Bat Week Events at Great Smoky Mountains National Park on October 30 Halloween Eve!

Bat Week Events will be held at Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, North Carolina.

What better time than on Halloween Eve to learn all about the 12 species of bats found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the important role they play in maintaining our ecological balance. Park Rangers will be available at hands-on information stations for fun and educational activities about bats and their importance to our world and the current threat of white-nose syndrome to bats in the National Park and throughout the U.S.

“We first confirmed the presence of white-nose syndrome in the park in 2010,” said National Park Wildlife Biologist Bill Stiver, “The impact has been devastating. We estimate that some of our cave-dwelling bat populations have already declined by 80% and we are doing everything we can to both slow the spread of the disease and protect the remaining animals by closing caves and areas near caves to the public.”

Whiteoak Sink Area Closed Until Late Spring 2015

All of the Parks 16 caves were closed to the public in 2009 and in September 2015 the Whiteoak Sink area was closed to public. The area may reopen in late spring 2015 depending on the results of Park scientists findings as they monitor the site throughout the winter hibernation period to help develop a plan to deal with white-nose syndrome. More than 5.7 million bats in the United States have died leaving more than 40% of the bat species at risk or endangered.

Most hikers access Whiteoak Sink via Schoolhouse Gap Trail near Cades Cove. The closure includes the area between Cades Cove and Townsend within Schoolhouse Gap Trail and Turkeypen Ridge Trail west to the National Park boundary. Turkeypen Ridge and Schoolhouse Gap trails will remain open.

Bat Facts

  • Scientists estimate that a single bat can eat between 3,000 to 6,000 insects (mosquitoes, moths, and beetles) nightly.
  • Humans are not affected by white-nose syndrome; the fungus requires a cold body temp to survive. However, never touch or handle a bat. Bats are the only mammal species in the Smoky Mountains that have tested positive for rabies.
  • For more information on bats in the Smokies, visit GSMNP Cave Bats in Crisis.

Don’t Miss Wears Valley Fall Festival October 16-18, 2015

Don’t miss Wears Valley Fall Festival on Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18, 2015. Each day the fun begins at 10:00 a.m. The festival closes on Friday and Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The event and all the activities are free, so there’s no excuse not to gather up the entire family and spend the day in beautiful Wears Valley!

A highlight of the festival is the Vintage Baseball Game at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday for kids of all ages. There’ll be a Kid’s Craft Tent with old-time games and educational and fun recycling activities from upcycled products. And what’s a Fall Festival without a good old-fashioned Potato Sack Race and Obstacle Course (these races will be on Saturday only).

You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the cutest festival attendee, Evie Sue, the Litter Retrieving Dog, and her friends Ed and Susan Harp who’ve authored the children’s book, “Evie Goes Clean and Green.” This amazing yellow Lab will show you just how fun and easy it is to “Go Green!”

Of course no autumn get-together would be complete without a plethora of Southern eats and Arts & Crafts that reflect the traditions of Smoky Mountains. And the traditions of the Smokies continue with the live bluegrass and old-time mountain music by Boogertown Gap. And for those that still believe Elvis is everywhere, well he can be spotted in Wears Valley as the King is channeled by talented Elvis impersonator Robert Keifer.

The Wears Valley Fall Festival is the largest fundraiser for Keep Sevier Beautiful whose mission includes waste reduction and recycling, litter prevention, and the beautification of Sevier County’s public spaces. For more information, please call 865-774-6677.

Regen Film Sneak Peek Event on Nov 6th at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

 

The movie Regen, filmed locally, tells the story of Pigeon Forge resident Regen Morris who passed away on Christmas morning of 2013 from a rare brain cancer at the age of 12.

The film captures the spirit of this young man, wise among his years, whose story continues to touch thousands of lives with memories of his brave smile, love and undeniable faith.

During his battle with cancer, everyone, and we mean everyone, was Rootin’ 4 Regen. Come to this event and you’ll see how this remarkable young man and his family have blessed so many lives worldwide with their story of hope, faith and community.

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 join supporters at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg for a VIP event beginning at 6:00 p.m.

For tickets and more info, call 865-654-0766.

Be sure to check out Regen Film on Facebook.

Follow the film’s progress on its website at RegenFilm.

Special Halloween Vaudeville Revue at Sweet Fanny Adams! The Spooktacular Kerfuffle Follies

Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre is inviting all the ghosts and ghouls to a spooktacular revue show in Gatlinburg. Featuring the Great Victorian Aboosement Company and hosted by that dastardly villian Lucifer McRotton!

The Spooktacular Kerfuffle Follies! A Special Halloween Vaudeville Revue at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in Gatlinburg on Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31, 2015.

Shows begin at 8:00 p.m. each evening. Free popcorn for all who come in costume!

For more information and tickets, visit sweetfannyadams.com or call 877-388-5784.

The Country Cool Comedy Tour Headlines Gatlinburg’s Taste of Autumn on September 17

The Country Cool Comedy Tour headlines Gatlinburg’s Taste of Autumn on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Gatlinburg Convention Center at 5:00 p.m.  Veteran entertainers Trish Suhr, Karen Mills and Leanne Morgan will delve into “what’s your crazy” like no other Southern gals can and will leave you falling out of your seat with laughter!

And for even more fun and laughs at the Country Cool Comedy Tour, the emcee for the evening is Nan Kelly, popular host of Great American Country’s Top 20 Countdown.

Tickets for the event are $25 per person with unlimited sampling and children under 7 are free. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-588-1817. Proceeds from the event benefit United Way of  Sevier County. Be sure to visit them on Facebook!

Delicious food and drinks will be provided by Great Smoky Mountain Catering Company, The Melting Pot, Collier Convention and Catering, The Fox & Parrot Tavern, Big Daddy’s Pizzeria, Coca-Cola, Vista Grill, Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, Mellow Mushroom, Three Jimmy’s, BJ’s BBQ, Ripley’s Aquarium, Dick’s Last Resort, Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin, and Quaker Steak and Lube, and Wine A Little.

Please visit United Way of Sevier County to learn more about the many ways they help our community.