AUGUST EVENT CALENDAR – divided by region
For an online calendar, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events. You can also become a fan on Facebook to receive the latest news or follow us on Twitter.
NORTHERN GEORGIA
Visiting Artist Series at Unicoi
Saturdays, August 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sundays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 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.
Appalachian Jam
Saturdays, August 7, 14, 21 and 28, 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.
Saturday Evening Concert Series
Saturdays, August 7, 14, 21 and 28, 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.
Witch’s Head Excursion
Saturday, August 14, 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.
Youth Fishing Days at Buck Shoals
Saturday, August 21, 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.
Gold Fever
Saturday, August 21, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Park – Helen
Gold mining is a fascinating part of the history of Smithgall Woods and the surrounding area. Hear more about the history of gold mining with a local historian as well as the geology of the area, then hike the Martin Mine Trail. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.
Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike
Tuesday, August 24, 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 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.
Wilderness Survival Weekend
Saturday, August 28 through Sunday, August 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge – Dawsonville
This weekend will be sprinkled with basic skills classes suitable for the whole family. No registration required for programs. $5 parking. (706) 265.1969.
COASTAL GEORGIA
Fort McAllister Photo Contest
August 1-31
Fort McAllister Historic Park – Richmond Hill
Be a part of the 2010 Photo Contest at Fort McAllister. Take photos of the fort or nature scenes around the park. Click here to find out how to participate. $5 parking. (912) 727-2339.
Cathead Creek to Darien Canoe Excursion
Saturday, August 7, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 21, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fort King George Historic Site – Darien
Paddle through old rice canals and experience wildlife at its best. See nature’s beauty in the bloom and enjoy the trip into Historic Darien. We will land at Skipper’s Dock. $25.00 per person. Includes canoes, life jackets, and paddles. Participants are responsible for their own food/water, bug spray and other amenities. (912) 437-4770.
Georgia’s First Fourth
Saturday, August 7 through Sunday, August 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wormsloe Historic Site – Savannah
Hear the reading of the Declaration of Independence as it is read in the town of Savannah in August of 1776. Participate in the debate to declare independence or to remain loyal to the king. See musket firings, the hanging of a tax collector, the forming of the militia, and more. $3.50 – $5 (912) 353 – 3023.
Tools and Skills that Built a Colony
Saturday, August 28 through Sunday, August 29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wormsloe Historic Site – Savannah
See craft demonstrations such as woodworking, blacksmithing, cooking, weaving, flint knapping, leatherworking, woodsman skills, pewter casting and more. $3.50 – $5 (912) 353-3023.
SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA
Georgia Veterans Memorial Triathlon and Duathlon
Saturday, August 14, 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Georgia Veterans State Park – Cordele
Racers can participate in a triathlon, a half-mile swim in Lake Blackshear, a 13.6-mile bike race and a 3.1-mile run, or a duathlon, which drops the half-mile swim. Registration fee plus $5 parking. (229) 273-1668.
Astronomy Night
Saturday, August 14, 9 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Georgia Veterans State Park – Cordele
A night of exploring the heavens, featuring the Perseid meteor shower and planet and star watching until midnight. $1 plus $5 parking. (229) 276-2371.
Panola Mountain State Park
METRO ATLANTA
Sunday Afternoon Fly Fishing Clinic
Sunday, August 1, 2 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Casting is the backbone of this clinic; however, if time permits will also cover equipment, knot tying, and safety issues and other tricks of the trade. Master Instructor C. H. Brown suggests wearing long pants/shorts and hiking shoes, and bringing snacks, water and sun lotion. Georgia fishing license required. Register in advance. $15 or $12 with own gear. $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Mountain Top Adventure Hike
Sundays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
These guided hikes depart from Panola’s nature center and are for people in good physical condition. This hike allows visitors to see Panola Mountain up close, as a ranger explains why the mountain is protected and what we can do to preserve granite outcrops. Bring sturdy shoes, water, bug spray and your camera. Rain or shine. Meeting at the nature center. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Tree Rubbings
Sundays, August 1, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Red Top Mountain State Park – Cartersville
Meet near the tennis courts at the Visitor Center for tree rubbing crafts, and learn how to identify trees by their bark and leaves. This activity is great for all ages. Show up anytime between 1 and 2 p.m. to participate. $5 parking. (770) 975-0055.
Frog Slog
Tuesdays, August 3, 10, 17 and 31, 6 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Investigate wetlands and streams in search of frogs and salamanders. Be prepared to get wet, muddy, and bring a flashlight and headlamp, nets, seines and buckets. Meet in the Alexander Lake parking area. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Twilight Hike
Thursdays, August 5, 12, 19 and 26, 7 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Join a park ranger on this guided hike when the days are long, and the temperatures cool just before sunset. This is the time when wildlife is most active. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Mountain Top Night Hike
Saturday, August 7, 7 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Listen to whippoorwills and owls as the sun slowly sets and the moon begins to rise. Panola Mountain is one of the best places to see the wildlife of the night. Bring flashlights and hiking boots. Meet at the nature center 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Mountain Music Series
Saturdays, August 7, 14, 21 and 28, 7 p.m.
Red Top Mountain State Park – Cartersville
Bring your instrument or just come listen. Open jam is from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., open stage is 6 – 8 p.m. and bluegrass concerts are at 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and have fun with the whole family. $5 parking. (770) 975-0055.
New Manchester History Hike
Saturdays, August 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs
This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead us to the five story ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek Valley. This Historian or Ranger-led hike will include going inside the impressive mill ruins and seeing the lovely whitewater rapids (both providing great photo opportunities). $2-$3 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
Mountain Top Adventure Hike
Sunday, August 8, 2 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
These guided hikes depart from Panola’s nature center and are for people in good physical condition. This hike allows visitors to see Panola Mountain up close, as a ranger explains why the mountain is protected and what we can do to preserve granite outcrops. Bring sturdy shoes, water, bug spray and your camera. Rain or shine. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Volunteer Orientation
Sunday, August 8, 2 p.m. 10 a.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Share you passion with others as you advance your skills and talent. Use this orientation training as a foundation to introduce you to what you need to do to become a volunteer and enhance your volunteer experience at Panola Mountain. Meet at the nature center. Please arrive 30 minutes before this orientation. $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Lost Person Prevention
Saturday, August 14, 10 a.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Learn simple techniques for not getting lost and keeping track of your family when venturing into the great outdoors of Georgia. Search and Rescue Dog Team will be joining the class unless a SAR activity is occurring. Meeting at the nature center. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Basic Fly Fishing Clinic
Saturday, August 14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
The two-hour clinic covers equipment, knot tying, casting, safety issues and other tricks of the trade. If time permits participants may stay to catch the “Fish of Fish.” Instructors C. H. Brown and Michael Reilley suggest wearing long pants/shorts and hiking shoes, and bringing snacks, water and sun lotion. Georgia fishing license required. Register in advance. $15 or $12 with own gear. $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Introduction to Backpacking
Saturday, August 14, 2 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
This beginner’s class will take place in an outdoor classroom. This is a great introduction on how to prepare for backcountry hiking; what is essential, how to save weight, and what to leave at home. Meeting at the nature center. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Geology Hike
Saturday, August 14, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs
Geologist and “Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park” member John Johnston will lead a moderate 2-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. There will also be a visit inside the ruins of the Civil War era New Manchester Mill alongside the beautiful rapids of Sweetwater Creek. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
Saturday Mountain Hike
Saturday, August 21, 10 a.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
These guided hikes depart from Panola’s nature center and are for people in good physical condition. This hike allows park visitors to see Panola Mountain up close, as the Ranger explains the reasons Panola Mountain is protected, and what we can all do to preserve the natural beauty of granite outcrops. Bring sturdy shoes, water, bug spray, and your camera! The Panola Mountain hike starts at 10am and generally lasts 3-4 hours. Rain or shine. Call to register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Tree Top Excursions: Introduction Climb
Saturday, August 21, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Join us “on rope” for an adventure exploring the canopy above. This is an introductory climb to Canopy-Adventure-Research-Educational Technical Tree Climbing (CARE TTC). Participants will use rope and harness for this moderately strenuous activity. Register in advance. $15 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
“Ruins to Rapids” Full Moon Hike
Wednesday, August 25, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs
This 1.5 mile ranger-guided night hike is moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. The hike will continue if it is overcast but will be postponed until the following night if raining. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes. No children under 6 or dogs. Limited to 50 people; phone registration in advance required. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
Road Bike Ride
Saturday, August 28, 9 a.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Join us for a 41-mile ride with a 23-mile option. We will be highlighting the Arabia Mountain Path and gently traveled country roads of Rockdale, Dekalb and Henry counties. Meet at the Alexander Lake Parking Area. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $5 parking. (404) 375-6789.
Flintknapping
Saturday, August 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site – Cartersville
Did you ever wonder how an arrowhead is made? An expert flintknapper will demonstrate this ancient art form. See arrowheads, spear points and knives made before your eyes. $3.50 – $5.00 (770) 387-3747.
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