BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – All residents of Union County are certain about one thing, if it’s October, it’s the Sorghum Festival. Since 1969, the event has taken place during the second and third weekends of the month as a testament to the old ways of life.

To commemorate, the 50^th anniversary, it took festival-goers “back to the beginning” during the annual Sorghum Parade with floats showcasing what it was like during 1969. Trackrock Campground took first place in the float contest. Misty Mountain Inn took second and Blairsville Dance Project took third.

In 1969, the festival was held at the Old Union County Courthouse, where they sold jars of Sorghum syrup to passersby. It all started as a way to help children in need, so Junior Bridges, Davey Coker, and Newt Miller came together and with some help from the U.S. Forest Service and Bridges’ wife to boil down sorghum cane, then sell the syrup to raise money.

Since the humble beginnings on the square, the festival has continued to grow, moving to Fort Sorghum next to Pat Haralson Memorial Civic Center for a time. Until eventually finding its current home at Meek’s Park.

Attendees can experience syrup being made right before their eyes. Photo courtesy of Sorghum Festival Facebook.

Today, the Sorghum Festival attracts over 10,000 visitors across the two October weekends and showcases the process of making sorghum syrup, as well as other old-timey contests such as pole climbing, log sawing, horseshoe pitching, rock-throwing, and biscuit eating.

Of course, the biscuit eating contest provides contestants with premium sorghum syrup to help them eat as much as possible and enjoy it.

Pole climbers must be able to ascend the structure using their hands in the fastest time possible to win. The event dates back to at least the 1800s and used to be considered a gymnastic sport. However, at the Sorghum Festival, it’s just part of the fun for participants and festival-goers.

Attendees also wander throughout the many festival vendors to find one-of-a-kind crafts while enjoying some local musicians playing on the Sorghum Stage throughout the day. From gospel to bluegrass, musically there’s something for everyone.

Also once the day’s events end and Meek’s Park closes for the day, attendees can enjoy a Saturday night square dance at the old middle school, complete with dance caller and live music.

All these festivities represent the 50 years and beyond of Union County traditions. It’s a community that annually celebrates its past as fall settles in. In a world that often seems dedicated to change, it’s nice to reflect and remember the past, even if just for four days.

Photos courtesy of Blairsville Sorghum Festival Facebook page.