The Mountain Laurel is in full bloom in the Blue Ridge, providing the perfect backdrop for its namesake festival in Clarkesville. The 61st annual Mountain Laurel Festival is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, followed by a street dance downtown.
Clarkesville Main Street Director Colby Moore says 120 vendors are signed up for this year’s event, including about a half dozen food trucks.
Always a crowd pleaser, the Mountain Laurel Parade kicks off the festivities at 10 a.m., winding its way down Washington Street. This year’s theme is “Clarkesville Time Capsule” in recognition of the city’s bicentennial.
Following the parade, festivalgoers can enjoy shopping, music, and food on the square.
VFL Duck Race & Family Fun Fest
New to the Mountain Laurel Festival this year, Volunteers for Literacy of Habersham County will host a Family Fun Fest at Pitts Park from 12 to 2 p.m. There will be kids’ games, a bouncy house, and music to enjoy ahead of the VFL Duck race on the Soque River.
The race begins at 2 p.m. as nearly 2,500 yellow rubber ducks get dropped into the river. The first three to cross the finish line will win cash prizes for their ticket holders. The first place prize is $1,000!
Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. at the park gazebo. You do not have to be present to win. Duck race tickets are still available and may be purchased online at VFLHabersham.com.
Shuttles and street dance
The city of Clarkesville will provide a golf cart shuttle service between downtown and Pitts Park. Shuttles will also be available from some of the more remote parking areas throughout the city for people’s convenience.
The Mountain Laurel Festival ends at 4 p.m., but the fun doesn’t stop there!
Following the festival, Clarkesville will host the Mountain Laurel Street Dance from 5 to 8 p.m. on the downtown square.
This year’s theme is “Music Through the Ages.” According to Moore, it will feature music from the 1920s to the present day, with plenty of jazz, rock-n-roll, and disco.
