41st Annual Harvest Festival Occurs this Weekend!

Press Release

From: Sharon Crosby, Special Events Coordinator

Release: Immediate

Date: 10.24.17

RE: 41^st Annual Harvest Festival

Toccoa, GA, October 24, 2017- Toccoa’s annual Fall tradition returns this weekend to the historic downtown district. Main Street Toccoa is proud to report that the 41^st annual Harvest Festival will occur on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29.

“Like last year, we plan on having over 125 craft and food vendors set up on Doyle Street from Alexander Street to Hill Street,” said Main Street Toccoa’s Special Events Coordinator, Sharon Crosby. “We’re bringing back some local favorites, but we’ll have new vendors selling all homemade and handcrafted goods and merchandise.”

The Harvest Festival will also feature two entertainment stages, one located at the intersection of Doyle Street and Sage Street, and another located at the intersection of Doyle Street and Hill Street. Returning from Totally Toccoa, Main Street Toccoa’s recent solar eclipse block party, is The Rose of New Orleans, who will be performing on the main stage downtown. Other professional and local musical acts will be performing all weekend. The event will also have numerous children’s activities available for families.

“We’re excited to bring in the Fall season with our 41^st Harvest Festival,” said Crosby. “It’s such a great gathering of families, friends, and a wonderful way for the community to celebrate what makes Toccoa so unique.”

The Toccoa Harvest Festival takes place on Saturday, October 28^th from 10am – 5pm and Sunday, October 29^th from 10am – 4pm.

Downtown streets will close at 5pm on Friday, October 27^th and will stay closed until 6pm on Sunday, October 29^th. Affected Streets include Doyle Street from Hill Street to Alexander Street, Sage Street from Tugalo Street to Foreacre Street, and Pond Street from Tugalo Street to Foreacre Street. Sage Street from Tugalo Street to Rice-Lewis-Gillard Way will be closed starting Friday, October 27^th at 7am.

For more information, please contact Sharon Crosby at the Main Street Office at 706.282.3309 or via email at scrosby@cityoftoccoa.com.

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2017 Costume Parade

Press Release

Date: 10.23.17

Contact: Sharon Crosby, Special Events Coordinator

Release: Immediate

RE: 2017 Costume Parade

Toccoa, GA, October 23, 2017- Main Street Toccoa is proud to announce that the annual Costume Parade will once again take place in Downtown Toccoa on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

As with past years, the Costume Parade will begin promptly at 10am. Parents are asked to have their children form two lines in the greenspace at the corner of Doyle Street and Alexander Street- those who will be participating in the costume contest and those who will be simply marching in the parade. Those with homemade costumes who would like to be judged will form the inside line. Those who would not like to be judged will form the outside line. For those wanted to be judged, parents or guardians will fill out a form with the child’s name, age, and contact information clearly marked to assist the judges. Prizes will be awarded in several categories: Children ages 2 and under, children 3 years old, and children 4 and older.

The parade is free to participate in and open to the public. Downtown businesses will be providing candy for those participating. The route of the parade will follow Doyle Street through the center of Downtown. At the corner of Doyle Street and Sage Street, the route will follow Sage Street, cross to its other side, and continue down Doyle Street to Family Eye Care. The route will then follow Doyle Street back to the corner of Doyle Street and Sage Street. The parade will be over at approximately 11:30am, with prizes awarded. Refreshments will be served to the children following the conclusion of the parade.

For more information about the 27^th annual Costume Parade, please contact Sharon Crosby at the Main Street Office at 706.282.3309 or via email at scrosby@cityoftoccoa.com.

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2017 Harvest Festival

Press Release

Contact: Sharon Crosby, Special Events Coordinator

Date: 10.17.17

Release: Immediate

RE: 41^st Annual Harvest Festival Returns to Toccoa

October 17, 2017, Toccoa GA- Main Street Toccoa is proud to announce that the Harvest Festival returns for its 41^st year on Saturday, October 28^th and Sunday October 29^th. This annual event returns with a bang this year, featuring even more vendors and entertainment options than years past.

“We’re proud to announce that this year’s festival will have over 150 vendors,” said Main Street Special Events Coordinator Sharon Crosby. “These vendors will be selling an eclectic mix of homemade and handcrafted crafts, products, and food items that are sure to be a hit for all attendees.”

In addition to the craft and food vendors, the 41^st Annual Harvest Festival will feature entertainment options, ranging from two music stages to a children’s “choo choo” train. Families will even be able to climb a large rock wall in Downtown Toccoa! The primary entertainment stage, featured at the intersection of Doyle and Sage Streets, will be a covered stage and will promote several professional music groups. The second stage, located at the end of Downtown near Regions Bank, will feature Toccoa’s numerous local talents. Come out and support Toccoa’s musicians.

The Harvest Festival is an annual tradition that not only ushers in the cooler weather of the Fall season, but more importantly, brings together families in Toccoa for an exciting and family-friendly event that has been successfully held for the last 41 years of Toccoa’s history.

But the Harvest Festival is not the final event of October. On October 31^st, the annual Children’s Costume Parade occurs in Downtown Toccoa. This fun event features a costume contest and all the candy from downtown businesses that children can fit inside a plastic pumpkin!

Main Street Toccoa looks forward to a fun and safe Harvest Festival and Costume Parade. For more information, please contact Sharon Crosby at the Main Street office at 706.282.3309.

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Open Mic Monday's October Winners

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Keith Kozicki, 706.282.3232

Date: 10/17/2017

RE: Open Mic Monday October Winner

The Historic Ritz Theatre selects October Open Mic Competition Winner

 

                                   

Clint Coker (left) and Daniel Mack (right) perform at the Ritz Theatre

Toccoa, GA, October 17, 2017

Daniel Mack of Martin, GA and Clint Coker of Habersham County have won the October round of the Open Mic Monday competition that took place this past Monday night, October 16th at the Historic Ritz Theatre.

The three-judge panel consisted of veteran Atlanta radio personality Kelly McCoy, Ritz Theatre General Manager Keith Kozicki, and Toccoa musician David Shabat.  Mack and Coker were the unanimous first place choice of the judges. The performances included a variety of live music, poetry and even stand-up comedy.

“It was another strong showing by our local area talent. We expect the next two Open Mic Monday events in November and December to continue showcasing some really outstanding performers.” according to Open Mic Monday emcee McCoy.

The next competition is Monday, November 20th at 7 PM.  Open Mic Monday is held every third Monday of the month through December and is a free event. Interested performers can sign up by email at ritztheatretoccoa@gmail.com or at the Historic Ritz Theatre on the evening of the show on a first-come, first-up basis. Contestants will play 3 songs or perform for 15 minutes, whichever comes first. Winners from each of the four nights will be invited back for a “Final 4” competition on January 22^nd to determine the ultimate Open Mic Monday winner. The winning performer will get a paid gig as the opening act for the first Ida Cox music series performance in June of 2018.

The remaining dates are 11/20 and 12/18 with the final competition to be held on January 22^nd, 2018. 

For more information about Open Mic Monday, contact Keith Kozicki, General Manager, Historic Ritz Theatre at 706. 282.3232.

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