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One
Man's Dream for a North Georgia "Ghost Town"
With buildings standing empty, the North Georgia town of Maysville gave
the appearance of a "ghost town" in the mid-1960s.
The Rev. Bryan Edwards, pastor of the Maysville Baptist Church and
president of the Community Improvement Club, saw the need to capitalize on
this "ghost-town image."
Thus in the fall of 1966, the Autumn Leaf Arts and Crafts Festival was
born. To bring the ghost town to life, all the vacant buildings were
opened to house artists from the Piedmont Park Arts and Crafts Show.
Also, the performing arts were represented by the Atlanta Ballet.
Now, years later, Edwards' dream is alive and doing well. The first full
weekend in October has been set aside annually to take advantage of the
splendor of the North Georgia mountains during the fall season.
Exhibitors from throughout the southeast share their arts and crafts as
local talent performs for the annual three-day event.
In 1992, due to unforeseen circumstances, the festival was not held, the
only year it has not been presented since its beginning in 1966.
Today, the festival continues as a show of the finest arts and crafts
from the southeast.
Photo right: In 1986
the Coca Cola Company designed a commemorative bottle in honor of the 20th
annual festival. The bottle featured a caricature of Rev. Bryan
Edwards, founder of the Autumn Leaf Festival. Russell Cash, of
Commerce, drew the design.
Page last updated
12/26/2011 |
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