Moonshine running, backwoods racing and motorsports glory - Dawson County revels in its heritage and celebrates it in grand style each year during its family-friendly Moonshine Festival. The 42nd Annual Moonshine Festival, Oct. 23-25,features a Cruise In, a bike tour leading a parade through town, three stages with live entertainment, a chance to meet legendary race car drivers, a car show with more vintage racecars and moonshine-hauling cars than you'll ever see gathered in one location anywhere in the U.S., and an appearance by Jim Mitchum, co-star of the movie, "Thunder Road," and son of screen legend Robert Mitchum.

Rounding out the event will be kid's games and rides, crafts, food and cars, cars and more cars.

Bring the family for this free admission festival headlined by Jim Mitchum as this year's Grand Marshall. The classic "Thunder Road" car tour will leave the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame at 9 a.m. on Friday and return that evening at 5:00. (Registration limited to 50 entrants.)

Enjoy the Cruise In at 5 p.m. on Friday, with live music by Feedback. Visit an old Moonshine still. Listen to stories from both "Trippers" and Revenuers.

On Saturday, enjoy crafts, food and three stages with live entertainment on Dawsonville's downtown square. The parade begins at 9 a.m. See a huge car show lining the streets, including vintage racecars and their drivers.

The activities continue Sunday with music, dancers, kid's games and rides, exhibits, more crafts and food and lots more cars. On both days - all day - there will be showings of "Thunder Road." Stay after the 7 p.m. show on Saturday for a special presentation by Jim Mitchum and other well-known revenue agents and moonshiners.

Dawson County has plenty of family fun at the Moonshine Festival and around town: Test your quest skills at Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Buck's Corn Maze. Choose a pumpkin or two at Bradley's Pumpkin Patch & Christmas Trees or Burt's Pumpkin Farm. Pick up Indian corn and ornamental gourds. Sip some apple cider. Take a hayride into the pumpkin patch.

Visit the "Saturday Night Drive-In Theatre, a themed exhibit at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, where you can sit in old cars to watch a movie. Bite into a famous made-from-scratch Bully Burger and fresh-cut fries at the Dawsonville Pool Room, where a family atmosphere blends with a fun collection of history and memorabilia on Bill Elliott's NASCAR career and early moonshine runners.

Hike into Amicalola State Park, just west of downtown Dawsonville, to see the cascading 729-foot waterfall, the highest east of the Mississippi. Explore the more than 1,000 acres of nature ablaze with the colors of autumn and enjoy the view from the Lodge restaurant while enjoying a home-style buffet.

All proceeds of the Moonshine Festival go to Kare for Kids, Inc., a non-profit organization in Dawson County that provides for the children in the county. KARE uses the funds to provide needed items, including winter coats, shoes, clothing, medicine, eye glasses, items required for boot camp, educational resources, summer school fees and toys, among other things.

For details about all the fun to be had at Moonshine Festival and Dawson County attractions, and to learn about lodging options, visit www.dawson.org or call the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and CVB at 706 265-6278 or toll free at 877 302-9271.

KARE for Kids, Inc., is a 501c3 non-profit, volunteer organization that provides for children in Dawson County. KARE takes care of our children by addressing their needs, using the funds raised to provide necessities to the children of Dawson County. With the exception of Christmas, these needs must come to KARE in the form of a referral from the school or other agency.

For information on KARE or becoming a volunteer, contact the organization at 706 216-KARE (5273).

Dawsonville, Dawson County is located in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, just 50 minutes north of Atlanta. Edging Lake Lanier and the Appalachian Trail, it is the place to hike, shop, fish, canoe and commune with the kangaroos where the mountains meet the lakes.

Plenty of outdoor activities, the highest falls east of the Mississippi at Amicalola Falls and the largest kangaroo conservation habitat outside Australia-even outlet shopping-keep things hopping. Lodging choices include full-service mountain resorts and brand name chain hotels.

For more details, contact the Dawson County Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling toll-free 877 302-92711.