Historic Plaque Installation Next Week

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

RE: Historic Plaque Ceremony, Troup’s Gold Crown Hallmark, June 2, 2016

TOCCOA, GA – The last historic plaque in the 2015-2016 series of plaques dedicated to downtown buildings will be mounted on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 5 p.m., at Troup’s Gold Crown Hallmark, located at 26 E. Doyle St.

R. L. Smith started a TV and Appliance center at the corner of Doyle and Pond Street.  Smith Furniture opened in this location in January 1972 and was located in this location for 21 years.  Before Mr. Smith purchased the building it was a garage.  Mr. Smith was very active in downtown and served as president of the merchants association.  Smith Furniture is now the oldest store of its kind in the city.  Bob Troup bought the building in 1993 to expand his business.  The pent roof and gabled dormers make this building unique in downtown.

 The historic plaque program highlights ten historic buildings in Toccoa, and the remaining plaques are set to follow each month. Once all plaques have been installed, a walking tour podcast will accompany them to further bring historical awareness to downtown Toccoa.

Everyone is invited to attend this event! The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions. Please contact Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.

Taste of Toccoa Winners!

2016 Taste of Toccoa Award Winners

Toccoa, GA – May 19, 2016 – Main Street Toccoa announced the winners of the 2016 Taste of Toccoa at the awards ceremony held in the City Hall on May 6. Each year participating restaurants are judged in four different categories, Best Representation of Business, The Extra Mile Award, “Taste” Award for Dessert, and the “Taste” Award for a Menu Item. Restaurants are able to choose which of their items they would like to be judged. An award is also given to the restaurant which collected the most tokens. Just recently, an additional award is given called the “People’s Choice Award.” Festival attendees can vote for their favorite restaurant and food item.

This year’s winners are:

Best Representation of Business 

First Place: Toccoa Falls Culinary 

Second Place: Domino’s

The Extra Mile Award 

First Place: Camp Fire

Second Place: McDonald’s

“Taste” Award for Dessert 

First Place: X-Factor for Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight

Second Place: Sweetly Southern for Moonshine Cake

“Taste” Award for Menu Item 

First Place: Java Station for Panini Italiano

Second Place: Shirley’s Sole Food for Butternut Squash

People’s Choice Award 

Friends @ the Rebel for Asian Chicken Taco

Most Tokens 

First Place: Just Right Catering 

Second Place: Domino’s

Main Street Toccoa wants to thank each of the businesses that participated in the 2016 Taste of Toccoa and each of the volunteers who helped during the event.

“Paying it Forward” at TASTE OF TOCCOA

The 26^th annual “A Taste of Toccoa” will be on April 28 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  in Historic Downtown. This year one of the downtown businesses will be partnering with a local non-profit to help the hungry in Toccoa. The local bakery, Victoria’s Sweet Treats, will partner with the First Presbyterian Church of Toccoa and the Toccoa Food Bank, and collect non-perishable food. The following items will be accepted:

peanut butter
jams or jelly (glass jars accepted)
canned meats or salmon
canned or Ramen soups
canned vegetables
canned fruits
canned pasta
hot and cold cereal
rice
dry beans
macaroni & cheese
baby food & cereal (glass jars accepted)

The items can be deposited at the booth which will be located next to Victoria’s Sweet Treats on Doyle St.

The Taste of Toccoa is an annual event at which local restaurants and caterers can show off their specialty menu items in smaller portions. This way everyone can have a “little of something” or go back and enjoy another portion of their favorite.

Teens and children can enjoy many other activities.  Entertainment will include the following: Heroes in Force, stilt walker Carrie McQueen, Home Depot children’s workshop, sand art, inflatables, mechanical rides, and face painting. The International Hmong Dance Group will perform at 5:00 – 6:00, the  Rhythm Academy from 6:00 – 7:00, Country singer Will Thompson will perform at 7:00 -  7:30 and The Dance Studio will be on from 7:30 – 8:00.

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.

For the safety of the public, Doyle Street from Alexander Street to Sage Street will be closed from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m. At 2:00, Doyle Street, from Sage Street to North Hill Street will be closed until 9:00 p.m.     

Activities at TASTE OF TOCCOA

There will be something for everyone in the family to do at the 26^th annual “A Taste of Toccoa” on April 28 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Not only will there be food from several Toccoa restaurants, but there will be activities for all the family.

This year there will be a rock climbing wall, Papa’s Little Choo-choo, stilt walker Carrie McQueen, face painting, inflatables, and other mechanical rides. Home Depot will also provide a workshop for the children. Heroes in Force will be there to talk with the children and get pictures taken with them.

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

Entertainment will include the following:

5:00 – 6:00 – International Hmong Dance Group

6:00 – 7:00 - Rhythm Academy Dance

7:30 – 8:00 – The Dance Studio 

Tokens will be presold at the following places starting on Monday, April 25; First Citizens Bank, Oconee Federal Bank, Troup’s Studio, the Toccoa Chamber of Commerce.

For further information, contact the Main Street office at 706-282-3309 or toll free at 1-877-6-TOCCOA.       

A NEW TASTE OF TOCCOA

Mark your calendar for the 26^th annual “A Taste of Toccoa” on April 28 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. held in Historic Downtown. One of Toccoa’s premier events, you can enjoy dinner downtown when you sample a variety of entrees from local restaurants and caterers.

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: Heroes in Force, Rhythm Academy, The Dance Studio, and Carrie McQueen. Home Depot will have a children’s workshop.

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.

“We are looking forward to another great year at Taste of Toccoa. There will be plenty to do and plenty to eat,” stated Sharon Crosby, Special Events Coordinator.  For further information, contact the Main Street office at 706-282-3309 or toll free at 1-877-6-TOCCOA.