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IN THIS ISSUE: - Atlanta Steeplechase Weekend Tent Party Packages Available
- Behind the Ropes Tour Offered at Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum
- Tucson 09 and the CHARA Project to be Discussed at New Tellus Museum
- Prime Outlets Calhoun Welcomes New IZOD Store
- Southeastern Cowboy Gathering to Host R.W. Hampton and Artist John Nieto
- Barnsley Winter Wine Series Concludes in March
- Calhoun Celebrates What’s Great About Small Town Living
- Tom Clayton Memorial Car Cruize Returns to Downtown Cartersville
- Battle of Resaca Reenactment May 16-17
- Paddle Georgia 2009 to Feature Coosawattee and Oostanaula Rivers – Register Now!
- Historic Kingston and Author Corra Harris Highlighted at Bartow Lectures
- Wizard of Oz Music and The Kingston Trio at Cedartown Performing Arts Center
- River Days Celebrated in Georgia’s Rome April 17-25
- Sage Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast Opens
- Finster Fest 2009 to be Held in Summerville in May
- In Print: Regional Marketing in 2009
- Tourism Dates to Remember
- About the Historic High Country Travel Association
| Atlanta Steeplechase Weekend Tent Party Packages Available The Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to invite you to getaway and experience the Best Lawn Party in Georgia when the 44th Annual Atlanta Steeplechase gets underway at Kingston Downs on Saturday, April 25, 2009. Packages include an overnight guest suite, Atlanta Steeplechase tickets and parking pass to the Atlanta Steeplechase, and exclusive reservations at Team Bartow’s Tent Party – You Ought to be in Pictures – a celebration of the area’s legendary attractions, people and history. This magnificent experience is yours for just $130 per person. Package prices increase based on lodging choices. For full details visit online at www.NotAtlanta.org. Behind the Ropes Tour offered at Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum During the month of March, Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum will offer “Behind the Ropes” tours. These tours provide visitors unprecedented access to the home of Berry College founder Martha Berry. The guided tours will take guests beyond the velvet ropes and into the private life of Miss Berry. Guests will have the opportunity to view Martha Berry’s clothing, bathrooms and items such as sewing kits from the early 1920s. The tours are open to the public with regular admission costs. The museum is located in Rome at the intersection of Georgia Loop 1 and US Hwy 27. For more information see www.berry.edu/oakhill or call Patrice Shannon at 706-368-6775. Tucson 09 and the CHARA Project to be Discussed at New Tellus Museum Georgia’s newest attraction, Tellus: Northwest Georgia Science Museum, is pleased to announce its upcoming guest lectures. On March 13, come hear Tellus Curator Julian Gray talk about Tucson 09 – the biggest rock, gem and fossil show in the world. Then on April 3, return to hear Hal McAlister, the director of the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy at Georgia State University will be talking about the CHARA project – the most powerful telescopes on the planet. Both lectures take place at 7 p.m. and are free with museum admission. Tellus is a new museum located in Cartersville at I-75 Exit 293. The museum includes four main galleries: The Weinman Mineral Gallery, The Fossil Gallery, Science in Motion and The Collins Family My Big Backyard. A 120-seat digital planetarium and an observatory with a state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope are also offered. Tellus is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors ages 65+, $8 children ages 3-17 and students with ID, free to Tellus members and active military with ID. The planetarium show is an additional $3 ($2 for members and one free show for active military). For information call 770-606-5700 or see www.TellusMuseum.org. Prime Outlets – Calhoun Welcomes New IZOD Store Prime Retail, a leading outlet center developer, welcomes IZOD, the brand known for its casual sportswear and golf apparel collections, which celebrated the grand opening of its 3,600 foot at Prime Outlets – Calhoun in February. “We are delighted IZOD has joined our family of merchants,” said Prime Outlets – Calhoun General Manager/Marketing Manager Janet Paulsen. “We are committed to provide a comprehensive shopping experience and the addition of this classic lifestyle brand represents our goal to offer a wide variety of stores offering merchandize at unbeatable prices.” Located between Jones New York and Footwear Depot, IZOD joins more than 50 leading designer and name-brands at the regional shopping destination including Ann Taylor Factor Store, COACH Factory, Gap Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, rue21 and Tommy Hilfiger, among many more, which offer up to 65 percent off regular retail prices. Prime Outlets – Calhoun is located at I-75 Exit 312. Shopping hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information on visiting Calhoun see www.ExploreGordonCounty.com. Southeastern Cowboy Gathering to Host R.W. Hampton and Artist John Nieto Visit the Booth Western Art Museum this March 12-15, for the 6th Annual Southeastern Cowboy Gathering. Enjoy cowboy poetry, western concerts, artist workshops and more during the gathering. The featured artist is John Nieto who will kick-off the festivities on Thursday evening with a reception and viewing of the Booth Museum’s new exhibit of his work, Contemporary Visions of the West. A Western concert on Saturday evening will present the finest cowboy poets in the U.S. along with top names in Western music including featured entertainer R.W. Hampton. On Friday evening, the popular End of the Trail Supper and Concert will once again be held. Additional highlights include Children’s Saturday activities, the Southeastern Chuck Wagon Cook-off, the Dutch Oven Cooking Contest, and the Open Fiddle, Mandolin and Banjo Contests. Don’t miss Cowboy Church on Sunday. The Booth Western Art Museum is located at 501 Museum Drive, in downtown Cartersville. Call 770-387-1300 or see www.BoothMuseum.org for a complete Gathering schedule, admission prices, concert tickets and more. Barnsley Winter Wine Series Concludes in March Don’t miss the final days of the 2009 Barnsley Gardens Resort Winter Wine! A different wine from various regions will be paired with a fabulous dish prepared by Barnsley Chef Charles Vosburgh CEC AAC. Each dinner will be hosted by a representative from the featured wine estate. There will be amazing prizes, wonderful food, challenging trivia and great company! Visit Barnsley Gardens for the following dinners beginning at 7 p.m.: March 7 – By popular demand The Silver Oak Winery, with good friend Tom Johnson; and March 14 – A newcomer to the Barnsley family, Freemark Abbey, with Winemaker Ted Edwards. Barnsley Gardens Resort is located in Adairsville, Georgia. Call to reserve your seat at the table for these memorable evenings, 770-773-2522 or see www.BarnsleyResort.com for more details. Calhoun Celebrates What’s Great About Small Town Living Calhoun, Georgia is a vibrant community with many activities happening at the Harris Arts Center in the coming months, as well as big celebration of the community’s culture downtown. Visit on March 28 to enjoy Cynthia Watters in concert at 7 p.m. The concert is sponsored in part by LGE Federal Credit Union. Then on April 17-18, The Best of the Community Chorus will entertain audiences with all the best songs from “Sentimental Journey,” “Back to the 50s – Let’s Rock,” and songs from the 60’s and 70’s. The performance begins at 8 p.m. Return on April 25, for More Than a Taste of Calhoun. Known as one of Calhoun’s biggest events, the best “Taste” yet is planned for 2009. Sample enticing food, enjoy live music, listen to talented storytellers, and purchase handmade crafts. In conjunction with “Taste,” the 3rd Annual International Stringband Festival gets underway at the Harris Arts Center at 7 p.m. The Harris Arts Center, located in Calhoun’s historic Rooker Hotel, at 212 South Wall Street. Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 HAC members, seniors and students. Group discounts available. For more information on More Than A Taste of Calhoun contact the Gordon County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706-625-3200 or visit online at www.ExploreGordonCounty.com. Tom Clayton Memorial Car Cruize Returns to Downtown Cartersville The Cartersville Downtown Development Authority invites you to Cartersville’s Historic Downtown Square each month March-October for the Tom Clayton Memorial Car Cruize. On Saturday, March 7, from 2-6 p.m. visitors can stroll through hundreds of celebrated automobiles. The cruize is held on the first Saturday each month. Entry fee is $2 per classic car. In May-August, the event is held in conjunction with the Summer Concert Series. Public admission is free to both events, brought to you by Century Bank. For more information call the Cartersville DDA, 770-607-3480. Battle of Resaca Reenactment May 16-17 The 145th Anniversary Battle of Resaca 25th Annual Civil War Reenactment takes place May 16-17, in Resaca at I-75 Exit 320. The two day event features re-enactors, held on actual battlefield. Events will include: Memorial service at the C.S.A. cemetery; Exciting battles both Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.; Ladies Tea with Guest Speaker; Tour the camps and talk to the soldiers; Cavalry competition; Period dance with music by the 8th Regimental Band; Sunday morning tactical; Period church service; Continuous living history activities; Shop sutler row for period wares; Food and beverages available; Live Civil War music; Reenactor used clothing “yard sale”; Adults $5, Children 12 & under $2. For more information call the Gordon County CVB, 706-625-3200. Paddle Georgia 2009 to Feature Coosawattee and Oostanaula Rivers This summer join fellow paddling enthusiasts for Paddle Georgia, a week-long, 92-mile canoe/kayak adventure on Northwest Georgia’s Coosawattee and Oostanaula rivers from Ellijay to Rome, and experience Georgia as you never have before. This unique adventure will feature nightly camping with meals and entertainment, and tours of industrial facilities and historic sites along the way. Paddle Georgia 2009 takes place June 20-26, and is a fundraiser for Georgia River Network, Coosawattee Watershed Alliance and New Echota Rivers Alliance. Learn more and register now at www.garivers.org. Historic Kingston and Author Corra Harris Highlighted at Bartow Lectures The Bartow History Center will offer two programs of regional historical interest in March, and invites you to visit on the following dates: On March 18, at 11:45 a.m. Lunch & Learn with Dana Davis, author of Tomorrow is Better: The Story of the Kingston Woman’s History Club 1861-Tomorrow; return on March 26, for Evening Lecture with Dr. Catherine Oglesby, history professor at Valdosta State University discussing her book Corra Harris and the Divided Mind of the New South. Call 770-382-3818 for times and details or see www.bartowhistorycenter.org. Wizard of Oz Music and The Kingston Trio at Cedartown PAC Visit the Cedartown Performing Arts Center in March and April for some great entertainment. On Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. saxist and band leader Sam Arlen pays tribute to his adoptive father Harold Arlen in “Wizard.” This production features rare movie posters, vintage film clips and behind the scenes footage from The Wizard of Oz with a cast singing many of his songs! Tickets are $25-$35. Rejoice Dear Hearts – An Evening with Brother Dave Gardner takes places on Saturday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. This play combines the late Gardner’s classic comedy routines from four of his million-selling albums along with the comedian’s “Rags to Riches to Rags to Recovery” story. General admission seats are $20. On Friday, April 17, The Kingston Trio takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. This American folk music trio has remained popular for one reason – great songs as good as the first time you heard them in the 50’s and 60’s. Tickets are $25-$35. For tickets call 770-748-4168. River Days Celebrated in Georgia’s Rome April 17-25 Spend some time along the riverways of Georgia’s Rome – April 17 through April 25, during River Days. In just one week you can fill your garden with new plants, win a kayak tug-o-war challenge, taste the flavors of Rome’s international community, watch international handcycling athletes compete, and be a part of the 1st Annual “Whatever Floats Your Boat” Parade. Most of these events are FREE and you can find more information at www.romeriverdays.com or by calling the Rome Visitor Center at 800-444-1834. Sage Cottage Inn Bed & Breakfast Opens Sage Cottage Inn is a new Bed & Breakfast Inn which opened in northwest Georgia in February. The inn is a gracious, custom-built executive retreat nestled on 12.5 serene acres. The inn’s layout is free-flowing, modern, and comfortable. Guests may enjoy their gourmet breakfasts with an amazing view of beautifully crafted landscaping. Sage Cottage is located just two miles from Barnsley Gardens Resort where guests may spend their days on the golf course, at the spa, or shopping and touring in the historic communities nearby. The B&B offers five well-appointed guestrooms that bring elegance, luxury and comfort to your stay. For more information visit online at www.SageCottageInn.com or to learn more about the surrounding destination see www.NotAtlanta.org. Finster Fest 2009 to be Held in Summerville in May This celebration of the art and vision of renowned folk artist Howard Finster will be held May 1-2, in Summerville. The festival will be held at Finster’s Paradise Gardens and will feature more than 100 artists from around the world. Husky Burnette, a regional Blues master, will perform his new song “Paradise” and many more bands will perform each day from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For complete details see www.paradisegardensgallery.com. In Print: Regional Marketing in 2009 Look for the Historic High Country Travel Association in print in 2009. See our full-page “Explore Georgia’s Land of Sights and Legends” advertisement in the March issues of Women’s Day, Redbook, and Good Housekeeping in the Tampa/St. Petersburg market. The advertisement provides full-color vacation suggestions on the adventure, resorts and world-class attractions found only in Northwest Georgia. And getting here couldn’t be easier. The region spans the historic mountains between Atlanta and Chattanooga easily accessible from Interstate 75. Bring the RV or load up the family van for a smooth ride on our scenic highways. Learn more online at www.GeorgiaHighCountry.org.
Also keep an eye out for the April issue of Georgia Magazine. Randy Southerland has written a feature story all about North Georgia. Contact Laine Wood, lainewood@comcast.net if you need additional copies. Regional Meetings The next meeting of the Historic High Country Travel Association will be at 10:30 a.m. on the following Wednesdays: No meeting in March due to Winter Chautauqua. See you on April 8, at Gordon County Chamber of Commerce in Calhoun. 2009 Officers are President Margaret Thigpen of the Dalton CVB, President-elect Ellen Archer of the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau; Secretary Teresa Mullis of the Catoosa County Chamber, and Treasurer Beth Grubbs of the Gordon County CVB. .
The Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will meet on Saturday, March 14 at 10:30 am. at the historic Newnan Train Depot. The speaker will be Chris Haveman, Creek Indian specialist and grad-student at Auburn University majoring in History with a focus on Creek Indian removal. Call Linda Baker 770-704-6338 or see www.gatrailoftears.org for details. Tourism Dates to Remember March 1-2 – Winter Chautauqua, Northwest Georgia Trade Center, Dalton
March 9-11 – GACVB Winter Meeting, Jekyll Islands Club Hotel – Agenda, Registration & Lodging Info available at www.gacvb.com.
April 20-21 – Techno Tourism Conference, NEW LOCATION – Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta
June 5 – Georgia On My Mind Day at Tallapoosa VIC on I-20
June 19 – Georgia On My Mind Day at Ringgold VIC on I-75 About the Historic High Country Travel Association The HHCTA is a volunteer membership organization created in 1979 to collectively promote the tourism resources in Northwest Georgia’s Land of Sights & Legends®. The association serves the following 17 counties in northwest Georgia: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield. Plan your visit to Northwest Georgia’s Land of Sights & Legends®. For information and free brochures visit online at www.GeorgiaHighCountry.org. |
