Gold, gem seekers 'serious' at Gold Rush Days

DAHLONEGA - Rain and cloudy weather did not stop serious gem and gold seekers at this year’s Gold Rush Festival in Dahlonega Saturday.

Hop Smith was one of the 300 exhibitors downtown with his ‘Rocky Hop’ gem and gold mine panning concession; he said he got the idea from the original gold rush back in 1828.

"It's a little harder to do, but with the price of gold today, you need to be doing gold mining," Smith said.

Betsy Osborne from Atlanta rolled up her sleeves, took Smith’s advice and started panning for the yellow stuff.

"I'm hoping to find a big nugget but haven't found one yet," she said.

Gold Rush sponsors, the Dahlonega Jaycees are hoping sunny weather Sunday will bring out an estimated 200,000 to their annual autumn festival considered one of the biggest in the Southeast.
Gold Rush events ranged from hog calling to cross cut sawing to buck dancing.

The Gold Rush King and Queen for 2009, Bryson Wilkins and Loretta Grizzle, were crowned shortly after the event's official start.

Saturday visitors ignored the cool wet weather, wore warm clothes and brought umbrellas to experience the big fall event.
Dahlonega/Lumpkin County Chamber tourism director Stephen Smith says Gold Rush days brings money, recognition, and people...lots of people.

“We’ve got around 4,000 folks who live in the city limits and about 30,000 in the county and it absolutely explodes at the seams for this weekend in the fall," Smith said.