Charm of small-town life is combined with culture offered by:
• The Currahee Artists Guild – Gail Watson (706)886-3278. The Guild’s mission is to promote community awareness, understanding and appreciation of the visual arts and to maintain a support network for artists, which provides educational, mentoring and marketing opportunities.
• The Northeast Georgia Community Concert Association – Terry Carter (706)297-7014, www.negaconcerts.com. NGCCA presents high quality professional artists – including nationally recognizable performers – to the Northeast Georgia area.
• The Toccoa-Stephens County Community Theater – Jeff Thompson (706)356-8521, www.tscct.org. The theater provides quality, entertaining productions utilizing the talents of local citizens, providing a valuable asset to the community and an attraction to future residents and businesses.
• The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra – Lee Ellen Fields (706)886-7959. The TSO is working to increase public awareness and appreciation of symphony music. Toccoa has a uniquely active Symphony Orchestra for a community of its size.
Pride that residents feel in the accomplishments achieved by Toccoa-Stephens County over the years has done much to encourage an ongoing community interest in educational and cultural programs.
The area is rich in Cherokee Indian history as it served as the center of the Cherokee Nation during the mid-1700′s. Stories, legends and Indian lore from the past generate interest and stir the imagination. In addition, there are numerous historical resources that tell much about the early history of Toccoa and Northeast Georgia. One of the most interesting of these is Traveler’s Rest, the former 19th-century inn and plantation home of Devereaux Jarrett, now a state historic site.
The importance of local history is evidenced by the fact that Toccoa maintains an Historical Museum at 303 Pond Street. A special feature of the museum is the collection of memorabilia from famous Toccoans. Another source of pride is the library that opened in 1970. Since then, there has been an addition, completed in 1988, that doubled the library’s capacity.
Two cultural endeavors that have received special attention are the Toccoa Symphony and the Schaefer Center. Local musicians started the Symphony in 1977. As support for the symphony grew, a general manager was hired, subsequently adding musical talent from other parts of Georgia. To the enjoyment of the community, the symphony presents a program each quarter of the year. The Toccoa Brass Ensemble, a part of the orchestra formed in 1985, performs throughout Northeast Georgia at various civic and church functions. In addition, the symphony has a string quartet and a chorus with members recruited from local church choirs.
The Schaefer Center in downtown Toccoa is home to the Toccoa-Stephens County Community Theatre and the Currahee Arts Council. Like the symphony, the idea for the community theatre originated in 1974, when a group of talented local residents decided to bring regularly scheduled dramatic presentations to Toccoa. Arts Council patrons and supporters helped through donations and fund-raising projects to transform the old Ritz Theatre into the existing Schaefer Center. Over the years, the public has enjoyed both musical and non-musical productions including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Guys and Dolls,” Raisin in the Sun,” “Leader of the Pack,” and “The Sound of Music” to mention just a few. The Currahee Artists Guild, also formed in the ’70′s, sponsors arts shows featuring visual artists in the area.
The Northeast Georgia Concert Series began in 1996 and has provided an opportunity for this and surrounding communities to enjoy quality, professional artists who have entertained their audiences and gone into the schools to work with talented students. The season runs from early fall until late spring and has included a wide variety of artists from all over the world.
Toccoa is also an easy drive from Gainesville and Athens whose universities offer wonderful cultural activities. These same towns provide civic centers with professional productions scheduled regularly. With Atlanta only 90 miles away, the artistic offerings are limitless.
Events
Throughout the year the Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce recognizes special events– celebrating our local community, our origins and our business leaders. This in an effort to advance a strong local economy and to maintain a high quality of life in Stephens County.
A magnet for major talent in all artistic disciplines, Stephens County is Northeast Georgia’s best kept secret. You’ll find plenty to do in Toccoa and its surrounding area.
Festivals
Martin Fall Festival is held annually in Martin, Georgia the last Saturday in October and is sponsored by the Martin Woman’s Club. Homemade food, crafts, art and a variety of other items are available. Great family entertainment in the Town of Martin that has 30 homes and buildings on the National Register of Historic Sites. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Louise Wilson is the contact person for vendors at 706-779-3460.
Toccoa Harvest Festival has been held annually in the Downtown Mall for 28 years. There is special entertainment, arts and crafts, food, games and exciting children’s activities. Sponsored by Main Street Toccoa, the contact person is Kay Morgan and she can be reached at 706-282-3269.
Currahee Arts Festival is sponsored annually by the Currahee Arts Guild and is a celebration of the various art media. The contact person is Deborah Hartley at 706-886-6138.
Taste of Toccoa is an annual celebration sponsored by Main Street Toccoa to spotlight local resturants and family entertainment. Outstanding musical groups and children’s games and activities highlight the spring evening’s fun. Kay Morgan at 706-282-3269 is the contact.
The Poke Sallit Festival is held annually on the Saturday before Memorial Day at Emory Johnson Park. The Festival begins with a Memorial Service dedicated to the veterans of the community. The remainder of the afternoon is spent enjoying music, 3-on-3 basketball, talent show, spelling bee, poke sallit and other soul food and a lot of fellowship and fun. Larry Gholston is the contact person and you may contact the chamber for more information 706-886-2132.
Toccoa invites all paratroopers who trained at Camp Toccoa and Currahee Mountain to come to the Currahee Military Weekend every year – the first weekend in October. We hope that the paratroopers who trained at Camp Toccoa / Currahee Mountain will take the time to visit Toccoa, reminisce about their training experiences and visit with their buddies who shared this very significant time in their lives. In addition, we extend an invitation to families, friends, re-enactors and admirers to join these very special men for this memorable occasion.
A number of activities are planned each year for the weekend, including opportunities for visiting Camp Toccoa and Currahee Mountain (the birthplace of The Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan and The Dirty Dozen), a World War II Re-enactment, Currahee Challenge Road Race (3 miles up and 3 miles down), World War II military vehicle and memorabilia displays, Ranger demonstrations, book signings and lots of other fun and educational events. The brand-new Currahee Military Museum is always open for your enjoyment with an incredible collection of World War II and other military memorabilia. The Currahee Challenge Run/Walk starts at the base of Currahee Mountain (the training site of the 501st, 506th, 511th, and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments subjects of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers).
