The GFA Picnic is held annually the 3rd Saturday of September. This year's event will be on Saturday, September 15th at Smithgall Woods just outside Helen, Georgia. Facilities include an outdoor covered pavilion with his & her restrooms and 8 large picnic tables, two fishing ponds (bring your rod & reel), an air conditioned facility with kitchen and a huge screened porch, horseshoes area and walking trails.

We encourage everyone to bring their family and friends, especially those interested in the sport of falconry. Come and meet old friends and make new ones. We would like to see falconers bring their birds for others to observe and photograph.

Meat and drinks will be provided by the club. We ask that each member family please bring a covered dish. Extra seating is always needed, so please bring a lawn chair.

Start Time: 11 am

Meal: 12:00 noon

Mid Afternoon: Marble Contest

Flight Demo

End: Dark

Every licensed falconer in the state of Georgia will receive an invitation. If you are not a licensed falconer, but have an interest in falconry you are also welcome. Please RSVP to Alan (Smokey) Drury by August 31. mr_smokeyd@yahoo.com, 770-381-7471(H), 678-908-4959(C).

Directions from Atlanta:

I-85N to I-985
I-985 changes to 365 in Gainesville (keep going) Stay on 365 thru Hall
County into Habersham County. Look for the Wilder Outdoors store on
your right (just past BP station). Approximately 1/2 mile past the store turn
left on Hwy 384 (to Helen). Stay on 384 all the way to Hwy 75 (approx
15 miles). Turn left on 75, and then immediate right on Joe Franklin RD (dirt
road).
Go 1/2 mile and drive through park gate. You have arrived!

*** VERY IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ENTER THROUGH THIS PRIVATE ENTRANCE
ONLY. Smithgall has very limited vehicle access. This entrance will
be for GFA picnic attendees only. If you try the main entrance off Alt. 75, you will be miles out of the way.

Note: There will be a $3.00 charge per vehicle for the statewide parking pass.