Fall has arrived, and with it, all of the beauty and fun of the season. If you like selfies with sunflowers, hayrides, pumpkin picking, and moonshine, Dawson County makes for a good day trip.
Fausett Farms
Revel in fields of sunflowers at Fausett Farms through October. A family-owned farm since 1858, for 60 years the primary product was poultry. That ended in 2011, and now the farm offers nearly a million sunflowers for picking, photography, and tours on 30+ acres of beautiful rolling land with mountain backdrops.
Regular admission is $6 per person with kids under 5 free. The farm charges $35 for professional photographers who are charging clients for sessions.
The Fausett Farms Sunflower 5K and Fun Run takes place this year from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. This family-friendly event includes a 5K running through the fields of sunflowers. There is also a 1-mile fun run option for kids. After the run, take a walk and explore the sunflowers to get the perfect family photo or selfie.
Register online or on the day of the run. For more information, visit the Fausett Farms Sunflower 5K and Fun Run event page on Facebook.
ADDRESS: 11336 Hwy 136 West, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 PHONE: 706-265-9661 WEBSITE: https://www.fausettfarmssunflowers.com
Burt’s Pumpkin Farm
Take a two-mile hayride through a pumpkin patch, a covered bridge filled with singing pumpkins, and thousands of colorful zinnias ready for picking. At the end of the ride, get a glimpse of Amicalola Falls, which is the tallest cascading waterfall in Georgia and the third tallest east of the Mississippi River.
The Burt’s Farm hay ride has become such a popular fall tradition that a fleet of tractors and covered wagons are at the ready to welcome you.
Pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and take home edible memories from the country store. Burt’s has an impressive selection of winter squash, gourds, and Indian corn, fresh-baked pumpkin pies, pumpkin rolls, candied popcorn, and other fresh-baked goodies.
The pumpkin patch and store are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the hayride runs daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ADDRESS: 5 Burts Pumpkin Farm Road, 11336 Hwy 136 West, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 PHONE: 706-265-3701 WEBSITE: https://www.burtspumpkinfarmgeorgia.com
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch offers a unique twist to the time-honored fall pumpkin patch trip.
Each year, a 15-acre, elaborate corn maze is a different design. With choose-your-own pumpkins, jumping pillow, tire mountain, kids maze, and gem mining, there’s an activity for every age and interest.
On Friday and Saturday nights in October, brave the scary-good horror of The Dark Rows, a unique haunted trail through some of the most twisted trails of a separate cornfield, illuminated only by the moon. Just be warned, you will not be alone! The misty October night air always seems to bring out the worst in this little patch of corn. Great for a night of fiendish family fun.
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze is open through November 16. Hours are as follows:
September Hours
Fridays: 4 – 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
October Hours
Sunday -Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
November Hours
Fridays: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
ADDRESS: 125 Bannister Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 PHONE: 1-888-OSHUCKS WEBSITE: https://uncleshucks.com
Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch
Visit Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch beginning Saturday, Sept. 30, for choose-your-own pumpkins and fresh produce, including gourds, Indian corn, and apples.
You can find honey, apple cider, and more at their country store. Family visits are free; group rates are available for educational field trips.
Open weekends Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Other times are available by appointment.
ADDRESS: 25 Lawrence Drive, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 PHONE: 770-380-3636 WEBSITE: http://bradspumpkinpatch.com
Haunted Ghost Walk
For two nights only, hop on a hayride tour of the Dawsonville City Cemetery, Town Jail, Old Courthouse, and the Dawsonville Pool Room, with creepy stories at each stop.
the Haunted Ghost Walk starts and ends at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, with a ghost story told inside the Museum.
This event runs Oct. 20-21 from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and includes four 30-minute hayrides nightly. To buy tickets, click here.
ADDRESS: 415 Hwy 53 East, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 PHONE: (706) 216-7223 WEBSITE: https://www.destinationdawsonville.com/events/haunted-ghost-walk/
56th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival and Car Show
On the last weekend of October, Dawson County will celebrate one of the longest-running festivals in the U.S. The 56th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival celebrates the history of Prohibition-era moonshining, the birthplace of stock car racing and the formation of NASCAR racing.
This three-day event will be held at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and Dawsonville City Hall’s Main Street Park. Activities include a Moonshine Run, kids’ activities, a parade including vintage stock cars and more, live music, food trucks, arts and crafts, and vendor booths.
Country music artist Jacob Bryant will perform from 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, October 28.
Another highlight is a huge car show featuring show cars, race cars, and the largest gathering of moonshine-hauling cars in the United States.
The festival is KARE for Kids’ largest fundraiser. All proceeds go toward the purchase of clothes, school supplies, medical needs, and Christmas gifts for children in need in Dawson County.
The Mountain Moonshine Festival and Car Show takes place October 27-29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit the website for each day’s full schedule and the festival’s Facebook event page for more details.
ADDRESS: 415 Highway 53 East Dawsonville, Georgia PHONE: Kare for Kids-706-216-5273 WEBSITE: https://www.kareforkids.org/mountain-moonshine-festival
