4th of July Celebrations

FireworksCelebrate Independence Day on Saturday, July 3, 2010 in Chatsworth. Events will get started at 4 PM at the Murray County Rec Center on Chestnut Street. The band Long Shot will be playing starting at 6 PM and fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30.

Dalton will also be celebrating the 4th of July on July 3, 2010 at Heritage Point Park, 1275 Cross Plains Trail, Dalton. Festivities will begin there at 10 AM with games, a traditional hispanic dance, a Little Miss Rec contest, and other activities ending with fireworks at 9:30.

Whether you choose to celebrate in Chatsworth or Dalton, there is sure to be a lot of fun for everyone!

Bat Blitz at Fort Mountain

BatBats seem kind of scary, huh? There are many species of bats and most of them eat insects or fruit, not as eerie as it would seem. They really are fascinating animals and you can learn more about them and their interesting abilities at the Bat Blitz at Fort Mountain State Park on July 25, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 10 PM. You can watch biologists as they net the bats and listen as they instruct you on their capabilities. Find out even more from the bat displays and have some fun making bat crafts. There is a $5 parking fee. Call 770-918-6792 for more details and information.

Fort Mountain State Park is located at:
181 Fort Mountain Park Rd
Chatsworth , GA 30705

Chief Vann House Days

Visit the Chief Vann House on Saturday, July 24, 2010, from 10 AM to 4 PM for Chief Vann House Days. You will able to observe many craft demonstrations made the same way they were in the 1800′s. Cherokee tribal members along with local artisans will be demonstrating the arts of blacksmithing, quilting, spinning, doll making, weaving, soap making, chair and basket weaving and more.

Chief James Vann was a very wealthy Cherokee leader and businessman in the late 1700′s, early 1800′s. He developed one of the largest and most prosperous plantations in the Cherokee Nation. After he was murdered in 1809, his son, Joseph, inherited his plantation. He also became a Cherokee leader and went on to become even more successful than his father. Unfortunately the Vann family lost their land when the Cherokee Nation was forced west on the Trail of Tears but were able to build a new home when they reached Oklahoma. Chief Vann House is one of Georgia’s best preserved historic Cherokee Indian homes and offers guided tours Thursdays through Saturdays 9 AM – 5 PM. Admission is $3.50 – $5.00.

Chief Vann House Historic Site is located at:
82 Ga. Highway 225 N
Chatsworth , GA 30705
706-695-2598

51st Annual Appalachian Wagon Train

HorseThe Murray County Saddle Club presents the 51st Annual Wagon Train beginning July 1 through July 11, 2010. Many events will be taking place including Open Horse and Mule Shows, Livestock and Tack Auctions, Fun Shows, Barrel Races, and more. Dances will be held nightly except Sunday from 9 PM to 1 AM.  with trophies being awarded at the end of the week. A Wagon Train parade will be held in Downtown Chatsworth on Highway 411 on Friday, July 9th beginning at 6 PM.

Bring the whole family for a week of fun and horsemanship.

Contact the Murray County Saddle Club for more details and information.
560 Hwy 52 East
Chatsworth, GA

Patriotic Musical at Chatsworth City Park

Memorial FlagsA Patriotic Musical will be performed at Chatsworth City Park on Saturday, May 29th at 4PM. There will be food vendors and games for children starting at 3PM.

Many singers from area churches have joined together with the band from Murray County High School and other area musicians to put on this wonderful patriotic celebration honoring people from all branches of the military. Anyone attending from the military will be asked to stand and be recognized.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the afternoon!

Chatsworth City Park is located behind Chatsworth City Hall between First and Second Ave.

1st Annual Murray County American Red Cross Golf Tournament

Golf Club and BallThe 1st Annual Murray County American Red Cross Golf Tournament will be held on June 12, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the Spring Lakes Golf Course in Chatsworth Georgia.

There will be cash prizes awarded to the first, second, and third place winners. Other prizes and participation gifts will be awarded. Even an Arctic Cat 700 4×4 ATV, courtesy of Kirk’s Cycles of Dalton, GA, will be given for a hole in one!

Spring Lakes Golf Course is located at:
1591 Springplace Smyrna Rd
Chatsworth, GA 30705

Contact Spring Lakes Golf Course 706-695-9300 for more information. All proceeds will be going to benefit the Murray County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Geocaching In The North Georgia Mountains

Geocaching is like the game of hide and seek. It combines technology with the thrill of outdoor adventure. Hikers, campers, singles and families all enjoy this treasure hunting game where they use GPS to hide and seek containers with other participants. If you are visiting the Chatsworth GA area and want to learn about Geocaching then visit the Official Global GPS Cache Hunt website. Learn all about this exciting and challenging activity. It’s so easy to get started, register for a free membership, click on Hide and Seek a Cache, enter your postal code and click search. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name. Enter the coordinates into your GPS device then go find your hidden cache. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location. You can share your stories and photos on line. Through word of mouth, and even accidental cache discoveries, more and more people are becoming involved in geocaching. First started by technology and GPS enthusiasts, the ranks of geocachers now include couples, families and groups from all walks of life. Today you can do a search on just about anywhere in the world and be able to walk, hike, bike or drive to a nearby hidden cache. Check it out, you’ll enjoy the experience of meeting this new challenge, finding hidden treasures and placing your own caches for others to discover. If you hide it, they will come.

Guest Author Phil Cunniffe owns and operates The Hearthstone Lodge Bed and Breakfast near Ellijay Georgia.