Is it time to start celebrating the Emerald Isles’ influence on the Smoky Mountains? Almost! Sevier County rings in the return of the green in the nature surrounding us with events honoring the Celtic heritage that is a large piece of our cultural foundation starting as early as 2 weeks before St. Patrick’s Day. Take a look at these items and see if they get your Lucky Charms lit up for a March visit to the Smokies: * Irish Month…
That interesting time of the year between the end of the long cold season in the Smokies and the return of nature and warm weather where we celebrate the cowboy lifestyle of yesteryear is upon us yet again. West comes East and merges with old-school Appalachia for the perennial favorite Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff weekend. Here is Mypigeonforge.com‘s event information on it for 2024: “Pigeon Forge invites Western lifestyle enthusiasts, foodies and those in search of a hearty meal…
Some blogs from the official Gatlinburg tourism website highlight the oncoming of the Spring season with ideas and events that are expected to take place soon and we wanted to share them here. If you’re looking to have a Spring Break in the Smokies or venture here for any other reason, we encourage you to read on. The following is two blogs from Gatlinburg.com adapted and combined into one. Best Spring Outdoor Activities in Gatlinburg When the chill of winter…
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…
Coming December 1st for 2023 is the 48th annual Fantasy Of Lights Christmas Parade in downtown Gatlinburg! Gatlinburg’s most popular Christmas centered event comes marching down Highway 321 to Stoplight #10 at 7:30PM for more than an hour of famous Christmas characters, carolling, floats, marching, clown cars and even drum and pipe bands. All your favorite characters, new and old, famous and maybe some obscure icons from way back in the day, will all be there that evening and you…
From Gatlinburg.com: * Bear-varian Fall Festival September 9, 2023 – October 31, 2023 “Autumn has arrived in the Great Smoky Mountains, and there’s no better place to experience the season and the changing leaves than at Anakeesta: Gatlinburg’s award-winning theme park. During Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival which runs from September. 9 – October. 31, visitors can enjoy Halloween themed décor throughout the park. For an additional add-on, sample drink specials, from several local and regional craft breweries. Make your way…
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…
It’s that time again for our favorite late Summer, just-before-school-starts holiday and this year is going to be different than the years before it in the state of TN. Tennessee Tax Free Holiday is not a single weekend affair for 2021. This year there are three different categories of tax-free items; one of which has already started and continues on until… June 2022?? Only in Tennessee! Let’s take a look: Event 1: Clothes, School Supplies and Computers Tennessee’s traditional sales…
Here’s something new that would inspire some of the adults-who-are-kids-at-heart-but-like-something-harder-to-drink to get out of the house and come to the Aquarium: Ripley’s Sips & Sharks. From the main Ripley’s website: “Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies will be hosting Sips & Sharks events! Sips & Sharks is an adult (21+) sleepover that gives guests overnight access to the Aquarium. This experience includes drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a behind the scenes tour, movie, continental breakfast, and much more!” This event is scheduled for…
Announcement from Gatlinburg regarding the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade for 2020 (no, it’s not a cancellation!): “On December 4, the 45th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade rolls through downtown Gatlinburg in celebration of the holiday season and the beginning of Gatlinburg Winter Magic. Floats will be decorated with one-of-a-kind displays of LED lights, marching bands, large balloons, dancers, and holiday characters. Members of rock-n-roll royalty Lynyrd Skynrd and 38 Special will take the spotlight during Gatlinburg’s 45th Annual…
It is officially and effectively winterfest in the Smokies! During this time, people come to the mountains for a variety of reasons, not the least because of the holidays, the romance opportunities and just a badly needed break from the routine, but one slightly less obvious reason is that we have capabilities for Winter sports enthusiasts to break out their skis, snowboards and more; and those seeking to get a hot burst of adrenaline out in the cold will want…
In less than a week, the city of Gatlinburg will be some of the most active it’s ever been concentrated in one spot with the highly anticipated return of the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff! The city of Gatlinburg writes this for this year’s Winterfest kickoff festival: “For over 30 years, Gatlinburg has celebrated the kickoff of Smoky Mountain Winterfest with the annual foodie festival, Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff Presented by Bush’s Chili Beans. On November 12, 2020, the tradition continues with live…
We’ve got warm weather going on all week and that will be perfect as Spring begins 10 days early with brilliantly shining days, special events coming back to the calendars, green and grass returning to the mountains and more coming in very soon. To begin this return to Springfest, we’ve got two long-standing Pigeon Forge traditions to tell you about coming up very shortly. Festival of the Nations returns this March 16th to be the grand opening for the Dollywood…