Georgia State Park July Calendar of Events

Below is the July 2010 Calendar from Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites.  More information on events, including accommodations and facilities, can be found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or 1-800-864-7275.  For an online calendar listing, visitwww.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.  You can also become a fan on Facebook  and follow us on Twitter. Thank you for helping promote Georgia’s natural and historic resources!

July 2010 Events – Divided By Region

NORTHERN GEORGIA

Independence Day Celebration

Friday, July 2 through Sunday, July 4, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge – Dawsonville

A weekend of family fun to celebrate the nation’s independence! Join us for relay races, patriotic crafts, and the famous watermelon seed-spitting contest! $5 parking. (706) 265-1969.

July 4^th Mountain Style

Friday, July 2 through Sunday, July 4

Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen

The weekend will include fun such as a watermelon eatin’ seed spittin contest, sack races, music concert, hoedown, and fun for the entire family. This event starts at 8 PM on Friday and ends at 9 PM on Sunday. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Appalachian Jam

Saturdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2 p.m.  – 5 p.m.

Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site – Dahlonega

Every Saturday starting April 17 until October 9, come listen to the sounds and songs of yesteryear. North Georgia's mountain music singers and pickers will appear on the grounds of the historic Dahlonega Gold Museum. Enjoy acoustic and old-time strings as the sounds of yesterday fill the air. (706) 864-3513.

Holiday Gorge Floor Hike

Saturday, July 3 through Monday, July 5, 10:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Tallulah Gorge State Park – Tallulah Falls

This guided hike will take you from rim to river while learning about the gorge's unique environments. Be sure to wear proper footwear (no flip-flops or crocs). This hike is strenuous and will involve rock hopping and getting wet. Bring a lunch and lots of water. For ages 10 and older. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. (706) 754-7981.

Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, July 3
Tugaloo State Park - LavoniaEvents will begin with our 10 a.m. bicycle parade.  Old-time games on the ballfield at 1 p.m. include sack races, three-legged races, relays, egg and water balloon tosses, and other events.  At 3 p.m. we will hold our annual putt-putt torunament for ages 12 and younger.  $3 for putt-putt tournament, plus $5 parking.  (706) 356-4362.

Visiting Artist Series at Unicoi

Saturdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sundays, July 4, 11, 18 and 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen

The program lasts each weekend from Memorial Day through mid-November. Several talented artists and craftspeople from Georgia and surrounding states will demonstrate and have samples of their work for sale. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Saturday Evening Concert Series

Saturdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen

Every Saturday from Memorial Day through mid-November. Some of the best musicians in the area perform a variety of music, from Appalachian Mountain to bluegrass to Southern gospel. "Pass-the-hat" donations. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Independence Day at Vogel

Sunday, July 4, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Vogel State Park – Blairsville

Come to Vogel as we celebrate our independence with a special flag-raising ceremony. Also there will be a bicycle parade, pedal boat races, and sandcastle building competition, watermelon eating, sack races, egg tosses and greased pole climbing. $5 parking. (706) 745-2628.

Youth Fishing Days at Buck Shoals

Saturday, July 17, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Smithgall Woods Conservation Park – Helen

Children and their special "big person" can fish in a lake stocked with catfish, bass, and bream. Fish caught can be kept. Bring your own bait and rods. Some rods are available for loan. Call for directions to "Buck Shoals." $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Witch’s Head Excursion

Saturday, July 17, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Saturday, July 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Tallulah Gorge State Park – Tallulah Falls

This guided hike will take you to the bottom of the dam to view the witch's head rock and enjoy a relaxing lunch. Bring lots of water, lunch and proper foot wear. $5 plus $5 parking. (706) 754-7981.

Snakes Alive
Saturday, July 17, 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Tugaloo State Park - LavoniaThis reptile program includes live snakes to view up close and personal.  Meet at the amphitheater to learn about venomous and non-venomous snakes found in north Georgia.  $5 parking.  (706) 356-4362.

Chief Vann House Days

Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Chief Vann House Historic Site – Chatsworth

Watch 1800s crafts demonstrations at the 1804 mansion of Cherokee Indian plantation owner James Vann. Cherokee tribal members along with local demonstrators show the art of blacksmithing, soap making, weaving, spinning, quilting, doll making, chair and basket weaving, pottery, and much more. $3.50–$5. (706) 695-2598.

A Tribute To Georgia Authors

Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m.  – 4:45 p.m.

Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site – Dahlonega

Meet local and national authors who will bring their newest releases and older favorites. They will be glad to sign copies and add personal notes. $3.50- $5. (706) 864-2257.

Introduction to Nature Journaling

Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Smithgall Woods Conservation Park – Helen

Make a simple saddle-stitched booklet and learn techniques for recording your close encounters with nature. Artist Linda Lindeborg will help participants explore ideas for themed journals, learn basic drawing techniques, and investigate nature prints and rubbings. Then take a walk in the woods and do some sketching. Register by July 16. $25 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Bat Blitz
Sunday, July 25, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Fort Mountain State Park - ChatsworthKids of all ages can learn about these aerobatic mammals that eat mosquitoes and other insects.  Watch biologists as they net bats and teach about their fascinating wings and ears.  Browse bat displays and make bat crafts.  $5 parking.  (770) 918-6792.

Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike

Sunday, July 25, 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Monday, July 26, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Tallulah Gorge State Park – Tallulah Falls

Join Tallulah Rangers on a moonlit hike down into the gorge. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. (706) 754-7981.

Folk Life Traditions

Friday, July 30, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen

Watch demonstrations of everything from spinning to candle dipping, to butter churning. Concerts will feature traditional Appalachian and old-time mountain music. Festivities will include mountain skills displays, concerts, and Appalachian-style community dancing. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305. 

Birds of Prey
Saturday, July 31, 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Tugaloo State Park - LavoniaMeet at the amphitheater to learn about Georgia's owls, hawks and other birds of prey.  $5 parking. (706) 356-4362.

 

COASTAL GEORGIA

Cannons Across the Marsh
Saturday, July 3, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fort King George Historic Site - DarienJoin the garrison for a day of artillery drills, musket firings and soldier's life activities to honor Independence Day. Free watermelon and lemonade will be served. $3.50-$5. (912) 437-4770.

Independence Day Colonial Faire

Saturday, July 3, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fort Morris Historic Site – Midway

Celebrate the 4th with colonial games, contests of skill, colonial music, musket firings, cannon firings and activities. Prizes will be awarded to all participants. Sponsored by the City of Flemington, Ga. (912) 884-5999.

Independence Day Celebration

Saturday, July 3 through Sunday, July 4

Skidaway Island State Park – Savannah

Celebrate good times with a patriotic decorating contest (pets, yourself, your bikes, etc), hayrides, crafts, a greased pole climb and other challanges, and join in a campfire! $5 parking. (912) 598-2300.

Kayak the Salt Marsh
Sunday, July 4, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Crooked River State Park - St. Mary'sKayaking the marshes around Crooked River offers opportunities to look for birds and learn about the importance of the marsh ecosystem.  Reservations are required and space is limited.  $35 single, $45 tandem.  Call for family rates of 3 or more.  $5 parking.  (912) 882-5256.

July Fourth Celebration at Fort McAllister

Sunday, July 4, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fort McAllister Historic Park – Richmond Hill

Come and celebrate our nation's birthday with Civil War troops as they fire special salutes for those who have died so we may be free. Also join us for period games and a cool slice of melon. Pack a lunch and enjoy the day. $3.50 - $5. (912) 727-2339.

SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA

July 4^th Celebration

Friday, July 2 through Sunday, July 4, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Florence Marina State Park – Omaha

Celebrate the Fourth with games, watermelon eating contest, and educational boat tours. $4 plus $5 parking. (229) 838-4706.

Ol’ Time 4^th at Jarrell Plantation

Saturday, July 3, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Jarrell Plantation Historic Site – Juliette

Demonstrations of traditional crafts and skills. Competitions in 3-legged race, sack race, egg toss and tug-of-war. A reading of the Declaration of Independence will be at noon. $3.50-$5.00 (478) 986-5172.

200th Birthday of Robert Augustus Toombs
Saturday, July 3, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Robert Toombs House Historic Site - WashingtonThis living-history event will honor Rober Toombs' life from acts: Act 1 "The Formative Years," Act ll "Baron of Wilkes County," Act lll "Premier of the Confederacy," Act lV "A Man Without a Country."  Refreshments will be served.  Free. (706) 678-2226.

Fireworks on the Flint

Sunday, July 4, 9:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Georgia Veterans State Park – Cordele

A spectacular display of fireworks highlights the Fourth of July. $5 parking. (229) 276-2371.

Thunder Over Thurmond
Saturday, July 10
Elijah Clark State Park - LincolntonBring chairs, a blanket and the whole family for a picnic and swimming before the annual fireworks show, which is sponsored by Lincoln and McCormick counties.  Fireworks begin at dark. $5 parking.  (706) 359-3458.

Geology Hike
Saturday, July 17, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Providence Canyon State Park - LumpkinJoin Professor Rich McWilliams of Thomas University from Thomasville, Georgia as he conducts a hike into the canyons so visitors will see one of the geologic wonders of the southeastern United States. Pre-registration is required due to limitations on group size.  $5 parking.  (229) 838-4706.

Ice Cream Social

Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

General Coffee State Park – Nicholls

Celebrate summer with boat races, ice cream social, old-fashioned kids games and more. $5-$6 plus $5 parking. (912) 384-7082.

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Geocaching Challenge at Ft. Yargo State Park

Geo-Challenge Kickoff at Fort Yargo State Park, 

May 8th, 2010, from 10 am until 4 pm, 

Ft. Yargo SP is in Winder, on GA Hwy. 81. 

Georgia State parks 770-867-3489

More than 40 of Georgia’s state parks will soon join one of the largest treasure hunts on the planet.  With the May 8 launch of the Georgia State Parks Geo-Challenge, the park system is inviting GPS-toting explorers to travel trails in search of hidden caches.  Geocaching is thought to be one of the most popular games in the world, with more than 1 million caches registered on www.Geocaching.com.

The premise is fairly simple; adventure seekers use a GPS unit to find hidden treasures, then share their experiences online.  Caches usually contain trinkets that geocachers can keep, replacing them with something else.  Some trackable items, called travel bugs, make their way across the country and create a story as they go.  With the Georgia State Park Geo-Challenge, players download a PassPort from www.GeorgiaStateParks.org, find hidden stamps in each cache to spell out the PassPort’s message, and collect custom geocoins. 

“Geocaching can be enjoyed by all ages and is a creative way to explore your own state, and even the world,” said Georgia State Parks Director Becky Kelley.  “The game is a fun excuse to get outdoors, and it introduces a whole new group of visitors to our state parks.”

Forty-two state parks have hidden caches with “first to find” prizes of a free night of camping.  Three parks also have more elusive “bonus caches.”  Players go to www.Geocaching.com to find the GPS coordinates for each hidden box.  After their journey, players can talk about the parks and what they found.

Park officials see geocaching as the perfect blend of technology, trails and trees.  The Geo-Challenge is crafted for younger players as a way to encourage them to get more exercise outdoors.  Caches are hidden in public-access areas, so treasure hunters will not venture off trails or into remote locations. 

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources worked closely with the Georgia Geocaching Association (GGA) to create the new statewide program.  Geo-Challenge’s official kickoff coincides with GGA’s May 8 meeting at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder. 

“Anyone interested in geocaching is invited to the kickoff event,” said Kelley.  “Experienced geocachers will help newcomers learn about GPS units and the more social aspects of the game.  We’ll have extra caches hidden just for this event, plus animal programs and refreshments.”

Spring and summer break in Georgias State Parks

Tight finances don’t mean families have to give up a spring break vacation. Parents who plan ahead can take advantage of affordable accommodations located throughout Georgia’s 48 state parks. Once settled in, they’ll find a mini-resort outside their door, with a range of amenities such as nature trails, playgrounds, fishing docks, ranger programs, disc golf and more.

For about $24 per night, families can pitch a tent under the stars and toast marshmallows by a campfire. All state park campgrounds have bathhouses with hot showers, and some even have laundry facilities. Campers at Stephen C. Foster State Park can rent kayaks or boats to explore well-marked trails in the Okefenokee Swamp, while those at Kolomoki Mounds Historic Park can learn about early Indian civilizations during their hikes.

Want more comforts? Fully equipped cottages with up to three bedrooms average around $100 to $140 per night, depending on park location. Families can save money by cooking their own meals in the cottage kitchens. Several state parks are on large lakes, such as Seminole and Clarks Hill, so cottages are perfect for families with boats. For great hiking, families can rent cottages at Cloudland Canyon, Hard Labor Creek, Fort Mountain, Vogel and several other state parks.

Finally, those who prefer hotel-style accommodations can still wake up surrounded by beautiful park scenery. Lodges with restaurants can be found at Amicalola Falls, Red Top Mountain and Unicoi in north Georgia, and George T. Bagby and Little Ocmulgee in south Georgia. Lodge rates begin at $69 during the week, and details can be found atwww.GeorgiaStateParks.org/springbreak.

Accommodations book quickly during spring break and summer, so reservations should be made in advance. Call 1-800-864-7275 or visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org for more details.