22nd annual Currahee Military Weekend begins this Thursday

The 22^nd annual Currahee Military Weekend starts this week in Toccoa-Stephens County.

According to Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President Julie Paysen this weekend will be filled with lots of events for history buffs and veterans to enjoy.

Paysen says this weekend will kick off Thursday evening with a special pre-weekend event at the Historic Ritz Theatre.

“We’re excited to be celebrating our 22^nd annual Currahee Military Weekend. What started as a reunion for our veterans from World War II has turned into quite a celebration over the year,” she said. “The Chamber is honored to be a part of that along with the historical society and the city of Toccoa. This year everything kicks off on Thursday, September 30, with a Linda Davis concert at the Ritz Theatre. You can get tickets online, you can go to visittoccoa.com, our website, for tickets or you can certainly call the chamber as well or Main Street Toccoa to secure your tickets for Linda Davis’ show that evening. She is awesome and always has a wonderful following, so, that will be a great way to kick off the celebration.”

On Friday, the day starts with the annual Canteen Chicken-Que, sponsored by the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce. Paysen says each plate includes a half chicken, beans, chips, bread, and a cookie.

“Early Friday morning, our chamber team jumps back in to cook 1,000 half chickens for our Canteen Chicken-Que, sponsored by our Chamber each year. We’ll deliver any orders of 10 plates or more throughout our community. If you would like to purchase lunch for your employees or to bless someone else in the community maybe some of your first responders or your clients, please don’t hesitate to give us a call before we sell out. That will be Friday morning, October 1. We will be distributing the plates from the First United Methodist Church,” she said.

She says also on Friday, come to downtown for the Memorabilia Show and book signing.

“Also, during that day, you’ll notice re-enactors coming into town, they’ll be setting up on the Historic Courthouse lawn and you’ll be able to go by and sit and hear their stories. There’ll be a World War II book signing at the Train Depot from 1 to 5 p.m. and the Memorabilia Show in downtown as well,” she said.

Friday night will once again feature the annual USO Swing Dance; however, as WNEG News previously reported, the Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel the dance, but, since that was announced Paysen says the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4346 has decided to host the dance.

“Then Friday evening, for many years we’ve had a USO Swing Dance but this year it’s going to be hosted by our local VFW Post 4346. It’s from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. It’s free of charge and will be located at the VFW Post location at 270 West Savannah Street, in Toccoa. Please plan to participate in that. There’ll be live music and dancing. It’s an awesome way to honor and celebrate the many people who served in our military,” she said.

Saturday begins with the Currahee Run, WWII re-enactors and encampments and the Veterans Parade.

“Then Saturday morning, Currahee Challenge 5k and 10k run or walk up Currahee Mountain. Registration is currently available online through active.com or we will have walk-up registration that morning will begin at 7 a.m. The 5k will begin at 8 a.m. and the 10k will begin at 9 a.m. but I would recommend coming early,” she said.

She says there are many other activities going on Saturday as well.

“Later in the morning, at the VFW they’ll host a breakfast, at the same location as the USO Swing Dance the night before. Again, the Memorabilia Show will be going on throughout the day. The Veterans’ Parade will happen at 1 p.m. in the afternoon and will be followed by the World War II re-enactment,” she said.

Paysen says Saturday evening will feature the annual Meet and Greet and Currahee Banquet.

“Later that evening, we’ll have the Currahee Banquet and Fellowship, it’ll be in the Train Depot, hosted by the Historical Society and the Currahee Military Museum, down in the Mitchell Allen Room.

She says Currahee Military Weekend will continue Sunday.

“Then Sunday morning, we’ll have the Memorial Service hosted at Camp Toccoa at Currahee at 8:30 a.m. and then Camp Toccoa will be open. It’ll be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the weekend from 10 to 4p.m.,” she said.

Again, if you would like a plate from the Canteen Chicken-Que, visit toccoagachamber.com to reserve your ticket or call the chamber at 706-886-2132.