It’s the biggest annual event Habersham County hosts and it opens in less than two weeks. The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair returns to the Habersham County Fairgrounds on September 8 and will run through September 16.
This year’s theme is “It’s Fair O’Clock Somewhere!” Final preparations are underway to make this year’s fair a success.
Chattahoochee Mountain Fair General Manager Shelley Tullis says she’s excited about this year’s fair, which will welcome the return of the Miss Chattahoochee Beauty Pageant. The pageant was paused several years ago due to the pandemic. It’s open to contestants from across Northeast Georgia, and registration is now open.
Tullis says fairgoers can also expect to enjoy some new carnival rides, although the ride vendor has not yet disclosed what those rides will be.
“He and I have worked great together. Anything I have asked, he has been great with,” she says.
Rodeo
Of course, anyone who’s ever been to the fair knows it’s about more than carnival rides and pageants. The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair, now in its 47th year, is the signature event that defines and celebrates Habersham County’s rural roots.
In celebration of that heritage, the planning committee has expanded this year’s rodeo and livestock shows.
“Our rodeo is going to be huge!” Tullis says.
The rodeo will feature two exciting nights of bareback, saddle broncs, steer wrestling, calf roping, cowgirls break away, cowgirls barrel racing, team roping, and bull riding. The competitors will vie for their share of an $18,000 purse. It’ll be the biggest rodeo in Northeast Georgia that weekend, Tullis says.
She made the decision to expand the rodeo after hearing from previous year’s fair patrons.
“I listened. They wanted a better rodeo. The price, it has went up a little bit because of it,” Tullis explains.
The $15 fair admission on September 15 and 16 includes admission to the rodeo. Regular admission on non-rodeo nights is $10.
Livestock shows
In addition to the expanded rodeo, this year’s livestock shows are going to be big. Over 150 people have entered so far. The shows will be spread out over four days, September 9-12. Entries are coming in daily, and fair organizers set a firm registration deadline cutoff at midnight on September 5.
Livestock show entries that are received after August 31 will be subject to a late entry fee.
Tullis says they’re capping this year’s livestock entries at around 350. Anyone wanting to compete should apply soon.
“There are people coming from three hours away” for this event, Tullis says.
Contests
If carnival rides, beauty pageants, rodeos, and livestock shows don’t enthrall you, there’s more.
This year’s fair will also feature art and talent shows and contests in watermelon eating, biscuit eating, baking, and adult handcrafts. There will be kids’ contests, too, in soap carving, cake decorating, Lego building, pumpkin painting, and more.
The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair committee has added a Scarecrow Contest this year. Those who participate will have an opportunity to win a family pack containing four admission tickets, two wristbands, and a $25 food voucher.
The Talent Show, sponsored by WCON Radio and 107.7 The Breeze, will take place on Saturday, September 9. Categories are children 12 years and under, ages 13-19, and 20 years and above. Registration is limited to 15 contestants per category. To register, click here.
Entertainment
If you’re not the competitive type and passive entertainment’s more your style, there will be plenty of that, too.
Live bands will play on stage in the Dewey Tench Pavilion at the fairgrounds and there will be a series of shows offered throughout the fair’s nine-day run.
Hog Diggity Dogs and More is an animal show featuring a variety of animals, including camels. They’ll be offering camel rides in between shows.
Not into camel rides? How about a mechanical bull? Organizers added one to this year’s fair as an added feature.
Also new this year is the WOW Factor Science Show. The show’s host will conduct science experiments aimed at making the audience say, you guessed it, “WOW!”
Fair market and food
Artisans, vendors, and civic groups will set up inside the pavilion to sell their wares and promote their services. Mixed in among their products and promotional materials, look for the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair’s theme and logo. Vendors who incorporate those into their display will have a chance to win a free spot at next year’s fair, but there will only be one winner!
Speaking of winners, Habersham County Animal Care and Control will put on a Dog Fashion Show on Saturday, September 16. They’re hoping some of their lovable, furry friends will win the night by finding new homes. There will be an opportunity for fairgoers to adopt a pet after the show.
And what would a fair be without carnival food?
Tullis says there will be 13 food vendors this year, providing everything from peanuts to ice cream to shrimp baskets.
Special events
As the fair is a community event, organizers take seriously their commitment to Habersham Countians. That is evident in two special-planned events.
On Tuesday, September 12, the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair will host a Special Needs Day for local students. Students will visit the petting zoo and have the opportunity to ride the carnival rides.
The event will occur outside of normal fair hours so the students can enjoy their time without the noise and chaos that naturally come with a big event like a county fair.
“Seeing those kids’ faces, that’s the most rewarding part of the fair, is to see those kids’ faces,” says Tullis. “This is our way of giving back to the community.”
Also, this year, Habersham County seventh graders will be treated to a long-delayed rodeo.
In 2020, the pandemic shut down the fair, robbing the then-fourth graders of their day at the fair. This year, those students are in seventh grade, and they will be treated to a free rodeo on Friday morning, September 15, to make up for that missed event three years ago.
The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair will host this year’s Fourth Grade Day on the opening day of the fair, September 8.
Fair hours, prices and location
The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair runs from Friday, September 8, through Saturday, September 16. Hours are as follows:
- Monday-Thursday 5-9 p.m.
- Fridays: 5-10 p.m.
- Saturdays: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Rides open an hour after the gates open. Parking is free. Only service pets are allowed.
Gate admission is based on height. Those 3-foot-one (37″) and taller pay $10 at the gate (except on rodeo nights). Those 3-foot tall (36″) and under get into the fair for free.
Credit cards are accepted. Rides, food, and games cost extra. Other dates and pricing:
Rodeo Nights
September 15-16 – $15
Monday, Sept. 11
Veterans & First Responders Night
Half-price with ID
Wednesday, Sept. 13
BOGO – Buy One, Get One FREE
Thursday, Sept. 14
College Night
Show School ID for 1/2 price
The Habersham County Fairgrounds are located at 4235 Toccoa Highway in Clarkesville, Georgia.
For more information about the 2023 Chattahoochee Mountain Fair, visit www.chattahoocheemountainfair.org.
