Alpharetta readies for old-fashioned family fun

Alpharetta's history and heritage will be on display - along with quilts, antique cars and old-time craft demonstrations - at the Old Milton Country Fair on the weekend of Sept. 13-14.

The Alpharetta Lions Club, Alpharetta Historical Society and City of Alpharetta will offer up some foot-stompin', good old-fashioned family fun from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at the Historic Log Cabin on the old Milton High School grounds (Milton Center) at 86 School Drive in Historic Downtown Alpharetta.

Admission and parking are free to the public.

A two-day long entertainment schedule features local and regional music groups including southern rock, classic country western, gospel, and bluegrass bands. A classic car show and period woodworking show will take place within the fair as well.

Family activities will include historical craft demonstrations, an antique car demonstration, old-time carnival games, pony carousel, quilting, horse and buggy rides, Native American crafts, trackless train rides, old-time dress-up portraits, clowns, face painting, storytelling, and a petting zoo. For the more competitive fair-goers, there will be a horseshoes tournament as well as watermelon, pickle and pie eating contests.

To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Alpharetta, the City of Alpharetta and Old Milton History & Genealogy Group will have for sale a new, hardcover pictorial history book, "Alpharetta, Milton County - the Early Years."

The 160-page limited-edition book features a front cover historic photo of Addie Mayfield DeVore displaying her contest entries at the original Milton County Fair, circa 1910. The author and historians who contributed to the publication will be available at the fair.

"We look forward to celebrating our local heritage at the upcoming fair," said Mayor Arthur Letchas. "With Alpharetta's sesquicentennial birthday in 2008, we are proud to remember and preserve our history for future generations."

A select number of crafters and artisans, antique dealers, produce and country store vendors will also participate in the fair, with items like mountain chairs, gourd art, vintage jewelry, antique trunks, quilts, wood carvings and Indian jewelry for purchase.

"I'm excited at the opportunity to work with the Alpharetta Historical Society and the City of Alpharetta to continue the annual tradition," said Garner Andrews, chairman for this year's Old Milton Country Fair. "The fair is a great place for families and individuals alike to come, relax and enjoy a weekend in Alpharetta."

"Stars 'N' Stitches" quilt show is a celebration of the history and art of our ancestors in their design, production and use of quilts. This show is presented by the Chattahoochee Evening Stars Quilt Guild and will be held in conjunction with the Old Milton Country Fair and the City of Alpharetta's 150th anniversary celebration.

The show will take place in the Main Gym of The Connected Academy at the Milton Center (old Milton High School) Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-14. Hours for the show are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 and children under 11 are free.

There will be approximately 300 quilts displayed in categories of piecing, appliqué, mixed techniques, hand pieced and hand quilted as well as Treasured Memories and Kids Quilts.

Attendees may purchase a ticket for a chance to win a quilt created by CES Guild members. The proceeds from the show and quilt giveaway will go to benefit community charities.

Highlighted by barbecue pork and chicken from Smoke Jack, a southern grill in Historic Downtown Alpharetta, food concessions at the fair will include burgers, brauts, corndogs, funnel cakes, old-fashioned ice cream, lemonade, cotton candy and boiled peanuts.

The Alpharetta Lions Club will also present a special "nostalgic" snack booth, offering such combinations as: an RC and a Moon Pie, bottled Coke and peanuts, Nehi Grape and Orange sodas, and more.

The Old Milton Country Fair, formerly the 10-year-old Alpharetta Heritage Festival, is presented by the Alpharetta Lions Club in partnership with the City of Alpharetta and the Alpharetta Historical Society.

For more information, phone 770-783-2314 or visit http://oldmiltoncountryfair.com/home.html or www.alpharetta.ga.us. For more information about the "Stars 'N' Stitches" Quilt Show, visit www.quiltsites.com/ces.htm.
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