East Ellijay: Festivals, River and History

East Ellijay lies on the banks of the Cartecay River. Festival dates and the range of topics, from regional history to brewing and distilling, provide useful starting points for planning a trip. This can help you decide whether a particular weekend or a cultural or culinary focus should shape your stay.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The Georgia Apple Festival has been held in Gilmer County for 55 years, over two weekends in October. In Ellijay and East Ellijay, hundreds of vendors offer handmade and handcrafted goods, along with demonstrations, live music and fair food. If you are considering crafts alongside demonstrations, music and food, the festival offers several aspects to take into account when planning your trip.

East Ellijay also hosts the Georgia Apple Blossom Festival every year on the first weekend in May. This makes the choice of travel dates clear: the Blossom Festival takes place on the first weekend in May, while the Apple Festival runs over two weekends in October. You can choose between the two dates based on which time period suits your trip.

Regional History and Personal Stories

The North Georgia Mountains History Center is located at 772 Maddox Dr., Suite 126, in East Ellijay. It presents regional and national history through stories about military personnel and civilians connected to this part of the state. For travelers interested in history, the focus is on life stories that link a regional perspective with a broader national context.

Brewery, Distillery and Rentals

The House of Applejay Distillery is also located in East Ellijay. House Of Applejay’s History & Tasting Tours must be booked in advance. During these tours, guests explore the history of liqueurs and distilling and sample selected creations from House Of Applejay. The offering therefore combines a historical topic with a tasting; if you plan to take a tour, book in advance.

Cartecay River Brewing Co. is a 4-barrel craft brewery in East Ellijay. It offers beer flights, pints and growlers to go. Unlike the distillery, it offers different beer formats; House Of Applejay offers a tour that must be booked in advance and covers the history of liqueurs and distilling, with a tasting. This gives you a way to distinguish between beer options and a history-and-tasting experience when choosing what to include in your stay.

All safety equipment is included with rentals from Cartecay River Experience. This is a specific feature of these rentals, distinct from the festival and cultural offerings.

Local Shops

East Ellijay has locally operated shops alongside branches of national chains. The combination of local businesses and national chain locations adds another aspect of the town to the information about festivals, history and beverages.

Explore more destinations: Ellijay.

For the broader travel overview: Gilmer County.