Dahlonega is one of the best little towns in the country. Some folks believe this iconic southern village is home to the best music, the most talented actors, the happiest restaurants and the hippy-est artists around.
Another of Dahlonega’s claims to fame is its proximity to the world-famous Appalachian Trail (AT), which begins on Springer Mountain, up above Amicalola Falls State Park.
Since 2011, Dahlonega has hosted an event each spring to let AT hikers know that we respect their hopes and dreams to hike 2,181 miles (give or take a few mountains) for the next five to eight months while living outdoors fighting off exhaustion, bugs, boredom and mice — even though we secretly think they’re insane to try.
Trail Fest is held around the first day of spring, which is Thursday, March 20th this year. Festivities begin on Friday evening March 14th and scurry through Sunday the 16th. Dandy bands are already signed up to perform and there will be a slew of hiking gear vendors. You might even see a pre-smelly thru-hiker or two!
Whether you call it “Spring on Springer” or “Trail Fest,” this gregarious gathering is the semi-official opening to the season when thru-hikers hike north to Maine’s Mt. Katahdin.
Don’t worry. You won’t have to hike to attend this popular Appalachian Trail festival. There’s plenty of parking near Hancock Park, where most of the fun takes place. Check out the links below for a listing of where films will be shown, speakers will speak, runners will run and hikers will rest. There’s something for everyone at Trail Fest.
Trail Fest organizers have put in a ton of work on their website or you can click on their Facebook page. Choose whichever one you like, but check out Trail Fest and make plans to join us in one of America’s coolest towns to send the latest flock of thru-hikers off with the Trail’s first party for 2014.
We’ll see you there.
Click Here for Pix from Trail Fest 2012
Click Here for Pix from Trail Fest 2013
Click Here for Trail Fest 2014’s Website
Click Here for Trail Fest 2014’s Facebook Page
