The Bear on the Square Mountain Festival committee is in the process of gathering donations from the local business community for the Friday night Live Country Auction at the 2008 festival. This year's event, the 12th annual festival, will take place Friday through Sunday, April 18-20, in and around the historic Public Square in Dahlonega.
The auction on the opening night of the festival (Friday, April 18) will take place under the Mainstage Tent at Bear Central in Hancock Park. Auction items will be available for viewing at 5 p.m. that day, and the auction itself will begin at 6 p.m. with professional auctioneer Sam Williamson. A highlight each year is the folk art of Billy Roper, and other artists' work will also be offered along with work from juried artists taking part in the festival's Georgia Mountain Marketplace.
The annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival auction, a major fund-raiser for the festival each year, is a highlight of Bear on the Square, which is a significant revenue-producing event for the Dahlonega community and local merchants. The auction is open to the public and offers a fun, casual event on the opening day of the festival. All donations are fully tax deductible, since Bear on the Square Mountain Festival Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit cultural arts organization. Bear on the Square celebrates traditional mountain music and art, thus helping keep  alive the heritage of the mountains. More detailed information about the 2008 festival, including schedules and information about featured performers and artists, is available by going to www.bearonthesquare.org .
Melanie Pruitt, auction chairperson, said, “We feel this is an excellent promotional opportunity for local merchants and businesses, and we welcome donations of any size but emphasize that the donation should be representative of your business. We also want to once again thank the local business community for its continued support of Bear on the Square.”
Pruitt added, “We will begin accepting donations April 1 and continue through the 16th of the month, and if you plan to contribute, we would appreciate hearing from you prior to that time so we will have some indication of what to expect in the way of auction items. Drop-off point for donations will again be at Cranberry Corners, or you can call me to arrange for pick up of your donation. You can reach me by calling 706-864-0374 or 706-265-9459 or by emailing me at dpruitt@alltel.net .”
Among commitments already received is an announcement that renowned guitar maker Larrivée Guitars USA is providing a new Larrivée guitar which will be on the list of items offered at the Live Country Auction. 
Contributors should be aware that the auction committee needs a description of the donated item, its approximate retail value, your name and the name of your business.