Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay 2024

Georgia Apple Festival gathers tens of thousands of apple lovers at Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds in Northern Georgia over October's second and third weekends. This fall festival offers apples galore, savory treats from local food vendors, and hand-made arts and crafts by 300 vendors in the historic Downtown Ellijay. Live music and kid-friendly activities are also on the schedule of events. Besides, the highlights include a 5K road race, a classic auto show, and a parade.

Festival Events

Known as the Apple Capital of Georgia, the city of Ellijay offers plethora of apple-themed activities, sure to satisfy any visitor. With a focus on family-friendly fun, both weekends of the event welcome visitors to try their hand at rock climbing or thrilling rides or hop on a festival train. Children might enjoy getting their face painted with themed drawings, as well as a delightful ride on one of the ponies or camels at the venue. The vendor section is the main attraction of the fest, with numerous sellers offering hand-made crafts and art pieces to decorate your home with. There's no shortage of food vendors either, with stalls putting up apple dumplings, Greek cuisine, funnel cakes and much more.

5K Road Race & Fun Run (October 12, 2024)

One of the traditions of the Georgia Apple Festival, the 5K race draws in hundreds of participants who wish to challenge their running capabilities. Besides the 5K edition, there is a one-mile race called the Fun Run. The route begins and ends at the Ellijay Elementary School near the City Hall. The 5K run is set to start at 8 am, while the one-mile race will take place at 8:45 am. After the awards ceremony at the school gym, children can participate in the annual Tot Trot. Participation fee costs $30 in advance for both events and $35 starting from September 12th.

Apple Arts Festival

To continue celebrating the apple harvest, stop by downtown Ellijay, where the fun continues with an even bigger selection of vendors and food stalls. Usually taking place during the same dates and hours as the Georgia Apple Festival, this extension of the event is completely free to attend and pet-friendly. Here, you have an opportunity to treat your taste buds to an exquisite menu of meals at the food court or buy a hand-crafted gift for your loved ones.

Schedule & Tickets

The Georgia Apple Festival annually takes place during the second and third weekend of October. The gates are open from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sundays. The parade is set to take place on October 12th at 10 am. Admission to the festival is $10 for adults and free for those who are 12 years old and under. The event takes place regardless of the weather. Entry with pets is prohibited.

Location

The main festival unfolds at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds near Vets Memorial Park and is surrounded by stunning landscapes of Gilmer County Parks. The Apple Arts Festival takes place in downtown Ellijay by the Downtown Ellijay Welcome Center. Ellijay is located about 76 miles (122 km) north of Atlanta, so you might get to the state's capital by car in slightly more than an hour.

History of the Festival

This fun-packed family festival runs thanks to the Ellijay Lions Club, the cities of Ellijay and East Ellijay, and the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce. It was first held in 1972 and has taken place annually, drawing about 25,000 attendees.