Celebrate the 4th of July in Gatlinburg, Tennessee to be a part of the “First Fourth of July Parade in the Nation.”  For the 37th annual year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s celebration with the nation’s first parade, which takes place at 12am on Wednesday, July 4. More than 100,000 spectators are expected to attend.

The 4th of July Parade will feature a special tribute to our military personnel along with other patriotic salutes.  Vintage military vehicles, elaborately decorated floats, helium balloons, equestrian entries and a large number of our armed services will be included in the parade.  Be sure to get to the parade early to pick your viewing spot. 

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.

Reserve one of our downtown Gatlinburg hotels to be right in the middle of the fun. Old Creek Lodge, Bear Skin Lodge on the River and MountainVista Condos are all great choices.  With all of these properties, you are within walking distance of all the 4th of July Gatlinburg events.

June 2-10:  Synchronous Fireflies in the Smokies

For one week only a rare species of fireflies blink in unison, creating quite the light show in the Smoky Mountains. The viewing area is located at Elkmont and the show begins around 9:30pm.

June 15 – August 11:  Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales

This annual event is a summer-long street performance with musical performances, storytellers, and artisans. Performers arrive in the center of town every night at 6 p.m. and entertain until 11 p.m.

June 15:  Free Gatlinburg Trolley Service Begins

Free trolley service will begin in Gatlinburg on June 15 and will run through August 18. The trolleys will run from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily. 

Tennessee’s hometown girl, Dolly Parton, returns to Pigeon Forge for the 27th annual Dolly Parton Homecoming Parade May 11, 2012.  The popular event attracts around 50,000 spectators so arrive early! The parade begins at 6pm.  Make sure to bring a lawn chair, drinks and snacks, too, so you’re comfortable and can enjoy the parade.

Marching bands, floats, baton twirlers, live animals and Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg entertainers will make appearances. 

The Dolly Parade will begin on River Road near traffic light #7 and will travel north along the Parkway disbanding at the Belz Factory Outlet World at traffic light #3.

Make a weekend out of it and enjoy even more Dolly Parton entertainment.  Get tickets to the DixieStampede Dinner Show and experience Smoky Mountain fun at Dollywood.

This summer you can experience a true wonder of nature in the Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg. For one week only, June 2 through 10, a rare species of fireflies blink in unison, creating quite the light show. The viewing are is located at Elkmont and the show begins around 9:30pm.

The Great Smoky Mountains are one of only two places in the world where you can witness this phenomenon. It is an extremely popular event, so Elkmont pedestrian and vehicle traffic is prohibited from 5pm June 2-10. In order to view the fireflies you’ll need to ride the Gatlinburg Trolley service. For a $1 roundtrip, the trolley will pick you up from the Sugarlands Visitor Center, nightly from 7pm-9pm, and return guests after the show. The last trolley return time will be 11pm.

If you plan on attending the Synchronous Fireflies event in the Smokies, keep in mind:

• Cover flashlights with red or blue cellophane as to not distract or disrupt the fireflies or other visitors.
• Lawn chairs, blankets, food and water is allowed.
• Cooler, pets and alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed.
• Cameras are permitted but please turn your flash off.

Experience the beauty of this natural wonder in June. It’s sure to be a highlight of the summer!

Enjoying the great outdoors should be a part of every Gatlinburg vacation.  Many people head to the Pigeon River for a Gatlinburg rafting trip.  The river is divided into two sections – Upper and Lower.  Rafting companies in the area offer trips on both sections, each perfectly suited to the level of adventure you’re seeking. 

Rafting on the Upper Pigeon River

Here’s what you need to know to plan you rafting trip:

Upper Pigeon River

The Upper Pigeon River is the trip for you if you want big rapids and lots of white water.  Featuring 70 rapids ranging from Class I-IV, this trip lasts 6 miles and 1.5-2 hours.  Along the way, you’re surrounded by the beauty of the Cherokee National Forest.  Each trip has a certified guide.  Take note that participants for the Upper Pigeon River raft trip must be 8 years old or 70 lbs. Prices for Upper Pigeon River Raft Rides range start at $29.99. 

Lower Pigeon River

A trip on the Lower Pigeon River is more leisurely and suited for families with little kids or someone looking for a relaxing, scenic float with just a bit of white water. Stretching 5 miles, for about 1.5-2 hours, the float has about 50 Class I and II rapids with one Class III at the end.  This option is great for those wanting to get their toes wets and experience a sample of what the Pigeon River has to offer.  Certified guides lead all trips and participants only have to be 3 years old.  Tickets for the Lower Pigeon River start at $23.99.

The best time to go on a rafting trip in the Smokies is May through September. 

Make a vacation of it and plan some hikes in the Smokies to places like Rainbow Falls, or try out some of the Gatlinburg ziplines located nearby.

Summer visitors are in for a treat in Gatlinburg as Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales returns to celebrate Smoky Mountain heritage.  From June 15 through August 11, visitors will be able to enjoy street performances featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as the 1800s. The event highlights the walkability of downtown Gatlinburg and provides guests with interactive, educational and entertaining experiences.

The performers get started nightly at 6pm in the center of town and perform until 11pm. As many as 14 nightly acts perform throughout the evening. The rotating cast of 20 acts includes storytellers, musicians and crafters who share their stories and skills. The Back Porch Cloggers, a group who performs clogging Appalachian-style, will also perform during Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales in Gatlinburg.

Zeno the Gatlinburg Bear makes special appearances during the event, as do Hammer and Strings, a dulcimer duo, the Gatlinburg Barber Shop Boys, with their five-part harmonies, and The Pea Pickin’ Hearts, with their 1930s and 1940s sound.

Bluegrass bands also perform, playing favorite bluegrass standards. A few of the bands set to perform include Steve Brown & Hurricane Ridge, The Holloway Sisters, Southern Skye and Flickertail Hollow. All performances are free!  Traditional mountain music will also be performed by Booger Town Gap, Rattlesnake Hollow, Earl & Pearl, and the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys. 

Ready to vacation in Gatlinburg?  There are plenty of attractions and places to stay in the Smokies. Some of the  best downtown Gatlinburg hotels are Old Creek Lodge and Bearskin Lodge on the River and if you’re looking for a condominium, check out Mountain Vista Luxury Rentals. 

Get your green on during Earth Week in Gatlinburg.  Scheduled for April 22 through April 28, Earth Week will feature a variety of events, including an Earth Day 5K, Earth Day Festival, Wildflower Pilgrimage activities, the Ribfest, BBQ and Wings Festival, plus much more. 

The complete schedule of Gatlinburg Earth Week events includes:

Sunday, April 22: Earth Day 5K with the Chamber at 2pm at Food City

Registration and runner check-in begins at 12:30pm at Food City at 1219 East Parkway. Event Parking is located at the Park-N-Ride lot beside City Hall across the street. Additional parking will be available next to the Fire Department. Race begins at 2:00pm. Race start and finish will be at Food City.

Monday, April 23: Gatlinburg Goes Green seminar at Hilton Garden Inn

Join us for our Gatlinburg Goes Green breakfast seminar on Monday, April 23, part of our Earth Week 2012 celebration! Registration opens at 8:15am and breakfast is served at 8:30am. We will have great green speakers, including TVA representatives there to tell you about all of their programs that can help your business save and even make money by making simple switches! You will not want to miss out on this event.

Tuesday, April 24: Earth Day Festival at Mynatt Park from 3-7pm

The Earth Day Festival is free to the public and full of Earth- friendly family fun. Bring cash for booth items, delicious food and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!  Come listen and play along with Tuatha Dea Drum Nation, try your hand at disc golf and you can even bring your dog.

Wednesday, April 25: Wildflower Pilgrimage Welcome Luncheon

Presented by the Gatlinburg Garden Club, naturalist and storyteller Doug Elliott is sure to entertain! Located at W.L. Mills Conference Center, admission is $25 per person. 

Thursday, April 26: Ribfest, Wings and BBQ from 5-9pm in Downtown Gatlinburg

For a small donation, attendees can buy an armband to sample the area’s best ribs, barbecue and wings while they last! Enjoy live music, eating contest and loads of atmosphere in downtown Gatlinburg.

Friday, April 27: Community Shred Day at library from 10am-3pm

For a $5 donation per standard file size box, have your old records and paperwork shredded and receive an official certificate of destruction from Ocoee Records Management. All shredded documents are recycled and proceeds go the new book fund for Anna Porter Public Library and the Chamber’s Foundation.

Saturday, April 28: Mountain Hope’s Smoky Challenge Adventure Race

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd’s Smoky Challenge Adventure Race is based on the hit television show The Amazing Race.  Get your team together in Gatlinburg for a great cause! Cost is $40 per person.

May 5:  Gatlinburg Gateway Triathlon

The fourth annual triathlon is open to anyone 15 years and older. The event begins at 8:15am and entails a one-half mile swim, biking 20 kilometers, and running 5 kilometers. Awards will be given in multiple age categories. Pre-registration is required.

May 5:  Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Gatlinburg is teaming up with Ripley’s Entertainment to host the 2^nd annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. Come to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza for music, food, drinks, and lots of other entertainment.

May 19:  Gatlinburg Farmers Market

The Gatlinburg Farmers Market opens for the 2012 season on May 19. Stop by for local produce, breads, jellies, honey, and other homemade goods. Market is open on Saturday through the fall at 705 East Parkway.

May 31 – June 3:  Mountain Hounds Weekend

Mountain Hounds is a weekend getaway for greyhounds and their owners. 2012 is the 8^th year for this event and roughly 300 owners and 300 greyhounds are expected. All proceeds go to the Greyhound Friends of North Carolina. Check out the Mountain Hounds website for more info.

Starting June 15, Gatlinburg visitors  and locals alike will have access to the city’s trolley FREE of charge.  The Parkway has a route up and down the Parkway and is a great way to see the area, get from one destination to the next and explore the things to do in Gatlinburg. 

You can board one of three designated trolleys at numerous stops along the Parkway.  The trolley service route extends from Traffic Light #1 at the north end of town to Traffic Light #10 near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

The FREE, specially painted, open-air shuttles will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily from June 15 through August 18. Extra stops have been established along the special route to bring the number to 40 along Parkway.

Biltmore Estate welcomes Spring with Festival of Flowers, a special event touting the beauty of thousands of blooming tulips, acres of azaleas, and blossoming irises and peonies.  The festival begins April 7 and lasts until May 20. 

Over 100,000 tulips, in a variety of colors, bloom at Biltmore Estate Asheville during the Festival of Flowers. The Walled Garden is home to a stunning array of tulip colors and the 20-acrea azalea garden and the native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens are truly a sight to see. Plus, the walking trails are also lined with beautiful flowers.

Other Festival of Flowers activities include:

·         Live music daily in the Conservatory and Biltmore House

·         “Ask a Gardener” station featuring Biltmore’s horticulture experts will also be available to answer guest questions on the weekends

·         Daily complimentary seminars, located at A Gardener’s Place in the Conservatory, will be available at 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. They feature Culinary Herbs and Edible Flowers (1pm), A Pot for Every Plant (2pm) and Celebrate Spring with Wreaths (3pm)

·         Music in the Bandstand at Antler Hill Village every Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Festival of Flowers coincides with the Biltmore Estate annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 8, on the front lawn of the Biltmore House. Hunt will be held at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Registration begins two hours before each hunt, and closes 15 minutes before each hunt. Enjoy children's music and stories, magic shows, games and take photos with the Easter Rabbit.

A new Legacy exhibit will open on the same day as Festival of Flowers.  The exhibit – The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad – sheds light on the time the Vanderbilts spent together as a family at home and abroad.   A collection of Samurai armor and weapons, intricate Cartier vanity and lipstick case, and vintage Harley Davidson will be on display.

Purchase your discount Biltmore Estate tickets today to see the Estate in bloom.