Dollywood Packages Save You Time and Money with Your Vacation

Dollywood is offering a great way to purchase your Dollywood tickets and Dollywood’s Splash Country tickets while saving on a variety of area hotels and lodging, including the family-favorite, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. These Dollywood Packages are available in a variety of combinations to fit any traveler's vacation and budget:

• Dollywood Smoky Mountain Splash & Play Combo Package
• Dollywood Vacation Package
• Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Adventure Package
• Dollywood & Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Vacation Package
• Dollywood’s Splash Country & Dixie Stampede Vacation Package
• Dollywood Park Combo & Dixie Stampede Vacation Package
  

These packages are not offered anywhere else but through Dollywood’s website, so make sure you book now and save.

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair Scheduled for July

Voted one of the south’s most popular summer events, the 34th annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is scheduled for July 17 – 26 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This event is expected to have more than 200 booths featuring some of the nation’s finest work. Artisans will be on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer unique art for sale. Bluegrass and country music will also be available. Keith Longbotham and Band perform July 17-21, while Dennis Lee & Band perform July 22-16. Show times are 1pm, 3pm & 5pm daily. On Sundays, shows are at 1pm & 3pm only.

The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is open 10am-7pm on daily. On Sunday, it is open from 10am-5pm. Adult admission is $6; Kids under 12 are free.

4th of July Parade in Gatlinburg Celebrates Americas Indepence with Midnight Spectacular

Celebrate the 4th of July with nearly 100,000 of your best friends!

For the 34th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade leading off at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. This midnight spectacular – with giant helium balloons – is a patriotic tribute to the four branches of our armed services and leads into a full day of fun.

For a little American ingenuity-fueled adventure, take in Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta at noon on Saturday, July 4th. A family favorite for friendly competition, this unmanned river raft race is hosted by the United States Navy and has featured boats made of matchsticks, floating rocks and even rubber ducks! Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on Saturday, July 4th, beginning at the River Terrace bridge on River Road and ending at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies bridge in downtown Gatlinburg. This unmanned river raft race will be hosted by the United States Navy and is open to anything floatable except balls and plastic eggs. In the past, families have entered boats made out of matchsticks, floating rocks, as well as little rubber ducks. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with the race beginning promptly at noon. Support for the River Raft Regatta is provided by the Gatlinburg Recreation Department.

Then, just an hour after sundown, the Fourth’s Grand Finale occurs on the streets of downtown Gatlinburg with a fireworks extravaganza visible all along the Parkway from Traffic Lighe #3 to the Sky Lift starting about 10:30 p.m. Lasting almost 20 minutes in duration, the sights and sounds of “the rocket’s red glare” will fill the sky as a fitting tribute to this day of celebrating freedom.

Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales in Gatlinburg

Back by popular demand, Gatlinburg's 4th annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ begins in downtown Gatlinburg on June 12, 2009 and will run through August 8. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.

This popular eight-week event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.

The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 5 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling until 10 p.m. As many as 18 nightly acts perform throughout the evening.

Special for the 2009 season, characters will salute the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park as costumed characters Mark Pedro, portraying a Civilian Conservation Corps member of the 1930s and Ginger Brown, portraying a local schoolteacher of the 1930s, provide insights into the beginning of the most visited national park in our National Park System. Quiltin’ Annie, portrayed by Sabrina Gray, will demonstrate hand quilting techniques as she tells stories about the home economics of our region’s past.

Traditional and bluegrass music will be performed throughout downtown Gatlinburg during the event, along with storytellers, costumed characters, crafters, and cloggers featured each evening.

Two traditional mountain music duos will entertain with a variety of instruments as Booger Town Gap, as well as Suzie Reynolds and Steve Mayfield, perform songs dating back to the very early days of Gatlinburg. The pure and rustic music and folk-like lyrics tell stories of the joys and tribulations of life of the early pioneer families.

Since Gatlinburg is the birthplace of the famous bluegrass tune, “Rocky Top”, Tunes & Tales features traditional bluegrass bands each night playing favorite bluegrass standards. All performances are free and happen all along the Parkway, seven nights a week until August 8 making every evening a special event in Gatlinburg.

The Holloway Sisters Band from Lenoir City, Tenn., Southern Skye from Pineville, Ky., The Beagles from Lenoir City, Steve Brown & Hurricane Ridge from Newport, Tenn., Laycee Lee Mack & Granite Station from Clinton, Tenn., and Sevier County’s own Woods Brothers, Gary Hughes Band, and Hammer & Strings will provide the rich sounds of bluegrass music in various locations around Gatlinburg.

And of course, watch out for the most famous of local characters - Zeno the Gatlinburg BearTM - as he and his Ranger friend make surprise appearances to greet our welcome guests and to pose for family photos.

Cosby in the Park Honors Heritage of Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountain 75th Anniversary Celebration continues with “Cosby in the Park,” an event that will honor the heritage of the Cosby Community, a portion of which lies within the Great Smoky Mountains. The event is scheduled for May 16 2009, from 10am to 4pm, and is FREE to the public. It will be held at the Cosby Campground amphitheater and picnic area and will feature old-time mountain music, storytelling, old-fashioned children's games, and traditional crafts.

Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre Opens in Gatlinburg

The Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre recently opened its doors for their 33rd season. On April 18th, they debuted two new original shows: Knickerbocker Glories, a comedy with layers of laughs, and The Mystical Magical Medicine Show, a musical melodrama that follows the makers of Flim Flam Juice, an elixir cure-all.

Both shows contain an old-time sing-a-long filled with unrehearsed surprises and are sure to bring laughs for the whole family.

The theatre pays tribute to the golden age of the 1890s music halls. The theatre has won over 43 audience awards, has been named a historical treasure by the city of Gatlinburg, and has also been recognized by the Tennessee State Senate as one of the most creative theaters in the country.

Gatlinburg's Ribfest And Wings Festival Serves Up Delicious Fun

Ribfest & Wings is moving to the Gatlinburg Parkway for a full-fledged Street Fair on Thursday, April 23.

Gatlinburg’s 8th Annual Ribfest & Wings Festival will feature extended hours (4 to 10 p.m., with food sampling starting at 6) and loads of atmosphere as the Parkway transforms into a Street Fair between Traffic Light 6 and Riverside Motor Lodge/Reagan Terrace Mall.

Come out and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities, two hot wing eating contests and an ice cream eating contest, each promising a wonderfully good time! The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will also be part of the fun.

This year’s event features a mixture of entertainment, spiced up by the smooth Motown music of The Tams, the return of the Beat Daddys featuring their soulful rock ‘n roll blues, and the funky rhythm and blues of Dishwater Blonde on the main stage, supplemented by strolling musicians and a second stage featuring local favorites and familiar sounds of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales performers.

A panel will judge and award the best ribs or wings in seven categories. All vendors will be vying for the coveted “People’s Choice Award” chosen by popular vote.

Hot wing eating contests sponsored by All Sauced Up will take place at 5 and 7 p.m. and feature wings prepared in sauces such as “Blazing Bomb,” “Fire Pit Hell,” “Treacherous Tongue,” “Scorching Screaming” and “Next Day Disaster.” Prizes will be awarded to the “Hot Wing Eating Contest Champion of the Year.” See if you can handle it!

Ben & Jerry’s will host the ice cream eating contest at 9 p.m. to help wrap up the evening of fun and festivities.

“We think this will be our best Ribfest & Wings extravaganza ever,” said George Hawkins, Special Events Manager for the Department of Tourism. “The Parkway is such an exciting and unique venue.”

An armband for Ribfest & Wings may be purchased for $12 (or $5 for kids) that allows sampling until 9 p.m. or as long as the ribs and wings last.

Confirmed vendors include All Sauced Up, Brass Lantern Grill, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Chefdawg Catering, Corkys BBQ, Crawdaddy’sRestaurant & Bar, Gatlinburg Elks Lodge, Gatlinburg Fire Dept, Gatlinburg Police Department, Hellbender Grill, Hogg’s & Honey’s Saloon & Grill, Lineberger’s Seafood Restaurant, McCutchan’s Brass Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of Smokies, Smoky’s Pub & Grub, Texas Roadhouse and TGI Fridays.

Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival Scheduled for May 16-17

The Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival (GFAF) is a family-oriented event that features quality artists from around the country, delicious cuisine, and music. Volunteers from the community produce the festival to benefit the Sevier County Arts Council and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, an internationally recognized visual arts center, providing creative experiences year round.

2009 will be the fifth year of the festival and large crowds are expected. Gatlinburg is a thriving tourist destination and a gateway city to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with over 9 million visitors annually. The festival is being held in the center of the city along River Road and on the grounds of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

The Gatlinburg Fine Art Festival features over 50 professional artists and craftsmen and it annually awards $5,000.00 in cash prizes. The event is scheduled for May 16-17 2009.

Music of the Mountains Scheduled in Gatlinburg

Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the City of Gatlinburg have announced the "Music of the Mountains" program on Saturday, March 28, 2009, a jointly-sponsored event that celebrates the national park’s 75th anniversary with southern Appalachian music. The event includes a series of free performances of old-time mountain music during the day at the Park’s Sugarlands Visitor Center and culminates with a ticketed evening concert in Gatlinburg, Tenn., featuring “Jimbo Whaley and Friends."

The six programs that are scheduled at the Sugarlands Visitor Center require no tickets or reservations and are free. These programs will be held in the auditorium beginning at 10 a.m. with the last performance scheduled at 4 p.m. Tickets for the evening performance, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Gatlinburg’s W. L. Mills Conference Center, can be purchased online in advance for $20 at http://www.jimbowhaley.com/ or at the door during the evening of the concert for $25.

“Music of the Mountains" began in 2005 and is an ideal way to showcase some of the musical traditions of the southern Appalachian Mountains during this year’s 75th anniversary of the national park which, among other things, is a celebration of the Park's rich history and culture,” said Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. Many of the people who lived and farmed in this area traced their ancestry back to the British Isles. Old World ballads, jigs, reels, and fiddle songs were brought to the New World and passed down through generations. Tunes and songs changed over the years as new renditions were made, new lyrics added, new instruments used and even different keys added, establishing southern Appalachian music as a true American folk art.

“We have another fabulous lineup of old-time and traditional artists for this year’s program,” said Supervisory Ranger Kent Cave. “We want to thank our partners – the City of Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains Association for making it possible to showcase this important part of our Smoky Mountain heritage. We are also happy that Jimbo Whaley, whose family and music are deeply rooted in these mountains, is again a part of the celebration,” Cave said.

The schedules for both the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Gatlinburg performances are:

Sugarlands Visitor Center (free admission)

10:00 a.m. Lost Mill String Band

11:00 a.m. Tony Thomas

12:00 p.m. Dr. Ted Olson

1:00 p.m. Boogertown Gap

2:00 p.m. Roan Mountain Hilltoppers

4:00 p.m. Roger Howell and the Bailey Mountain Ramblers

W.L. Mills Conference Center, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

6:30 p.m. Jimbo Whaley and Friends

Gatlinburg Springfest Event Filled With Fun Activities

During the three-month Springfest celebration that begins in early March and continues into the second week of June, visitors witness Gatlinburg’s transformation into spring when the city’s streets overflow with baskets of beautiful blooming flowers and plants. Pansies, daffodils, tulips, mandevillas, bougainvilleas, lantanas, scaveolas and wave petunias are among the many varieties of flowers seen throughout the city. Live entertainment can be found along sidewalks, adding a festive flair to the time-honored Downtown Parkway stroll.

Members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community display unique handcrafted wares as they gather at the Gatlinburg Convention Center to host their annual Easter Arts & Crafts show Wednesday, April 8 through Saturday, April 11.

On Easter morning, April 12, join in the local tradition and attend Ober Gatlinburg’s 12th Annual Easter Sunrise Service enhanced by the beauty of the Smokies. Free tram rides to the mountain top begin at 6:15 a.m. and continue in 15 minute intervals until the service begins at 7 a.m. Complimentary parking at the resort will be provided for those who prefer to drive. A breakfast buffet will be waiting and available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant from 7 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

The smell of hickory-smoked barbeque fills the air as folks roll up sleeves and dive in to sample their secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from vendors from all over the Southeast on Thursday, April 23 at Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings. This festive street party features live entertainment, lots of fun and barbeque ribs and wings on the open grill just for your tasting.
The 59th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, Wednesday, April 22 through Sunday, April 26, is another great event, especially for hikers and nature lovers who love to see delicate wildflowers in bloom. Hosted by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the University of Tennessee Botany Department and the Gatlinburg Garden Club, this seven-day program offers more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and delightful motor excursions into the wonderful season of spring in the Smokies.

Spring events continue with Gatlinburg’s Scottish Festival & Games Grand Parade on Friday, May 15 at 6 p.m. at Traffic Light #10 in downtown Gatlinburg. All Scots are invited to march or ride in the parade. On Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, Mills Park in Gatlinburg becomes competitive ground for the 28th Annual Scottish Festival & Games where clans meet and feature Highland athletics, bagpipe competitions, highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, haggis hurling, entertainment and whiskey tasting, along with food and merchandise vendors.

Gatlinburg's Fine Arts Festival, a family-oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country, delicious cuisine and music takes place in downtown Gatlinburg on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17. Proceeds benefit the Sevier County Arts Council.

Information courtesy of Gatlinburg Department of Tourism