We've got to say, South Georgia can be a little underappreciated. A lot of people tend to forget that anything exists further down than Savannah, and the reputation for the south-middle portion of the state is pretty much non-existent. There's plenty to do down in this region - it may lack the bigger towns of the northern part of the state, but that doesn't mean it's boring! Today, we're featuring a brand new festival in Douglas, Georgia, the county seat of Coffee County. The first annual Wings and Things Festival and Fly-In is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is set to be a great family-friendly event, with games, food, an air show, and even a look back at the city's fascinating World War II history.
Mark your calendars: this is the festival's first edition, but it's sure to be a blast. Best of all, it's free!
If you really want to make your festival experience memorable, you can opt to purchase a 15-minute plane ride add-on experience. The rides take place in an open cockpit biplane similar to those used to train World War II pilots.
Douglas, Georgia was an important training site for many WWII era pilots. The festival will have warbirds and military antique vehicles on hand to check out.
If you'd like to learn more about the Wings and Things Festival in Douglas, GA, check out the Visit Douglas - Coffee County Facebook page. Remember, this year's event is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2023.
I don't know about you, but when the mornings first start getting chilly and I see the first tint of yellow on leaves, my first thought is to look up fall festivals near me. There's nothing like fall festivals in Georgia. Whether you're up in our north mountains or down towards the coastal regions, come autumn, there's truly something for everyone in the Peach State. Here are a few of the best fall festivals in Georgia:
The Oktoberfest in Helen, GA is actually the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States. If you've never been, it's an absolute blast, with tons of activities for the whole family. This is one of my favorite small towns in Georgia and there's nothing like visiting in the fall. It can get pretty crowded during this fall event in northeast Georgia, but it's such a fun time, whether you're looking to enjoy beer and German food or just want to check out the leaves and festivities. Learn more from the Helen Chamber of Commerce website.
The Tybee Island Pirate Festival has been one of the best fall festivals near Savannah since it started in 2005. This beach town certainly knows how to put on a party! The parade, live music, kids' events, and pirate aerial show all combine to make for quite the fun festivity. Vendors will be on hand selling their wares, and the best part of all is the festival has free admission. You can learn more from the Tybee Island Pirate Festival website.
The Georgia National Fair is the largest fall event near Macon. From rides to vendors to fair foods, there's something for everyone here. Concerts, livestock competitions, youth educational competitions, and more are all on the schedule here. This year's concert lineup is set to include a great lineup of genres, and you'll be able to see names like Billy Ocean, Smash Mouth, and Tesla. Special armband days will allow for discounted rides and more. Check out the full calendar of events on the Georgia National Fair website.
If you like your fall festivals to involve lots of food, it doesn't get much better than the St. Marys Seafood Festival. This charming small town on the Georgia coast has it all and knows how to put on a great event. There's a lively parade, fun runs, live music at the local amphitheater, and, of course, tons of seafood. Learn more from the Visit St. Marys website.
is right on the border of Georgia and Tennessee. The little city's Rocktoberfest is one of the top fall festivals near Chattanooga. The event features live music, German food, and more, and takes place on weekends throughout the month of October. Find out more from the See Rock City website.
The Georgia Apple Festival has been taking place in Ellijay for over a half-century. This festival spans two weekends in this little mountain town. Hundreds of vendors are on-site, and you'll also find live music, fair food, and more. The area is home to many wonderful apple orchards, so pick up a few tasty apples when you're in town! Learn more from the Georgia Apple Festival website.
The Gold Rush Days Festival is the largest fall festival near Dahlonega, and it's been held for 69 years as of 2023. The parade is always a hit, but there are also live demonstrations, food, vendors, and so much more at this fun small-town festival. This is one of the best small towns in Georgia, and you won't want to miss the Gold Rush Days, especially since they take place when Dahlonega's leaves are close to peak. The Gold Rush Days Festival website has more information.
What are some of your favorite fall festivals in Georgia? What about Georgia festivals in general? Would you agree that these are among the best fall festivals in Georgia? We'd love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!
If you're traveling out of town for any of these great events and need a place to stay, make sure to check out Vrbo. The website list is full vacation home rentals in Georgia, so you don't have to worry about sharing your space with strangers.
If you’re still in the mood for more Peach State adventures, take a look at this video:
The One Of A Kind Festival You Won’t Find Anywhere But Georgia
The Helen-Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race is the South’s oldest hot air balloon festival, featuring a long-distance race and various family-friendly activities.
Helen-Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race — the South's oldest hot air balloon festival — will once again begin in Helen, Georgia, and this is one event you do not want to miss. The 51st Annual Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race takes place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 30, 31, and June 1, 2024. What better way to welcome the summer season than by watching more than 25 hot air balloons ascend into the sky for the country's only long-distance race? Answer: None. Take a look at why this one-of-a-kind festival cannot be found anywhere but in Georgia.
advertisement
As one of the oldest balloon events in the South, the Helen-Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race has been running now for more than 50 years.
This year the race is sure to be one of the best years yet.
The concept for the race came from Pete Hodkinson III - "the original Helen balloonist" - because Helen's citizens believed that this mountain town is the center of their world and in Columbus' day the Atlantic Ocean was the "edge of the Earth."
The shortest distance to the finish line clocks in at 225 miles, and normally takes two days for racers to complete. Although the race has been finished in a day before, it doesn’t happen often.
advertisement
advertisement
This Georgia hot air balloon festival is one of the best weekend events for the whole family.
If you want to participate in the hot air balloon festival in Georgia, plenty of exciting opportunities are available to help with the festival that are open to the public.
The race becomes a crew event because the balloons are limited to 40 gallons of propane which is only enough fuel to last four hours. The balloons have to land for refueling, and the crew must be ready and waiting.
But if you just want to sit back, relax, and watch the fun from the ground, you have all weekend to enjoy the festival.
While staying at the Helendorf, the pilots, their families, and crews enjoy a range of fun activities, including hot dog roasts on the patio by the river, tubing, golfing, and shopping in the area.
The Annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival offers more information on its website. Have you ever been to the annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival? Share with us your experiences in the comments below! While you're in Helen, take a hike on the breathtaking Raven Cliff Falls Trail. Or check out more unique things to do in this tiny Georgia town.
