Although it feels like a world away, Kells Creek is located just a short distance from downtown Ellijay, in Gilmer County, Georgia.

Gilmer County abounds in wildlife and natural beauty. Swimming, boating, fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, etc. are available on the lakes and 300 miles of streams.

Known as Georgia's Apple Capital, Ellijay hosts the annual Apple Festival Arts & Crafts Fair every October. Ellijay boasts many one-of-a-kind antique and specialty shops.

For more information see Local Calendar and Links!

Year-Round
All local antique and gift shops, plus many really good area restaurants, are open all year and welcome visitors. Cabin rentals stay busy during the winter months too, especially Valentine Day's week and when the Atlanta weather people predict snow. Folks like to snuggle by a warm fire. The mountains are still gorgeous when the trees are bare! Hiking is a great cold weather activity offering views not available in the warmer months. Whitepath Golf Course is open 12 months. Local outfitters even provide wet suits for the 'polar bear kayaking' down the river. In early spring the mountains put on a dazzling show featuring wild azaleas, mountain laurel, dogwood and native trees. And, of course summer and fall are spectacular!

Winter - Late Fall
BEST Series
Ellijay Elementary School Auditorium Stage
Info: 706-635-5605
GAHA (Gilmer Arts & Heritage Assocation) presents the BEST Series (Bringing Ellijay Sensational Talent). Professional stage and musical performances from world renowned performers.

May
American Cancer Society Relay For Life
Downtown Ellijay
An overnight fund-raising event that celebrates cancer survivors. Call 706-278-1960 for more info.

Memorial Day Weekend
Annual Antique Car Show
Downtown Ellijay
Car judging, ribbons, food and craft vendors. "Cruise in" on the square. Street dance. More activities and other car show dates are still being planned.

May - December
Tthroughout Ellijay and Gilmer County
In late spring, about the time the apple trees are blooming, many of the apple houses open, with fresh spring and summer vegetables, homemade jams, jellies, preserves, pickles and good old fashioned fried pies. Beginning in September, luscious varieties of (professionally) home grown apples, ciders, local crafts and fall harvest vegetables are in abundance seven days a week. Visitors come from all over the country to buy delicious Ellijay apples!

Visit Apple Orchard Alley - Eleven of the county's 18 apple orchards are spread across the picturesque valley along State Highway 52 east (south on River Street from the square). Other orchards dot the county's valleys & hillsides. Pick up a map at Ellijay Antiques, 66 North Main Street, downtown Ellijay or the Chamber Office, facing 515 in East Ellijay.

July 3th, 2004
Old Fashioned Red, White and Blue Hometown America Celebration
A happy downtown celebration! All shops open saluting our heritage. Parade, food, arts & crafts, vendors on the square, family entertainment, duck race, music and great fireworks!

August 17–21, 2004
Appalachian Regional Fair
The Ellijay Lions Club presents an Old Timey County Fair, complete with Midway Rides, Food, Display booths, Contests, Vegetables, Crafts, Farmers market, Flower Show, Livestock, Local & Regional Talent. Info call: 706-635-7400 or 706-276-2501

Sept. 18, 19, & 25, 26, 2004
Hillcrest Orchards Apple Pickin' Jubilee
9696 Hwy. 52 E., Ellijay, Georgia 30540
Phone: 706-273-3838
Fax: 706-273-3888
Pick your own apples, wagon rides, playground, pig races, moonshine museum, entertainment, food, corn maze, petting farm and pony rides. Hillcrest Orchards, Hwy. 52 East. $5.00 admission 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

October 9th, 10th, & 16th, 17th, 2004
Georgia Apple Festival
Producing 600,000 bushels of apples each fall, Ellijay/Gilmer County is Georgia's Apple Capital, so it's only natural that the 2nd and 3rd weekends of October each year, people from all over the nation come to Ellijay to celebrate the apple. Handmade arts and crafts, homegrown entertainment, and plain old fun, combine with every apple product imaginable to make the weekends a family adventure. Throw in the colorful fall leaves, crisp mountain air, sky-blue days, and star-studded nights and you'll want to visit again and again. Sponsored by the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce and the Ellijay Lions Club, the festivities include a car show and a parade. Buses run every few minutes to downtown Ellijay for more vendors and great shopping.

October 9th, 10th, & 16th, 17th, 2004
Art & Crafts on the Square
Downtown Ellijay
Sponsored by DEMA (Dedicated Ellijay Merchants Association). Craft and food vendors, artists and family fun. Downtown antique and gift shops are overstocked and look forward to visitors for these weekends.

October 2004 (every weekend)
The Cherry Log Festival
For four weekends each October, the community of Cherry Log, just north of Ellijay, celebrates the harvest with their festival.

Fall Folliage
Middle - Late October & Sometimes the First Week of November
Beautiful leaf color throughout the region. Cabins book months in advance. Crisp mountain air, pristine fall days and a breath taking scenic show put on by Mother Nature!

October 31, 2004
Trick-or-Treat on the Square
Sponsored by DEMA, costume contest, Jack O'Lantern contest and much more, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

Thanksgiving 2004 Weekend
Hometown Holidays & Light Up Ellijay
Downtown Ellijay merchants make shopping fun with sales, refreshments and door prizes followed by old fashioned lights, caroling and decorations. More details are still being planned for this year.

December
Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees is held during the month of December at the Gilmer County Library. This popular community event is organized and hosted by Friends of the Library. Local businesses and civic organizations provide and decorate theme trees for viewing by the public. An Opening Celebration Night is held during the first week of December.

• About North Georgia
  Gateway to all things North Georgia, including recommendations for drives, hiking trails, state parks, and more.
• Fall Georgia Festivals
  Overview of the state's many fall festivals, including the Georgia Apple Festival.
• Georgia Trails: Ellijay
  More than a dozen local hiking trails.
• Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce
  Information-packed guide to Gilmer County.
• Mountain Travel Guide: Gilmer County, Georgia
  Good starting point for info on outdoor activities.
• Native Americans in North Georgia
  Extensive information and links to Native American tribes of North Georgia, including the Creek and the Cherokee.
• Weather Channel: Ellijay, Georgia
  Current and forecast weather for Ellijay.

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