HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Every August, the shores of Lake Chatuge come alive with the sights, sounds and flavors that have made the Georgia Mountain Fair a summer tradition for generations. This year, visitors will find everything from one of the hottest new stars in country music to legendary performers, carnival rides, mountain crafts and enough fair food to satisfy every craving.
“It’s a tradition,” Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds General Manager Hilda Thomason said during a recent appearance on Now Georgia’s community podcast, Now We’re Talking. “Our whole purpose for being in business is to promote tourism in the North Georgia mountains and the Western North Carolina area.”
The 2026 Georgia Mountain Fair officially runs Aug. 14-22, but the festivities begin a day early with a special kickoff concert featuring American Idol winner Hannah Harper.
Landing one of Harper’s first major tour stops wasn’t easy.
Thomason said she had unsuccessfully tried to book the rising star herself before local bluegrass musician and promoter Edgar Loudermilk secured one of Harper’s final available dates before she signed with William Morris Endeavor. That gave the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds a rare opportunity to bring one of country music’s newest sensations to Hiawassee just months after her television victory.
The Aug. 13 concert offers more than just music. Carnival rides will already be operating that evening, allowing families to enjoy the midway before the fair officially opens the following day. Loudermilk and his band will open the show before Harper takes the stage.
Once the fair begins, the music doesn’t slow down.
Opening day features Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits before country superstar Vince Gill arrives for what has become one of the fair’s hottest tickets. Gill’s Aug. 15 performance sold out so quickly that fair officials added a second concert the following night. Thomason said the additional show has already sold more than 2,600 tickets, and Gill will perform each night with his full band for nearly three hours.
The week continues with Joe Nichols in concert on Aug. 20. The following night, Randy Travis’ emotional More Life Tour takes the stage. It features Travis soundalike James Dupré performing alongside Travis’ original band while the country legend appears on stage. Contemporary Christian music artist Crowder closes out the fair on Aug. 22. Thomason expects another sellout for Crowder, who has packed Anderson Music Hall during previous appearances.
A mountain tradition
While the nightly concerts draw thousands, Thomason says the Georgia Mountain Fair has always been about much more than music.
The 161-acre fairgrounds transform into a celebration of Appalachian heritage. Visitors can wander through a working Pioneer Village where blacksmiths, quilters, soap makers and woodworkers demonstrate traditional mountain crafts. A restored one-room schoolhouse, historic mountain home and mercantile store offer a glimpse into life in the 1800s, while photography exhibits, a state-judged flower show, antique farm museum and dozens of arts and crafts vendors showcase the region’s creativity and history.
Throughout the day, live entertainment fills stages across the grounds, and family-friendly attractions such as Puppy Pals performances and strolling entertainers keep children engaged between rides and exhibits.
One of the week’s signature events returns the first Saturday of the fair when the Georgia Mountain Fair Parade rolls through Hiawassee. Marching bands, antique cars, horses, floats and veterans will make their way through downtown Hiawassee beginning at 11 a.m. on Aug. 15. American Idol finalist Brayden Rummfelt is this year’s grand marshal. More than $10,000 in prize money will be awarded to parade entries, and churches, businesses and community groups are invited to participate.
Fair food and future acts
Of course, no fair would be complete without the food.
Thomason admits she still hears requests for the fair’s famous smoked trout dinners that were once prepared by volunteers, but visitors will still find plenty to tempt their appetites. Brown’s Barbecue returns with brisket and homemade sides, while new vendors will offer home-cooked meals, wraps and salads. Fair favorites including funnel cakes, fried Oreos, kettle corn, cotton candy, candy apples and homemade Georgia Mountain ice cream will also be waiting just inside the gates.
Admission remains one of the fair’s biggest bargains. Entry is $10 for adults, children 12 and younger are admitted free, and anyone purchasing a concert ticket receives fair admission that same day. Discounted carnival ride passes are available before opening day. To purchase them online, CLICK HERE.
Upcoming concerts and events
Even after the fair ends, the calendar at Anderson Music Hall remains full. Thomason highlighted upcoming events including the Labor Day Weekend Pro Rodeo, the Bubbles & Boots Mimosa Festival, ZZ Top, Tanya Tucker, Blackberry Smoke, the Oak Ridge Boys, Halloween festivities in Pioneer Village and the annual Mountain Country Christmas celebration.
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds is located at 1311 Music Hall Road in Hiawassee, Georgia.
For more information, visit georgiamountainfairgrounds.com or call 706-896-4191. They’re open between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week.
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