If you’re looking to visit a small town with a big story, search no further than Ringgold, Georgia. With a population of just 3,401, Ringgold might be a tiny town… but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of reasons to pay it a visit! Keep scrolling to learn a little more about Ringgold, and then start planning your trip.
Dolly Parton’s connection to Ringgold
If you’re searching up Ringgold, the first thing you’re going to find is that it’s the small Georgia town where Dolly Parton married her husband, Carl Dean.
The reason? Ringgold specialized in same-day marriage license and weddings, without the typical mandatory waiting period. Dolly and Carl Dean wanted to get married away from the Tennessee tabloids, in a church, and that very day. Ringgold was the perfect answer.
The couple later visited Ringgold many times, on anniversaries.
Dolly said to Southern Living,
We used to go [back] every year for our anniversary. We would just drive down to Ringgold for the day, spend the night down there somewhere in our little camper… So yeah, that’s a special little place to me.
And Dolly and Carl Dean weren’t the only ones: Ringgold has served as the wedding location for many lovebirds, and continues to do so.
So… why should I visit Ringgold?
Well, if you’d like a same-day wedding, might we suggest Ringgold?
But seriously, if you’re looking for a fun getaway from the city (but not necessarily a marriage), Ringgold is the perfect spot. It’s full of adorable local restaurants, cute shops, coffee spots, and more.
And head to Ringgold for their iconic 1890 Days Jamboree on Memorial Day Weekend, a massive street festival that brings over 20,000 people to the tiny town for food, arts, and crafts vendors, live music on multiple stages, a parade, classic car show, a fireworks and tons of fun historical costumes.
Check it out! Head to Ringgold, Georgia!