Madison Pruitt
People from near and far gathered on one of Dahlonega’s streets browsing booths.
On Oct. 18 and 19, Dahlonega hosted their 71st annual Gold Rush Days Festival in the historic square. The streets were lined with over 300 art and craft booths, food vendors, live music, gold panning, and plenty of activities for children.
Gold Rush Festival Days is a celebration of Dahlonega’s history and the location of America’s first major gold rush in 1828. The North Georgia mountains come to life with their beautiful fall foliage just in time. The festival aims to bring the community together and welcome visitors from all over into the small town.
“I have attended Gold Rush for as long as I can remember. My favorite memory of Gold Rush is riding in the parade with my parents in my dad’s ’62 Ford Galaxie,” said Hannah Davis. “I have absolutely loved going to explore the booths and Square with my friends, who are students that have never experienced it before.”
Gold Rush is a place where Dahlonega’s college students can come together and experience something special. For some students, Gold Rush is a tradition in their family. Students from the area, like Hannah Davis, enjoy sharing this piece of home with their friends. Others, like Marin McCarty from Colorado, have a different connection to Gold Rush.
“I went to Gold Rush for the first time my freshman year and was absolutely shocked. I had no idea it would be as big as it is, and I absolutely fell in love. I was still getting used to being in Dahlonega, and I distinctly remember Gold Rush being that ‘I love it here’ moment! Being a college student is hard, and sometimes I feel like I’m missing out when I hear my friends from SEC schools talking about what their college life is like. Every time Gold Rush rolls around, I remember why I love it here so much. It always reminds me that I belong right where I’m at.” – Marin McCarty, Junior Psychology and Kinesiology minor
McCarty’s family has now made their own tradition. During the third weekend of October, her family comes from Colorado and stays in a hotel right off the square. The festival has brought her family together for something they enjoy every year.
Gold Rush Days Festival brings the local community together. The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office was able to raise $6,644 in two days for the Sheriff’s Office Youth Programs.
“We raise money for our community programs like Shop with a Cop, D.A.R.E., Hunter Safety class, and Junior Law Enforcement. All the money we are raising goes back to the kids in Lumpkin County. Gold Rush brings in people from all over. It helps our local businesses and helps us to connect with other places and people. It’s the relationships that you build, the camaraderie that you grow, and brings people back from all areas. Thousands upon thousands of people come here.” – Christina Wise, Sheriff’s Office Employee.