Great Smoky Mountains National Park Announces Synchronous Firefly Viewing Dates
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Announces Synchronous Firefly Viewing Dates. Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced the dates for firefly viewing in Elkmont. Shuttle service to the viewing area will be provided on Tuesday, May 30 through Tuesday, June 6. All visitors wishing to view the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont must have a parking pass distributed through the lottery system at www.recreation.gov.
Every year in late May or early June, thousands of visitors gather near the popular Elkmont Campground to observe the naturally occurring phenomenon of Photinus carolinus, a firefly species that flashes synchronously. Since 2006, access to the Elkmont area has been limited to shuttle service beginning at Sugarlands Visitor Center during the eight days of predicted peak activity in order to reduce traffic congestion and provide a safe viewing experience for visitors that minimizes disturbance to these unique fireflies during the critical two-week mating period.
The lottery will be open for applications from Friday, April 28 at 12:00 noon until Monday, May 1 at 8:00 p.m. Results of the lottery will be available on Wednesday, May 10. A total of 1,800 vehicle passes will be available for the event which includes: 1768 regular-parking passes (225 per day) which admit one passenger vehicle up to 19’ in length with a maximum of six occupants, and 32 large-vehicle parking passes (four per day) which admit one large vehicle (RV, mini-bus, etc.) from 19’ to 30’ in length, with a maximum of 24 occupants. Lottery applicants must apply for either a regular-parking pass or large-vehicle parking pass and then may choose two possible dates to attend the event over the eight-day viewing period.
The lottery system uses a randomized computer drawing to select applications. There is no fee to enter the lottery this year. If selected, the lottery winner will be charged a $2.75 reservation fee and awarded a parking pass. The parking pass permits visitors to park at Sugarlands Visitor Center and allows occupants to access the shuttle service to Elkmont.
Parking passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, and good only for the date issued. There is a limit of one lottery application per household per season. All lottery applicants will be notified by e-mail on May 10 that they were “successful” and awarded a parking pass or “unsuccessful” and not able to secure a parking pass.
The number of passes issued each day is based primarily on the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot capacity and the ability to accommodate a large number of viewers on site. Arrival times will be assigned in order to relieve traffic congestion in the parking lot and also for boarding the shuttles, which are provided in partnership with the City of Gatlinburg. The shuttle buses will begin picking up visitors from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area at 7:00 p.m. The cost will be $1.00 round trip per person, as in previous years, and collected when boarding the shuttle. Cash will be the only form of payment accepted.
The shuttle service is the only transportation mode for visitor access during this period, except for registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground. Visitors are not allowed to walk the Elkmont entrance road due to safety concerns.
Visitors may visit the website www.recreation.gov and search for “Firefly Event” for more information and to enter the lottery. Parking passes may also be obtained by calling 1-877-444-6777, but park officials encourage the use of the online process. The $2.75 reservation fee covers the cost of awarding the passes.
For more information about the synchronous fireflies, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov.
Color Me Mutt 5K To Support Local Nonprofits
Color Me Mutt 5K to support local nonprofits. The second annual 5K Color Run and Pet Parade is geared to pet lovers. Pets Without Parents, Sevierville’s animal shelter and adoption center, and the PARC Foundation, the charitable arm of NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains, are teaming up to host the Color Me Mutt 5K Color Run and Pet Parade on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at 8 a.m. at NASCAR SpeedPark.
A 3.2 mile 5K run, slated for 8 a.m. is open to running enthusiasts with or without their favorite four-legged companions. Owners and their pets can continue to show off their “true colors” during the Color Me Mutt Pet Parade beginning at 9:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Rough’n Tough, Miss Priss, Best Groomed, Best Personality and Twinkies (best owner/pet lookalike). A Best of Show will be presented to one of the five category winners. All 5K participants receive a race T-shirt, a commemorative pet charm, and a wrist band allowing unlimited access to NASCAR SpeedPark’s eight go-kart tracks, family and kid”s rides, mini golf and rock wall climbing. A marketplace featuring local businesses, crafters and artisans, most with pet-themed items, will be open to the public.
To register for the 5K Color Run or Pet Parade, visit the race website at www.colormemutt.com. The entry fee is $40 or $50 on race day. Parade registration is $10 or $15 on the day of the parade.
Proceeds from the event benefits the Sevier County community through funding the shelter and other charitable needs met by PARC Foundation’s work.
The mission of Pets Without Parents is to provide a no-kill facility along with compassionate and loving care to canines and felines in need while striving to place them with a forever family and home. It also helps educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering pets to help decease overpopulation.
It’s time for the 13th Annual Master Gardener Flower & Garden Show
It’s time for the 13th Annual Master Gardener Flower & Garden Show and Sale on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the Sevier County Fairgrounds from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Sevier County Fairgrounds are located at 754 Old Knoxville Hwy., Sevierville, TN 37862.
The Sevier County Area Master Gardeners Association and the University of Tennessee Extension Service invite you to attend The Master Gardener Flower & Garden Show and Sale on Saturday, April 22. The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, will include a vendor marketplace for lawn and garden equipment and supplies, flowers, shrubs, trees, yard art, and more. Ornamental plants, herbs, and fruit and veggies will be available for purchase and Master Gardeners will offer tips on attracting butterflies and bees to your garden, the advantages of beneficial insects, recycling, and local food sources. A tour of the Master Gardner’s Demonstration Garden “The Learning Patch” is sure to bring out a “green thumb” in everyone.
A children’s area will offer delicious and healthy snacks along with interesting crafts designed to spark their interest in gardening.
Admission to the the Master Gardena Flower and Garden Show is $2 for adults with a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Sevier County Food Ministry or $3 without a food item. Kids under 12 are admitted free. Proceeds from the indoor event, held rain or shine, benefit the SCAMGA’s community service programs which include 4-H scholarships.
For more information, visit the Sevier County Master Gardeners Association or call the Sevier County Extension Office at 865-453-3695.
