The Band Chickamauga will bring its mix of rock classics and Southern rock favorites to Trion this Saturday as part of the 5th Annual Chattooga River Fest.
River enthusiasts now have access to new information kiosks designed to improve safety, navigation, and awareness along the Chattooga River.
The Chattooga River Group will host its 5th Annual Chattooga River Fest on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Trion Recreation Area in Trion. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and is free for the public to attend.
Presented by the Family Crisis Center, the festival celebrates the Chattooga River and outdoor recreation while offering a full day of family-friendly activities, entertainment, food, and educational opportunities.
Festival highlights include a free family-friendly kayak paddle on the river, a free KidZone, an open mic stage, a cornhole tournament, educational demonstrations and talks, exhibitors, and a variety of festival food vendors. Visitors will also have opportunities to purchase kayak raffle tickets and event merchandise at the Chattooga River Group tent.
Live music will cap off the day as The Band Chickamauga takes the stage from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
The event will be held at the Trion Recreation Area, located at the corner of Park Avenue and Dalton Street. Those using GPS should use 90 Dalton Street, Trion, GA 30753. Organizers say both parking and admission are free.
Registration and fees are required for those wishing to participate in the cornhole tournament or as festival vendors.
Additional information is available at ChattoogaRiverGroup.org and on the Chattooga River Group Facebook page.
The Coosa River Basin Initiative’s Swim Guide will return for the summer season beginning Memorial Day weekend.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park will offer two outdoor activities on Saturday, May 16, giving Northwest Georgia residents a chance to explore nature through hands-on fossil crafting and an evening paddle on the lake.
A free community paddle event is planned for Saturday, May 9 at Lyerly Dam in Summerville.
The “Free Fun Paddle,” organized by the Chattooga River Group, will begin at 10 AM and take participants along the Blue Trail from the Lyerly Dam launch to Chattoogaville.
Participants will be joined by Shane Kornberg, a natural resources expert with UGA Extension, who will share information on river ecology, invasive versus native species, and the importance of maintaining a diverse ecosystem.
Those planning to attend are asked to bring their own kayak, paddle, life jacket, and snacks, and should be prepared to arrange transportation after the paddle. Organizers will also require a signed waiver before launch.
The event is open to the public
The Chattooga River Group is inviting the public to take part in an upcoming Blue Trail paddle event on Lyerly Dam Road in Summerville. The paddle will begin with a mass launch at 10 a.m. and will follow the route from Lyerly Dam Launch to Chattoogaville.
Special guest Shane Kornberg, former manager of the Fish Hatchery in Cohutta and now an Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent with UGA Extension in Whitfield County, will lead discussion during the outing. Organizers say Kornberg will cover topics including river ecology, invasive versus native species, and the benefits of a diverse ecosystem.
Participants will need to bring their own kayak, paddle, life jacket, and snacks, and should also make their own transportation arrangements for after the paddle. Organizers say each participant will be asked to provide an emergency contact and sign a waiver before launching.
If winter weather has you looking ahead to warmer days, now is a good time to lock in a camping spot at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in Summerville.