Cornelia is gearing up for this year’s Apple Blossom BBQ Competition and Festival. The annual event is scheduled from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, in downtown Cornelia.
Street and parking lot closings
Prior to the festival, the City of Cornelia will close down certain streets and parking lots where events and vendors will be located.
The Appletree Alley parking lot will close at midnight Thursday. City officials say all vehicles left in the parking lot after that time will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Clarkesville Street from Stovall Street to North Main Street will be closed Friday at 6 p.m., as will the Depot parking lot. They’ll remain closed throughout the festival on Saturday.
Parking for the festival will be available at several locations including the small public parking lot downtown, the post office, City Fire Department, and Habersham Historical Society (see map). Street parking will also be available.
“This BBQ competition is like putting together a 1000 piece puzzle, and it really helps when the community supports the needs and inconveniences to be able to pull off a festival of this size,” says Community Development Manager Jessie Owensby. “It makes a huge economic impact for our Downtown.”
Event schedule
This is the seventh year the festival has been held in Cornelia. The KCBS sanctioned event will feature barbecue from top competitors around the country. In addition to BBQ tastings there will be a number of other events and activities for the family to enjoy.
Cornelia’s Historic Train Museum will be open Saturday during the festival. The Habersham County Historical Society and Regional African American Museum will also be open Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Other events include:
- 11:00 a.m.- Kids Zone– $5 All day play- Depot parking lot
- 11:00 a.m.- Premiere Dance & Performing Arts Academy– Main Stage
- 12:15 p.m.- Alan Baker & the Workin’ Man Band– Main Stage
- 2:00 p.m.- Chopped Competition sponsored by Chick-Fil-A- Main Stage
- 2:00 p.m.- People’s Choice BBQ Tastings– $10 each- Tickets on sale at 1 p.m.– Appletree Alley
- 3:15 p.m.- Second Time Around Band– Main Stage
- 5:00 p.m.- KCBS Awards Ceremony– Main Stage
Whistle Top Brew Company will have live entertainment after the event, according to Owensby.
Child safety
This year, Kinetic by Windstream will provide child ID bracelets to kids at the Apple Blossom BBQ Festival. Parents can pick up ID bracelets at the Windstream booth. The booth will be located at the main stage, adjacent to the Historic Train Museum.
“As a parent, safety is a priority,” says Windstream’s Georgia area president, J. Berkshire. “At Windstream, we want to help ease the mind of parents by making sure their little ones are safe,”
The bracelets will include a place where parents can write down their contact information so they can be located if they’re separated from their child.
For more information, contact Community Development Manager Jessie Owensby at 706-778- 8585 ext. 280, or email at [email protected].
