Below is the August 2009 Calendar from Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites. More information on events, including accommodations like cottages, hotel-style lodges, campsites and yurts, can be found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or 1-800-864-7275. Thank you for helping promote Georgia's natural and historic resources!


August 2009 Events - Divided By Region


NORTHERN GEORGIA

Folk Life Traditions
Friday, July 31 through Saturday, August 1, 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen
See demonstrations of everyday mountain-living skills, including candle dipping, cider making, folk toys and butter churning. Some of the Southeast's finest musicians will perform a concert on Friday and lead an Appalachian-style community dance on Saturday. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Appalachian Jam
Saturdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site - Dahlonega
Listen to the sounds and songs of yesteryear. North Georgia's mountain music singers and pickers will appear on the grounds of the historic Dahlonega Gold Museum every Saturday. Enjoy acoustic and old-time strings as the sounds of yesterday fill the air. (706) 864-3513.

Saturday Evening Concert Series
Saturdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen
Some of the best musicians in the area perform a variety of music, from Appalachian Mountain to bluegrass to Southern gospel. "Pass-the-hat" donations plus $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Visiting Artist Series at Unicoi
Saturdays and Sundays, August 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30
Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen
Several talented artists and craftspeople from Georgia and surrounding states will demonstrate and have samples of their work for sale. The program lasts each weekend from Memorial Day through mid-November. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Gold Fever
Sunday, August 9, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
Gold mining is a fascinating part of the history of Smithgall Woods. Hear more about local gold mining and area geology, see gold specimens, and watch a panning demonstration. Register in advance. $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Youth Fishing Days at Smithgall
Saturday, August 15, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
Children and their special "big person" can fish in one of two ponds stocked with catfish, bass and bream. Fish caught in the ponds can be kept. Bring your own bait and rods. Use the Hwy. 75 entrance to the park. $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Wilderness Survival Weekend
Saturday, August 29 through Sunday, August 30, 10a.m.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville
Learn the essentials of surviving in the wilderness. This program is for families and children or anyone interested in learning these skills. Hands on activities as well as discussions and demonstrations will be included. $5 parking. (706) 265-1969.




SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA

Observatory Open House
Saturday, August 29, 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Hard Labor Creek State Park - Rutledge
Georgia State University's Hard Labor Creek Observatory will have an open house one Saturday night a month from March to October. (706) 557-3001.



COASTAL GEORGIA

Tools and Skills that Built a Colony
Saturday, August 29
Wormsloe Historic Site - Savannah
Craft demonstrations from the Colonial period, such as woodworking, blacksmithing, candle making, spinning, dying, and cooking, will be shown. $3.50 - $5.00 (912) 353-3023.




METRO ATLANTA

Tree Top Excursions: Introduction Climb
Saturday, August 1, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
Join us "on rope" for an adventure exploring the canopy above. This is an introductory climb to Canopy-Adventure-Research-Educational Technical Tree Climbing (CARE TTC). Participants will use rope and harness for this moderately strenuous activity. Register in advance. Fee plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

New Manchester History Hike
Saturdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park - Lithia Springs
This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead us to the ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek valley. This historian or ranger-led hike will include going inside the impressive mill ruins and seeing the lovely whitewater rapids (both providing great photo opportunities). $1-$2 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

Frog Slog
Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18, 25, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
Investigate wetlands and streams in search of frogs and salamanders. Be prepared to get wet and bring a flashlight and headlamp, nets, scenes and buckets. Meet in the Alexandar Lake parking area. Fee plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Summer Fly Fishing Clinic  
Tuesdays, August 4, 18, 25, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
This clinic covers equipment, knot tying, casting, safety and other tricks of the trade. If time permits, participants may stay to catch the "Fish of Fish." Wear long pants and hiking shoes, and bringing snacks, water and sunscreen. Georgia fishing license and park fishing permit required. Register in advance. Fee plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

"Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike
Wednesday, August 5, 8:00 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park - Lithia Springs
This 1.5-mile guided hike is moderately difficult and visits the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. The hike will continue if it is overcast but will be cancelled if raining. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes. No children under 6 or dogs please. $1-$2 plus $3 parking. (770) 732-5876.

Walk on the Wild Side Twilight Hike
Thursdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
Lace up your hiking shoes and come see the nightlife of Panola Mountain. This adventure will introduce you to the evening world of the forest and swamps. We may even have our local night-time denizen, the Barred Owl, join us. Register in advance. Fee plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Basic Fly Fishing Clinic
Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
The two-hour clinic covers equipment, knot tying, casting, safety issues and other tricks of the trade. If time permits participants may stay to catch the "Fish of Fish." Instructors C. H. Brown and Michael Reilley suggest wearing long pants/shorts and hiking shoes, and bringing snacks, water and sun lotion. Georgia fishing license required. Register in advance. Fee plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Basic Fly Tying Clinic
Saturday, August 8, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park- Stockbridge
Learn the art of fly tying as instructors introduce you to tools, techniques and tricks of the trade to create realistic flies. Participants will make one fly and possibly more if time permits. Ages 10 and older. Register in advance. Fee plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Beyond the Basics: Fly Tying Clinic
Saturday, August 8, 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park- Stockbridge
Having learned the art of basic fly tying, now we move beyond the basics. Instructors introduce you to more advanced techniques and tricks of the trade. Participants will make one or more flies such as deer hair flies, or even a hummingbirds if time permits. Fee plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Nocturnal Treetop Excursion
Saturday, August 8, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
Join us aloft in "Naomi Ruth," a wonderful 90-foot Southern Red Oak, which is our living classroom. This nocturnal climb will include fluorescent lichen and other glowing critters of the night, stargazing and night climbing activities. We may even have a barred owl join us. Register in advance. Fee plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Advanced Fly Fishing Clinic
Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
This clinic is for graduates of our Basic Fly Fishing Clinic and will focus on "On the Water Techniques." Begin at the Rockdale River Trail parking and head to the lake for advanced casting techniques (Steeple Caste, Roll Cast, and Double-haul Casting), line mending, reading the water and entomology. Register in advance. Fee plus $5 parking.  (770) 389-7801.