Gold Rush Days are always held the third full weekend in October. It is a time for thousands to come and see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event. It is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visit over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement!

The Gold Rush Days Festival has been voted one of the Top 20 Events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. Join us in downtown Dahlonega on October 15-16, 2016 and you will see why!

2016 Gold Rush Days Festival Schedule 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15TH
8:00 - Gold Rush 5K, sponsored by the Dahlonega Rotary - UNG Memorial Hall 
(https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Dahlonega/GoldRush5K)
9:00 - Festival Opens
10:00 – Beard Growing Contest and Hog Calling Contest
10:30 –Gold Country Squares (square dancing) 
11:00 – Doc Johnson’s Magic Show
11:30 - Old Time Fashion Show
12:00 –T.W. Holeman Music Group (Southern Gospel)
1:15 – Liars Contest (short stories/tall tales)
1:30 - Doc Johnson’s Magic Show
2:00 – King & Queen Coronation
2:15 – Chattanooga Choo Choos (Clogging) 
3:00 – Gold Rush Parade 
4:45 – 6:00 –Radford Windham & Step Back Cadillac 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16TH
9:30 – Bluegrass Sunday
10:00 - Nealy Webster 
10:30 – Coley (Christian Acoustic Singer/Songwriter - www.njcoley.com)
11:30 – Cross-Cut Saw Competition
12:30 - Threadbare Skivvies (Folk Band - www.thethreadbareskivvies.com)
1:30 – Synergy Cloggers Performance (National Champions)
2:30 – Wrist Wrestling Competition

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16TH
Gold Panning Championships
(located on the Gold Museum Lawn)
9:00 – Registration Opens
11:00- 4th Annual Gold Rush Open 
The 54th Annual World Open Gold Panning Championship will start following intermission. 
*Details at registration*
[www.consolidatedgoldmine.com]

Be sure to 'LIKE' The Dahlonega Jaycees on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DahlonegaJaycees) for more Gold Rush Festival information and updates.

**THANK YOU ALL for your continued support of the Gold Rush Days Festival, the Dahlonega Jaycees, and this wonderful community that we proudly call home! Your support makes such a difference!**