THE ROSIN SISTERS are the headliners for this year's Georgia Pick & Bow raffle kickoff event. Also performing will be students from the Pick & Bow program.

THE GEORGIA Pick & Bow Traditional Music School is planning its first Summer Music Camp in June.

RURAL FELICITY Garland Dancers, shown performing at last year's Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, are expected to return for the 2011 festivities. This group is one of the dance team from the John C. Campbell Folk School.

BLACKSMITH DEMONSTRATES his craft in John C. Campbell Folk School section of Mountain Marketplace during 2010 Bear on the Square Mountain Festival.

FOLK ARTIST Billy Roper donated this painting for the Live Country Auction at this year's Bear on the Square Mountain Festival.

FOLK ART bass fiddle is both a work of art and a fine playable instrument.

GOLD RUSH Cup Challenge winners were Team Rio members Corey Roberts of Dalton and Jackie Gooch of Gainesville. Roberts was also the Best Angler in the professional division. From left are Fred Ruppel, immediate past president of the Gold Rush Chapter of Trout Unlimited; Roberts; Gooch; and Sherman Head, president of the Gold Rush Chapter. (Photos by Kenny Simmons)

HAMP CROSS and Chuck Head of Team Unicoi Outfitters, who placed first in the inaugural Gold Rush Cup Challenge, are shown during last year's competition. (Photo by Kenny Simmons)

ATTENDEES SHOWN enjoying activities at Georgia Wine Country Festival, held at Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery in Lumpkin County, Ga.

REPLACEMENT BEAR is unveiled by Dahlonega Mayor Gary McCullough during Thursday morning ceremony on town's Historic Public Square. (Photos by Margo Booth)

GOURD CHICKENS were created by Mountain Marketplace artists Tim and
Karen Chambers of Highlands, N. C.

LOCAL FOLK artist and Bear on the Square Heritage Sponsor Billy Roper, right, presents three paintings to Bear on the Square committee members for auction at the festival's Live Country Auction, scheduled for Friday night, April 16. Roper, who has a story behind every painting, shares his story about the painting he is holding, "Flowers on a Windowsill," with, from left, Laura J. LaTourette, CFP®, whose firm North Georgia Wealth Management Group is sponsoring this year's auction; Melanie Pruitt, the festival's Auction Chair, and Glenda Pender, Bear on the Square president. On the table are two additional paintings Roper has donated to the auction, "Subconscious Bird with Flowers," left, and "The Head-dress/The Lawyer." A work in progress, an owl being carved out of cottonwood, sits on the table. It will also be available for auction as will a fourth painting of Roper's.

MIKE COMPTON will be among the Master Class Workshop instructors on Friday of this year's Bear on the Square Festival.