The Pine Tree Festival was created by the Swainsboro Kiwanis Club, which organized the event for 62 years. In 2008, the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Festival Foundation, Inc. was established to expand the festival. The Pine Tree Festival then became known as the Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber Expo. Under the direction of the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Festival Foundation, leaders from the Swainsboro Kiwanis Club, Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce & Joint Development Authority, Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro, Swainsboro Jaycees, city and county governments, and various local civic organizations and businesses join each year to coordinate the Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber Expo.