Dahlonega’s historic Gold Rush Days Festival will take place Oct. 18-19 in downtown Dahlonega. The weekend is filled with local vendors and events from North Georgia.

This year’s Gold Rush Days Festival will be the city’s 71st celebration of the event. The event celebrates the rich gold mining history that was established in Dahlonega in the 1840s, marking the beginning of the American Gold Rush.

The festival will open with the annual 5 K, for which you can sign up on their website. Over 300 vendors will be open throughout the festival, offering a variety of local goods. There will also be pie-eating contests, Gold Rush King and Queen crowning and the opening day parade on Saturday. 

Admission to the festival is free for all attendees, which includes live music, access to street vendors and the parade. However, specific competitions and activities will require a purchase. 

The Gold Rush Days festival serves as a fundraising event for Lumpkin County residents, with 100% of proceeds supporting the community. 

For more information and the official schedule of events, visit the Gold Rush Days Festival website or Facebook.