Discover a hidden treasure of Appalachia’s people at the Prater’s Mill Country Fair on October 10 and 11 near Dalton, GA. The Prater’s Mill Country Fair is an outdoor festival of juried artists and craftsmen, talented musicians and good cooks. Held on the picturesque grounds of historic Prater’s Mill, a working gristmill established in 1855, the event is included in National Geographic’s mapguide to Appalachia’s hidden wealth of nature, history and culture. Experience eleven of our favorite things to love at the fair:

1. Silly hats on the Boy Scouts parking you in the lot
2. Colorful peacock bedspreads
3. Cornbread cooked on a wood stove
4. Pony rides, canoeing and the nature trail
5. The red mill grinding corn into meal as it has for over 150 year
6. Dancing and storytelling
7. Artists and craftsmen at work
8. Scents of fried apple pies, boiled peanuts and barbequed ribs cooked right before you very eyes
9. Hearing music from across the way
10. Homemade ice cream made with Mrs. Ruby’s secret recipe
11. Smiles on folks enjoying a great Georgia Day in the country

The Prater’s Mill Country Fair focuses on mountain music, Southern foods, living history exhibits and the handmade crafts and original art of 200 talented artists and artisans. Crafts demonstrations include blacksmithing, weaving, quilting, rug hooking, wood carving and hand tufting, a cottage industry that evolved into the tufted carpet industry centered in Dalton.

At the fair, visitors take self-guided tours including the operating grist mill, the country store, Shugart Cotton Gin and Westbrook Barn, complete with farm animals and a petting zoo. Across the road from the mill is the 1898 Prater’s Store where members of the Church of God of the Union Assembly serve authentic Southern meals of cornbread, pinto beans, turnip greens and sweet potato cobbler. Elsewhere throughout the festival area are other specialties, such as gumbo, apple dumplings and beef jerky.

Everyone enjoys canoeing on the Coahulla Creek, a leisurely walk down the nature trail and pony rides for the children. Educational exhibits include working antique engines, antique cars and “Peacock Alley,” a clothesline display of chenille bedspreads. Snakes Of Georgia is a new wildlife exhibit. Continuous entertainment on stage features square dancers, country bands and gospel singers. Wandering musicians create a musicfest 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. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5.00, children 12 and under free. Visitors are urged to dress casually and wear comfortable shoes. Parking is free.