guild.
CMBA hosts Jeb Gipson
Crowds of people turned out to relax for the evening with music from Rabun County local Jeb Gipson on Saturday night.
The concert took place at the pavilions located behind the Rabun County Civic Center.
Cylvie Patterson was the opening act for Gibson and sang several songs among the crowd.
The concert was hosted by the Clayton Merchants and Business Association (CMBA).
“I think it was a wonderful event,” said Jenny Wilson, president of the CMBA. Wilson said the music was wonderful and thanked everyone who played a role in making the event a success. She added that the beautiful weather also helped make the event successful.
Food was available at the event with catering from The Soda Fountain Restaurant; Clayton Cafe; The Shed; and L&B’s Baking Company. There also was a drink table serving beer and wine that CMBA members managed.
Sponsors included Reeves; Bethel & Co.; Dillard Law Firm; The Soda Fountain Restaurant and Catering; Clipper Petroleum; Cage-free Boutique; English, Tunkle & Smith, LLP.; Clayton Farmers Market; Butler Galleries and Two Sisters Shop.