Festival hours are Saturdays 11-5 and Sundays 12-5. Visit ThreeSistersVineyards.com for more information.

TripAdvisor GreenLeaders have met a set of environmental standards developed for TripAdvisor by a leading environmental consulting firm, with input from expert partners. The more green practices a hotel has in place, the higher its GreenLeader level, which is shown on the property’s listing on the TripAdvisor site.

Travelers can now search for accommodations that have a GreenLeaders status on the TripAdvisor site, and view a detailed list of environmentally-friendly practices that they can expect at each location.

“TripAdvisor GreenLeaders are leading the hospitality industry in making efforts to improve their environmental footprint,” said Jenny Rushmore, director of responsible travel at TripAdvisor. “We greatly applaud these accommodations and are pleased to share their eco-friendly practices with our online audience of more than 200 million travelers.”

The TripAdvisor GreenLeaders program was developed in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR^® program, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the United Nations Environment Programme. For more information, please visit http://www.tripadvisor.com/GreenLeaders.

Pre-festival events will occur on Friday, April 19, with the beginning of jamming on the Historic Public Square and the Live Country Auction that night.

On Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21, there will be free admission on-stage performances by local, regional, and national musicians throughout the day in the MainStage Tent across from Hancock Park with a heavy emphasis on bluegrass and old-time music from the Southern Appalachian region.

A juried Artist Marketplace on the square, Saturday and Sunday, features traditional mountain crafts, and there will also be a Country Store at Hancock Park. More jamming on the square and music workshops on Saturday and Sunday, a Sunday morning Gospel Jam, a Saturday evening old-time Mountain Dance,  a Saturday Open Mic event, kids activities, and food complete the offerings.

Come and discover the superb wines, outstanding experience the wineries have to offer. You can purchase your Passport at any winery you where you begin your Wine Highway experience. For more information visit their website at www.georgiawine.com.

This year the only participating winery in Dahlonega will be Cavender Creek Vineyards but there are several in neighboring White County. Blackstock Winery is no longer in business. Wolf Mountain and Frogtown Vineyards are no longer part of the association but are having their own special where you can purchase a ticket for $15.00 pp and visit both wineries this weekend using the ticket.

Russo and Noe are professional entertainers, not an impersonation act. Although comparisons are often made to the Rat Pack days of Las Vegas, they are based out of Atlanta, Ga. but perform all across the Southeast.
Performing in tuxedos with the trademark Manhattan glass in hand they really do take an audience back to those days. Just close your eyes and you could be at the Sands Hotel in 1962. They are easy and relaxed on stage, slightly ribald with their humor, and possess excellent voices remarkably suited to the swinging, big band era.

FOR TICKET INFORMATION CONTACT THE HOLLY THEATER AT 706-864-3759

WWW.THEHOLLYTHEATER.COM

The dinner will be four courses paired with wine and dessert. Reservations Required.

The Menu

The Welcome- Amuse Bouche, Frogtown 2010 Inclination

The First Course- Grilled Meatballs with Red Pepper Olive Ragu, and Pecorino on a bed of Arugula

Frogtown 2011 Sauvignon Gris

The Second Course- Hearts of Polenta with Tomato Butter

Frogtown Sangiovese 2010

The Third Course- Surf & Turf Frogtown Style, Filet & Scampi

Frogtown Propaganda 2008

The Dessert- Surprise

Coffee 

The Valentine’s Dinner shown above is $55.00 per person plus gratuity for a total of $66.00 (plus tax) includes a generous pour of wine with each course.

The Sunday Brunch is $45.00 per person plus gratuity for a total of $54.00 (plus tax) includes a generous pour of wine with each course.

Reservations required. Call 706.865.0687 ext 4, 404.502.9463 By email cydney@frogtownwine.com or online http;//www.frogtownwine.com.

Wine & Chocolate…Every Weekend in February 

Tickets Now Available For The Limited Inside Winery Seatings! GREAT VALENTINE’s GIFT! Get them today by contacting 706-865-9463 or email tsvwine@gmail.com

During the month of February, Three Sisters Vineyards presents their Annual “Wine & Chocolate LOVERS” Celebration. This February they will combine chocolate and wines in a special tasting line-up. Another Three Sisters OPEN HOUSE. Saturday hours are 11-5 and Sunday hours are 1-5pm.

No reservations are required for the walk-up $20 per person tasting bar tastings. However, the special $35 per person private tasting/seating in the winery require advance ticket purchase. Limited seating. The $35 tasting includes a barrel tasting, souvenir wine glass, special chocolates and treats.

Winery Seating on Saturday 1-3-5PM. Sundays are 2 and 4PM. Call 706-865-9463 or visit ThreeSistersVineyards.com for more information.

The vernal equinox marks the first day of spring. In 2013, the equinox occurs on March 20, right in the middle of the NOrthBOund Thru Hiker kickoff season at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The third annual Spring on Springer Dahlonega TrailFest will celebrate Dahlonega’s designation as an AT Trail Community by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Dahlonega’s position as the southern gateway to the Appalachian Trail. It will be held on March 22-24 on the cusp of the first day of spring in Dahlonega, Georgia.

The Trail Fest will include camping, speakers, films, music, shuttles to Springer Mountain and Amicalola Falls, equipment vendors, and workshops on such topics as safety, camping techniques, and equipment.

Fun trail related activities such as a 5k trail run, canoeing/kayaking, guided hikes, and local tours.

2012 featured speakers/authors included: Warren Doyle, record holding 16 time thru hiker; Gene Espy, second person to ever thru hike the AT in 1951; Paralee Dawson, section hiker and author; Sandra Friend, author of over 15 hiking guidebooks; and Johnny Molloy, author of over 38 hiking guidebooks.

Films will include: Flip Flop Flippin, a film by Scott “Squatch” Herriott

The Trail Fest will be a fun filled weekend celebrating Dahlonega’s Trail Community designation, the importance of the Appalachian Trail to Dahlonega and Lumpkin County, the significance of Dahlonega to the many users of the AT, and all aspects of responsible use of the north Georgia forests for recreation.

For information and details, check the Trail Fest website at www.dahlonegatrailfest.org