Schnauzerfest will be moving to Helen next year, marking the end of its seven-year run in Rome and Floyd County. Executive Director Hugh Tyner shared the news with city officials last week following a difficult decision by festival organizers.
The announcement brings an end to a popular local tradition that brought schnauzers and their owners together in downtown Rome each year.
Tyner expressed appreciation to the city and the community for supporting the event throughout its seven years in Rome. He also reflected on the festival’s early days, remembering the excitement of seeing Broad Street filled with schnauzers and their families during its first year.
This year’s gathering, with drew 731 schnauzers to Rome, was the final Schnauzerfest held in Rome before the event begins its next chapter in Helen in 2027.
Hugh Tyner said, “One of the biggest reasons is what a weekend in Helen can offer you and your dogs. And there’s something special about bringing a festival for a German breed to a Bavarian village in the Georgia mountains. I’m already picturing our schnauzers walking through downtown Helen in the Saturday daytime parade, where everyone can see their costumes and those unmistakable beards.”
