The folks in Blairsville don’t just eat their green beans. They celebrate them. In song.
If you’ve never bean to Blairsville, like the song says, consider this weekend’s Green Bean Festival mandatory. Especially if you have an interest in local food, you will love seeing how Union County treats its farmers, gardeners and home economizers—with a gorgeous farmers market building, a brand-new canning plant, and lots of appreciation for freshly harvested produce, including heirloom green beans.
Of course, that stuff goes on all the time in Union County. During the annual Green Bean Festival, Blairsville adds a square dance, block party, 5K run, bike ride, block party, canning contest, beauty pageant, and a green bean pizza eating contest. Who doesn’t love green bean pizza?
Even on an ordinary weekend, the Union County Farmers Market is worthy of a drive from Atlanta. With more than 60 vendors selling locally produced food and goods, the market hosts approximately 5,000 visitors on Saturday mornings. Its Tuesday evening markets are well attended, too.
With the exception of the square dance on Friday, all other festival events run Saturday. Parking and admission are free. Events are held in and around downtown Blairsville; visit greenbeanfestival.com or e-mail info@greenbeanfestival.com for more details. The Union County Farmers Market, at 148 Old Smokey Road in Blairsville, starts at 7 a.m. Saturday.
