Gatlinburg Autumn Events Fall into Place

Fall is a fantastic time to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This Smoky Mountain hamlet is alive with color during the autumn season and the town is beautified with decorations that celebrate the season. The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival runs September 1 – October 31, 2010, and during these two months there are a variety of events and festivals to peak visitor interest.

One of the events is the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, scheduled for October 7 – October 23. Located at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, this annual event features numerous artisans and craftsmen to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. There will be more than 200 booths available, as well as live country and bluegrass entertainment. Open daily from 10am-6pm, and 10am-5pm on Sunday. This event has free admission.

Before the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair takes place, though, you’ll want to tempt your taste buds at the 13th Annual Taste of Autumn. This fall fundraiser takes place September 23 and features the fare of some of the area’s finest restaurants and businesses. The Gatlinburg Convention Center will host the event and all proceeds benefit the United Way of Sevier County. A $25 donation is all that is required to enjoy unlimited sampling from all of the participating vendors, as well as live entertainment.

The Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament, scheduled for September 25 and 26, is a chance to win big with your catch of the day. The tournament is open to adults and children, and there are multiple categories to be won. However, the top prize is bragging rights! All Gatlinburg and state fishing regulations will be observed.

Reserve from our selection of Gatlinburg Hotels now to get the guaranteed lowest rates for your Gatlinburg vacation.

Ripley's Aquarium Gatlinburg to Host Weeki Wachee Mermaids

The world famous mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida will be coming to the Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg. For three days only – August 6, 7 & 8 – they will perform a total of 12 shows.

The mermaids will perform each day at 11am, 1pm, 3pm & 5pm. They will also be available to meet and greet guests following each show. Special photo opportunities and interactive programs are also planned.

The mermaid shows are free with paid admission to the aquarium.

The Weeki Wachee Mermaids perform synchronized ballet moves 20 feet underwater while breathing through special air hoses hidden in scenery.

Ripley’s Aquarium tickets are on sale now.

Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales Adds Cloggers to Line-Up

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, a summer event that promotes the Appalachian heritage of Gatlinburg, has added Kuntry Kuzin Cloggers to their cast. The group, which features two dozen young dancers, will show tourists how to keep the beat with their feet on the parkway in Gatlinburg. They began performing on July 1 and will continue their Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales performances through August 7.

The cloggers perform Thursday through Monday nights from 5pm-10pm. They perform in two locations: Calhoun’s Restaurant and Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts.

This popular summer-long street performance features costumed character actors that perform music, tell stories and artisans that depict time periods as far back as the 1800s.

One of the great things about the Gatlinburg area is its walkability and this event highlights that asset well. The event is also interactive, educational and entertaining.

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair Scheduled for July

The summer Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is scheduled for July 16-24, 2010. This unique event features arts, entertainment and music. There will almost 200 booths available, featuring some of the nation’s finest craftwork. Plus, artisans and craftspeople will be on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art and wares for sale.

Live country and bluegrass music will be available.

The craftsmen’s fair will be open daily from 10am-6pm, with Sunday hours of 10am-5pm.

The fair will be located at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Admission is $6.

4th of July Celebration in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg has a lot planned for the upcoming 4th of July holiday.

For the 35th consecutive year, Gatlinburg will kick off America’s Independence Day with the nation’s first parade, which begins at 12am, Sunday, July 4. The Midnight Independence Day Parade generally brings about 100,000 spectators to the area and features a special military salute.

More than 100 units will make their way through the parade route, showcasing beautifully decorated floats, helium balloons, marching bands, horses and men and women of the armed forces. A parade-scale replica of the famous starship U.S.S. Enterprise from Riverside, Iowa and the Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit from Boyertown, Pennsylvania will appear. Other bands scheduled to appear in the Midnight Parade include the 129th Army Marching Band, the Nashville Suzuki Strings and Knoxville Pipe & Drum.

Then, on the night of July 4, Gatlinburg will host the “Stand Here” Fireworks Finale, a fireworks show that lights up the mountain skyline of Downtown Gatlinburg. The fireworks will appear around 10pm. The event is listed as a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Also planned on July 4 is Gatlinburg’s River Raft Regatta. This popular event is open to anyone and takes place on the Little Pigeon River in Downtown Gatlinburg near Christ in the Smokies. The unmanned river raft race allows for anything floatable, except for balls and plastic eggs. In the past, families have entered boats made of matchsticks, rubber ducks and even floating rocks. Registration for the event takes place between 10am-noon on July 4, with the regatta beginning promptly at noon.

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Oh, Ranger! Story Tour Stops in Gatlinburg

The Oh, Ranger! Story Tour will stop in Gatlinburg for five days to collect memories and stories about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

From Saturday, June 5 through Wednesday, June 9, from 10am-5pm, visitors can stop at the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Great Outpost to drop into record your story about this beautiful park.

Hyundai, the founding sponsor of the Oh, Ranger! Story Tour has pledged a donation to the National Parks Conservation Association of $25 for each story submitted. The proceeds will help support NPCA’s clean air and climate change programs that benefit our national parks.

With your help and the contributions of thousands of National Park service employees and volunteers an archive will be created to document and preserve the wonderful stories of our nation’s national parks.

Whitewater Rafting in Tennessee an Ultimate Adventure

Gatlinburg Tennessee is a quaint Smoky Mountain hamlet located near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Home to fantastic restaurants, shopping and entertainment, the area also boasts numerous ways to have fun outdoors. One of the best ways to experience the Smokies this time of year is a whitewater rafting trip.

Many of the whitewater rafting companies are located in Hartford, Tennessee, which is located about 45 minutes northeast of Gatlinburg. The area is home to the Pigeon River, which follows the eastern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a beautiful place to visit, and provides a gorgeous setting for a whitewater rafting Tennessee trip.

There are several whitewater rafting companies available to choose from, and a variety of trips to choose from as well. Visitors can choose to go on a moderate, kid-friendly adventure or can up the ante a bit and go on a more thrilling adventure that includes Class III & IV rapids. The Lower Pigeon River area is suitable for children 3 years and older, and for those that weigh less than 70 pounds. The Upper Pigeon River is for passengers 8 years and older, as it features the higher class rapids.

A few of the companies to choose from include Pigeon River Whitewater Rafting with Wildwater Ltd., Rafting in the Smokies, Rafting with Big Creek Expeditions and Rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors. There are great low rates available and discounts on many of the excursions. Rafting with Big Creek Expeditions is currently offering $10 off all of their trips, while Rafting in the Smokies is offering $7 off their excursions. Rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors has a Whitewater Rafting Tennessee Package available, which includes guaranteed lowest rate lodging. Visitors can also choose to do a combo adventure with Paddle & Saddle, where they get whitewater rafting and a horseback ride for one discounted price.

All of the companies are reputable and promise a trip of a lifetime. Reserve your adventure today!

Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales Returns to Gatlinburg this Summer

The fifth annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales begins in downtown Gatlinburg June 11 and will run through August 7, 2010. This popular summer-long street performance features costumed character actors that perform music, tell stories and artisans that depict time periods as far back as the 1800s.

One of the great things about the Gatlinburg area is its walkability and this event highlights that asset well. The event is also interactive, educational and entertaining.

Each night, at approximately 5pm, the Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales performers arrive in the center of downtown Gatlinburg. As many as 12 nightly acts perform throughout the evening, lasting until 10pm each night.

The Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales event is sponsored by the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism.

Other Gatlinburg activities include great shows like Country Tonite, Black Bear Jamboree and Cirque de Chine.

Ripleys Aquarium Gatlinburg Penguin Playhouse Now Open

The new Penguin Playhouse exhibit at Ripleys Aquarium is now officially open. The exhibit has 30,000 gallons of saltwater for the penguins to explore as well as tunnels and an outdoor area.

The highlight of the new Penguin Playhouse exhibit is the clear, acrylic bubble/tube that allows patrons to get virtually nose-to-nose with the penguins. It sits in the middle of the African blackfooted penguins’’ indoor habitat. This is a unique feature that is not featured at any other penguin exhibit. Acrylic portions of the floor also provide unique photo opportunities.

There are currently 18 penguins at the Gatlinburg Ripley’s Aquarium with 12 more expected at some point. The new Penguin Playhouse is located at site of the former Veranda Restaurant.

Ripleys Aquarium Gatlinburg tickets are on sale now.

Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival Features Art & Entertainment

The Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival is scheduled for May 15 & 16, 2010. The two-day street fair will take place at Ripley’s Aquarium & River Road, alongside the beauty of downtown Gatlinburg. The FREE is open to the public and will feature artists in categories ranging from ceramics to watercolor to woodworking.

Participating exhibitors are chose by a jury in 16 categories and they compete for $10,000 in cash and prizes. The event is a great opportunity for the artists to be lauded for their works and is also a great opportunity for visitors to explore the best in fine art.

On May 14, there is a special “Night with the Artist Party” planned at the Mills Auditorium. The party does require a $50 ticket, but the ticket price is returned to attendees in the form of a voucher that can be used at any artist’s both during the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival.

The 6th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival is also the kick-off event for the popular Gatlinburg Tunes & Tales. These acts will perform at the Artist Party on May 14 and throughout the two-day festival.