A Taste of Toccoa

Mark your calendar for the 25^th  annual “A Taste of Toccoa” on May 2 from 11:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. held in Historic Downtown. One of Toccoa’s premier events will look different for its 25th year. You can still enjoy dinner downtown when you sample a variety of entrees from local restaurants and caterers but it will be held on a Saturday instead of a Thursday evening. Included this year will be the Currahee Artist Guild’s Art Show and the City of Toccoa classic car show. 

Each year local restaurants and caterers show off their specialty menu items in smaller portions so everyone can have a “little of something” or go back and enjoy another portion of their favorite. Applications are still being accepted from restaurants and caterers. For more information or for an application, call Sharon Crosby at 706-282-3309.

Teen and children can enjoy many other activities.  Entertainment will include the following: 11:00 – 12:00 – Precious Minutes Martial Arts

12:00-1:00 – Rhythm Acadamy

1:00-2:00 – Ryan Stinson

Ryan Anthony Stinson is a 25-year-old pianist and keyboardist that has been playing for over 15 years and performing for more than 9 years.  He is a recipient of the Pearl and Floyd Franks Music Scholarship, awarded through the Share America Foundation.  For several years Ryan has been a regular performer at the Ringgold Opry located at the historic railroad Depot in Ringgold, Georgia and the Mountain Opry located atop Signal Mountain in Tennessee. He also appears periodically as a guest at the Tribute Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Over the years he has performed at many various community events and on local radio programs.  Playing by ear, Ryan enjoys performing a variety of musical genres such as:  Classic Country; Oldies from the 50s, 60s and 70s; Rock and Roll; Jazz and Gospel.    Ryan has performed alongside such Gospel greats as The Watkins Family, Randall Franks, Archie Watkins, Johnnie Sue, and The Testimony Quartet.  Ryan Stinson is a 25 year old pianist from Ringgold, GA but has many ties to Toccoa.  His mom, Jill Terrell Stinson, was born in Toccoa and his grandparents, Jimmy and Joyce Terrell, were born, raised and married in Toccoa.  Jimmy is a 1956 graduate of Toccoa High School and Joyce is a 1958 graduate of Stephens County High School.  Ryan’s great-grandparents, Clark and Sue Terrell and John and Elsie Ledford, were lifelong residents of Toccoa.

Those who enjoy shopping will want to explore the specialty, art, clothing, and antique shops downtown.

Each year eight awards are given to the participating restaurants in several different categories; Most Authentic Representation of Business, the Extra Mile Award, the Taste Award for Desserts, the Taste Award for a Menu Item, and the top three restaurants for the Most Tokens Collected. Again this year there will be the People’s Choice Award.  Festival attendees can vote for their favorite restaurant and for their favorite menu item. The voting will take place at the WNEG Radio tent.  Ballots will be available for everyone to vote.

“A Taste of Toccoa” is a great way to enjoy a wonderful spring day with good friends, good food, and good entertainment! For further information, contact the Main Street office at 706-282-3309 or toll free at 1-877-6-TOCCOA.