Fourth Annual Appalachian Bear Fest

Fourth Annual Appalachian Bear Fest is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 11 a.m. til 3 p.m. at the ABR Visitor and Education Center, 121 Painted Trillium Way in Townsend, TN. This family friendly event benefits the Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) in Townsend.

Come join the fun at the fourth annual Appalachian Bear Fest. This year will be celebrating International Black Bear Day with live music, Fisher Farm Petting Zoo, Lynne McCoy’s Live Critters, delicious food, plenty of kid’s games and a whole lot of Black Bear Education. Black Bear experts will be on hand to share their knowledge on  Black Bears and the National Park.

The Zoo Knoxville will bring some of their Reptiles to teach a Happening Herpetology Class as part of the event (pre-registration required). Who does not love the chance to handle some “creepy-crawly critters?” This is a chance for you and your kids to be hands on while learning all about what makes these creature so interesting and invaluable to the natural world.

For more information and to pre-register for the class, please visit www.appalachianbearrescue.org

Line Up:

11:00am – 11:30am: Mike Clemmer on the Dulcimer
11:35am – 12:25pm: Jared Hard & Chris Long in the Round
12:30pm –  1:30pm: The Good Thymes Ceilidh Band
1:45pm – 3:00pm: Pistol Creek Catch of the Day

Continue reading…

Smoky Mountain Trillium Gap Rehabilitation Closes Trail

Smoky Mountain Trillium Gap Rehabilitation Closes Trail. Beginning May 13, 2019 work begins on improving the much loved Trillium Gap trail. This trail is one of our favorite routes to the summit of Mount LeConte.  Park officials announced the 2-year  project will begin next week. Due to the construction process on the narrow trail, a full closure is necessary for the safety of both the crew and visitors. The trail and associated parking lot along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail near Gatlinburg will be closed May 13 through November 15, Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. weekly. The trail will be fully open each week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and on federal holidays.

Trillium Gap Trail is one of the busiest trails in the park as it provides access to the popular Grotto Falls and the summit of Mt. Le Conte. There will not be any access to Grotto Falls during the weekday closures. Hikers can still reach Mt. Le Conte, LeConte Lodge, and the Le Conte Shelter by using one of the other four trails to the summit including the recently restored Rainbow Falls and Alum Cave Trails.

“We recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Trails Forever partnership with the Friends of the Smokies and I couldn’t be more proud of the amazing work accomplished by our crews, youth interns, and volunteers in transforming trails across the park,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “While we hate to disappoint hikers with weekday closures, the results are well worth the inconvenience and allow us the opportunity to continue to protect these special places for generations to come.”

Continue reading…

HighlandersUnite Highland Games Gatlinburg

HighlandersUnite Highland Games Gatlinburg. The Highlander Games of Gatlinburg (HUGG) are always a Smoky Mountain special event! The games return Saturday, June 15, 2019 and Sunday, June 16, 2019 to Mills park in Gatlinburg. The games are hosted by HighlandersUnite.

The event kicks off at 12:00 p.m. Saturday with the Alhambra Shrine Highlander Pipes and Drums performing as the athletes march in. The games consist of five events; male and female athletes Master masters, Master, Class A and Class B. This promises to be fun through the entire day! The musical stylings of BAMM will warm up the crowd in the evening at 6:00 p.m. thru 7:45 p.m.. The headliner, Tuatha Dea, will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. so be ready to rock!

Delicious Celtic food will be on hand to keep you palate happy and your stomach full. Those that are in the mood for a libation will not be disappointed. The spirits will be flowing so come thirsty! If you are worried about the weather stay dry with all the food and drink you desire in the VIP tent. Servers will be on hand no matter what kind of day Mother Nature serves up. Get your tickets today at HighlandersUnite.org or on Eventbrite! Tickets range from $10 to $150.

Continue reading…

Smoky Mountain Cinco de Mayo Events

Smoky Mountain Cinco de Mayo Events. Cinco de Mayo (which actually means May 5 in Spanish) is always a Smoky Mountain special event and is probably one of the most misunderstood Mexican holidays. Spoiler alert- it is not Mexico’s Independence Day which falls on September 16. This event has become more of an American holiday than a Mexican one and most non-Mexicans have no idea about the day’s history. In this country the date celebrates food, music and ethnic drinks, along with a dash of Mexican culture. For our Southern neighbor, Cinco de Mayo is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza.  In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is called ‘El Día de la Batalla de Puebla’, which means The Day of the Battle of Pueblo. And, according to Carlos Tortolero, president of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, it was definitely an unexpected victory when the Mexican army defeated French troops who were there to collect on war debts that Mexico was having difficulty repaying to European countries,  Throughout centuries Mexico has been invaded by many countries, but Cinco de Mayo celebrates the day Mexico won the battle! So, get your party on, grab some great food and drinks and seek out a Mariachi band. Que vivas durante todos los dias de tu vida  (May you continue to live all the days of your life!). Here are some great Cinco de Mayo events for which ever side of the Smokies you will be on!

Gatlinburg, Tennessee celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a weekend-long party dubbed the Cinco de Loco Tequila Crawl and Fiesta!

The party, which begins Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 735 Parkway in Gatlinburg, is scheduled from 7 p.m. til 1 a.m. The fun begins at either Crawdaddy’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar or Puckers Sports Bar and Grill, and the crawl ends at Loco Burro Fresh-Mex Cantina. Tickets (which cost $40, and are available at the event) include a keepsake wristband (which also entitles the wearer to special drink prices on Sunday); a shot glass necklace; t-shirt; a shot of tequila at participating restaurants; a house-made margarita at Loco Burro Fresh-Mex Cantina; discounted tequila and margaritas, and a chance to try your luck at the Loco Piñata Bash where a lucky hit could break a piñata filled with cash, drink vouchers, and more. Catch sight of the famous Loco Burro around town- snap a selfie, post to Facebook or Instagram, #Tag Loco Burro, Fresh-Mex Cantina and show it to your server to enjoy a free small queso.

Continue reading…

Dollywood Welcomes Wildwood Grove Guests

Dollywood Welcomes Wildwood Grove Guests beginning May 2019. This is sure to be a great year for America’s favorite theme park. The Wildwood Grove will boast six new themed rides, the amazing Wildwood Tree, outdoor water play zone, four new Woodland characters to interact with and a new restaurant.

Dollywood is known world wide for heart pumping rides and the best music anywhere. The new grove ramps up the fun for the entire family. Kids will love the Tree Top tower offering a sky high view of the grove and surrounding Smoky Mountains while whisking through the air in a giant acorn.

The great tree swing is just what you would expect and more. This swing is big enough for the entire family. Fashioned as a flying leaf boat rising and falling through the air as if on an autumn breeze.

The black bear trail is your chance to catch a glimpse of the iconic symbol of the Smoky Mountains, black bear. Be sure and have your camera ready to capture some cuteness.

This Heysmokies.com exclusive video shares a few of the Wildwood Grove secrets!

Hop on over to the Frogs and Fireflies ride for a fun race around the lily pad pond. Hold on tight astride a giant frog for a fun romp chasing fireflies.

Continue reading…