Festivals Offer Something for Everyone
Most of these long-running events were cancelled in 2020 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There is still much uncertainty surrounding outdoor events in 2021 so please check local media to find out if and when these events will be staged.
Several special festivals are planned throughout the year in Haralson County including the annual Dogwood Festival in April, the Spring Fair and Run for the Books in May, the Waco Fest in September, the Fried Pie Festival in September, Bremen Towne Festival in October, special Christmas events starting Thanksgiving day and long-standing traditional New Year's Eve events throughout the county.
Dogwood Festival in Tallapoosa
The annual Dogwood Festival starts the season in April with family-friendly events including a parade, 5k run, musical acts, amusement rides for children, music, jewelry, arts and crafts, plants, local food and much more. This event in Tallapoosa celebrates local living and is sponsored by the Tallapoosa Historical Society with the support of the City of Tallapoosa.
Spring Fair in Buchanan
Enjoy a charming small-town spring fair in around the restored landmark courthouse in Buchanan in May. The annual Spring Fair and Run for the Books features games, entertainment, local crafts and food, food, food. Local artists and vendors from around the southeast gather to offer their best in food, gifts, and entertainment. Sponsored by the Haralson County Historical Society and Friends of the Library, the annual Run for the Books 5K benefits the work of the Buchanan-Haralson Public Library. Registration starts at 7:30 am and the 5K run begins at 8:30 am. Participants of all ages and experiences are welcome to attend. All pre-registered participants are guaranteed a t-shirt.
Fried Pie Festival in Buchanan
In what has to be one of the most unique festivals anywhere Haralson County celebrates the Fried Pie each September with its signature event being a Fried Pie Cook-Off. Enjoy lots of fried and not so fried food, along with arts and crafts, a car and bike show, and tons of musical entertainment up and down Van Wert. For the youngsters, there is a children's area with a carnival like atmosphere.
Waco Festival
Come join the fun at the Waco Festival in September. Start the day off with a wonderful breakfast downtown at 6 a.m, then enjoy the parade, arts and crafts, food, fun, games and prizes ending the day with a street dance for all. Food and entertainment are offered all day and vendors are on hand with a variety of local arts and crafts items for sale. There are free games for children, a horseshoe throwing contest and a corn hole contest.
Bremen Towne Festival
For more than 25 years the Bremen Towne Festival has been a popular event in downtown Bremen. The festival features a parade, crafts, games and food. Stages are set up on Tallapoosa Street near the fountain and on Buchanan Street. The festival starts at 9 a.m., with the parade at 11 a.m. Sponsored by the Bremen Junior Woman's Club. In addition to a band performance after the parade, activities include arts and crafts, a kids area with a hay bale maze, pumpkin decorating, train rides, and a food court with a variety of incredible treats to try.
Christmas at Possum Snout in Tallapoosa
Christmas at Possum Snout kicks off the Christmas season in style. On Thanksgiving Day in downtown Tallapoosa, businesses open at 2 p.m. for refreshments and shopping to usher in the holiday season. Enjoy food, festivities, grand carriage rides, caroling and the Christmas specials that will truly get you in the Christmas spirit! For more information, call 770-574-2482. Tallapoosa keeps the ball rolling with the Festival of Lights the entire month of December in downtown Tallapoosa and Helton-Howland Park and Santa comes to town at the annual nighttime Lighted Christmas Parade on the second Tuesday in December at 7 p.m.
Bell Tower Bash in Buchanan
Wrap up the year with a New Year's Eve tradition, the Bell Tower Bash in Buchanan. Downtown Buchanan Revitalization sponsors the event around the Historic Haralson County Courthouse. It's New Year Celebration and a night of fun, fellowship and fireworks! It features food trucks, hometown market, live music and fireworks.
New Year's Eve Possum Drop in Tallapoosa
The holiday season comes to a close with the annual New Year's Eve Possum Drop in downtown Tallapoosa with live entertainment and fireworks. It's an interesting story. Bud Jones spotted a dead possum on the side of the road. Jones pulled over to retrieve the fresh roadkill and took it back to his taxidermy shop/wildlife museum to work his preservation magic. He placed the new piece on display and named it Spencer after Ralph Spencer, a businessman who helped the town thrive in the late 1800s.
But why bestow such an honor on a curly-tailed marsupial? Before the city became officially known as Tallapoosa after the nearby river of the same name, the miners who panned for gold in the region called the town Possum Snout. Many locals consider this colorful history a point of pride, so possums have become a sort of unofficial mascot of the town. The residents of the former Possum Snout ring in the New Year.
At midnight Spencer is lowered in a holiday lights covered ball from atop the Cain Law Office building which is one of the city's oldest buildings. In recent years the event has grown and attracted local media as well as national attention. More than 10,000 people attended the 2019 event.