Make plans now! Invite your family and friends to join you in the North Georgia Mountains. You are invited to come to downtown Blue Ridge to enjoy the LABOR DAY BAR-B-Q which is faithfully held rain or shine (tents are up). In a uniquely cooperative effort, Baptist, Catholic, Charismatic, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches join hands across denominational lines to support work of the Good Samaritans of Fannin County.



Festivities begin at six PM on Sunday evening with a Community Worship Service led by Pastors from the participating churches. An impromptu community choir for the worship service practices at five p.m. and membership is open to all who want to join this choir. After the worship service, stay for an old fashioned Ice Cream Social and visit with old friends or meet some new friends.



Perhaps find a last minute opportunity to volunteer as one of 150+ Spirited volunteers that help ensure a fun, safe and successful Labor Day Bar-B-Q event. At seven thirty, the railway park bustles with activity as overnight Bar-B-Q preparations get underway. The glow of the night fire and the Holy smoke can be seen from afar, but the warmth of fellowship best enjoyed working side by side during the cool night or the bustling day.



On Monday, follow the smoke to the south end of the park for the LABOR DAY BAR-B-Q. Plates are served from 11:30 to 6:00 - or - until the food runs out!! Your dinner includes choice of St. Louis style barbecue pork ribs or half chicken slow cooked over a 40 ft grill, baked beans, bread, no-mayo pepper slaw, pickles, and also includes homemade desserts and iced tea - for only $8.00 or BBQ sandwich plates are also available for $6.00! Whole chickens or racks of ribs are availble (price tbd) as well as group (5+) take-out orders.



Enjoy your meal under the tent or picnic under an old oak tree. Bring your lawn chair to stay a while and enjoy Family Style Entertainment from 11:30 - 6 p.m. with Southern gospel, blue grass and mountain music. You are invited to the downtown Blue Ridge Railway Park Labor Day to "Share the Spirit" of community fellowship & fun!



History: In 1981, six members of the Methodist Church and several Baptist friends held a barbecue on Labor Day to raise funds to light the city baseball fields. Several downtown Blue Ridge churches joined over the next few years, and a strong local tradition was established. Today, all area churches and individuals are welcome to participate in this community effort. proceeds in the barbecue's earliest years were donated to community projects or nonprofits.

Working together on the LABOR DAY BAR-B-Q, volunteers learned that their churches, at times, financially assisted the same folks. Desiring to coordinate local benevolent care and to provide financial assistance to those truly in need, the Labor Day BAR-B-Q committee created its own interdenominational benevolent fund called the Good Samaritan fund. Volunteers from the participating churches became responsible on a rotating basis to handle requests for financial assistance. Church volunteers began working closely with area assistance agencies to assist Fannin County families and individuals in need.

The LABOR DAY BAR-B-Q event exemplifies a true labor of Christian love. It provides a unique opportunity for interdenominational Christian fellowship and service. Additional community-wide holiday worship services have evolved with offerings designated to support the work of the Good Samaritans of Fannin County, incorporated since 2002 as a Georgia non-profit. The BAR-B-Q is still the primary fund-raiser for the Good Samaritan fund and area needs can exceed available funding. Any and all donations in excess of the modest meal price are always welcome at the BBQ or by mail to the Good Samaritans, Box 1865, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

More Info? To help us help others or volunteer your time, talents, goods or services, call or write: 706-455-3818 LDBBQ, Box 1468, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. To learn more about who your neighbors really are, read Luke Chap. 10:25-37. For photos or to invite on-line friends and family visit: http://www.brumc.org/labor_day_bbq.htm.





For Area Info / Accommodations call:
Call Fannin County Chamber of Commerce at 800-899-MTNS
or visit the Chamber site at www.blueridgemountains.com

For Labor Day BBQ info:
Call: 706-455-3818; Write Labor Day Bar-B-Q
Box 1468, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; or visit
www.brumc.org/labor_day_bbq.htm

If you plan to be in town for the weekend, the following Churches that participate in the interdenominational Labor Day Bar-B-Q event also invite you to join them for worship services. Please call the church for details.

World Harvest Church - (706) 374-6175
Tri-State Christian Center - (706) 374-4819
Temple Baptist - (706) 632-5857
St. Luke’s Episcopal - (706) 632-8245
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran - (706) 374-2321
St. Anthony’s Catholic - (706) 632-5970
Morganton Baptist - (706) 374-5100
First Baptist of Blue Ridge - (706) 632-2763
Faith Presbyterian - (706) 632-3668
Cherry Log Christian - (706) 632-1048
Blue Ridge United Methodist - (706) 632-2327


DIRECTIONS:

From Atlanta (1½ hrs): Take 75-N to 575N (Canton Hwy) which becomes 515 Appalachian Hwy. Travel approx 85 miles (N) to Blue Ridge on the same 4-lane (changes names). Turn right at the first-or second- light to downtown and follow the signs and the smoke to the downtown railway park!

From Chattanooga (1½ hrs) Take 75-N to 64-E thru Ocoee Gorge to 68-S thru Copperhill (TN) and turn right on GA 5-S to Blue Ridge. At McDonalds, cross the four lane into downtown and follow the signs (and smoke!) to the downtown railway park.

Note: LABOR DAY BAR-B-Q is an all volunteer event. Proceeds support the interdenominational benevolent work of the Good Samaritans of Fannin County, which is a Georgia nonprofit corporation. Area needs often exceed available funding. Donations above the modest meal price or donations of time, talents, goods or services are welcome and help up to help others, in His name.