10 can't miss fall festivals in GA - including 1 near Augusta

The official start of fall was on Tuesday, and Georgia's calendar is already full of festivals and fairs. Some are seasonal with pumpkins and costumes, while others offer particularly unique experiences. Here are 10 you should check out: Bourbon, BBQ & Bluegrass Festival The festival's lineup includ

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The official start of fall was on Tuesday, and Georgia's calendar is already full of festivals and fairs. Some are seasonal with pumpkins and costumes, while others offer particularly unique experiences. Here are 10 you should check out:

Bourbon, BBQ & Bluegrass Festival

The festival's lineup includes three different bluegrass and country music acts. If those aren't your thing, TVs will be showing college football. There will be multiple BBQ and food vendors which can be washed down with the help of full bars and bourbon tasting experiences. Kids will have their own fun area too.

When: 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26
Where: You 42 Studios parking lot at 11000 Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell
Price: Admission is free

Oliver Hardy Festival

Every year, Harlem celebrates its most famous native: Oliver Hardy of the classic film and comedy duo "Laurel and Hardy." Fans dress as them, and the museum is open to watch their movies and look at their memorabilia.

There's also a parade as well as several food and gift vendors. For more info, go to harlemga.org/bc-oliverhardysteering/page/oliver-hardy-festival.

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 with the parade at 10 a.m.
Where: Downtown Harlem along North Louisville Street
Price: Admission is free

Tybee Island Pirate Festival

Want to party like Captain Jack Sparrow? This is a weekend-long pirate festival with a parade, costume contests, a "Buccaneer Ball," and other thematic entertainment.

When: Thursday, Oct. 8 through Sunday, Oct. 11 with times varying by event.
Where: Across Tybee Island
Price: Vary by event, with a full schedule available at tybeepiratefest.com/festival-info/schedule.

Georgia National Fair

The theme for this year is "America 250: Georgia Grown" honoring the American farmer and showcasing Georgia's major agricultural industry. There will be nine concerts, livestock shows, various competitions, and other entertainment.

When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 8-18
Where: Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter at 401 Larry Walker Pkwy, Perry
Price: On-site general admission is $15 with card or $20 with cash for ages 11 and up. Seniors 60 and up are $10. Children 3-10 are $5 while younger kids are free. Info on discounted tickets and ride prices can be found at georgianationalfair.com/p/getconnected/pricing.

Wild Rumpus

The 18th annual Wild Rumpus is a Halloween spectacle complete with parade, costumes all over, live music, dance parties in the street, food and drinks. For more info, go to wildrumpus.org.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 with the "Midnight Howl" after party 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: Downtown Athens
Price: Admission is free

Savannah Water Lantern Festival

Savannah is joining over 100 cities around the world hosting festivals where guests design their own lanterns and launch them into the water in a truly mesmerizing sight. There will also be live music, food, scavenger hunts, and gift packs. For more info, go to waterlanternfestival.com/events/savannah.

When: 4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Where: Lake Mayer Park at 1850 East Montgomery Cross Rd, Savannah
Price: Starting at $31

Vogel State Park’s Fall Festival

Vogel State Park will be transformed for Halloween with a campsite/cottage decorating contest, trick-or-treating in the campgrounds, and ghost stories at Possum Holler. There will also be hayrides, a rubber duck race down Wolf Creek, and vendors with food and crafts.

When: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. A full schedule can be found on the festival's Facebook event page.
Where: Vogel State Park at 405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville
Price: Park passes are $10 per day or $70 for a year. They can be found at gastateparks.org.

Stone Mountain Park Pumpkin Festival

During the day, Stone Mountain has autumnal fun activities like a pie eating contest and a new hay maze. Then at night, things get a bit more spooky with a pumpkin tree lighting, pumpkin drone/light show, and "Enchanted Glow-a-Parade." For more info, go to stonemountainpark.com/activity/events/pumpkin-festival.

When: 2-10 p.m. every Friday-Sunday now through Nov. 1
Where: Stone Mountain Park at 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain
Price: General admission is $50 for ages 12 and up, $37 for children 3-11, and younger children get in free.

Helen Oktoberfest

Probably the most popular Oktoberfest celebration in Georgia, this one runs for several weeks with various events throughout including a stein holding competition, parade, and a Halloween costume party. These and more are all enjoyed in an Alpine-style village that looks like it was built in Europe. For more info, go to helenchamber.com/oktoberfest.

When: Thursday-Sunday until October, then it's nightly; 6-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday, and 1-7 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Downtown Helen
Price: Vary depending on the day, ranging $10 to $25 for adults, $5 to $12 for children ages 6-12, and free for younger kids. Active and retired military get in free with military ID.

Atlanta Chili Cookoff

Over 50 different amateur chefs, restaurants, and caterers will be competing for best chili recipe with attendees voting for their favorites. There will also be music, drinks, and other entertainment. For more info, go to atlantachilicookoff.com.