There's always so much to do, see, and learn at HemlockFest. In addition to the great music and crafts vendors, there are activities for all ages -- a full line-up of interesting and enjoyable programs and presentations plus ongoing exhibits, demonstrations, games, and lots of opportunity to just "do your own thing." And new this year, there's an entertaining and educational Kids' Nature Village!

Ongoing Activities, Exhibits and Demonstrations

Knife throwing and archery (Mark Warren of Medicine Bow,
http://home.alltel.net/medbow)
Canoeing on Lake Merlin (Appalachian Outfitters, www.canoegeorgia.com)
Fishing on Lake Merlin (bring your own rod and gear)
U.S. Forest Service exhibit (James Wentworth, www.fs.fed.us/conf)
National Park Service exhibit (Jerry Hightower, NPS, www.nps.gov/chat)
Clemson University hemlock adelgid exhibit (LayLa Burgess, Lab Director)
NGCSU hemlock adelgid exhibit (Sarah Osicka, Lab Coordinator, www.ngcsu.edu/resource/EnvirLeadCenter/pindex.htm)
Lumpkin Coalition exhibit (LC members)
Hemlock experts on hand all day Saturday and Sunday to answer questions
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper exhibit (www.ucriverkeeper.org)
Yahoola Creek Trails Conservancy exhibit (Judy Toppins and Crew, www.yahoolacreektrails.org)
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club exhibit and "Leave No Trace" demonstrations
(Pete Parsonsons & Beth Rothermel, www.georgia-atclub.org)
Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center (Matt Wagner, Heather Bennett,
www.blueridgeoec.com)
Camp Wahsega adopt a Chattahoochee National Forest Hemlock exhibit
Rock painting (Jerry Hightower, NPS)
Pond discovery (Jerry Hightower, NPS)
Live Snake and Furs & Skulls of North American Mammals
(Johnna Tuttle of Smithgall Woods, www.gastateparks.org/info/smithgall)
Live Birds of Prey (Loretta Dean and Lavern Buyer)
Silver Smith/White Smith (Drew Moats)
Natural element face painting (in Kids' Nature Village)
Face painting by 10-year-old Julia Clark, who is donating 100% of her proceeds
to the Hemlocks
Putt-putt frisbee golf
Large puppets to parade around and dance with
Arts and crafts vendors open all weekend
Beautiful venue to explore and enjoy
Lots of musical entertainment, including fire dancing and after-hours acoustic jam
Good friends, good food, and good fun -- all centered around a great cause!

Scheduled Programs

Click here to download a copy of the HemlockFest 2009 Program.

Friday

3:00 p.m. Gates open to public

7:30 p.m. Story (kid-friendly) – Campfire near Kids' Nature Village

9:00 p.m. Story (kid-friendly) – Campfire near Kids' Nature Village

1:00 a.m.       Gates close (campers only)
**********       For campers only: After-hours acoustic open jam around bonfire
                       at Little Stonehenge

Saturday
8:00 a.m.      Gates open to public
8:00 a.m.      Bird Walk with Georgann Schmalz – meet at Program Info & Sign-Up tent
9:00 a.m.      Yoga with our local Lotus Lounge Yoga Studio’s Carolina Fuentealba
                     (bring your own mat if you want)

10:30 a.m. Plant Walk with Mark Warren (“Through the eyes of the Cherokee”) –
meet at Program Info & Sign-Up tent

11:00 a.m. Medicine Wheel Walk with Barry Bailey – meet at Tipi

1:00 p.m.      Hemlock Info Panel: Sarah Osicka, LayLa Burgess, Paul Arnold,
                      Mark Dalusky, Jim Wentworth, Mark Warren, Georgann Schmalz,
                      Judy Toppins, Donna Shearer, Melinda Brooks – main stage

2:30 p.m.    Interpretive Nature Walk with Jerry Hightower of the National Park
                      Service – meet at Program Info & Sign-Up tent
3:00 p.m.      Medicine Wheel Walk with Barry Bailey – meet at Tipi
3:30 p.m.      Plant Walk with Johnna Tuttle (medicinal plants) – meet at Program
                      Info & Sign-Up tent
4:30 p.m.      Medicine Wheel Walk with Barry Bailey – meet at Tipi

4:45 p.m. Plant Walk with Mark Warren ("Through the eyes of the Cherokee") –
meet at Program Info & Sign-Up tent

5:00 p.m. Yoga with Carolina Fuentealba (bring your own mat if you like)

6:30 p.m. Story (kid-friendly) – Campfire near Kids' Nature Village

7:30 p.m. Story (kid-friendly) – Campfire near Kids' Nature Village

8:30 p.m. Story (kid-friendly) – Campfire near Kids' Nature Village

10:00 p.m.    Fire Dance by Unifire – stage front (www.unifiredance.com)
1:00 a.m.       Gates close (campers only)
**********       For campers only: After-hours acoustic open jam around bonfire
                      at Little Stonehenge

Sunday
8:00 a.m.      Gates open to public
9:00 a.m.      Yoga with Neville Harris (bring your own mat if you want)
11:30 a.m.    Interpretive Nature Walk with Jerry Hightower of the National Park
                      Service – meet at Program Info & Sign-Up tent

12:30 p.m.   Medicine Wheel Walk with Barry Bailey – meet at Tipi
1:00 p.m.       Hemlock Info Panel: Sarah Osicka, LayLa Burgess, Paul Arnold,
                       Mark Dalusky, Mark Warren, Judy Toppins, Donna Shearer – main stage

2:00 p.m.     Plant Walk with Mark Warren (“Through the Eyes of the Cherokee”) –
                      meet at Program Info & Sign-Up tent
2:30 p.m.     Medicine Wheel Walk with Barry Bailey – meet at Tipi
3:00 p.m.      Interpretive Nature Walk with Jerry Hightower – meet at Program
                      Info & Sign-Up tent
3:50 p.m.      Silent Auction ends, final words, and Hemlock Song

HemlockFest 2009 Activities

Ongoing Activities, Exhibits and Demonstrations

Scheduled Programs