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The pandemic isn’t slowing apple picking in North Georgia

Fall is in the air and cars will be headed by the droves to North Georgia this weekend to pick apples.

So far, the pandemic has not negatively impacted tourism in Gilmer County. In fact, the cancellation of this year’s 49th annual Apple Festival due to COVID-19 is expected to have little impact on the economy.

“Even with being shut down for two months, we’re going to end the year with a record year,” says Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce President Paige Green Hutto.

She says not only at orchards, but Gilmer’s vineyards, restaurants and cabin rentals are seeing an influx of visitors.

“It’s Atlanteans; it’s other folks out of Georgia. But it’s (also) North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, (and) Alabama.  You know folks feel comfortable coming to a smaller community,” she tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

>>Listen to Sandra Parrish’s full on-air report below.

BJ Reece Orchards has run out of parking the last two weekends and expects the trend to continue at least the next four. Owner John Reece says picking apples is a great way to stay safe but still have fun during the pandemic.

“We encourage people to get out. Even though it’s a pandemic, it’s pretty safe around here because there’s so much space to move around,” he says.

Besides picking apples, Reece offers wagon rides, pig races, apple cannons and a slide on weekends. All visitors inside the apple house are required to wear masks.

“There are a little more (visitors) right now, I believe, because people have been shut out. The weekends have been crazy,” he says.

But the weekdays have been just as busy. Deesha Partin is from Powder Springs and came for the day with her family to pick apples.

“It’s an outdoor activity, so people feel safe. We have our masks with us. But you have an opportunity to have your own space and be with your family and do something great together,” she says.

Hutto believes the boost in tourism, which actually began over the summer, is having a ripple effect on the area.

“Real estate is booming in our area. People are visiting and falling in love and moving to the area. So, it’s actually been good for us,” she says.

Sandra Parrish

Sandra Parrish

News Anchor Reporter for political, legislative, transportation, and educational news.

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