Georgia Apple Festival — Local services in Ellijay

We have gone to the apple festival every year the past few years we have lived in Georgia. A couple of times we drove up both weekends. We will buy some fresh apples and they are always so good. One of my favorite things to get are the apple fritters and I will splurge on them! They are really big and fantastic taste. So good! Everything I've ever gotten at there has been good. People are very hospitable and friendly, like visiting old friends or family.

The festival this year was very busy and lots of people. They had a really good turnout. The weather was perfect too, not too hot and beautiful clear skies. Fall was definitely in the air.

Being older, we especially like that we can park the car in town and take the shuttle to and from the festival at no charge, and I do tip the drivers. It's easier than trying to find a parking place at the festival itself. We've met some really nice folks on the shuttles and it doesn't take but a few minutes. They use school busses as shuttles so there's almost always plenty of room. We didn't have to wait long either, they came around about every 15 to 20 minutes.

Everything was very well organized and everyone was having a great time looking around and shopping. There were some pretty awesome vendors. Some I've seen every time I've been and a lot of new ones too. There's good foods and lots to see and do, something for everyone. There were activities for children, like a big inflatable slide or bouncey house in the back. Two of my favorite vendors are the chainsaw carving, live exhibition... we know them and they were the ones that told us about the festival... and the Steel my Heart metal signs folks. We have purchased several items from them. I love that the festival has such unique vendors, and variety!

There were people in electric scooters and wheelchairs, so handicap access did not appear to be an issue thankfully.

It's a good family friendly atmosphere. We have enjoyed it every time we've gone and driven about an hour to get there, and it was worth the trip. Several times we have been and taken friends and family with us, and just made a day of it. We have also come to visit the area after the festival was over, just to look around...

If I could give the Georgia Apple Festival "0" stars this year, I would. Absolutely horrible. This was our second time attending what was once an exciting and enjoyable event in Ellijay during the Fall. Fast forward to 2024, and this festival appears to be more of a Swap Meet and RV camping site, with no hook-ups.

We arrived at 8:45 AM after driving two and half hours from Walton County, GA, only to be greeted by a completely full parking lot as well as a heavy crowd. Once there was parking access, you were charged $5.00 to park. We purchased advances tickets of $10 each for two adults, only to stand in the line for an additional 30 minutes behind patrons that had to purchase at the gate.

Once inside, there was only "ONE" apple vendor and this was "CASH ONLY". Face painting was "CASH ONLY", many of the vendors were "CASH ONLY" as well. Like who is bringing cash with them anywhere nowadays? Not to mention there was not one ATM in site! Many of the vendors were not welcoming. Which if you are that way with me and my family, you lose cause we have no intention of purchasing from you anyway! BIG FACTS on that part!!!! The kid rides were 5 or more tickets, there was know place to sit and eat, and the Portable Toilets that were placed directly in front of the kid zone, were mostly locked and not accessible.

This festival has completely gone down hill. I will advise that you skip this event and find something like a Pumpkin Patch in your area, or a Apple Farm that you can attend to pick apples. To drive two and half hours and waste my Saturday for the Georgia Apple Festival was very disappointing. Never again! Avoid, Avoid,...

We had a blast. We went on Saturday the 12th on a whim, and parked at a gas station down the street. Parking there was $7 cash, which we didn’t mind. We walked and enjoyed the weather. There’s a $10 entrance fee, and they had police and volunteers directing people the whole time we were there. Everyone that was working the festival was kind and in high spirits. Was it a bit expensive? Yes, of course, but we read the website and knew to expect cash only some places. But almost all of the places we went had card options, and we didn’t even need the cash. I got some Christmas gifts for family there and we saw some really beautiful pieces of art. We enjoyed trying the local apples, as well as the different treats they had available like apple dumplings and cinnamon sugar apples. Also they had a wide variety of food options for sale from Greek to Philly cheesesteaks to classic fair food. One of the places had large glasses of iced tea for $4 and refills were only $1, so we didn’t have any problems there. It was what we expected it to be, vendors with homemade items, rides for kids, live music. I’m not sure why people are so upset. We had a great time! Just come in with the expectation that it’s going to be a relaxing day of enjoying the weather and walking around talking to folks. If you want to avoid parking problems, go early. But as for the steep hill, even though we didn’t park up there, they had about 10 school buses shuttling people up and down. You weren’t forced to walk it, but you could if...