Gatlinburg chili cookoff

By now, the Christmas decorations have (hopefully) been put away for another 10 months, the eggnog has long been drunk to its full contents, all the “Happy New Years” wishes have been granted and we move on to the quiet season of the Smokies as Winter continues on until the third week of March. But does a quiet season in the Smokies mean nothing’s going on? Not at all! The post-holiday Winter months are when we see the highest chances…

As of writing, it has just turned October of 2022 and the gorgeous Autumn colors and season is now going to start coming into the Smokies. But while we’re watching the leaves turn and sipping down anything with pumpkin spice in it for the next 30-something days, a question comes up that asks, “Is it too early to be thinking about Winterfest after that?” Years of experience with the Winterfest celebrations in the Smokies says that thinking and planning even…