Gold Rush Days are always held the third full weekend in October. It is a time for thousands to come and see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event. It is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visit over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement!

The Gold Rush Days Festival has been voted one of the Top 20 Events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. Join us in downtown Dahlonega on October 17-18, 2015 and you will see why!

2015 Gold Rush Days Festival Schedule

Festival Booths will open at 9am and close at 5:30 pm both days. Unless otherwise noted, the events below will take place on the Gold Rush Main Stage, located in front of the Visitors Center. Thanks to our friends at Gold Rush Jeeps for being this year's Main Stage Sponsor (www.goldrushjeeps.com).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH
8:00 - Gold Rush 5K, sponsored by the Dahlonega Rotary - UNG Memorial Hall
(https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Dahlonega/GoldRush5K)
9:00 - Festival Opens
10:00 – Beard Growing Contest and Hog Calling Contest
10:30 –Gold City Squares (square dancing)
11:00 – Old Time Fashion Show
11:15 – Balloon Toss
12:00 –T.W. Holeman Music Group (Southern Gospel)
1:15 – Liars Contest (short stories/tall tales)
2:00 – King & Queen Coronation
2:15 – Chattanooga Choo Choos (Clogging)
3:00 – Gold Rush Parade
GOLD RUSH CONCERT (sponsored by RefrigiWear)
4:45 – 6:00 –Radford Windham & Step Back Cadillac
6:30 – 8:00 – Ugly Cousin (www.reverbnation.com/uglycousin)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH
9:30 – Bluegrass Sunday
10:15 – Coley (Christian Acoustic Singer/Songwriter - www.njcoley.com)
11:00 – Threadbare Skivvies (Folk Band - www.thethreadbareskivvies.com)
12:00 – Cross-Cut Saw Competition
1:00 – Carpet Capital Cloggers Performance
1:30 – Synergy Cloggers Performance (National Champions)
2:30 – Wrist Wrestling Competition

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH
Gold Panning Championships
(located on the Gold Museum Lawn)
9:00 – Registration Opens
11:00- 3rd Annual Gold Rush Open
The 53rd Annual World Open Gold Panning Championship will start following intermission.
*Details at registration*
[www.consolidatedgoldmine.com]

**All Day Both Days - Free Water Station, Gift Basket Drawing, Baby Comfort Area, Games for Children, Face Painting, Live Music (Country Gospel, Gospel, and Contemporary Christian Music) - sponsored by Dahlonega Baptist Church (Hancock Park)**

Be sure to 'LIKE' The Dahlonega Jaycees on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DahlonegaJaycees) for more Gold Rush Festival information and updates.

**THANK YOU ALL for your continued support of the Gold Rush Days Festival, the Dahlonega Jaycees, and this wonderful community that we proudly call home! Your support makes such a difference!**