The town of Blue Ridge GA has long been one of the biggest draws to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. So when this little town is throwing a party, it’s best to take notice.
Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Lodging Association, the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival has been entertaining and feeding people for over a dozen years now.
This organization promotes tourism and short-term rentals in Blue Ridge GA, helping visitors to find fine accommodations from which they can enjoy small mountain town vibes in North Georgia.
Their annual Blues & BBQ Festival helps to raise money for local non-profit organizations.
Beneficiaries of the 2024 Blue Ridge festival include Snack in a Backpack, Habitat for Humanity, Shop with a Cop, The Ferst Foundation, Fannin County Children’s Fund, and the North Georgia Mountain Crisis Network.
Read on for everything you need to know about the 13th Annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival in Blue Ridge GA, including details on dates, times, ticket prices, live music, delicious food, and more!
READ MORE: The 25 Best Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA
Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival Info
ADDRESS: 400 W. Main St, Blue Ridge GA
PHONE: (770) 546-9614
2024 BLUE RIDGE BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL DATES: Sept 19-21
HOURS:
Kickoff Party (Toccoa House Properties): Thursday, Sept 19, 5:30-7:30PM
BBQ at Old Toccoa Farm: Friday, Sept 20, 5-9PM
Festival (Downtown Blue Ridge): Saturday, Sept 21, 11:30AM–9PM
BLUE RIDGE BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL TICKETS: Official Website
FESTIVAL TICKET PRICES: Adults $10 at the gate, Kids ages 12 & under FREE
PARKING/SHUTTLE INFO: Parking is available throughout Downtown Blue Ridge. Additional parking is available for $5, with free shuttle service. Shuttles run from 11AM to 10PM. All money raised from parking fees will go to local children’s charities.
Driving Directions from Downtown Blue Ridge GA
The festival is in Downtown Blue Ridge. For Friday’s BBQ at Old Toccoa Farm, go northeast on E 1st/Old Hwy 76 up to Mountain Street. Take a left, then an immediate right onto Ada Street to get out of town. In 4.5 miles, take a right onto Curtis Switch Road, and the farm is about half a mile down on the right.
Driving Directions from Downtown Ellijay GA
Ellijay GA (another awesome Blue Ridge Mountain town) is just a 20-minute drive from the festival. Head south on N Main Street/Old Hwy 5 to get onto US-76 E. After about 12 miles on US-76, take a right onto E 1st Street/Old Hwy 76. Another 1.3 miles will get you to Church Street, where you’ll take a left to get to W Main Street and the festival.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Pet Friendly Cabins in Blue Ridge GA
Fun Things to Do at Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival
1. Eat Friday Night BBQ at Old Toccoa Farm
The Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival officially opens on Friday night, when attendees can enjoy food, drinks, and live blues at Old Toccoa Farm.
Even better, all proceeds from the night’s event support local children in need.
Old Toccoa Farm is an amazing venue located between the Cherokee National Forest and Chattahoochee National Forest. Its grounds include a tavern, golf course, and the picturesque Toccoa River. The views are phenomenal!
This event costs $100 per person, runs from 5-9PM, and takes place at The Tavern at Old Toccoa Farm. In addition to BBQ, local libations, and live music, attendees get a swag bag, valet parking, and a bourbon tasting.
READ MORE: Hiking the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge Near Blue Ridge GA
2. Taste Test the Pit Master’s Work
This beloved Georgia festival will include more than 15 different BBQ vendors, featuring the top chops from all around the state of Georgia.
For the main Saturday event, gates will open at 11:30AM in Downtown Blue Ridge. We can guarantee the fragrant smell of barbecue will be making your mouth water before you even reach the festival grounds!
BBQ vendors for the 2024 event include Hall-of-Famer Angel Fire 7 BBQ from Canton GA, The Inked Pig out of Gainesville GA, and DAS BBQ from the Metro Atlanta scene.
In addition to barbecue, there will be vendors selling ice cream, nuts, kettle corn, boiled peanuts, and more.
READ MORE: The 12 Best Restaurants in Blue Ridge GA
3. Shop at the Market
This year’s festival event will also feature a market, where food enthusiasts can buy sauces, equipment, and other goods.
Barbecue specialists at the market will include Smack Yo Mama Gourmet BBQ Sauce, the Small Batch Barbecue Company, and The Farm Sauce.
Other interesting food-related sellers are Point Blank Pepper Company (pickled peppers and sauces), Marano’s (fine pasta sauces), and Doc’s Healing Hives, a really cool organization that helps veterans (and pollinators in the process).
Cutco will be selling fine kitchen knives. Dark Valley Woodworks will be showing off their carpentry skills and cutting boards. And the Deadwood Guitar Co. will be popular among amateur pickers (and those who love them).
READ MORE: Apple Picking in Georgia: The 14 Best GA Apple Orchards to Visit
4. Groove to the Live Music
Of course the barbecue is only part of the fun at the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival. Live blues music will be happening all throughout the day, from noon to 9PM.
The festivities kick off with an hour-long set from Shannon York.
After that, each band sits in for a 90-minute slot. Scheduled performers this year include William Reed & The Juke Joint Dukes, The Crossroads Band, and Ray Fuller & the Blues Rockers.
The headliner of the show is the Tee Dee Young Band. Young, a Kentucky native, is considered a living blues legend.
His style and stage presence are highly dynamic, and sure to inspire some grooving and shaking along to his tunes.
READ MORE: What is Bluegrass? The History & Evolution of Appalachian Music
5. Explore Historic Downtown Blue Ridge
Of course, it’s important not to forget that this event is hosted in a premier vacation spot in the North Georgia Mountains. It’s a stunning place, with a magical backdrop and the small town charm cranked up to 11.
Deemed one of the South’s best mountain towns by Southern Living Magazine, Blue Ridge is just 90 miles north of Atlanta, near the GA/TN/NC boundaries.
It has upscale shopping, dining, and galleries, not to mention train rides on a scenic railway and easy access to hiking, white water rafting, and kayaking.
In other words, since you’re already in town for the festival, why wouldn’t you stay another night (or two) and enjoy the beautiful town of Blue Ridge?!
READ MORE: The 10 Best Blue Ridge GA Horseback Riding Tours
6. Thursday Kickoff Party at Toccoa House Properties
For folks hoping to make the most of the annual Fall festival, there’s also an official kickoff party on Thursday, September 19. It will take place at Toccoa House Properties from 5:30-7:30PM .
The grounds of the property cover 16 acres in the heart of the North Georgia mountains.
There are walking trails, spectacular Blue Ridge views, and direct access to the Toccoa River. There’s also a pool and a playground that kids will enjoy.
Toccoa House Properties has 6 fine cabins for rent, each with its own unique architectural design, and all guests enjoy full access to the property! –by Jonathon Engels; all photos courtesy Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival
