Weekend festivals in Hogansville, LaGrange big hit
Published 12:00 am Monday, October 19, 2015













HOGANSVILLE — The crisp, fall temperatures and bright blue, sunny skies held out through the weekend for a variety events throughout Troup County, especially for the popular 18th annual Hummingbird Festival.
Thousands of visitors and more than 200 vendors from around the southeast region filled East Main Street and beyond for two straight days to enjoy all the sights and sounds of the event.
There was a little something for everyone — rides, games and face painting for the children, plus food, live music and shopping for adults.
“This is a very popular festival,” said Ramona Burnside, owner of Crafts By Ramona. “There’s always a lot of traffic. We’ve always done very well here.”
Burnside’s tent was brightly decorated and inviting with her handmade wreaths celebrating the upcoming holidays and fan favorite football teams, plus wall hangings, table decor, candle holders and more.
She said this was her fifth year at the Hummingbird festival, and her best one yet.
“Sales have increased and more people have come through,” Burnside explained. “We were really busy on Saturday … we call it the girlfriends-out-shopping day. Sunday is the family-after-church-shopping day.”
Folks mingled throughout rows of tents offering everything from handcrafted jewelry, unique pottery and one-of-a-kind paintings to windchimes made out of bottles, handmade wooden signs and brightly knitted purses and scarves.
Two new exhibits debuted in this year’s festivities: folks received an upclose look at a special hummingbird showcase sponsored by the East Tennessee Avian Research’s Seymour Banding Station, plus the Troup County Master Gardeners Association sold hummingbird-friendly plants.
Meanwhile in LaGrange, people packed into parts of Main Street on Saturday afternoon and evening for the inaugural Craft Beer Festival hosted by the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority.
According to organizers, the event included more than 100 craft beers from around the world.
Justin Scully and Jason Aird, both representatives of the JC Bull Dog Hard Cider from Helen, said their booth stayed busy most of the afternoon.
“We came just to get our product recognized throughout the whole state,” explained Aird. “I also love people. I just love being so jolly.”
“I’m serious, I could stay here all day,” one guest in line told Aird.
“Top me off with the peach cider,” another guest said as the representatives poured a sample of their cider into the man’s glass.
Organizers said a souvenir sampling glass, unlimited tasting, live music, games of cornhole and food offerings were included with the cost of general admission into the event.
Proceeds will benefit downtown beautification projects of the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority.
Breweries participating included Abide Brewing Company, Goose Island Beer Co., Jailhouse Brewing Company, Jekyll Brewing, Kona Brewing Co., Landshark, Lazy Magnolia, Magic Hat Brewing Company, Monday Night Brewing, New Belgium Brewing, Omission, Red Hare Brewing Company, Red Hook, Southern Brewing Company, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Widmer Brothers Brewing and Yuengling.