Dahlonega to Host 2010 Capitol Christmas Tree With Grand Celebration

Georgia will play a key role in one of the nation’s most cherished holiday traditions when Dahlonega hosts the Capitol Christmas Tree November 24-26, 2010 on its route from Wyoming to the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Dahlonega’s connection extends further as the 75-foot tree is being transported by Jeff Underwood Trucking of Dahlonega.

To commemorate the occasion, Dahlonega is planning a two-day special celebration during the tree’s only official stop before arriving on the Capitol lawn. The public is invited to welcome the tree to Dahlonega with a Grand Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, November 24th. The event will be held on the historic square and will feature musical entertainment by Freddie Way, holiday performances, and appearances by state dignitaries. People will also have the opportunity to send their holiday wishes to the nation’s Capitol by signing a huge banner, which will decorate the truck. The town will be trimmed in full holiday dress, with twinkling lights, holiday garlands, bows and décor from one end of the square to the other, adding to the festive atmosphere. Details are available at www.Dahlonega.org.

“Last year, the tree’s arrival in Nashville prompted streets lined with well-wishers in similar fashion to the Olympic Torch Run,” said Stephen Smith, Tourism Director for the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Dahlonega and the state of Georgia to take part in one of the nation’s time-honored traditions and to see America’s most famous Christmas tree.”

The 2010 tree will be harvested from the Bridger-Teton National Forest located in Western Wyoming on November 6. The tree is set to arrive at the Capitol by November 29, 2010. People can follow the tree’s route at www.CapitolChristmasTree2010.org and check the Dahlonega Website for up to the minute notices

The tree will travel on a 115-foot long double flatbed truck. Placed on its side, it will rest in a custom cradle that supports the branches, preventing damage and maintaining the tree's perfect shape. Due to curvy roads, the truck will have to park a mile away and back all the way into Dahlonega’s town square.

A caravan of approximately 12 vehicles, including two semi-trucks, will escort the tree east, delivering not only a tree taller than a seven-story building, but nearly 10,000 handmade ornaments and 80 companion trees that will be placed in offices throughout the Capitol Complex. The 2010 Capitol Christmas Tree will travel more than 3,000 miles during its three-week journey.

Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas
The Capitol Christmas Tree’s arrival will kick-off Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas, a month-long celebration that begins on Friday, November 26, 2010 with the Lighting of the Square. Santa will arrive in a real home-town parade on Saturday, December 4th. Plenty of other festive holiday events will continue almost daily throughout December and will include caroling, entertainment, wine sampling, and live theater Christmas events.

Sleigh Bell Tour
During December, Dahlonega comes alive with numerous holiday celebrations and events. One of the most popular is the Sleigh Bell Tour, a self-guided driving tour of Dahlonega’s bed and breakfast inns. This year’s participants include Lily Creek Lodge, Mountain Top Lodge, The Historic Worley B&B Inn, Top of the Square B&B, Long Mountain Lodge, Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa, and Dahlonega Spa Resort. Each is decorated with a unique holiday theme and will feature holiday music and refreshments. The inns are located around the historic square as well as right outside of town. The tour will take place on December 12 from 1-6 p.m. and will cost $12. For more information on the participating inns, please visit www.innsofdahlonega.com.

Additional information on Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas can be found at www.Dahlonega.org or by calling 800.231.5543


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Take a short day trip to Montaluce Winery, Dahlonega, Georgia

August Events At Montaluce

Complimentary Guided Winery Tours
Join us every Tues- Fri at 2:00pm and Sat. and Sun. at 12:00, 2:00 and 4:00pm
Le Vigne Restaurant is now open Thursday through Sunday evenings for Dinner and every day except Monday for lunch!

New Wine Tasting Hours
Come and Taste Montaluce’s wines as well as wines from around the world. The wine tasting room at Montaluce is now open Monday through Wednesday: 11am to 5pm; Thursday through Saturday 11am to 6pm; and Sundays from 12pm to 6pm.

Saturdays in August, WINE U at 4:00 PM ~ Mediterranean Panorama
The wines of the Mediterranean countries are diverse and make for perfect summertime enjoyment. Join one of our staff sommeliers for a guided and informative exploration of wines from Spain, Italy, France, & Greece. The cost is $25 pp. Rsvp required.

Sundays in August, 5:00 to 9 PM ~ SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for Sunday Supper in Le Vigne overlooking the vineyards. Three courses, $26 per person.

Wine into Water Fun!
Join Montaluce’s Winery manager, Oliver Asberger, for a day of food, wine, and river rafting on the Chestatee River. We’ll begin at 1:30 at the winery with a winery tour and wine tasting then head out for a day on the Chestatee River with

Huck Finn River Tours.
To finish off this amazing day, we’ll return to Montaluce to enjoy Sunday Supper and more wine! Limited to 10 so RSVP soon. $125 per person. Trips are planned August 9th and August 30th.

Banfi Wine Dinner
Join us August 1st for a multi-coursed wine dinner at Montaluce. Executive Chef Steven Hartman and the winery team will be preparing a perfectly paired Banfi Winery wine and culinary experience you won’t want to miss.
$85 per person. Please RSVP to 706-867-4060

Upcoming Dates for Dinner and a Movie
Join us August 21st and 28th for Dinner and a Movie at Montaluce! Enjoy dinner at Le Vigne and stay after to enjoy the great classic.
A perfect date night! There is no charge for the movie on the covered veranda.
Refreshments are available during the movie! The Movie will begin at approximately 9pm.

Labor Day Celebration and Red Wine Release
Join us September 5th and 6th as we celebrate Labor Day and the release of our Inaugural Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Live music, hay rides, excellent food and wine, and more will make this an event to remember!

For more information, call 706-867-4060 or www.montaluce.com
Open 7 days a week!
Mon-Wed- 11am to 5pm
Thurs -Sat. 11am to 6pm
Sun. 12 pm to 6pm

Montaluce Winery & Estates
501 Hightower Church Road
Dahlonega, GA 30533

Scenic Route Through Dahlonega

Take Route 400 N toward Dahlonega.
Turn left on Route 19/60 N and travel for 5.5 miles.
Go 1/4 around Dahlonega town square and bear right onto E. Main/52 Business.
Turn left on Route 19/60 Business/Grove St. (first stop light).
Travel for 1.3 miles, then turn left on Oak Grove Rd.
Travel for 3.8 miles to stop sign.
Turn right on Hightower Church Rd.
Montaluce is .5 miles on left.

Direct Route from Atlanta

Take Route 400 N toward Dahlonega. for 48 miles
Turn left on 19/60 Toward Dahlonega for 5.6 miles
Turn left onto HWY 52/9
Toward Ellijay/Amicalola Falls for 3.8 miles.
Turnright at Siloam Church Rd for 2.8 miles
Go straight at four way stop.
Montaluce is 1/4 mile on left. From Atlanta (Direct Route)
Travel 400 north to end of 4 lanes
Turn left onto Ga 19/60 toward Dahlonega
Turn left at redlight onto GA 52/9 toward Ellijay.
Travel 3.8 miles and turn right onto Siloam Church Road.
Travel on Siloam Church Road to stop sign.
Continue straight (Road name changes to Hightower Church Road)
Montalvina .5 miles on left-->

From Blairsville/Murphy
Follow 19/129 S toward Vogel State Park
Continue from Vogel State Park for 10.3 miles
Turn right on 19/9 S (Turner's Corner) for 5.1 miles
Turn left on Route 19/9/60 for 4.6 miles
Turn right on Historic Route 19/60 for 2.4 miles
Turn right on Oak Grove Rd for 3.8 miles
Turn right on Hightower Church Rd for .5 miles
See Montaluce sign on left
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The Smith House Joins Historic Hotels of America

T2F Note: "There's gold in them hills!!" Dahlonega and the history of gold in Georgia- just another one of the coveted Fayette Front Page Day Trippers.

PRNewswire/ -- The Smith House in Dahlonega Georgia is pleased to announce it has joined Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a brand of Preferred Hotel Group.

The Smith House is one of more than 220 hotels and resorts throughout the country that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

"The trend of cultural travel in America continues to grow," said Thierry Roch, executive director of Historic Hotels of America. "By inviting The Smith House into our collection of distinguished properties, we are continuing to encourage historic preservation while at the same time showcasing this hotel's rich history."

To be selected for membership in National Trust Historic Hotels, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or recognized locally as having historic significance.

"We are extremely honored and excited to become one of the newest members among such a prestigious group of historic hotels in the United States," said Chris Welch of The Smith House.
Originally built as a residence for a wealthy Dahlonega merchant, The Smith House garnered attention even before it was built. In 1899, the local newspaper reported that while excavating a cellar on the property, workers discovered a very rich vein of gold ore. It was described as several feet wide and depth unknown. The city fathers refused to allow a mining operation to be
constructed on the property which is located only one block from the downtown public square.

In 2006, while undergoing a major renovation, a mine shaft was discovered in the basement of the main house. It is suspected that the original owner of the property, Frank Wayland Hall, may have been secretively mining for gold in the basement of his house.

Today, The Smith House delivers an authentic historic experience in a modern and comfortable environment. Guestrooms may be booked online at www.smithhouse.com .

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