The Mountain Moonshine Festival kicks off with a parade on Saturday morning to introduce our Grand Marshal each year.  Led by the Grand Marshal, the parade of historical race cars is a favorite among festival attendees of all ages.  You never know who will be riding in the race cars but all of the owners love standing near their cars all weekend to talk about the good ole race days, and the more current race days!  If you don't believe us, just ask them!

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We are proud to announce this year's Grand Marshal is

RONNIE SANDERS​

The 57th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival, organized by KARE for Kids, Inc. in Dawsonville, GA, proudly announces the 2024 Grand Marshal - Ronnie Sanders.  Ronnie is from Fayetteville, GA and has raced all over the United States.  He started his racing career in 1967 and has won over 500 races and nine championships. Sanders competed in three Daytona 500s – in 1981, 1987, and 1989.  He has competed in Nationwide, Winston Racing Series, ARCA, All Pro and All American Challenge events, among others.   

Sanders won the prestigious Snowball Derby in 1977.  He was the NASCAR Southeast Regional Champion in 1982 and finished second in the national championship that same year.   

In 1987, Sanders set a track record at Bristol International Raceway,  His record of 122.787 mph stood for ten years as the fastest time every turned on a half-mile track. 

Sanders retired from driving at the end of 2008 and continued as a successful car owner on the short tracks around the country.   

Here in Dawsonville, we recognize Ronnie as a 2009 inductee into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and a very familiar face at the Mountain Moonshine Festival and a supporter of the children of Dawson County through the efforts of KARE for Kids, Inc.