Prater’s Mill country fair scheduled for Oct 12-13
Country fair time will arrive at old Prater’s Mill Oct. 12 and 13 near Dalton, Ga. Always held on the second full weekend in October, the fair is presented at historic Prater’s Mill, a water-powered gristmill that still grinds corn the old-fashioned way.
The mill is at 5845 Ga. 2. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7; children 12 and under free. Parking is free.
Crafts demonstrations include blacksmithing, quilting, woodcarving, chair caneing and hand tufting, a cottage industry that evolved into the tufted carpet industry centered in Dalton.
At the fair, visitors take self-guided tours of the operating gristmill, the country store, Shugart Cotton Gin and Westbrook Barn, complete with farm animals, a petting zoo and animals to adopt.
Across the road from the mill is the 1898 Prater’s Store. In a cabin near the store, Dalton Pike Church of God members serve authentic southern meals of chicken and dumplins, collard greens and cornbread cooked on a wood-burning stove. Elsewhere throughout the festival area are other specialties, such as pit-cooked barbecue, apple cider and churned ice cream.
During the fair, families enjoy canoeing on the Coahulla Creek, riding the “Little Texas” train and pony rides for the children. Educational exhibits include working antique tractors, antique cars and “Peacock Alley,” a clothesline display of hand tufted bedspreads. Nature lovers walk the Norma Gordon Nature Loop and the new Prater’s Mill Greenway.
Continuous entertainment on stage offers Appa- lachian- style cloggers, a wild animal presentation, the play “The Legend of Charles Prater”, as well as country, bluegrass and gospel artists. Wandering musicians, dulcimer players and storytellers perform throughout the festival area.
The Prater’s Mill Country Fair is sponsored by the Prater’s Mill Foundation, a nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to historic preservation and education. Thirty-seven civic clubs, churches and schools also participate in the community event.
After the fair is over, guided tours of the site will be resume on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is charged.
Interstate travelers should take I-75 to the Tunnel Hill-Varnell Exit #341; drive north 4.5 miles to the intersection with Hwy 2 at Varnell; turn right and continue 2.6 miles to the mill, a total distance of seven miles from I-75.
For more information, call 706-694-MILL (6455) or e-mail pratersmill@ pratersmill.org or visit the website at pratersmill.org.
Prater’s Mill country fair When:
Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5845 Ga. 2, Dalton, Ga.
Where:
$7; children under 12 free
Admission: