EVENTS
PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENTS
Hiawassee, GA
April 25-27, 2025
October 3-5, 2025
Every spring and fall, the Pickleball Club of Hiawassee, Georgia, sponsors tournaments where "pickleballers" across the nation gather to test their skills against one another. In spite of the fierce competition, these tournaments bring people together in unity with one goal in mind: to enjoy the sport of pickleball. And Animal Rescue Financial Support (ARFS) is invited to these tournaments to raise much needed funds for our local animals who need medical care, food, shelter, or whatever. Not only do "pickleballers" love the sport, many of them also love animals and are happy to donate to ARFS's cause of "Aid for Animals." In addition, the Pickleball Club of Hiawassee is a generous donor of ARFS.
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​HAMILTON GARDENS ACOUSTIC SUNSETS
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Hiawassee, GA
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Thursday Evenings 6:00-9:00 p.m.
May 8, 15, 22, 29
July 10, 17, 24, 31
September 4, 11, 18 & October 2, 9
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Enjoy a relaxing evening of music and food while surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains and watching the sun set over Lake Chatuge. Admission is free. While there, don't forget to stop by Animal Rescue Financial Support's table to donate the much needed funds to care for homeless, hungry, and hurting animals. Funnel your love for animals through ARFS to those who so desperately need it.
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JOHN C. CAMPBELL FALL FESTIVAL
Brasstown, NC
October 4-5, 2025
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John C. Campbell Folk School attracts thousands to their campus for their annual Fall Festival, a celebration of Appalachian craft, culture, and heritage. Talelnted artist demonstrate traditional and contemporary crafts, and visitors can stroll the wooded paths to find craft items for sale. Music and dance performances include bluegrass, folk, and roots music. Cloggers entertain the crowd while food vendors satisfy their tastebuds. Children will find many activities to excite them. Look for ARFS's tent and partner with us to care for animals in distress.
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PUNKIN CHUNKIN FESTIVAL
Brasstown, NC
October 18-19, 2025
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The Punkin Chunkin Festival is held at 811 Settawig Road in Brasstown, NC. If you have never seen a pumpkin fly, Punkin Chunkin is your chance. From 1:00-4:00 on both days, catapults, air cannons, trebuchets and other powerful machines toss pumpkins up to several thousand feet in a battle between champion Pumpkin Chunkers. Thousands of people come every year to see this popular harvest festival in Western North Carolina near Hayesville. In addition to the pumpkin throwing, there will be pie-eating contests, live entertainment, food and craft vendors. ARFS will be there raising money to financially suport needy animals and those who care for them.