Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes

05/30/2026

Earlier this week, we shared the 11Alive article about the Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes and the Future of Our Trades Scholarship Foundation. Today, we wanted to share the news segment itself.

A special thank you again to Kaitlyn Ross and the 11Alive team for taking the time to tell the story behind our mission and the students who inspire it.

While the beautiful homes are what bring visitors to the Parade each year, the true impact goes far beyond the homes. Through the support of our builders, sponsors, homeowners, volunteers, and attendees, students across our region are gaining opportunities to pursue careers in the skilled trades, receive hands-on experience, and build meaningful futures right here in our mountain communities.

We are incredibly grateful for the chance to share these stories and shine a light on the importance of skilled trades education and workforce development.

If you haven't had a chance to watch the segment yet, we hope you'll take a few minutes to do so!

05/28/2026

We’re incredibly honored to have been recognized by the Union County College & Career Academy as a 2025–2026 Partner Level Sponsor.

On May 5th, we had the opportunity to attend their end-of-year banquet and Governing Board meeting, where local partners, educators, and students came together to celebrate a year of hard work, growth, and achievement. It was especially meaningful to see graduating seniors recognized as they prepare to enter the workforce and begin the next chapter of their careers.

Supporting students pursuing skilled trades and career education is at the heart of what we believe in through the Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes and the Future of Our Trades Scholarship Foundation. We are proud to play a role in encouraging the next generation of builders, craftsmen, and industry professionals.

A sincere thank you to Union County High School for this recognition and for everything you do for your students and community. We are proud to stand alongside programs that are investing in the future of the trades.

05/27/2026

First, a very special thank you to Kaitlyn Ross and 11Alive for sharing this story and helping shine a light on the importance of skilled trades education and workforce development.

Today, our hearts are incredibly full.

What started as a dream to showcase beautiful homes in the North Georgia mountains has grown into something so much bigger than we ever imagined. Through the Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes and the Future of Our Trades Scholarship Foundation, we have now surpassed $1 MILLION in scholarships awarded to students pursuing careers in the skilled trades.

This milestone is about more than numbers. It’s about opportunity. It’s about changing lives. It’s about investing in hardworking students who will become the builders, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, craftsmen, and leaders of tomorrow.

We are deeply grateful to every builder, sponsor, volunteer, homeowner, attendee, supporter, and community partner who has helped make this possible. Your support is creating real futures for students across North Georgia.

As Parade founder Keith Sumner stated at this year's banquet, we are honored, humbled, and more motivated than ever for what comes next.

What began as a luxury home tour is now helping dozens of North Georgia students build careers in the skilled trades.

05/25/2026

Memorial Day 🇺🇸
In remembrance of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
We are grateful for their sacrifice.

05/22/2026

Our friends at Wrapsody Outdoor Living Blue Ridge are having a Memorial Day Sale with 30% off Summer Classics, Castelle & Lloyd Flanders outdoor furniture.

If you’re looking to update your outdoor space this summer, be sure to stop by their showroom in Blue Ridge and check out everything they have to offer!

6082 Appalachian Hwy, Blue Ridge, GA
Tuesday–Saturday | 10AM–5PM
(706) 946-0123

🇺🇸 Memorial Day Sale — 30% OFF! 🇺🇸

Upgrade your outdoor space with special savings on Summer Classics, Castelle & Lloyd Flanders luxury outdoor furniture. ☀️

Stop by and shop the sale while it lasts!

📍6082 Appalachian Hwy, Blue Ridge GA.

⏰ Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm

📞(706) 946-0123

05/22/2026

🎓 Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓

The Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes would like to congratulate the graduating seniors of Fannin County High School, Gilmer High School, Union County High School, Pickens High School - Jasper, Georgia, and Copper Basin High School on this incredible accomplishment.

As you step into your next chapter, whether it’s college, the workforce, the trades, or pursuing your passions, we are proud to celebrate your hard work, dedication, and future ahead. Our communities are stronger because of students like you, and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish next.

Wishing all graduates success, happiness, and confidence as you build your future. Congratulations graduates!

05/18/2026

From scholarship recipient to construction management graduate 🎓

In 2022, Rob Russell was awarded the Future of Our Trades Scholarship through the Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes. Today, he has officially graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management and has accepted a position as a Project Manager with Blount Excavating in Maryville, Tennessee.

Rob and his family shared how grateful they are for the support and contribution the Parade of Homes made in helping him achieve this milestone. Stories like his are exactly why the Future of Our Trades Scholarship was created — to invest in the next generation of skilled professionals and help open doors for their future.

We are proud to celebrate Rob’s accomplishments and excited to see where this next chapter takes him. Congratulations, Rob!

05/14/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Future of Our Trades Scholarship recipients! 🎉

At our 7th Annual Scholarship Banquet, we were honored to recognize an incredible group of students representing the future of the skilled trades. These young men and women have demonstrated dedication, work ethic, and a passion for building what’s next—and we’re proud to support their journey.

🎓Fannin County High School
Conner Bramlett
Aiden Carder
Chase DeMar
Sydney German
Hudson York

🎓Union County High School
Morgan Collins
Alban “Trey” Hawley
Daniel McPhee
Maddox Patton

🎓Gilmer High School
Noah Davis
Caleb Foster
Gael Landaverde
Taylor Woody
Carson Farist
John “JP” Ponders

🎓Pickens High School - Jasper, Georgia
Edgar Gonzalez
Johnathan Rodney

🎓Copper Basin High School
Emily Mundy

We would also like to recognize this year’s second-round scholarship recipients—students who continue to excel and further their education in the trades:

📝Jack Hyatt (FCHS)
🦺Carder Farist (GHS)
🛠️Miguel Salto (PHS)

A special thank you to the incredible CTAE teachers who continue to invest in and guide these students every day:

Terry Flowers (FCHS)
Gavin King, Charlie Cattanach & Charles Floyd (UCHS)
BJ Chancey (GHS)
Dennis Wilson (PHS)
Jamie English (CBHS)

Congratulations again to all of our recipients and their families! We can’t wait to see what your future holds.

05/11/2026

We’re proud to share a milestone moment—surpassing $1 MILLION in scholarships awarded since 2019, reaching a total of $1,040,000.

Our 7th Annual Future of the Trades Scholarship Banquet is officially in the books—and what a night it was.

Last Friday, we had the honor of awarding scholarships to 21 incredible students, including 3 second-time recipients who continue to raise the bar for dedication and work ethic. These young men and women represent the future of our industry, and we couldn’t be more proud to support their journey.

This achievement is only possible because of the continued support from our generous sponsors, dedicated board members, and the entire Parade of Homes community who believe in investing in the next generation.

To our sponsors: thank you for your unwavering commitment to workforce development.
To our board members: your leadership and passion continue to drive this mission forward.
And to our students: your hard work inspires us all—this is just the beginning.

Here’s to building the future, one student at a time.