“Beyond The Ribbon” Brings A Capacity Car Show To Sugar Hill

Those calling Sugar Hill, Georgia, home fondly say they live the “sweet life.”

We agree with them, especially when Beyond the Ribbon, Inc. puts on a sold-out motor show for local residences. The cerulean blue skies that day brought out both inquisitive fans and top-shelf works of automotive art.

America’s Sports Car was well-represented. Local clubs such as Amazing Corvettes Club, Corvette Cruisers of Atlanta, Five Star Corvette Club, and Unique Corvettes of Atlanta stood tall under the warm rays of the September sun.

As we made our rounds, we noticed Brandon Hembree, the Honorable Mayor of Sugar Hill, personally welcoming people to the festivities. Naturally, we got in line to learn more about this energetic community.

The Mayor Of Sugar Hill

Rod Worley – Editor – Thank you for hosting this excellent car show today! So, can you tell us a little bit about this beautiful community?

Brandon Hembree – Mayor of Sugar Hill – Absolutely, Rod. Sugar Hill is the fourth-largest city in Gwinnett County, with a population of around 25,000 and growing.

Sugar Hill was long known as a bedroom community, but that’s changed considerably in the last ten years. Today, we’re incredibly excited about the growth of commercial businesses and restaurants in our downtown area.

In many ways, our vibrant downtown area has become the heart of our community. Speaking of growth, this area where we’re hosting the car show today is less than a year old.

Even though we are a relatively young community, many families are seeing the advantages of Sugar Hill and moving in. To welcome these new families and encourage a sense of community, we host around 200 events a year.  

In addition to a great downtown, we have the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area on our western border. This national park provides opportunities to hike, fish, and enjoy the outdoors.

When you consider all we have to offer, you can see why so many are choosing to call Sugar Hill home.

Beyond The Ribbon Schedule

Rod Worley – Editor – Congratulations on another sold-out car show! Your events always draw large crowds.

What does your Fall event schedule look like?

Bobbie Menneg – President of Beyond the Ribbon, Inc. – Thanks, Rod. We’re fortunate to have strong support from Atlanta’s car community and our incredible vendor partners.

On September 14th, from 9 am to 2 pm, we’ll be at the 12th annual “Corvettes & Camaros For A Cause” show at C3 Church, 1065 Walther Blve, Lawrenceville, Ga. The fantastic team at Corvette Cruisers of Atlanta will be hosting that event.

Next, on September 28th, we’re returning to the Hudgens Center for Art & Learning for a show. We had a great turnout there earlier in the year and were excited to return.

On October 5th, we will be at the “Cops & Cones Motor Training and Skills Course” hosted by the city of Lawrenceville at the Gwinnett Fairgrounds.

From there, on October 26th, we’re returning to Sugar Hill for a Halloween trunk-or-treat-style car show. Later that evening, the Eagle Theatre will show the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show for those 18+, featuring live actors and goodie bags.

Then, on Sunday, October 27th, we will be at Cool Ray Field in Gwinnett for the 2nd Annual Celebrity Softball Showdown event. Our car show will be from 11 am to 1 pm, with the pre-game festivities and softball game going from 2 to 4 pm.

This event will showcase celebrity players from various sporting and media organizations alongside sponsors and donors. Proceeds will benefit the Gwinnett Chamber Foundation (GCF). 

GCF’s mission is to empower minority, women, and veteran-led small businesses with resources that support next-level growth and opportunity.

The Hill Where Sugar Spilled

Long-time readers of the Magazine know we’re history and trivia buffs, especially in places we visit. Of course, we were curious about the origins of a community called Sugar Hill.

Come to find out, for years before the city’s incorporation in 1939, freight wagons used to travel from the railhead at Buford to Cumming. The story goes that one day, a heavily loaded wagon lost a wheel on a high hill in this area and dumped its load.

Part of the load included several hefty bags of sugar, which burst open and spilled down the hill. Since then, it has been known “as the hill where all the sugar spilled.”

Predictably, this was shortened to “Sugar Hill,” and the name stuck.

What’s also stuck is the desire to be at the front of the line when they have another car show here.