Cumming, located 40 miles north of Atlanta, is one of the fastest growing suburbs in the country. The town itself only has about 6,000 residents, but Forsyth County has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. Originally, the Creek and Cherokee tribes lived in the area, but the Cherokee defeated the Creek in a battle for the land and then left the area via the Trail of Tears. The city of Cumming was established in 1833, but its population began booming after the creation of Lake Lanier and the various activities and attractions built around it. The 38,000-acre lake was created in 1965 along with the construction of the Buford Dam. Combined, Lake Lanier Islands Resort and the lake itself receive more than 7.5 million visitors a year.
Beyond the lake, Cumming offers numerous outdoor activities and attractions, including Lanierland Music Park, Pooles Mill Bridge and Park and the Chattahoochee Rapids Beach and Waterpark. Cumming also hosts the Forsyth Family Fest and the Avenue of Flags, which contains more than 75 flags. The Sawnee Mountain Preserve showcases the culture of the area's former Native American tribes and the Cumming Country Fair and Festival, an 11-day community celebration, is held on the Cumming Fairgrounds every year.