HIAWASSEE – This Saturday night, July 26, the sky above the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds will illuminate for the second year in a row with radiant beams of neon light dancing among the constellations.
The Fairgrounds Laser Light Show debuted last summer through the efforts of Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Fairgrounds General Manager Hilda Thomason, drawing about 3,000 attendees.
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“It went over huge last year,” Thomason said, adding that she anticipates an even larger crowd this time around. “We’re expecting 5,000 this year, so they need to come early.”
Admission begins at 5 p.m. and costs $10 per person, with free entry for children 12 and under.
Until the laser show begins at 9:45 p.m., families can walk through Eller Holler – the segment of the Fairgrounds closest to the waterwheel – and enjoy a foam pit, bounce house, cornhole, food trucks, local vendors and live music by Tru Youngblood and Juke Box Country.
Pre-show activities should wrap up by 9:30 p.m., giving attendees time to make their way to the ballfields for the main attraction: 30 minutes of laser patterns, shapes and animations streaking across the night sky.
LaserEncore, the Minnesota-based production company that partnered with the Fairgrounds last year, is returning for the surprise show this weekend. While details remain under wraps, Thomason promises guests an amazing night.
“It’ll be absolutely beautiful,” she said, reminding everyone to bring their own lawn chairs or alternative seating. “Just come out and have a whole big fun night here at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.”
Of course, the laser show is no small undertaking, and Thomason noted that it requires support from both the county and the local business community to pull off.
“Some (businesses) give us sponsorships to help pay for it,” she said. “If anybody else still wants to help sponsor it, we’re happy to advertise … and promote their business. (Sponsor names) will be on our website, on the big LED screen … and on our lighted sign at the highway.”
The Laser Light Show isn’t the only attraction coming to the Fairgrounds this summer, though. In celebration of the Georgia Mountain Fair’s 75th Anniversary, Thomason said the Fairgrounds will host a free public party in the Anderson Music Hall on Aug. 14.
The celebration kicks off at 7 p.m. with a live band, clogging, fiddling, cupcakes, fireworks, guest speakers and 75-cent carnival rides, which will open as early as 4 p.m. that Thursday.
The following day, Aug. 15, marks the start of the 75th Annual Fair, which runs through Aug. 23.
Before that, Curb Records recording artist Lee Brice will take the Music Hall stage for a 7 p.m. concert on Friday, Aug. 8.
Later in the season, from Sept. 23-27, the Dailey & Vincent Music Festival will return for its ninth consecutive year. The 2025 lineup includes John Conlee, Randy Travis, Bryce Leatherwood, Rhonda Vincent, Crystal Gayle, Diamond Rio and, of course, Dailey & Vincent.
Leading up to the festival, Thomason said Dailey & Vincent will be in Hiawassee Aug. 12-13 filming promotional videos for national television, with plans to shoot on Lake Chatuge, Brasstown Bald and Bell Mountain.
To learn more about upcoming events, purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
