Category: Events

In what has become one of its more popular annual celebrations, Gatlinburg will pay homage to all military men and women who have served and are still serving with the town’s Veterans Day Celebration this November. The growing Gatlinburg event will take place on Sunday, November 11 at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies at 2pm and is FREE to the public.

As designated by the Veterans Day National Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs, Gatlinburg is an official Regional Site for the observance of Veterans Day and one of two cities in the state of Tennessee to hold that honor. Across the United States, 57 different cities are bestowed with this prestigious honor. Of course, Veterans Day is marked nationally by a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington DC in Virginia. Gatlinburg’s Veterans Day Celebration will occur in accordance with ceremonies taking place at the National Veterans Day Observance in Arlington.

“The time, date, and month hold historical significance, marking the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki continued. “Much has changed in our world since then. These changes have strengthened the very fabric of our nation. We have seen this spirit reflected in the brave men and women who have set aside many of their personal goals and ambitions to serve in the United States Armed Forces.”

For those of you planning to make a day of it at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, activities on the docket include recognition of veterans, a military flyover, an American Bald Eagle presentation, patriotic music, and much more.

“Our veterans deserve our gratitude and coming to Gatlinburg for this event is one of many, many ways we can show our support and to thank the veterans,” said George Hawkins, special events manager for the City of Gatlinburg. “While it’s very important for us to remember those who gave their lives to protect our nation, Veterans Day is the holiday dedicated to letting the surviving Veterans know how much we appreciate them.”

The City of Gatlinburg and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies are proud to sponsor this year’s Gatlinburg Veterans Day ceremony and hope that everyone will come out and give a big “Thank you!” to all our military men and women.

It’s now but a mere few months before Gatlinburg is lit up like so many other towns around the holidays. Although, when you’re the town of Gatlinburg, you tend to take it a step further.

The light switch to Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic lighting display will be flipped up on Nov. 7  and for four months visitors can cruise, mouths agape, through the wintery lighting spectacular. The town promotion has continued to grow in popularity and it shows with the million dollar investment in LED (light emitting diode) bulbs strung across every light post and city tree. Displays highlight the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its inhabitants including deer, foxes, squirrels and rabbits. Many of the timeless displays visitors have grown accustomed to over the past 23 years have been converted to crisp LED as well. Most recently, fanciful snowmen, dancing fountains, a group of international children and a shiny rocking horse have joined the lineup.

According to town officials, this transformation has brought about a new era of holiday entertainment in Gatlinburg, that has in years past attracted thousands of visitors each year with its wintery displays. These new lighting displays can be found along Gatlinburg’s famous Downtown Parkway, adjacent River Road, and the triangle juncture of the two.

The first three phases of the $1.6 million-plus rollout of custom designed and fabricated lighting displays are marked by sections reminiscent of winter forests, evergreens and romance. Now, Hwy. 321 features an injection of new displays. In all, switching to LED displays have saved some 95 percent in energy costs and allow for 120 days of lighting.

But don’t just come down for the lights on Wednesday, Nov. 7, stay for the  Chili Cookoff that day as well. Homemade chili ranging from mild, hot, to really hot will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Downtown Parkway, highlighted by the Winter Magic LED lights unveiling.  The Winter Magic Chili Cookoff will feature more than 20 restaurants, attractions, civic groups, retailers, banks, and public service agencies serving more than 30,000 cups of chili and competing for a variety of awards.

Those attending are encouraged to vote for their favorite chili. These votes will be tallied to award the coveted People’s Choice Award to the most popular chili. A panel of judges will cast their votes for other awards, including: Best Presentation, Best Chili Apron, and Best Chili. Cookoff winners will be announced and trophies awarded at 7:15 p.m.

Chili providers who have participated in this event include: Corky’s BBQ, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant, Dick’s Last Resort, Fox & Parrot Tavern, Gatlinburg Elk Lodge #1925, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn, Johnny Rockets, Loco Burro Cantina, Mellow Mushroom, Mountain Brook Village, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, Partridge & Pear, Puckers Sports Bar & Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sugarland Cellars, Citizens National Bank, Flying Saucer Bistro, Diamond Mountain Rentals/Smoky Mountain Real Estate, Sevier County Utility District and Titanic Museum Attraction.

Although admission for the event is free, an $8 wristband is required for chili sampling and can be purchased on-site the day of the event, with a portion of proceeds going to benefit Pi Beta Phi Elementary School PTA. Wristbands can also be purchased in advance at Home Federal Bank at their Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Sevierville locations, or at City of Gatlinburg Welcome Centers. Wristbands will be available for purchase onsite the day of the event as well. For more information, please call 800-568-4748.

Other holiday events occurring in the Great Smoky Mountains region during Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic festival include Gatlinburg’s own Trolley Ride of Lights and Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest.

The 14th annual Gatlinburg Fright Nights show is underway at Ripley’s Haunted Adventures again this year with “Voodoo 13” – a spine-chilling presentation dedicated to all things Voodoo over the course of the event’s 13 terror-filled nights!

“We are very excited about our Fright Nights this year,” said Suzanne DeSear, Haunted Adventures manager. Best known for its year-round haunted house, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure in Gatlinburg reaches the peak of fright no less during October as performances multiply and dark, scary surroundings play on your eyes, ears, feelings, and even smell.

“Due to the fact that there is so much you can do with the Halloween theme, the actors have requested that we change the show up every weekend,” said DeSear. “This gives people within driving distance the chance to see five different shows if they choose, but the best part is that we have added a twist to the show one weekend for those that have visited before.”

Fright Nights shows run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October and there is no extra charge. Shows start each night at 6:13 p.m. with a parade of characters much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Opened in 1999 by Ripley Entertainment on the site which was once the Grimsby & Streaper Casket Company, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is a year-round operating haunted house. The old casket factory itself was mysteriously left vacant during the early 1900s shortly after its residents started disappearing.  Until Ripley’s can decide a course of action for this Gatlinburg property, the tours of the facility will continue.

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure in Gatlinburg is but a handful of haunted houses in the U.S. that is open 365 days a year. Single admission tickets are $12.99 + tax for ages 12 and up and $7.99 + tax for ages 6-11. Multi-weekend tickets are available at a discount for the month of October only. No one under the age of 6 is allowed due to the graphic nature of the facility, and those under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian. For more information on Ripley’s Haunted Adventure – Voodoo 13, call (865) 430-9991.

What’s more fun than a glass of the best German lager set against the backdrop of men singing and dancing around in lederhosen. Not too much, which is why Ober Gatlinburg is continuing their annual Oktoberfest celebration this year (Sept. 28 – Nov. 4) with their usual complement of Bavarian fare, ales and music. All this and you don’t even have to be German to take in all the fun and frivolity put on by Ober.

Celebrate Gatlinburg-style as Ober Gatlinburg rings in the 201st anniversary of the popular festival held in Munich, Germany with special performances and offerings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of October.

Just like in previous years, Ober Gatlinburg will present the Bavarian Fun Makers Band, lederhosen and all, as they entertain guests with original German folk dances, oompah music, schuhplattling, yodels, and other various Bavarian tunes. For those whose mouth just starts to water at the very thought of German lagers and Bavarian food, seasonal Oktoberfest Biers will be on tap as we as a menu featuring traditional German bratwurst, sauerkraut, schnitzel, strudel, and pretzels.

In actuality, the first Oktoberfest held in Munich was not really a festival at all. It was a wedding celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Bavaria on October 17, 1810. It was held on the Theresienwiese, a large meadow in Munich, and the gathering consisted of a horse race, various beer, food, music and dancing. Pretty much the same nowadays with the exception of a wedding and a horse race in most cases

Approximately 6 million people attend Oktoberfest anniversary celebrations every year, with most starting in late September and going throughout the month of October. Munich, Germany’s Oktoberfest has been going strong for 200 years with the exception of wartime years. Oktoberfests have continued to sprout up in the United States as more and more German immigrants have made their way to the U.S.

So plan on attending Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg in October, that’s easy. At least come by and ride the Aerial Tramway, or check out the Wildlife Encounter including the Municipal Black Bear Habitat and Birds of Prey Exhibit. There’s also an ice skating rink, Alpine Slide, scenic chairlift, three water raft rides, shops, restaurant and lounge on site. Ober’s winter activities include skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing.

For more information on Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg call 865-436-5423.