This Weekend in Georgia June 3 - June 5, 2011 In This Issue This Weekend Festivals State Parks and Historic Sites 80 Days of Georgia Giveaways Don't Break the Bank Festivals Welcome to Georgia Tourism's weekly newsletter! Our "This Weekend in Georgia" newsletter offers ideas for quick getaways or extended vacations. Visit www.ExploreGeorgia.org to learn more about happenings around the state. Mrs. John Marsh - The World Knew Her as Margaret Mitchell Atlanta, GA Thursday, June 2nd - Sunday, June 19th This highly entertaining play tells the story of the reclusive author's life before and after she became a publishing sensation. The play includes an audio visual component of rarely published photographs and newsreel footage from the movie's Atlanta premiere. Keep reading to find out about some of the festivals that are happening this weekend. Bull Riding and Concert Extravaganza McDonough, GA Friday, June 3rd - Saturday, June 4th Come see some of the best bull riders in the country and Sparkle Berry the Bounty Bull, one of the meanest bulls in Georgia. No one has ever been able to ride Bounty Bull for the full eight seconds! Georgia State Parks Check the Georgia State Parks' Last Minute Availability page to see which lodge rooms, cottages, yurts, campsites, picnic shelters and group shelters are available for the upcoming weekend. Dixie Highway 90 Mile Yard Sale Cartersville, GA Friday, June 3rd - Sunday, June 5th Magnificent bargains and collectibles can be found at hundreds of individual yard sales. The route covers the 90-mile stretch of the nostalgic Old Dixie Highway that attracted thousands to southern roadside markets, diners and motor courts when it was completed in November 1929. Helen-Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race Helen, GA Friday, June 3rd - Sunday, June 5th The South's oldest balloon event and the United States' only long distance hot air balloon race will begin with a mass ascension of 30 bright and colorful hot air balloons. While the competition to the Atlantic continues, watch balloonists compete in local events, take a tethered ride in a balloon or enjoy a champagne flight over the mountains. Art on Main Warrenton, GA Saturday, June 4th Celebrate art and be inspired in the charming small town of Warrenton. Renowned Georgia and regional artists will be showcasing and selling their original artwork including paintings, pottery, folk art, stained glass, watercolors and much more. Rodeo at Rabun Arena Tiger, GA Friday, June 3rd - Saturday, June 4th The Bar-W Rodeo Company from Hayesville, NC is bringing a great rodeo to Rabun County! There will be bareback/saddle bronco riding, calf roping, woman's breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping, women's barrel racing and bull riding. Tybee Island Tour of Homes Tybee Island, GA Saturday, June 4th Tour a wide variety of homes, and help raise money for the Tybee Post Theater. You'll see homes that range from large to small and old to new, but each is unique in character and design. Festivals The Spring Bluegrass Music Festival Rockmart, GA Thursday, June 2nd - Saturday, June 4th Georgia Blueberry Festival Alma, GA Friday, June 3rd - Saturday, June 4th Adelily Festival Adel, GA Saturday, June 4th Wing & Rock Fest Woodstock, GA Saturday, June 4th Georgia Fine Wine Festival Dahlonega, GA Saturday, June 4th - Sunday, June 5th Canoochee Daylily Festival Canoochee, GA Saturday, June 4th The Georgia Renaissance Festival Fairburn, GA Saturday, June 4th - Sunday, June 5th State Parks and Historic Sites Annual Rosie the Riveter and D-Day Observance at Roosevelt's Little White House Warm Springs, GA Saturday, June 4th Alligator Day at Florence Marina Omaha, GA Saturday, June 4th Hewell Pottery Demonstration at Amicalola Falls Dawsonville, GA Saturday, June 4th National Trails Day Celebration at Panola Stockbridge, GA Saturday, June 4th National Trails Day at Vogel Blairsville, GA Saturday, June 4th National Trails Day at Reed Bingham Adel, GA Saturday, June 4th Sign Up for 80 Days of Georgia Giveaways! Georgia Tourism, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, has launched 80 Days of Georgia Giveaways. Celebrate the best of Georgia by entering to win dozens of great prizes, including admission to Georgia's most popular attractions and special events, overnight getaways, vacation packages and other Georgia adventures. Facebook fans and Twitter followers will have access to more than 100 prizes from across the state over the next 80 days. New prizes will be announced every weekday through August 23, 2011 on www.facebook. com/exploregeorgia and @GeorgiaTourism on Twitter. Don't Break the Bank This year we will feature ideas from the article "100 Ways to Woo Your Special Someone Without Breaking the Bank," featured in the 2011 Georgia Travel Guide. If you can't wait for next weekend's newsletter to get more ideas, download your copy of the Travel Guide today. #81: Visit Cherokee Lake Park. A perfect park for a picnic with your sweetheart, Cherokee Lake is adjacent to the Thomasville Rose Garden and offers covered picnic areas, a fishing pier and walking trail. For more things to do this weekend, check out ExploreGeorgia.org!