and so are the periodical cicadas
Local eateries, venues, and get-aways are loading the calendars of our regional chamber websites with music, entertainment and special events as our mountain communities spring back to life. And just in time for the first unofficial weekend of summer, these mountain events are back for 2021.
May 19
Pickin’ in the Park McCaysville
Pickin’ in Horseshoe Bend Park every Thursday, 6 til dusk, May – Sept. Live music jams and pickin’ on the banks of the Toccoa River at the Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville.
Pickin’ In the Park (fannincountyrecdept.org)
May 22
Spring Tree ID Hike Join Tony Ward, MountainTrue’s Western Region Program Coordinator, on Saturday, at 10am for a 1.2-mile loop trail hike through an upland forest area of Meeks Park in Union County, Georgiahttps://mountaintrue.org/event/spring-tree-id-hike/
May 28 & 29
Hiawassee Pro Rodeo returns to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Start time: 8 p.m. https://georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/localevents/id/128
May 29 & 30
45th Annual Spring Arts in the Park 10 – 5 at City Park of Blue Ridge. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountains Art Association
Arts in the Park – Home (blueridgeartsinthepark.com)
June 4 – 6
North Georgia Highlands Seafood Festival Friday Saturday and Sunday http://www.northgeorgiahighlandsseafoodfestival.com/
And Now, for the Cicadas
Yep, we’ve all heard that Brood XIX could deposit 1.5 million cicadas per acre in our mountain hardwood forests; and with a mating call reaching 120dB heralding their arrival, these critters will be hard to ignore.
On the upside, these little invaders will do minimal damage to plants and trees as the adults sip sap–their only sustenance–and the nymphs nibble plant roots. Cicadas also provide high protein snacks to our bug-loving birds from woodpeckers to songbirds and big ol’ turkeys. Even squirrels, turtles, and fish join in the feast, according to a fantastic article by Terry Johnson on his Out My Backdoor page. He has every intriguing detail here: https://georgiawildlife.com/out-my-backdoor-periodical-cicadas-make-loud-entrance