Fairs, Festivals and Seasonal Events

First Weekend in October Most of Pickens County’s early industry revolved around the marble industry. For decades, Georgia marble has been mined and used to create historic architecture around the world, including the Archives Building in Atlanta, the New York Stock Exchange, the Supreme Court, the Lincoln Memorial and the local Tate Elementary School. The marble is also used for tombstones for the United States Military at Arlington National Cemetery. Most of the marble is white, but there is also very rare pink marble. Jasper is one of the few places in the world where pink marble is found. Be sure to make plans for the first full weekend in October for: Arts, Crafts, Antiques, Music, Art Gallery, Pie Eating Contest, Parade, Road Race, Quarry Tours, Pumpkin Patch, FREE Kids Area, Lots of Food, Plus Live Demonstrations of Marble & Granite Sculpting, Pottery, Chainsaw Carving and More. And be sure to ask about marble quarry tours!

April-May After a long cold winter, nothing says “spring is here” quite like the blooming of the rhododendrons at Hamilton Gardens at Lake Chatuge. It’s a yearly tradition of strolling through the magnificent and rare beauty of over 400 rhododendrons in an explosion of colors and varieties. Peak viewing season usually occurs the last two weeks in April through the first two weeks in May. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily with a minimal entrance fee of $3 during the blooming season. Guided walking tours and shuttle tours are also available by appointment. Rhododendron Gardens • Wild Flowers • Walking Path