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               North Georgia Festivals Guide / Education

Cover photo: Beth Snider, 400 Edition

For Pickens County residents, about the time they start shopping for school supplies for their children, they also start preparing for the Georgia Marble Festival. Where on the Earth but Jasper, Georgia, would you find a jail made of marble? The historic Pickens County Jail—now a haven for visitors rather than a stronghold in which to confine early outlaws—graces our cover. Where else but Tate, Georgia, would children attend school in a building made of materials more readily associated with palaces?

On October 4-5, 2008, the Georgia Marble Festival offers a host of entertainment options for the whole family, including the Parade, Road Race, a Motorcycle Ride and Expo, and a special area for even the youngest member of your group. The Fine Arts Exhibit will allow you to view the work of local artisans. Topping off the experience is a guided tour of the world’s largest open-pit marble quarry and the Nelson Marble Museum. You’ll be surprised at the ingenious uses of marble and marble byproducts. Learn more about the fun awaiting you at

the Georgia Marble Festival on page 18.

As the kick-off for our two Festival Guide issues, you’ll find this issue packed with just about every type of festival you could imagine! Even if your favorite activity is people-watching, great opportunities await you in North Georgia for the next several months. Festivals are a way we promote and preserve our heritage in Appalachia—displaying our wares, exhibiting our talents, and opening the doors to visitors from around the globe. Consider it a cultural version of the Olympics with no passport required.

This time of year also warrants some solid coverage of education in our area. Learning doesn’t have to stop with traditional methods of schooling, and we have several interesting articles about alternatives to the mainstream. Read on to learn more about planning for your children’s future and your own.

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