The beloved sweet pastime that’s always the second and third weekends in October returns starting this Saturday, as the inaugural Sorghum in the Mountains takes over the 56-year-old tradition of hosting a sorghum-centric heritage festival in Union County.
Estimated at drawing upwards of 15,000 people annually, the festival serves as one of the largest community fundraisers around, bringing folks from all over to the Meeks Park venue and surrounding businesses.
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A festival priority is to honor and preserve the agricultural roots of Appalachia by showcasing the ways the area’s forebears used to live, work and play. Today, People come from near and far to appreciate the historical aspects, but there are many reasons for the festival’s popularity.
Always a big draw are the 100-plus vendors of handmade arts and crafts – be it woodworking, fabrics, jewelry, soaps, pottery, knives, photography, etc. – delicious snack and meal options, honey, pet products, decor and so much more.
Then there’s the live historical demonstrations like pottery and moonshining; participatory Sorghum Games such as Biscuit Eating and Pole Climbing; talented area musicians; and some new family-friendly activities like the Excavator Game and the Trinity Trackless Train Rides.
Of course, visitors will get to see the festival-namesake sorghum syrup produced at the copper pan in Sorghum Field, where this year, Don Collins will be cooking the sticky sweet stuff; Collins has plenty of experience, having cooked festival syrup before at Old Fort Sorghum.
The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 11, 12, 18 & 19. Syrup-making kickstarts each day of Sorghum in the Mountains, and folks will be able to purchase the syrup once it’s jarred. Parking is free, and attendance is just $5 for ages 13 and up, with kids 12 & under free.
For tons more information on the festival, including schedules for the Sorghum Games and live entertainment, plus information on the Oct. 11 Sorghum Parade and Sorghum Stomp, check out the Sorghum Special Section inside this week’s edition of the newspaper.
This is a special year for the festival, as the 2025 entry almost became the sorghum festival that wasn’t. After a disagreement with the Commissioner’s Office – or a misunderstanding, depending on who is asked – the Blairsville Syrup Makers closed the festival for good in March.
But too many people wanted to see it continue. So, Union County Government, the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce, the Blairsville Downtown Development Authority and others teamed up to keep the festival going.
“The Sorghum Festival has been a staple in Union County since 1969,” said Kim Bridges, who helped organize Sorghum in the Mountains. “My father-in-law (Junior Bridges) was one of the original members that got this started.
“It just made sense that it needed to keep on going. Blairsville would not be the same without it. It is not just a festival… it is a part of our community. It really needs to be a community effort to keep it alive.
“I feel very strongly that it needed to survive. I have always been a firm believer that you need to give back to your community. Sorghum in the Mountains is a part of our community and should remain that way.”
That passion, shared by many, culminated in the formation of a brand-new nonprofit, Sorghum in the Mountains, which features a volunteer board whose members are Missy Mashburn, Kim Bridges, Abby Briley, Scotty Jarrard, David Dyer, Zachary Edmonds and Stephanie Holgate.
This committee has worked tirelessly to put on a festival that matches the longstanding Blairsville Sorghum Festival tradition as closely as possible, and people will be able to see the results for themselves when they attend over the next two weekends.
Their efforts enlisted the help of many others, including volunteers with Union County Rotary hosting the Sorghum Games; Appalachian Wellness & Harm Reduction Coalition and Positive Pathways running the gate; Towns-Union Special Olympics and Union County Family Connection putting on the new Excavator Game courtesy Rick’s Rental; and others.
As much a part of the festival as historic preservation is the service it provides for charitable causes in the community. Typically, proceeds go 100% to local giving, like youth scholarships, donations to other nonprofits, and simply helping residents struggling to make ends meet.
Because the festival had to start from scratch with purchasing and installing syrup equipment – a new stage and concession stand were built, too – local giving will take a hit this year to help the county recover its costs, but the festival should be set for a full return to local charity next year.
Importantly, Bridges said there is no ill will between the new volunteers and the former organizers.
In fact, the old crew has been very accommodating with any information Bridges has needed, she said, and her and the new board’s goal is to “mend fences and do whatever is necessary to keep the festival alive in Blairsville.”
“It is still the same festival with a few improvements,” Bridges added. “I used to help with the old festival for over 18 years. When I tell you we are not changing it, we are not. Everything is staying as close to the old festival as possible, just under new management.
“We are just trying to keep this festival alive for the good of our entire community. So many were devastated when they thought it would be no more, and we are just a group of people that want to see our community succeed and prosper. The Heritage of Union County means a lot to us all.”
