Summer in the Mountains

Make your plans now to attend a fireworks display on our nation’s birthday! The town of Murphy will have a celebration in the park ending with fireworks beginning at dusk. Blairsville will have 2 places to see fireworks on July 4th. Meeks Park and Vogel State Park! Also check out the display at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee GA. So make your plans now!

RODEO! If you have never attended a rodeo, this is your chance! The settings are beautiful and while many rodeos have competitors running the circuit, many of the competitors are locals! High School kids and farm hands alike compete against nationally ranked cowboys and cowgirls. The utmost care is always taken of the animals involved. So grab a seat cushion and head out to one of our local rodeos! Here are just two upcoming events:Blairsville Union County Rodeo June 15-16 The rodeo in Blairsville is one of the finest! There is undercover seating and a wide array of entertainment. Horses, bulls, and a rodeo clown! What more do you need?? Affordable and kid friendly, don’t miss it!

Hayesville Rodeo July 7 is the Rodeo in Hayesville! I love this one mostly for the valley setting where it takes place. All the rodeo events plus great entertainment for the family! Kids usually get to participate in some kind of event like pulling the ribbon from a calf’s tail! All good fun! Don’t miss this one!

Here’s something completely different! In many areas of Florida there are nighttime Christmas boat parades. So Blue Ridge is not to be outdone with their version of decorated boats on the lake during the summer! I know from experience that this is really beautiful and entertaining. Check out the site: Boat Parade in Lake Blue Ridge Lake Blue Ridge boat parade June 29 to benefit a local scholarship fund. This should be really cool to see! They will also have fireworks on June 30 at the lake!

Fontana Dam and lake This lake is cold and deep with limited access. Private marinas offer boat rentals. Fishing is awesome and you can go with a guide! This site has all the info you could want or need!

Murphy activities There is always something going on in the town of Murphy! I found this website with 9 sites to tell you more about Murphy and some surrounding activities.

Vogel State Park This is the Facebook page of Vogel State Park. It is just past Blairsville and has camping, hiking trails, swimming, and a waterfall! It’s a beautiful park with something for everyone. The hike to the falls is not hard and it is wonderful! Check it out! And right down the road is: Sunrise Grocery It’s a cool little store that has been there for ages. Nice folks, great produce, and gifts too! Love this place.

Ok so I like to share a glass of wine on occasion. Here are two vineyards close to home! Nottley Vineyard This is just down the 60 Spur and a great place to spend an afternoon sampling or buy a bottle to enjoy! Eagle Fork Vineyards This looks like a beautiful place! They have events and offer Wine under the Stars! I’m going to have to personally check this one out! They have wine slushies! Great on those warm summer afternoons!

More about our wonderful local lakes in our next newsletter!