Why head south in the winter when there’s still plenty to do in the northeast Georgia Mountains in the cooler months? Winter is the perfect time for a getaway to the mountains — to sip locally made wine by a toasty fire; go for a long warming walk along Lake Chatuge, or, enjoy one of the many concerts, shows or dances offered in the area. Activities can easily fill a long weekend in Towns County in Northern Georgia.
One of the bonuses of traveling to Towns County in the winter and early spring is the abundance of cultural programs offered at Young Harris College. This 4-year school has an incredible theatre, arts and music department. Several plays are offered throughout the school year that display the unbelievable talent of these young adults. Theatre, music and dance are offered in two venues on campus and the largest, the recently renovated Glenn-McGinnis Hall and the smaller Dobbs Theatre. A full schedule of fine arts events at Young Harris College can be found on their website.
The O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium on the campus of O. Young Harris College.
Other Worlds
Other fantastic programs at Young Harris College can be found at the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium on campus. The planetarium offers a wide range of shows including three non-astronomy shows. The O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium features a state-of-the-art projection system, along with a GOTO Chronos Space Simulator star projector in a 40-foot dome theatre with 5.1-surround sound. In other words, the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium has the equipment for great shows!
GOTO Chronos Space Simulator star projector.
Also available for true stargazers is the Young Harris College Observatory which is open several times each year to the public for telescopic viewing, if the skies are clear. The observatory features a 14-inch telescope and is located just 1.5 miles from campus. The planetarium show schedule and open house schedule for the observatory can be found online at yhc.edu or golakechatuge.com.
And, if learning something unique sounds appealing then check out the profusion of classes available year-round at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Traditional skills, arts, music and dance are taught here. Most weekends you can enjoy a free concert on Friday night featuring old-time, bluegrass, folk, gospel or Celtic music. And, every other Saturday night you can attend a community dance where contra, English country, and square dancing are done to live music.
Extraordinary festivals and events are also held on campus including the Fireside Sale held the first Sunday in December offering handmade gifts exhibited by talented craftspeople. And, for an experience you will never, ever forget enjoy your New Year’s Eve at the Folk School where everyone gets “dressed up” and dances to the best live music around. To learn more about the rich history of John C. Campbell Folk School visit folkschool.org or golakechatuge.com.
Make the shortest days of the year the best days of the year In Towns County in Northern Georgia!
For Additional Information:
800-984-1543
townschamber@brmemc.net
www.golakechatuge.com