While the official start isn't until Saturday morning, downtown Dawsonville is already gearing up for the 46th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival.

The 5th annual Moonshine Run hit the road this morning with more than 150 cars of all makes and models. The Moonshine Run pulled out of the Dawsonville Municipal Complex and Georgia Racing Hall of Fame around 10 a.m. en route to an afternoon cruise through the north Georgia mountains.

People from across the country come into Dawsonville to participate in the Moonshine Run and tomorrow's car show.

"All my friends come in, we got a little car club, and we came down to the festival," said 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air owner Terry Gabriel. "I've always been a ...car lover. The car show brought me down here."

The city is already abuzz with festival activity beside the cars coming in. Some vendors had set up their booths as early as Friday morning in anticipation of a predicted 100,000 visitors to the weekend festival.

Already, visitors are anxiously awaiting the festivities.

   "I've been coming to the festival for years," said McDonough resident Lance Lorenz. "There's a group of us together that come in every year. It's a lot of fun."

Tonight's activities will consist of a cruise-in and swap meet, as well as a $5 concert behind city hall, all beginning at 5 p.m.

Bands for tonight include Frances Moony and Fontana Sunset, Southern Accent Band and Angela Reign.

Tomorrow will begin bright and early with the 8 a.m. parade and opening ceremonies, car show at 10 a.m., vendors and music all day and another $5 concert behind city hall starting at 4 p.m. with Dawsonville musicians Peytan Porter and Kevin Woody, local bands Across the Wide and Feedback and headliner national, award-winning Confederate Railroad.

Vendors and live music on the ‘Shine and Finish Line stages will continue throughout the day on Sunday.