Rabun County is a very popular destination for vacationers and the upcoming days will offer those visitors and locals even more than the traditional excitement.
From Wednesday, July 3, through Sunday, July 7, an abundance of opportunities are available to enjoy America’s birthday.
Independence Day festivities locally will include food, entertainment, movie, music, parades, fireworks, rubber duck race and two road races.
Wednesday, July 3:
-Lake Rabun Association Golf Tournament will be at Orchard Golf and Country Club in Clarkesville from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year the golf tourney is an afternoon event.
Independence Day, July 4:
-12 Spies Vineyards will have live music from Eduardo Cautino from 1-5 p.m. Cautino interprets blues, jazz and popular music classics. The vineyards is located at 550 Black Branch Rd., Rabun Gap.
-Stonewall Creek Vineyards will have live music by Bryant Tench from 2-5 p.m. Tench’s songs are described as “stripped-down, character-driven narratives, blending original music with an ample dose of covers.” The vineyards is at 323 Standing Deer Lane, Tiger.
-Tiger Mountain Vineyards on “Red, White & Freedom Blue Day” will have an offer of buy two glasses of wine and get a free blueberry wine slushie.
-The Dillard House will hold its annual cookout from 5:30-8 p.m. Patrons can enjoy a special cookout menu, plus live entertainment brought by Hunter Grayson from Athens, Ga., for listening and dancing. In 2018, Grayson was awarded the Georgia Country “Male Artist” and “Overall Artist of the Year.” He also has been featured on the television reality show, “Farmer Wants a Wife.”
-The City of Dillard fireworks display starts at dusk. The annual highly anticipated fireworks show can be seen from Dillard and Rabun Gap.
Friday, July 5:
-Tiger Mountain Vineyards will have a “Flatbread Pizza Special.” Buy any bottle of wine and a flatbread, and get a margherita flatbread free.
-The Tallulah Gorge State Park will host “Bear”ly Triathlon, starting at 9 a.m. This is a family event on the Short-line/McKay Trail as people can ride a bike/big wheel/scooter; walk/jog/run; and wade across the Tallulah River at a shallow spot. The event is a loop and ends where the event began. Remember to bring helmets and towels and each family receives a prize. Pre-registration is required. Admission is $15 and parking is $5. Contact the park at 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd., Tallulah Falls, at 706-754-7981.
-The Sky Valley Property Owners Pancake Breakfast will be from 8-10 a.m. at the Sky Valley Country Club Pavilion.
-The Sky Valley Rubber Duck Race will begin after registration when all 500 ducks for the children are in the water. Registration is at the Walking Trail Bridge at 10 a.m. The fastest swimming ducks receive prizes.
-The Sky Valley Grand Parade starts at Tahoe Lane at 11:45 a.m. and ends at the Sky Valley Park. There are prizes for parade entries and the Grandstand Master of Ceremony will announce the parade entries.
-In Sky Valley, Sid Weber Cancer Fund BBQ will have pick up for BBQ dinners at the Sky Valley Country Club pavilion between 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets are going fast and are available at various spots in Sky Valley and in Dillard, and also on the Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund website sidwebercancerfund.org. Bring your own lawn chairs.
-Sky Valley fireworks will be on display over the lake by the golf course at dark.
-The Seed Lake Fireworks Show will start at 9 p.m. Funding for the event comes from the residents as the money pays for the fireworks and fire boat that will be on scene to help keep everyone safe. The fireworks can be viewed by boat or limited shoreline locations.
-Lake Rabun fireworks will be on display at the Dike at dusk at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Friday, July 5 & Saturday, July 6:
-At Rabun Arena, the Bar W Rodeo will be at the 100 East Boggs Mountain Rd. arena at 8 p.m. each night. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be bought in advance online at eventbrite.com or at the gate for adults at $20; children ages 5-10 for $10; and free for children under the age of 4. Only cash will be accepted at the gate.
Saturday, July 6:
-The Rabun Ramble Road Race starts at 7:30 a.m. The 5K and 10K races begin and end at the Lake Rabun Pavilion. For more information about the $35 race, go to the Rabun Ramble website at rabunramble.com.
-The 38th annual Lake Burton Fun Run is a two-mile event for running entrants may register online at www.lakeburtonfunrun.com as the run begins at Moccasin Creek State Park in Clarkesville and goes to LaPrade’s Marina. The $35 race begins at 9 a.m. and hay rides/shuttles start at approximately 7:45 a.m. to take runners from LaPrade’s up to the starting line. Email lakeburtonfunrun@gmail.com for more information.
-Tiger Mountain Vineyards will hold an “Exclusive Ticketed Party” that features live music from 2-5 p.m.; a free keepsake Tiger Mountain Vineyards Stemless Wine Glass; an oversized pour of selected wines; along with flatbread and charcuterie stations. A special barbecue menu also is available.
-Lake Rabun The BBQ and Bluegrass festival will be held from 6-10 p.m. Dinner provided by Twin Smokers from 6-7:30 p.m. with music by The Foxfire Boys. Tickets are required for dinner and the dance is open to all Lake Rabun Association members and guests.
-Black Rock Mountain State Park July 4th Celebration will be from 4-6 p.m. at Black Rock Mountain State Park. See what fun craft ideas you can come up with using just air-dry clay and natural materials found around the park. Whether you decide to craft your own critter, a plant print ornament, or something totally different and unique, the possibilities are endless. Meet at the Mellinger Center. Along with the Fourth-themed crafts, line dancing at the park will be led by Sam Joedicke, with plenty of time to make it to fireworks in town afterwards. Parking at the park is $5.
-In Tallulah Falls, each Saturday through October will be the “Saturday Night Bluegrass Jam” held in “downtown” Tallulah Falls Main Street. Bring lawn chairs to watch and instruments to join in with the playing. The music starts at 6 p.m. and usually ends around 9 p.m. The event features a bonfire.
-The Tiger Drive-In will hold its annual fireworks and movie event at the 2956 Old 441 South, Tiger, location. The gates open at 7 p.m. as the movie “Despicable Me 4” starts at 9:30 p.m. with the fireworks show right before the beginning of the movie. The playground for children and concession stand will be available.
-The Lake Burton Independence Day Fireworks Show will be at dusk at 9:30 p.m. from South End of Billy Goat Island, Lake Burton. People can view the fireworks by boat or from a boathouse. The fireworks is a community-sponsored event with the suggested donation of $100 per family. Details available at lakeburtonfireworks.com.
Sunday, July 7:
-The Lake Rabun Wooden Boat Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. In 2022, Rabun County was named by the state legislature as the “Wooden Boat Capital of Georgia.” The parade starts at Mathis Dam and will be led by Admiral Thad Warren.
-Tiger Mountain Vineyards will hold a “Sunday Brunch” as the menu is put together by Executive Chef Brian Legault. Seating will be available at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. In accordance with local regulations, alcohol cannot be served until 12:30 p.m.
-The Lake Burton Ski Patrol Salute to America starts at 11:30 a.m. as eight skiers at a time water ski with American flags around the edge of the lake. The Patriots begin and end the show in Magness Cove by Billy Goat Island.