Gold Rush Days are held the third weekend in October (the 20th and 21st for 2007), when thousands come to see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega's 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event, and it is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visit over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement! It has been voted one of the Top 20 Events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Included in the two day event are a parade, children's activities, a fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race, King and Queen Coronation, hog calling, buck dancing contest, gospel singing and other live entertainment, wrist wrestling, and last but not least – some delicious food!

2007 Gold Rush Schedule of Events

Saturday

8:00 Traffic thru Square will be stopped

10:00 Children's Treasure Hunt / Gospel Singing Begins

10:30  Fashion Show

11:30  Wheelbarrow Race

12:00 King & Queen Coronation

1:00 Hog Calling Contest

1:15 Liar's Contest

1:30  Beard Contest

2:00  Gold Rush Parade through the square

3:30 Cross-Cut Saw Contest

4:00  Buck Dance Contest

4:00  Gold Panning Contest

6:00  Traffic Permitted Through Square
 

Sunday

9:00 Traffic Thru Square will be stopped

12:00 Gospel Singing

12:45  Pipe Smoking Contest

1:00  Balloon Throwing Contest

2:00  Clogging Contest

3:15  Wrist Wrestling

4:00  Gold Panning

6:00  Traffic Permitted Through Square