FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 9, 2012

LIVE, SILENT AUCTION PLANS TOLD

FOR OPENING NIGHT OF FESTIVAL

Repeating the format initiated last year, the 16th Annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival Live Country Auction, scheduled the evening of Friday, April 20, will have both a live and a silent auction. The event will take place in the festival's Main Stage Tent in Dahlonega's Hancock Park adjacent to Dahlonega's Historic Public Square.

The silent auction and preview of items for the live auction will open at 5 p.m., and the silent auction will end at 8 p.m. Music by the Ugly Cousin band of Dahlonega and food service begin at 5:30 p.m. and will continue until 6:45 p.m. There is no charge for food or wine, but donations will be accepted to offset the cost of the event. The live auction will start at 7 p.m. with professional auctioneer Sam Williamson running the show.

Glenda Pender, president of Bear on the Square, said the kickoff party and auction are presented each year as a way of thanking the community and our sponsors for their continued support of the festival. The auction features the work of area folk artist Billy Roper, along with the work of other talented local artists and juried artists taking part in Bear on the Square's Mountain Marketplace, including artists from the John C. Campbell Folk School, the festival's marketplace sponsor. There will also be bidding on gift baskets, gifts, services and other products from the local business community.

Melanie Pruitt, auction chair, noted, "We want to thank the community for past support of the auction and the Bear on the Square Festival and remind you that once again we need the support of our local merchants, businesses, and community to make this auction a success. We will begin accepting donations and contributions on Monday, March 26, and have set a deadline date for bringing in donations for Monday, April 16. Items brought in after the deadline may not be listed in the auction catalog. However, if you cannot bring in your item before the deadline, please at least contact me with your information before the deadline and I will be able to list your item in the catalog. Feel free to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or my home phone at 706-864-0374."

Contributors will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Carol Williams, who is heading up the team to procure the items, said items can be dropped off at Cranberry Corners, which is the auction donation headquarters, or procurement team members will pick up the items from contributors. "Please include a brief description of the item and its approximate retail value," said Williams. Procurement teams members doing pick-up of items will have badges identifying them as Bear Volunteers.

Pruitt and Williams both also expressed appreciation to the community for its continued support of the event, noting that this is what keeps the festival going year after year. This year's festival is slated for Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22.

Sponsoring the Live Country Auction for the third consecutive year is North Georgia Wealth Management Group (www.ngwmg.com) of Dahlonega. Founded by Laura J. LaTourette, CFP®, the independent financial planning practice specializes in serving pre-retirees and retirees with fee-based and hourly financial planning and fee-based wealth management services, including wealth transfer and preservation through wealth structuring, estate planning, investment management and trust services.

Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, Inc., which stages the festival each year, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit cultural arts organization whose mission is to preserve and celebrate the culture of the Southern Appalachians through the presentation of music, traditional craft, and folkways. Tax deductible donations are welcome and can be sent to P.O. Box 338, Dahlonega, GA 30533. More details about the 2012 Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, including information about music performances, the juried artists marketplace, workshops, and other activities can be found at www.bearonthesquare.org.