Believe it or not, fall begins this month. There’s no better time to look forward to fall festivals – and cooler weather – than the tail-end of summer. It’s been a long hot summer, a cruel, cruel summer. Relief is on the way.
Here are some North Gwinnett highlights for the coming season of gourds, pumpkin-spiced everything, tricks, treats, and cooler weather.
Buford Corn Maze –
September – November
Country Living Magazine named the Buford Corn Maze in its list of Top 25 Corn Mazes in America. Activities include the corn maze, popcorn jumping pillow, combine slide, hayrides, pumpkins, corn box, pony rides, and the Haunted Forest.
The Haunted Forest is suitable for ages 10 and up, when creatures come alive in a secluded forest and lurk throughout a winding labyrinth of twists and turns. The scary fun begins September 20 on weekends and lasts through November 3 from dark until closing. The Haunted Forest is open every night during the week of Halloween.
“At Buford Corn Maze, we strive to promote a family-friendly atmosphere,” said co-owner Tina Beggs, “while also educating children about agriculture and farming. We offer something for everyone which is what Country Living Magazine recognized.”
September Hours: Fridays 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Haunted Forest opens September 20, from dark to closing
The Buford Corn Maze is located 1/2 mile off I-985 at exit 8 (Lanier Islands Parkway), 4470 Bennett Road, Buford, GA 30519. Visit BufordCornMaze.com for additional hours through November.
For more information, visit BufordCornMaze.com
Suwanee Fest
September 21 – 22
Suwanee’s two-day celebration of community returns to Town Center Park on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22. Over 200 vendors and exhibitors, 15 entertainment acts, and a parade down historic Main St. are just some of the highlights of this annual fall tradition.
Suwanee Fest craft exhibitors include embroidery, leatherworks, tie-dye, and jewelry, with fine art from Atlanta favorite Manami Art. Food vendors range in variety from Vietnamese to Greek, donuts, and cupcakes to lemonade and popsicles.
Talented acts perform on stage and throughout the park, including dance groups, acrobats, solo artists, bands and other diverse groups.
The Family Fun Zone midway will feature carnival games and rides, a circus photo booth, and caricature and balloon artists. Suwanee Fest begins on Saturday at 9am with the parade, and festivities continuing in the park until 7pm. Sunday hours are from noon – 5pm.
For more information, visit SuwaneeFest.com
Sugar Rush Festival
October 19
Sugar Hill’s largest and sweetest event of the year (and winner of Gwinnett Magazine’s 2018 Best Festival) features art, music, food and more.
Held this year on Saturday, October 19 at The Bowl, the Sugar Rush Fall Festival is a one-day outdoor event featuring visual and performing arts, food, music, history, and family fun. In addition to a juried art show, custom screen prints, and artist demonstrations, up to 50 booths will be awarded to artists who wish to sell their work at the festival.
“Sugar Rush is one of our biggest events of the year,” said Sugar Hill City Council Member Taylor Anderson, “and it has something for everyone. There is a juried art show where community members get to vote for a people’s choice award. There are food trucks, inflatables, activities, a poster contest for middle and high schoolers and more. But what I like most about it is that we typically have over 10,000 people come to the event and it’s great to see the community come together like that. I’m excited for this year’s Sugar Rush. With the new E Center completed the festival will be better than ever.”
For more information, visit SugarHillArts.com/Events-Projects
— By Jim Simpson
