CANCELED OCT 10TH & 11TH
The beloved sweet pastime that’s always the second and third weekend in October returns starting this Saturday, as Sorghum in the Mountains continues the local tradition of hosting a sorghum festival celebrating Union County’s agricultural heritage.
Last year was the inaugural rebrand to Sorghum in the Mountains after the 55-year-old Blairsville Sorghum Festival ended. But the show must go on, as they say, and many community volunteers – with financial backing from the Union County Government – saved the festival.
Continue reading with a free account.
North Georgia News — serving Union County since 1909.
The Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce has estimated that the 2025 festival enjoyed 25,800 attendees, ensuring the event remained one of the largest community fundraisers around while bringing thousands of folks to Meeks Park and, by extension, local businesses.
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 are the live historical demonstrations like quilt-making and moonshining; free Sorghum Games such as Biscuit Eating and Pole Climbing; talented area musicians; and some new family-friendly activities like a big Bounce House area and a Rock Climbing Wall.
Of course, visitors will get to see the festival-namesake sorghum syrup produced at the copper pan in Sorghum Field, where brothers Harold and Don Collins will return to cook the sticky sweet stuff.
The festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 10, 11, 17 & 18. Syrup-making kickstarts each day of Sorghum in the Mountains, and folks can purchase the syrup once it’s jarred. Parking is free at Meeks, and attendance is just $5, with kids 12 & under free. Cash and cards are accepted.
For tons more information on the festival, including schedules for all the Sorghum Games and live entertainment, plus information on the Oct. 10 Sorghum Parade and Sorghum Stomp downtown, check out the Sorghum Special Section inside this week’s edition of the newspaper.
Volunteer organizations returning this year are Union County Rotary hosting the Sorghum Games; Appalachian Wellness & Harm Reduction Coalition and Positive Pathways running the gate; and students from Union County Beta Club assisting at the Sorghum Concessions Booth.
Speaking of concessions, in addition to the usual delicious sorghum-infused treats, the Concessions Booth will feature new Sorghum Bacon Biscuits in 2026 as well as straight black coffee for guests wanting a no-frills pick-me-up alongside other beverage options.
Historically, the festival has featured several vendors across from the main area on the other side of Butternut Creek, but, this year, Sorghum in the Mountains will take place entirely on the Sorghum Field side of Meeks Park, expanding farther into the park rather than across the creek.
As much a part of the festival as historic preservation is the service it provides for charitable causes in the community. Typically, 100% of proceeds go to local giving, like youth scholarships and donations to other nonprofits.
Because the festival had to start from scratch last year with purchasing and installing syrup-making equipment, redoing the field, and building a new stage and concessions stand, local giving was postponed so the county could recover its costs to faithfully re-create the event.
But the festival is all set for a return to local charity, and following the 2026 festival, the volunteer Sorghum in the Mountains Board looks forward to selecting charitable giving recipients.
So, head on down to Meeks Park the next two weekends to support the festival, which continues the legacy started by Junior Bridges and his crew of original volunteers in 1969, with a revitalized effort to incorporate community and youth participation alike.
