Gold Rush Days festival brings crowds and fun

By Cannon Crompton & Matt Aiken / The Nugget  ---------------  The Rush returned to downtown Dahlonega last weekend. And it lived up to its name.
“It was a fabulous event,” said Dahlonega City Council Member Ross Shirley on Monday. “… It was a terrific weekend I think and it was thoroughly enjoyed by our visitors.”
From Friday night to Sunday afternoon the 68th Annual Gold Rush Days Festival brought thousands to the square.
Dathan Harbert, head of the Board of Directors for Gold Rush Days Festival, Inc, said the crowd was especially impressive during the Saturday parade.
“This year we had spectators stretch all the way from Wells Fargo to West Cleaners enjoying the parade,” said Harbert.
The procession was led by the 2022 Gold Rush grand marshal, Brigette Barker, as well as the Gold Rush king and queen, Leon and Doris Moss.
Before the parade, the king of queen were officially crowned and the grand marshal was honored.
“The crowning of the king and queen and the grand marshal presentation shows off the incredible people we have in our town,” said Harbert.
Saturday’s events also included a beard growing and hog calling competition and an old-time fashion show. Also, performances from GA Pick and Bow’s Bells and Whistles and Radford Windham and Step Back Cadillac with The Band on the Train.
At the beard growing competition, the winner had a beard down to his knees. Harbert said “it was epic.”
Local artist Chelsey Lawrence, who creates quirky works under the name Uncommon Opossum, had a booth at the fest alongside many other artists. She said her works reflect her hometown.
“I’m really inspired by the North Georgia mountains. I grew up here, I’m born and raised in Dahlonega,” said Lawrence. “All my art is really inspired by where I was born and raised.”
On Sunday, events such as a cross-cut saw competition and an arm-wrestling contest took place. Groups such as Team Bell and Friends Gospel and Synergy and Sole Impulse Dance Studio performed to close out one of the busiest weekends of the year in Dahlonega.
Harbert said that the crosscut saw competition was a “big crowd pleaser.”
And he added that 2022 Gold Rush Days was a fantastic weekend.
“The weather was amazing and there was a huge crowd of visitors,” said Harbert. “The local businesses and restaurants were very busy and our local vendors had very a successful weekend. It was a very enjoyable weekend seeing everyone in town enjoying good music/entertainment and seeing families make memories.”
It was all for a good cause as well since the proceeds from Gold Rush Days Festival booth fees, parade entries and T-shirt sales all go the the Empty Stocking Christmas Fund.
“Dahlonega is a special place,” said Harbert.  “And I think this past weekend really showcased how great our town is.”