Do you like to barbecue? Do you think your barbecue is the best? Come on down to Bridge Street in McCaysville, Georgia and put it to the test! The Tri-Cities Business Association is hosting the Copper Basin’s 1st annual Smoke on the River barbecue contest on September 24 and 25, 2010. Barbecue chefs will begin smoking their food on Friday, September 24 at 4 PM. The evening will progress with bluegrass music at 7 PM. The event starts to heat up on Saturday, September 25 at 3 PM as the judges begin their jobs of picking the best of 5 different categories. Awards will be given at 5 PM followed by music and dancing.

Awards will be given in these 5 food categories: Beef Brisket, Ribs, Pork Butt, Chicken, and desserts. Contest is open to backyard grillers only – no professionals.

Call (423) 496-9000 for more information on this event.

Lots of fun awaits you at the 38th annual Polk County Fair from August 30, 2010 through September 4, 2010. Many events will be taking place throughout the week including a talent show, a Pretty Baby contest, Bull Riding, Livestock shows, a cat and dog show, plenty of music and food, and, of course, the midway with lots of carnival rides. Enter your vegetables, canned goods, art and more into the exhibits for your chance to win a prize. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Directions to the fairgrounds from I-75 are: Take Exit 20-Ocoee River, travel on Hwy. 64 to Hwy. 411N towards Benton. Fairgrounds will be on the right. To get more details and information about the fair, call 423-338-4503.

For just $5 you can enter the Rubber Ducky Race at the McCaysville City Park on August 21, 2010 at 2 PM. Everyone who enters the race will get a rubber ducky that you will launch into the river at McCaysville City Park and the first one to reach the finish line at the Old Steel Bridge wins the race!

Prizes for winning are as follows:

1st Place – $25 and a prize
2nd Place – $20 and a prize
The first 10 to cross the finish line will receive a special gift.

This day of fun is being sponsored by the Tri Cities Business Association. Call 706-492-6014 if you would like more information or to register for the race.

The USDA Forest Service is throwing Smokey the Bear a birthday party on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Come help celebrate Smokey’s 66th birthday with lots of fun, games, firefighting exhibits, prize drawings and you’ll even get to see the birthday bear in person. There is no admission fee for the event only the regular All Day User’s Fee of $3.00 per vehicle.

The Ocoee Whitewater Center is in the Cherokee National Forest where there are plenty of recreational activities to enjoy like hiking, biking, and whitewater rafting. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy a picnic by the river. There are also several campgrounds in the area if you would like to spend the weekend. Enjoy all nature has to offer!

The Ocoee Whitewater Center is located:
 4400 Hwy. 64
Copperhill TN 37317
(423) 496-0100 �
(877) 692-6050

Celebrating Independence Day is happening on July 3, 2010 all around North Georgia and Tennessee this year. Don’t miss the Tri Cities Business Association great fireworks display from “Tater Hill” in sister city, McCaysville, Georgia starting after dark at approximately 9:30 PM. Come to town early and visit some of the shops and restaurants that will be open late and then pick your spot to enjoy the fireworks. You should be able to see them from most places around town. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Take a ride on the Twilight Train to enjoy an evening excursion on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway on June 12 or June 26, 2010. The train departs from the Blue Ridge station at 4:30 PM. The 26 mile round trip travels along the scenic Toccoa River with a 2 hour layover in McCaysville, Georgia/Copperhill, Tennessee. Make good use of your time while in McCaysville/Copperhill by getting a bite to eat or saunter into one of the local shops. The train returns to Blue Ridge at 8:30 PM.

Contact Blue Ridge Scenic Railway for more information and tickets.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
241 Depot Street
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
877-413-TRAIN (8724)
706-632-TRAIN (8724)

On the border of Georgia and Tennessee lies a small town by the name of Copperhill. The city sits on the banks of the Ocoee River where it flows into Tennessee from the Toccoa River in Copperhill’s sister city of McCaysville, Georgia. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad, traveling from Blue Ridge, Georgia along the Toccoa River, has a stopover in McCaysville, giving their passengers the opportunity to explore the towns of McCaysville and Copperhill, where you will find many charming shops and eateries to wander into.

Copperhill has a long, sad story behind it that has now seen a happy ending. In the late 1800s, copper mining was going strong in the Copper Basin, apparently without much thought to what was happening to the surrounding environment. Many thousands of acres of beautiful mountain land were devastated due to the mining and smelting of the ore. Much of the forest was cut down to clear the way for mining and logging operations, and resultant acid rain from the smelting processes killed vegetation and contaminated the nearby ponds and streams. In the 1930s however, the US Forest Service purchased the devastated land and with the aid of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a reclamation project began. Efforts to heal the land have continued throughout the years and today, after over 60 years of hard work by the Tennessee Valley Authority as well as many public groups and individuals, Copperhill has recovered beautifully, and all the efforts have paid off by finally restoring this area to its former glory.

Visiting this picturesque Blue Ridge Mountain area will give you such a feeling of peace and serenity. You can enjoy the wilderness on horseback, or take a hike on one of the many hiking trails. Whitewater rafting is available on the Ocoee River for those more adventurous types. Many outdoor experiences can be had in the beautiful town of Copperhill, Tennessee!