Third Annual Treasure Hunt

Along The Old Moonshine Highway – Scenic 197

It wasn’t so very long ago that Scenic Highway 197 from Lake Burton to Clarkesville was a wild and reckless thoroughfare…a dirt road drag way for the delivery of illegal corn liquor, and on a moonlit night, the echoes of those big block V8 engines still rumble in the distance. History, heritage and artistic presentation become one during the Third Annual Treasure Hunt, December 5th, along the Moonshine Highway.

The once lawless ribbon of asphalt now showcases galleries, studios, antique stores, restaurants and lodging establishments that will open their doors to a holiday inspired day of shopping and treasure seeking. Participating merchants along Scenic 197 will offer the Treasure Hunt map and a trivia question about their business, as well as artist demonstrations and a gift item suitable for winning and giving. Simply stop by each point on the drive, shop awhile and answer the venue specific question…for example:

At Hickory Flat Pottery: what new work has Cindy been having fun with?

At Burton Gallery: who is the artist that makes stained glass?

At Cottage Garden Furniture: in what year were we established?

At Paradise Properties: what local vacation rental is for sale?

At Soque Artworks: what gives a joyful twirl – loved by boy and girl?

At Lake Burton Bottle Shop: how many refrigerators are there?

At Batesville General Store: what is the name of the Bed and Biscuit behind us?

At Wenn’s Antiques & Auctions: how old is the Once Upon A Time Building?

At Serendipity Stained Glass: who does pet portraits?

At Mark of the Potter: how many species of trout do we have & can you name them?

No purchase necessary to win but why wouldn’t you motor the Moonshine Highway, make the most of the holiday offerings, channel your inner auto racing forerunner and linger longer on Georgia’s most beautiful drive? The Treasure Hunt day will end at the Batesville General Store at 5:00 PM with a festive seasonal party, first hand tales of the good old days and the awarding of Treasure Hunt prizes.

Further information and downloadable maps are available by logging onto Scenic197.com. Start anywhere you’d like but don’t miss a thing. The mystique of bootlegging days gone by, the revenuers who gave chase and the lucky treasure are awaiting the serious shopper – and driver – during the Third Annual Treasure Hunt along Scenic 197, the Moonshine Highway.