10/15/2026
Mountain Education is proud to celebrate one of our own, Dr. Bobby Mayfield, who has been selected as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Gold Rush Days! Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mayfield on this well-deserved honor!
🎖️ **HEAR YE! HEAR YE! ANNOUNCING OUR 2026 GOLD RUSH DAYS GRAND MARSHAL!** 🎖️
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Gold Rush Days Festival, we are incredibly proud to announce **DR. BOBBY MAYFIELD** as the **2026 GOLD RUSH DAYS PARADE GRAND MARSHAL!** 🎉
A dedicated educator, distinguished military veteran, community leader, and devoted public servant, Dr. Mayfield has spent decades making a difference in the lives of the people of Lumpkin County.
From the classrooms of our local schools to the battlefields of Iraq, from county government to the very traditions that make Dahlonega special, his life tells an extraordinary story of **service, sacrifice, perseverance, and love for his community.**
**A DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER**
Dr. Mayfield devoted 30 years of his life to military service, including five years of active duty in the United States Army before transferring to the Georgia Army National Guard.
Many in our community remember him as **First Sergeant Mayfield**, who served alongside the beloved "Dahlonega Boys" during their combat deployment to Iraq in 2005–2006.
During that deployment, his unit became part of an extraordinary humanitarian story that captured national attention. They helped save the life of an Iraqi baby known as **Baby Noor**, who was born with spina bifida, arranging for her to travel to Atlanta for lifesaving surgery.
For their efforts, Dr. Mayfield and the senior leaders of his unit were recognized as **2006 Citizens of the Year by the Anne Frank Society.**
Following his return from Iraq, Dr. Mayfield became the very first soldier assigned to the newly established 348th Brigade Support Battalion of the Georgia Army National Guard, helping build the unit into an important part of the force.
His family's commitment to military service continued through his son, William, who served as a First Lieutenant in the Georgia Army National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan.
📚 **A LIFETIME OF DEDICATION TO EDUCATION**
Dr. Mayfield's educational journey is one of determination, perseverance, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
A **1979 graduate of Lumpkin County High School**, Bobby was both an Honor Graduate and the school's STAR Student.
As the first member of his family to attend college, he initially enrolled at the University of North Georgia. However, unfamiliar with the financial aid process and facing the challenges of paying for college, he made the difficult decision to leave school and join the Army to earn money for his education.
But he never gave up on that dream.
Following five years of active military service, he returned to UNG and earned his bachelor's degree in 1991.
He later earned a Specialist degree from UNG and, at the age of **62, completed his doctorate at Liberty University!**
Making that accomplishment even more special, Bobby had the opportunity to walk across the graduation stage alongside his son, **Ben Mayfield, who was also earning his doctorate.**
What an incredible moment for a father and son!
Dr. Mayfield has devoted nearly 30 years to the Lumpkin County School System, beginning his service in 1998.
Throughout his career, he has served as a classroom teacher, CTAE Director, Assistant Principal at both Lumpkin County High School and Lumpkin County Middle School, and currently serves as the District Safety Coordinator.
His dedication in the classroom earned him **Teacher of the Year honors twice**, and he was even honored with a school yearbook dedication!
In his current role, Dr. Mayfield helps oversee school safety, security systems, emergency preparedness, school resource officers, and other critical measures designed to protect our students and educators.
He has also helped implement the Behavioral Threat Assessment Management (BTAM) system, an initiative designed to identify concerning behaviors early and connect students with appropriate support before situations escalate.
❤️ **BELIEVING IN STUDENTS WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST**
One of the most meaningful chapters of Dr. Mayfield's career is his continued work with **Mountain Education High School.**
Throughout his years in education, Bobby recognized that students who struggled in traditional schools were often facing challenges far beyond the classroom. Some needed to work to support their families. Others lacked the support or circumstances necessary to succeed in a traditional school setting.
Rather than giving up on those students, he wanted to help provide another path forward.
Today, he continues working at Mountain Education High School multiple evenings each week, alongside his son William, who also serves as a teacher at Lumpkin County Middle School.
The local Mountain Education campus graduates approximately **20–30 students each year**, providing opportunities for young people who might otherwise never have earned their high school diplomas.
For Dr. Mayfield, education has never been simply about teaching lessons. It has been about changing lives and giving young people the opportunity to build a better future.
🏛️ **LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO LUMPKIN COUNTY**
Since 2016, Dr. Mayfield has served as **Lumpkin County's District 2 Commissioner**, continuing his commitment to the community through public leadership.
During his tenure, he has supported numerous initiatives aimed at strengthening Lumpkin County while preserving the qualities that make our community special.
His work has included revitalizing the Development Authority, supporting the expansion of water infrastructure along the Highway 400 corridor, and helping advance important community improvements.
These efforts have included the construction of the new county library, a fire station in Frogtown, additional funding for Parks and Recreation, and roadway improvements supported through voter-approved TSPLOST funding.
He continues to advocate for responsible economic development along the Highway 400 corridor while working to protect other areas of Lumpkin County from uncontrolled growth.
Beyond his responsibilities in county government, Dr. Mayfield also serves on the **University of North Georgia Alumni Association Board of Directors** and the **Avita Board of Directors.**
His commitment to service is not limited to one organization, one position, or one chapter of his life. It has been a lifelong calling.
👨👩👧👦 **FAMILY, FAITH IN COMMUNITY, AND DEEP LOCAL ROOTS**
Behind his many accomplishments is a family that shares his commitment to education, service, and Lumpkin County.
Bobby and his wife, **Shelly**, are proud parents of four children: **William, Benjamin, Madison, and Jordan.**
Two of their children continue to call Lumpkin County home and proudly carry on the tradition of being Lumpkin County Nuggets!
From military service to teaching in local classrooms, the Mayfield family's dedication to serving others spans generations.
👑 **A GOLD RUSH DAYS STORY 47 YEARS IN THE MAKING!**
Of all the remarkable chapters in Dr. Mayfield's life, perhaps none makes his selection as Grand Marshal more special than his personal connection to the Gold Rush Days Festival.
**The year was 1979.**
Bobby Mayfield was just **18 years old**, a young member of the Jaycees, when he took on the responsibility of organizing the Gold Rush Days Parade.
As a young man, he worked alongside fellow volunteers to carry on a tradition that brought the community together, creating friendships and memories that would stay with him for a lifetime.
In the decades that followed, Bobby would serve his country, raise a family, educate generations of students, help lead his county, and dedicate his life to making Lumpkin County a better place.
And now, **47 years later, the young man who once organized the Gold Rush Days Parade will return to lead it as our 2026 Grand Marshal!**
When informed of his selection, Dr. Mayfield shared that he was shocked, surprised, and deeply humbled to receive such an honor.
Reflecting on those early years with the Jaycees, he shared:
*"Just being able to reminisce about the days spent with that great bunch of people and all of the good times they had while helping our community is a reward beyond measure."*
🎉 **PLEASE JOIN US IN HONORING DR. BOBBY MAYFIELD!**
We invite everyone to join us on **Saturday, October 17, 2026**, as we celebrate Dr. Mayfield during the **72nd Annual Gold Rush Days Festival!**
🏆 **1:00 PM — Official Grand Marshal Recognition** on the Main Stage in Downtown Dahlonega
🥁 **3:00 PM — Gold Rush Days Parade**, proudly led by Dr. Bobby Mayfield!
