SAUTEE NACOOCHEE, GEORGIA–DECEMBER 2019–Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Helen Arts & Heritage Center and Sautee Nacoochee Center announce the 2020 WinterFest Arts & Coach Tour. The weekend of festivals will include 145 artists, at three locations over two days, for one ticket price.
WinterFest dates and times are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, February 15 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, February 16, so there is no rush to see everything in one day. And, treasures found on Saturday may still be available for purchase on Sunday.
WinterFest is an interactive, move at your own pace event that is set in the winter beauty of Northeast Georgia. At all three locations, artists will demonstrate their skills and bring to life new and exciting pieces. Food vendors are available and live music will be presented at each site.
Hop on/Hop Off Coach Service is offered both days, Saturday and Sunday, connecting the three venues. There is no charge for the festival at each venue, but a multi-part ticket and wristband is needed to ride the coach to each venue and be eligible for the Grand Prize drawings. The ticket is $10 and is good for both days. A book of five tickets for $40 is also available.
The transportation ticket acts as a Grand Prize ticket, as well. Tickets that are stamped at all three locations go into the drawing for Grand Prizes valued at over $450 that are offered by each festival site.
While a fundraiser designed to support the educational efforts of the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, WinterFest is an important economic driver for White County, Georgia, during an otherwise quiet time of year. The event is coordinated by the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association and funded in part by the White County Commission, the Georgia Council for the Arts and Sautee Nacoochee Corporate Partners Program.
The Fireside Arts and Craft Show at Unicoi State Park and Lodge is in its 45th year and has artisans that have attended the show since its inception 44 years ago. Fireside will host more than 74 artisans and crafters in 2020.
Experience a mixture of heritage, art and fine craft at the Alpine Winter Festival at the Helen Arts & Heritage Center. The Center’s heritage museum presents the “Story of Helen.” Over 75 artists are represented in the galleries.
The artists at the Sautee Nacoochee Art Festival come from Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama. All of the 40-plus artists who participate are juried, ensuring the best original local and regional artwork.
The timing of WinterFest could not be better. It occurs over President’s Day Weekend, which in 2020 also happens to be very close to Valentine’s Day.
Information about and tickets for WinterFest Arts & Coach Tour are available at www.WinterFestArtsTour.org or by calling 706-878-3300.