artists from all over North Georgia participate, as well as local artists, restaurants and businesses. Held on the historic town square, there are activities for children and musical acts that will appeal to everyone. The Green Bean Festival is held annually on the last weekend in July. It features beauty pageants, green bean pizza eating contests, a canning contest, a green bean recipe contest, a tractor parade, fresh produce, crafts, and many activities for children. Points of interest Nearby Lake Nottely is a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir. In addition to helping generate hydroelectric power, the lake serves as a local recreational resource. It was created by damming the Nottely River as part of a regional, large-scale project for rural electrification and development. The Appalachian Trail in Georgia has elevations that vary from about 2500 to , with many steep climbs. It extends some through the Chattahoochee National Forest. Butternut Creek Golf Course is an 18-hole mountainside public golf course located within the city limits. Encompassing nearly two-thirds of the county, the Chattahoochee National Forest has a series of winding trails. Visitors may hike through scenic mountains, and by rushing rivers, and cascading waterfalls. Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain peak in Georgia. It has a park with a picnic area and a small observation tower near the peak. This features a movie chronicling the change of seasons and the effects of pollution on the mountain. The peak may be reached by bus or by walking from a point halfway to the top, beyond which private vehicles are not allowed. Vogel State Park is a park located on Highway 19/129 approximately south of Blairsville. It is centered around Lake Trahlyta. Amenities: Approximately of hiking trails Access to the Appalachian Trail Paddleboat rentals and fishing Miniature golf course 35 rental cabins 103 campsites The park has seasonal programs: Fall Festival Pioneer Christmas Kids Fishing Rodeo Summer Saturday music events September All-Day Mountain Music Festival Education Blairsville is in proximity to several colleges. North Georgia Technical College has a campus in town. Young Harris College in Young Harris, and the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega are nearby. The public education system for Blairsville is supervised by the Union County School District, a relatively small school district, which manages the five schools in the system. The Union County School District conducts classes for pre-school to grade twelve. Its facilities consist of two elementary