Blues & BBQ Blue Ridge: An Event Guide (2023)

Pack your appetite when you visit Blue Ridge, Georgia, this September because the annual BBQ & Blues Festival is back! This festival is one of the many wonderful festivals held throughout the year and is a must for anyone visiting in the fall.

Blue Sky Cabin Rentals offers beautiful cabins that will put you in the heart of the action, making it a perfect option for anyone planning to visit North Georgia during the festival. This is your guide to one of the most anticipated festivals of the season!
 

About the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival

Photo Credit: Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival

• Location: Throughout Blue Ridge
• Website: blueridgebluesandbbq.com

Expect lots of barbecue, lots of Blues music, and a weekend of fun. Each day has a new exciting itinerary, so it is worth blocking out the entire weekend.

Thursday is the official kick-off of the festival, and free food and drinks will be provided. On Friday, head to the historic train depot and enjoy the block party, a catered meal, and the exciting Kiwanis Blues Train ride. Saturday is the main event, during which you will find many local and regional vendors selling their delicious BBQ and BBQ-style dishes and a full-day lineup of talented Blues musicians.

Location

The festival has multiple locations in the heart of Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia. Blue Ridge is an easy drive from other mountain towns like Ellijay, Cherry Log, and Morganton and is only around an hour and 45 minutes north of Atlanta.

Each festival day takes place in a different area of Blue Ridge. Check the below itinerary for details and addresses.

Parking

• Location: Fannin County Middle School, 4584 Old HWY 76, Blue Ridge, GA
• Location: Fannin County Farmers Market, 787 Summit St., Blue Ridge, GA
• Price: Parking is $5 per car, with all proceeds going to local charities.

These two parking lots for the festival are serviced by a free shuttle from 11.00 am to 10.00 pm.
 

What to Expect

The Kids Korner

This family-friendly event will keep even the littlest festival revelers busy. The Kids Korner is sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of North Georgia and features different yearly activities. There are often bouncy castles and inflatable rides ready to entertain!

Tasty BBQ

Photo Credit: Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival

North Georgia is legendary when it comes to BBQ. From the smoky scent wafting through the air to the taste of mouthwatering secret sauce-covered meats, it's no wonder this year’s festival vendors are some of the most beloved in the region.

Mountain Music

Photo Credit: Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival

This gathering attracts hundreds of music lovers who come to enjoy the best sounds of traditional mountain music. This festival has everything from bluegrass to folk, country to old-time! Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere as the melodies of banjos, fiddles, and harmonicas fill the air.
 

2023 Festival Details and Itinerary

• Admission: $10 per person, 12 and under are free
• Dates: September 14-16, 2023.

The Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Weekend Kickoff Party

• When: Thursday, September 14th
• Where: Fannin County Chamber of Commerce; 322 W. Main St, Blue Ridge, GA
• Hours: 5:30 to 7:30 PM

This annual kick-off party for the 12th annual festival features free food and drinks from Smokin’ E’s BBQ and Tipping Point Brewery

Blues Train Ride and Block Party

• When: Friday, September 15th
• Where: Blue Ridge Scenic Train Depot; 241 Depot St, Blue Ridge, GA
• Hours: 5:30 to 10:00 PM

The Kiwanis Club Blues Train is an hour ride along the scenic Toccoa River with live entertainment, appetizers, and beer, wine, and sodas. There will also be a catered meal from Angel Fire 7 BBQ.

Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival

• When: Saturday, September 16th
• Where: Downtown Blue Ridge
• Hours: Gates open at 11:30 AM, and live music is from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The main event takes place each Saturday of the festival weekend with all the bells and whistles of BBQ vendors, mountain music, and a range of exciting kids activities!

20223 Musical lineup:

• 12:00-1:00 PM: Breaking Point Band
• 1:30-3:00 PM: Frankie’s Blues Mission
• 3:30-5:00 PM: The Crossroads Band
• 5:30-7:00 PM: Ghost Town Blues Band
• 7:30-9:00 PM: Dewayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers

Other Activities Around Blue Ridge

When you aren’t enjoying the excitement of the Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ festival, there are so many amazing things to do on your autumn getaway in the Blue Ridge area. Known for its outdoor recreation, delicious restaurants, and beautiful vineyards and orchards, North Georgia is about to become your favorite vacation destination.

Hike the Blue Ridge Mountains

Photo Credit: Margaret.Wiktor

Hiking is one of the top activities in North Georgia year-round but is particularly spectacular in the fall months. The region is world-famous for its jaw-dropping fall foliage, and a hike through these colorful mountains is unforgettable.

Lake Blue Ridge Loop

For a casual stroll through beautiful scenery, consider the Lake Blue Ridge Loop. This 0.8-mile loop is just outside the town of Blue Ridge and provides great views of the lake and vibrant foliage, as well as great wildlife-spotting opportunities.

Benton MacKaye Trail

If you are looking for a challenge, you can hike the famous Benton MacKaye Trail that runs from Spring Mountain, GA, to Davenport Gap in Tennessee. However, most people opt to section hike this beautiful trail, and there are numerous trailheads in the Blue Ridge area.

Flat Creek Loop

The 6-mile Flat Creek Loop near Blue Ridge is popular all year, especially when the fall foliage is putting on a show. A creek and small waterfalls add to the peaceful beauty of this well-loved trail.

Visit an Orchard

Photo Credit: Zlatko Unger via Flickr CC2.0

Fall is the perfect time to visit an apple orchard, where you can purchase freshly-picked homegrown apples or pick your own. There are numerous beautiful options in the North Georgia area, and you can’t go wrong with whichever one you choose - these are a few of our favorites.

B.J. Reece Orchard

• Website: reeceorchards.com
• Address: 9131 GA-52, Ellijay, GA

This orchard is best known for U-pick apples, and its quaint market and bakery with apple cider donuts, petting zoo, and autumn activities

Mercier Orchard

• Website: mercier-orchards.com
• Address: 8660 Blue Ridge Dr, Blue Ridge, GA

The Mercier Orchard is known for its sprawling and picturesque backdrop, pick-your-own apples, market with goods and seasonal fruits, bakery, tractor tours, cidery, and winery.

Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Photo Credit: Lucy Kowalski

For a unique experience in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia, go for a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway! This four-hour scenic excursion through the Blue Ridge Mountains is especially popular in the autumn when the vibrant fall foliage takes your breath away around every bend.
 

Enjoy the Best Fall Festival in Blue Ridge

Are you ready to fill your belly and enjoy some good music on your upcoming cabin getaway? After you’ve booked your vacation rental, add the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival to your trip itinerary to experience one of the finest festivals in the area!

Book a beautiful mountain escape with Blue Sky Cabin Rental and enjoy the region’s wonderful festivals and activities during your autumn trip to North Georgia.