When winter’s winds begin to soften, when slumbering buds begin to wake, and when birds burst into song and wildlife emerges from lairs, these are sure signs that spring in Georgia is not far behind.  In celebration of this most glorious season, the garden-and-green-space communities along Georgia’s Hospitality Highway – Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming/Forsyth County, Dawsonville/Dawson County, and Dahlonega – offer an array of arts, culture, recreational, and outdoor activities to enjoy. 

With special hotel and inn rates and packages, endless dining choices, and shopping opportunities galore, a visit along the Hospitality Highway is just the catalyst for seasonal transformations.  For more details and information on all there is to see and do for spring along the Hospitality Highway, visit www.HospitalityHighway.com.

Spring brings outdoor activities, festivals and events - all aflame with lots of seasonal color. 

As Mother Nature metamorphoses the North Georgia corridor of Georgia 400 into a landscape of pastel blossoms and greenery, a host of ongoing events and special activities tempt travelers into staying for a few days.  In Sandy Springs (www.visitsandysprings.org), visitors can enjoy the best of nature at Big Trees Forest Preserve and explore the history and gardens of the circa-1869 Williams-Payne House. 

Spring in Historic Roswell  (www.cvb.roswell.ga.us) beckons with gardens, trails, and marshes, plus the added incentive of canoeing or rafting the Chattahoochee, hiking the Vickery Creek Trail, or simply enjoying the 640-acre historic district filled with antebellum homes, restaurants, tea rooms, shops and galleries. 

Alpharetta (www.awesomealpharetta.com) celebrates its 150th birthday with a year-long celebration in 2008, but in special honor of spring, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau is promoting getaways for girlfriends and guys, including package giveaways for two.  Open year ’round in Cumming/Forsyth County (www.cummingforsythchamber.org) and ideal for a spring explorations are the Heritage Village and Indian Village at the Cumming Fairgrounds and the Bell Research Center at the Historic Cumming School, which houses a museum and library dedicated to researching the history and culture of the American South. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the chance to explore the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. 

Throughout Dawson County (www.dawson.org) spring driving tours take visitors to Amicalola Falls at Amicalola State Park, renowned for spectacular mountain beauty and wildflowers, but the acclaimed Kangaroo Conservation Center, home of the largest concentration of kangaroos outside of Australia, is worth the hop.  In Dahlonega (www.dahlonega.org), mountain festivals, fairs, and wineries highlight the Dahlonega/Lumpkin County area in the spring.  This Appalachian town, the site of America’s first gold rush, is the gateway to the North Georgia Mountains, with seasonal events focusing on warmer weather, canoeing, kayaking, and the outdoors. 

Exciting springtime festivals and events abound along the Hospitality Highway

March 

March 2 - Alpharetta:  Competitors in the 2008 Alpharetta Marathon and Half Marathon run through some of the finest scenery in all of North Fulton County.  Additionally, entertainment will be provided every three miles along the course and at the finish line.  

March 8 - 16 - Roswell:  Antique quilts join with new quilts at the Great American Cover-Up Quilt Show at the antebellum Bulloch Hall.  Special programs and demonstrations also highlight the show. 

March - Cumming/Forsyth County:  The Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center (www.sawneemountain.org), on Spot Road opens with stunning exhibits related to eco-history, biodiversity, and history.  

April

April 12 & 13 - Cumming/Forsyth County:  Saddle up for the seven-event IPRA World Championship Spring Rodeo (www.iprarodeo.com) at the Cumming Fairgrounds.  With barrel racing, calf roping, and more, the Wild West comes to Georgia. 

April - Cumming/Forsyth County:   Savor the sumptuous flavors of Cumming/Forsyth County during “A Taste of Forsyth” festival, featuring the cuisine of local chefs and restaurants. 

April 17 - May 17 - Sandy Springs:  The annual ARTSSpring is a month-long celebration of art in the city featuring art, music, drama, poetry, gardens, bicycling, dining, and dancing.

April 18, 19 & 20 - Dahlonega:  The 12th annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival (www.bearonthesquare.org) showcases bluegrass and old-time music and authentic mountain crafts with events including a country auction, storytelling, jam sessions, hollering and pie contests, and much more. 

April 19 - Alpharetta:  Children can see, touch, and explore their favorite big trucks at the “10th Annual Touch a Truck” event at North Park.  Featured vehicles include a fire truck, dump truck, school bus, 18-wheeler, limousine, police vehicles, and more.  This is food and fun on a grand scale.

April 19 & 20 - Alpharetta Arts StreetFest:  Presenting the work of artists from throughout the U.S., Arts Streetfest is a yearly celebration of the arts in Alpharetta.  The downtown streets close and fill up with original high-quality art from artists throughout the U.S.  This colorful festival features live jazz and acoustical music, cultural arts performances, theatre in the park, and creative cuisine. 

April 19 - Dahlonega:  The annual World Open Gold Panning Championship commemorates the discovery of gold in California in 1842.  Also visit www.worldopenpanning.homestead.com.

April 26 - October 28 -  Dahlonega:  The well-known Appalachian Jam, an event where North Georgia’s “pickers” and singers gather for music-making, is held every Saturday from April 26 through October 28 from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Dahlonega Gold Museum Sate Historic site. 

May 

May 3 & 4 - Sandy Springs:  The Sandy Springs Society Garden Tour leads visitors through some of the area’s most beautiful gardens for spring color.  Also visit www.sandysprings.org/society.

May 3 & 4 - Dawsonville:  Arts in the Garden Festival is a quality arts and crafts garden show held at the Dawsonville City Municipal Complex in downtown Dawsonville.  The festival features plants, garden-related crafts, and fine art.

May 4 - Sandy Springs:  A “Taste of Sandy Springs” is a day-long event that features a huge variety of fun, food, and dishes from local restaurants and businesses.

May 10 - Dahlonega:  The U.S. Army Mountain Ranger Run & Open House (www.5thrtb.org) offers the most challenging and scenic cross-country trail course in the north Georgia mountains.  The run is held in conjunction with the 5th Ranger Training Battalion's Open House. 

May 10 - Sandy Springs:   A preview gala fundraiser for “ARTSS in the Open” will be held at Paul Brown’s Gallery 63.  Although an invitation-only event, invitations are offered to anyone who is interested in attending. 

May 10 & 11 - Roswell:   Roswell’s town square is filled with artists from Roswell and the entire Southeast as the town celebrates the Colors Festival of the Arts with visual and performing arts, children’s activities, and food vendors.

May 15 - Alpharetta:   During the annual “Taste of Alpharetta,” visitors can sample foods from Alpharetta’s finest restaurants, enjoy children’s activities and rides, visit arts and crafts shows and businesses showcasing their products, and enjoy live entertainment.

May 17 - Sandy Springs:  The unveiling of the “ARTSS in the Open - Sculptures in the Garden” at the Sandy Springs Library includes free hot dogs and ice cream, live music, and the chance to meet local dignitaries and artists.

May 17 - Sandy Springs:  The artists participating in “ARTSS Paint the Town” create charming works and express themselves by splashing color on bare walls to create one-of-a-kind murals and mosaics.

May 17 - Alpharetta:  The 12th Annual Mayor’s Challenge 5K/10K Road Race is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and is perfect for the serious runner.  A Fun Run/Walk is also offered and is great for the entire family.  Additionally, a runner’s pancake breakfast is offered at the finish line.

May 17 & 18 - Dahlonega:  The annual Mountain Flower Arts Festival (www.dahlonegaarts.org) presents two days of fine art, crafts, and wildflowers with celebrations focused on local and area mountain wildflowers abundant in North Georgia. 

May 26 - Roswell:  Each Memorial Day, the Faces of War Memorial is the site of “Roswell Remembers,” Georgia’s largest Memorial Day ceremony and picnic.  For additional information, visit www.roswellmemorialday.com.

Georgia’s Hospitality Highway, a stretch of Georgia 400 that meanders from Fulton County to Lumpkin County and includes the communities of Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming/Forsyth County, Dawsonville and Dahlonega, contains a fusion of restaurants, shopping, historic sites, outdoor activities, and much more, all amidst some of the most dazzling scenery and green space in all of the state.  For more information, including links to additional websites and photography, visit www.hospitalityhighway.com.