Out of an abundance of caution, the 2026 Sorghum in the Mountains Festival was shortened to a single weekend due to the expected impacts of Hurricane Isaias, which brought rain and gusty winds to the North Georgia Mountains all day Saturday.
The opening weekend of Oct. 10 & 11 was canceled as far as the festival goes, but all the beloved traditional sorghum festivities are set to return this Saturday and Sunday, with the Sorghum Parade and Sorghum Stomp rescheduled to Saturday, Oct. 17.
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Festival Co-Chair Kim Bridges said the decision was “not made lightly,” but everyone agreed that calling off the first weekend was best given the likelihood of storm damage and emergency personnel being busy across the county.
“Did we want to? No, because that money goes back into the community to help people, so one weekend out is a lot of money for us, especially the first weekend,” noted Bridges, who went on to say that safety was the overriding factor that led to the decision to cancel last Friday.
Now expected to kick off at 10 a.m. on Oct. 17, the parade will see a few less participants, but Bridges is looking into possible alternatives for the marching band; more than half of the students are unable to attend due to fall break falling on that weekend.
That said, anyone is invited to participate in the parade and is welcome to simply drive up that morning before judging starts around 8:45 a.m. on Oct. 17. Participants are expected to gather in the field where the old middle school used to be, but depending on availability, the parking lot at Union County Primary School may be utilized.
The Sorghum Stomp serves as a way to incorporate Downtown Blairsville into the celebration, taking place in the parking lot outside Grandaddy Mimm’s. Performers will include Tommy Townsend and Cody King, and attendees might look forward to a square dance or two. It starts at 6 p.m. on Oct. 17.
“The Sorghum Stomp is a combined effort with the 10-year anniversary of Grandaddy Mimm’s. We kind of went in together,” explained Bridges. “It’s not a major square dance … It’s like an outdoor music, bring-your-own-chair, family (event).”
The festival portion of Sorghum in the Mountains is expected to proceed as normal from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Meeks Park on Oct. 17 & 18. Syrup-making will start each day off, and games and activities will still be available for participation, so don’t give up on biskit eatin’ and log sawin’.
Sorghum syrup was in production before Oct. 10 to avoid wasting the cane that was already harvested, and volunteers worked to get through as much as possible before the storm hit. Of course, the final product will be available for sale.
“Everybody will be able to get their syrup, it’ll just be next weekend,” Bridges reassured, adding that, weather permitting, production will also continue during the festival. “They’re trying to get made what can get made while the weather’s still good. Everything else is still on.”
