A Perfect Weekend in the Canton HDL! Shopping, Art, Food, and Entertainment.

I usually blog about political issues in the City of Canton and those posts are not always positive. However, I would like to write a post about some amazing things happening in Downtown Canton this weekend. This is an ideal weekend to spend in the HDL (http://www.cantonhdl.com/) and the following is how I would do it!

To start the morning on Saturday, I would visit the Canton Farmer’s Market in Cannon Park. It starts at 8:00 and continues through noon. You can find fresh produce, eggs, jams, jellies and other homemade and handmade goods. The Farmer’s Market has become very popular and was created and operated by the Canton Main Street Program.(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Canton-Farmers-Market/167712443290710?fref=ts)

After visiting the Farmer’s market, I would head over to Brown Park for the 10th Annual Canton Festival of the Arts presented by the Cherokee Arts Center.(http://cherokeearts.org/) According to the Art’s Center, this year’s festival promises a broad array of activities for every age and interest. The popular juried Artist Market returns and is expected to include more than 70 fine artists from throughout the south and beyond. The Festival’s Literary Celebration will feature nationally acclaimed authors during both days of the event as well as several storytellers and children’s authors. Other events include hands-on children’s art activities and the popular Serenity Garden area where visitors can enjoy and purchase a wide variety of plants and natural products. Also, this year’s festival will offer a Beer and Wine Garden! Saturday evening the festival will come to an exciting close, as the up-and-coming Nashville band Bush Hawg (http://www.bushhawg.com/) will take the stage at the Cherokee Arts Center! I have attended this festival for many years and would certainly say that it is the best arts festival in North Georgia! Better yet, there is no fee for admission!

With an initial stroll around the festival it is time for lunch! Numerous food options exist and these include: enjoying one of the many options at the Art’s Festival, or patronizing a downtown hot spot likeThe Painted Pig Tavern, R & M Sandwich Shop, or Old Towne Hot Dogs & Deli. 

After lunch, I would head over to the Historic Court House and visit the Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center on the first floor. (http://www.cherokeecountyhistorymuseum.com/ ) Admission to the museum is free and offers and interesting and highly educational experience. The museum is brought to you by the Cherokee County Historical Society. (www.rockbarn.org)

Did someone say Beer and Wine Garden? Time to head back over to the Art’s Festival and check things out with an afternoon beverage and spend the rest of the afternoon looking at and acquiring some fine art! Also, I should mention that if you want to bring your children, they will be easily occupied and educated in Children’s area and will participate in the making of the 2013 Community Mural. 

Now, it is on to an early dinner. There are three excellent options to choose from in Downtown Canton. However, for this evening I would recommend you make reservations. The choices are:

The Downtown Kitchen ( http://thedowntownkitchen.com/)

The Painted Pig Tavern (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Painted-Pig-Tavern/481060468600926?fref=ts)

Goin’ Coastal (http://www.goincoastalseafood.com/)

I would end the evening with the Bush Hawg concert at the Cherokee Arts Center. The concert is brought to you by The Painted Pig Tavern and the Cherokee Arts Center. Tickets are selling fast and can be purchased online at http://www.showclix.com/event/3754265. The concert starts at 7:00. 

The Arts Festival will be in full swing again on Sunday in case you wanted to come back for more fun and catch brunch at the Painted Pig Tavern. 

Of course, this was just an ideal way to spend a weekend but, I just wanted to share all of the amazing things that are happing in Downtown Canton this weekend. Please come out and see our beautiful Historic Downtown and enjoy! Also, a very special thanks to the Cherokee Arts Center, The Cherokee County Historical Society, and the Canton Main Street Board. I guess you know where I will be this weekend!