City of Helen Georgia – White County GA

33rd Annual Hogpen Hill Climb

Get geared up for the 33rd Annual Hogpen Hill Climb in Helen, Georgia on January 21, 2012. This Run and See Georgia Grand Prix event starts at Unicoi State Park in Helen, Georgia with the Piglet Run, a 5K run at 10 AM and the Hogpen Hill Climb, a 17K run at 12 Noon. The Hogpen Hill Climb is said to be one of the toughest races in North America with over 2500 feet of climbing over the 17K course.

Awards for the overall male and female of each race plus the top 3 finishers of each age group will be given at the post race award ceremony at 4:30 PM at the Unicoi Lodge. All participants will receive a long sleeve shirt.

Registration fees for the Piglet Run are: early – $25, regular – $30, student – $20.
Registration fees for the Hogpen Hill Climb are: early – $30, regular – $40, student – $20.
Early registration ends on January 13, 2012.

Check in and registration begin at 8 AM at the Unicoi State Park Lodge.

This event is being brought to you by Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia and Georgia Runners Magazine. For more information and to register, visit runthehogpen.org.

2011 Wearable Art Fashion Show

Make plans to attend the Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts 3rd annual Wearable Art Fashion Show in Helen, Georgia on September 17, 2011. This fashion show will be held at Bernies Restaurant and Nacoochee Valley Guest House from 12 Noon to 1:30 PM. See needlework and jewelry from artists all around Atlanta, Georgia as well as the Northeast Georgia mountains.

Admission is $24 per person and lunch will be provided by Bernie’s. The luncheon and show will begin at 12:30 PM.

The menu for lunch is as follows:

Cantaloupe with port wine, a cold soup
Salad with your choice of grilled chicken or shrimp, dressing on the side
Muffin or scone
Indian Summer dessert
Tea and water
Wine will be available for an extra fee

This is a fundraiser that will benefit Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts. For more information and to make reservations, call 706-892-1033.

Bernie’s Restaurant and  Nacoochee Valley Guest House
2220 Georgia 17
Helen, GA

2011 Sautee Jamboree

The Sautee Nacoochee Center in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia is hosting the 6th annual Sautee Jamboree on September 23 and 24, 2011. This 2 day music festival will feature many bands with diverse talents, some making their debut and some who are back for repeat performances. Headlining the event will be Wet Willie who is most famous for their song “Keep on Smilin’”, a hit that reached #10 on the Billboard charts in 1974.

Bands performing in the festival are:

WET WILLIE
SOL DRIVEN TRAIN
MICHELLE MALONE
LARKIN POE
THE MOSIER BROTHERS
SHOVELS AND ROPE
LEFTY WILLIAMS
DAVIN McCOY
AMERICAN ANODYNE
INSONNIA
HOMEGROWN REVIVAL
CARLY GIBSON

Free primitive camping will be available on site. Campers may start setting up on Friday, September 23 at 12 Noon.

Free parking for the event will be limited, however, there will be plenty of parking around the site for $5 per car.

Bring blankets and lawn chairs for the show. There will be plenty of food and drink available for sale. No coolers will be allowed inside the venue.

Tickets are $46 per person, $40 per person for SNCA members. The box office opens at 5 PM on Friday, September 23 and again Saturday morning, September 24 at 10 AM. For more information, call 706-878-3300.

Sautee Nacoochee Community Association
283 Highway 255 N
Sautee Nacoochee, GA

Women for the Woods

Women learn wilderness skills with this class for women that is taught by women at Smithgall Woods State Park in Helen, Georgia on September 10, 2011 starting at 8 AM. Learn shooting a bow, fishing, orienteering which tests your skills of reading a map and using a compass, and much more.

Registration forms are available at the park. Fee for this class is $65 plus a $5 camping, and a $5 parking fee. For more information, call 706-878-3087.

Smithgall Woods State Park
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, GA

Freshwater Wetland Workshop

Georgia WetlandsLearn all about freshwater wetlands in this workshop given by Adopt a Wetland (AAW) at Smithgall Woods State Park in Helen, Georgia on August 27, 2011 from 9 AM to 12 PM. You will be taught the threats and importance of freshwater wetland systems and how to identify hydric soils and plants. This will give you knowledge to help protect and promote wetland conservation.

Parking is $5. For more information, call 706-878-3087.

Smithgall Woods State Park
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, GA

Folk Life Festival

Unicoi State Park in Helen, Georgia is taking you back to a simpler time with the Folk Life Festival on July 29 and 30, 2011. Begin the celebration of the good ol’ days on Friday evening at 8 PM with live Appalachian Mountain music. There will be mountain crafts like butter churning and candle dipping along with family games of egg tosses and sack races. Saturday evening brings an old fashioned square dance to conclude the celebration. 

There is a $5 parking fee. For more information, call 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Unicoi State Park is located at:
1788 Highway 356
Helen, GA

Gold Fever

Learn about the history of gold mining in Georgia at Smithgall Woods in Helen, Georgia on August 6, 2011 from 9 AM to 2 PM. A presentation on cultural influences that led up to the “Gold Rush” in Georgia in 1828 will begin the day. There will be a hike on Martin Mine Trail to educate you on the effects gold mining left on the land. Local historians will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for parking. Please register in advance. For more information, call 706-878-3087.

Smithgall Woods is located at:
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, GA