The annual Sorghum in the Mountains Festival will return in just a few weeks’ time, and organizers of the syrup-sopped local tradition are excited to be hosting the festival’s second year under new management.
Always the second and third weekends in October, the 2026 offering promises all the beloved activities of festivals past: contests like Pole Climbin’ and Biskit Eatin’; an awesome lineup of area musicians; over a hundred vendors; and, of course, syrup-makin’ at the pan in Meeks Park.
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North Georgia News — serving Union County since 1909.
Also returning is the Sorghum Parade through Downtown Blairsville, which will feature the usual tried-and-true community participation showcasing the Appalachian culture and heritage of Union County. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, the first day of the festival.
Spectators are advised that the parade route will be changing this year due to construction impacts from the City of Blairsville’s Blue Ridge Street Improvement Project, which will close the roundabout exit to Blue Ridge Street, where the parade normally turns, later this month.
The parade will begin as always at the Old Middle School Gym staging area of 371 School Circle, but instead of embarking on School Circle, the line of floats will take England Street south to Kimsey Street and go past the Tan Yard Branch Apartments to get on Cleveland Street.
From there, the parade will travel north to the square, where most people watch the procession. Halfway around the Old Courthouse, the parade will exit onto Pat Haralson Memorial Drive before turning right on Young Harris Street and heading back to the start via School Circle.
Festival Co-Chair Kim Bridges said that, once again, the parade will welcome participation by all – individuals, churches, schools, nonprofits, businesses, etc. – to build floats, ride through in classic cars, drive tractors, or simply sign up to walk as a group.
Participation is free, and pre-registration is not necessary. People can just show up at the staging area on the day of the parade, though arrival by 8:30 a.m. that Saturday is highly recommended to be considered for judging in the Float Contest.
Cash prizes for the Top Three float designs will be awarded by the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce, with winning designs to be selected based on who best matches the theme, “Sweet Sorghum Goodness.”
Have parade questions? Call Kim Bridges at 706-781-8711. And for more general information, visit https://www.sorghuminthemountains.com/.
