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HemlockFest

HemlockFest is an annual benefit music festival, held the first full weekend of November, to increase public awareness and generate funds to help save the eastern and Carolina hemlock trees.  Money raised will be used for support of the Georgia laboratories rearing adelgid-devouring beetles, education and research on the HWA problem, and assisting businesses and homeowners to protect hemlocks on their private property.

HemlockFest 2009 will be held Friday - Sunday, November 6 - 8.
 

HemlockFest 2008

Dates and Times

Location

Starbridge Farm
326 Starbridge Rd.
Murrayville, GA 30564

Click here for Maps and Directions.

Tickets

To purchase tickets in advance, visit our HemlockFest Tickets page.

Preview of Bands and Activities

Emerald Rose Photo by Fox Gradin

Bands -- FireDance, as well as music from genres such as singer-songwriter, folk, blue/newgrass, blues, classic oldies, Celtic rock, and jam bands

Click on HemlockFest Bands for a three-day schedule of bands with photos and links.
 

Activities --

• Primitive camping -- please reserve early!

• Swimming, fishing, pond discovery, and canoeing on Lake Merlin

• Knife throwing and archery

• Arts and crafts demonstrations

• Hemlock adoption center with top hemlock experts on hand to answer questions

• Interactive presentations and exhibits, including live birds of prey

• Medicine Wheel walk, morning bird walks, and interpretive nature walks

• Raffle and Silent Auction

• Movies, face painting, and lots of other kid-friendly activities

• NEW THIS YEAR -- an entertaining and enlightening Puppet Show about the fierce battle between the heroic hemlocks and the wicked woolly adelgids; appropriate for kids of all ages!

Click on HemlockFest Activities for a three-day schedule of special programs as well as detailed lists of exhibits, demonstrations, and ongoing activities.
 

Vending --

Click here for more on Vendors.

Preserving our Beautiful Forests

The eastern and Carolina hemlock trees are dying due to a spreading infestation of the hemlock woolly adelgid, an aphid-like insect native to Asia.  Hemlock stands are among the only old growth forests in the east and are of great importance to wildlife, water quality, economy, and basic quality of life.

The Lumpkin Coalition's goal in sponsoring HemlockFest is to raise money to help support Georgia laboratories raising the predator beetles which control woolly adelgid populations in Asia.  Research has shown that the tiny Japanese ladybug, Psedoscymnus tsugae, has a huge appetite for the tree-killing woolly adelgid.  Natural resource managers in the Northeastern United States have begun to use these beetles as a biological control method to save the environmentally precious hemlock trees, and we are raising money to support similar programs to protect our Southern forests.

How You Can Help

We need sponsors, volunteers, and donations!

Sponsors -- The Lumpkin Coalition is  100% volunteer 501(c)3 organization with no paid officers or staff members, and we are continually seeking sponsors for HemlockFest.  You can read about the Sponsorship Program and see who some of our sponsors are on the Sponsors page.  And if you'd like to help, please visit the Donations page or Contact Us with questions.

Volunteers -- If you would like information about the wide variety of volunteer opportunities, please visit the HemlockFest Volunteer page.  Or go directly to the Volunteer Sign-Up Form and sign up to help.

Silent Auction -- Each year the Silent Auction has raised a significant portion of the funds that we donate towards saving the Hemlock trees.  Local and surrounding businesses (near & far), you are invited to donate Silent Auction items of any size and stature.  Be sure to include your business information with your item for display purposes, along with the item's value and a mailing address so we can get a tax recognition form to you.  For more information, see the Vendors page.

Materials Needed -- Each year we have need of some specific items and materials for HemlockFest.  Please click here to see the list of those we typically need, and if you'd like to help next year, please visit the Contact Us page.

Experts will be speaking on the hemlock issue and available to answer your questions throughout the day on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Come on out, bring your families and friends to hear the great music, eat wonderful food, take part in the fun activities, and enjoy the fall colors.

Learn what you can do to save your hemlock trees.

For more information:

e-mail info@lumpkincoalition.org

or call Forest Hilyer at 706-265-5282

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                                     © The Lumpkin Coalition 2008.  Send comments/questions to donna@lumpkincoalition.org.  Web site updated: 12/10/08.