Currahee Military Weekend Begins This Week

Preparations are complete for this weekend’s annual Currahee Military Weekend.

This is the 17th annual Military Weekend, which starts officially on Friday and runs through Sunday., which begins .

Currahee Military Museum Director Brenda Carlin says the weekend will be filled with lots of events for history buffs and veterans to enjoy.

Carlin says this year, the weekend will kick off a day early with a special pre-weekend event Thursday evening.

“For the last three or four years Main Street Toccoa has been having an event on Thursday night. This year it’s going to be Joe Gransden with a Songs of Sinatra concert. This would be a 1940’s music concert. The Ritz always has great people coming in. So, we’re so excited about to start off on Thursday night,” she said.

Then on Friday, activities will include the annual BBQ at the National Guard Hall, sponsored by the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber.

Chamber Executive Director Julie Paysen says the cooking will begin early on Friday.

“Friday morning volunteers will cook 1,000 half-chickens and by mid-morning they will be delivered to the Armory,” Paysen said. “And we will also have volunteers packing up 1,000 BBQ plates which we will serve at the Armory, but we will also be delivering hundreds throughout the community. So, if you would like to provide lunch for your employees, we will be happy to deliver to your place of business.”

And Friday night will once again feature the annual Swing Dance, which Paysen says will be held at a different venue this year.

“This year it will be at Reflections at Lake Toccoa. It looks like the weather will be nice so we’ll be able to open the doors to the lawn and we’ll have live entertainment. Food will be available at Ping’s Grill. Everyone will be dressed I ‘40’s attire. The evening will be a great night of fun and entertainment,” she said.

Saturday begins with the Currahee Run 5K up the mountain, then WWII re-enactors will do demonstrations and encampments.

There will also be a Veterans Parade.

And on Saturday evening is the annual Meet & Greet and Currahee Banquet and Auction.

To get more information or a list of events each day, you can go online to toccoahistory.com.