Be on the lookout for food, drinks and fun this weekend as the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame plays host to the inaugural Dawsonville Music and Beer Festival.

Proceeds will benefit Camp Southern Ground, musician Zac Brown's program for kids.

"Castleberry Ale House has put together this," Mayor James Grogan said. "We sold him the permits and everything is ready to take place."

Portions of the proceeds will also go to organizers, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and vendors, according to officials.

Doors open at 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. The musical lineup includes bands such as Coal Mountain Band, Back in Black, Alex Hall Band, Southern Accent and Back Room Revival.

Tickets are on sale for both days, with prices at $5 in advance and $10 at the door. VIP tickets are available for $25 and include a free T-Shirt and two drink tickets.

Grogan has hopes that the event will let people see what Dawsonville has to offer.

"Since there's nothing of this nature that has taken place north of Alpharetta and Suwanee, I really see it as a possibility of drawing in 5,000 to 10,000 people into our community," he said.

Ale House officials echoed Grogan's ideas.

"Dawsonville doesn't really have a place for a live music venue. It needs one," said manager Donovan Hyder. "We get people from Dawsonville who come down to Cumming all the time for live music because they don't have a place to go."

On the Net
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/dawsonvillebeerfestival.