Category: Events

Gatlinburg’s 15th Annual Taste of Autumn

Gatlinburg’s Taste of Autumn, held this year at the Gatlinburg Convention Center on Thursday, September 27.

Come strap on the feedbag September 27 in Gatlinburg, TN. You can enjoy food from some of the top restaurants in town while contributing money to great cause. Held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, this is the 15th annual Gatlinburg Taste of Autumn event, and the money raised will go to the United Way of Sevier County. Great food and great fun is always on the table at the Taste of Autumn. With live entertainment and great fellowship this is an event that you want to make sure you attend.

Besides giving money to a great cause, the main draw is the food. Roughly 20 restaurants provide the food. And the food they provide is out of this world! Some of the vendors participating in past years include: All Sauced up, Blaine’s Restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Calhoun’s Restaurant, Charles Richard Resources, Cherokee Grill, Fox & Parrott Tavern, Gatlinburger, Guarino’s Italian, Hard Rock Café, Knoxville Coca-Cola, Nifty Fifties Café, No Way Jose’s, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Smoky Mountain Winery, Smoky’s Pub and Grub, The Lodge at Buckberry Creek, and Touch of Love Catering. Once you are inside, you can make unlimited trips to the different booths. There will be plenty of food and if you have ever wanted to try a lot of different restaurants in Gatlinburg this is a great way to do it.

After you have had your fill, you can sit back and enjoy some live entertainment. In the past, performers like Karen Johns & Company have provided the entertainment. Live singing and great food go hand-in-hand, and the entertainment has become as much a tradition as the food. Admission for the event costs $25. Of that admission price, 100% of it goes to the United Way. The businesses and sponsors cover all the other cost. The volunteers with the United Way help out and get everything else set up. Make your plans to visit the Taste of Autumn. Have a tremendous food experience, listen to some great music and support a good cause.

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival (September 13 – October 31)

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival and Craftsmen’s Fair in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville kicks off a county-wide celebration of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains. Find out everything this heartwarming festival has to offer!

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival in GatlinburgThe annual Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival signals the most incredible time of the year to visit Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. The air starts getting crisp, the leaves begin to change color, and the arts & crafts community starts buzzing with energy. There is simply no other time like fall in the Smokies. If you have never experienced it or have only visited Gatlinburg during other times of the year then you don’t know what you’re missing! I suggest clearing you calendar right now to visit Gatlinburg before October 31!

The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is a county-wide celebration that includes Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. The event kicks off on September 13 and will last through October 31. This is basically a celebration of autumn that numerous businesses participate in. Throughout the entire country you will find an assortment of “fall displays” with pumpkins, scarecrows, stacks of hay, cornstalks, and all sorts of other fall decorations. In Gatlinburg you will experience traditional Appalachian music along with bluegrass and gospel. The arts & crafts community is filled with artisans whose expertise include; candle making, basket weaving, quilting, pottery, jewelry, dolls, scrimshaw, leather, stained glass, fine photography, art, and more. This isn’t some “made in (insert foreign country here)” tourist trap…no sir…this is genuine, made in the mountains by good ‘ole folks crafts and artwork! What makes this experience amazing is being able to meet and talk to the artists face-to-face. I know of numerous visitors who have to come back to the same shops to add to their collection of pottery, jewelry, art, etc. You simply won’t find anything this unique and personal anywhere else. This is a must-do.

Other events taking place in Gatlinburg, TN during the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival:

  • Throughout fall – Old Fashioned Hayrides: Departure is at Traffic Light #6 at Mountain Mall. Rides run from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and leave approximately every 45 minutes. Proceeds benefit United Way.
  • September 27 – Taste of Autumn Fundraiser
  • October 11-28 – Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair at the Gatlinburg Convention Center ( more info )

The 8th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival

8th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival to take place Labor Day weekend, August 31 through September 2.

A gorgeous mountain backdrop mixed with diversity in creativity from across the nation is the perfect pairing for the 8th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival Labor Day weekend, August 31 through September 2.

Set at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this event showcases artists from across the nation from a range of styles. Juries choose each exhibitor to participate in one of 16 categories ranging from ceramics and glass to watercolor and woodworking. In all, $10,000 in prizes and purchase vouchers is at stake.

For artists, the festival is a prestigious showcase event while for visitors, it’s a guaranteed opportunity to enjoy the best in fine arts, music, a fantastic children activity program, and take in the Great Smoky Mountains.

The festival is a three-day street fair set at Ripley’s Aquarium and River Road, with attendees of the free event mingling riverside with their favorite artists. A special “Night with the Artist Party” is also scheduled and will be held this year at the beautiful Mills Auditorium. The “Night with the Artist Party” requires a $50 ticket for the affair, but the $50 is returned to donors in the form of a money voucher redeemable at any artist’s booth over the weekend.

While admission to the festival is free to visitors, the event serves as a major fundraiser for the internationally renowned Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, the Sevier County Arts Council and the Gatlinburg Boys & Girls Club art program.

For additional information about the 8th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival, visit its website at http://www.gfaf.net.

Ribfest & Wings

Gatlinburg’s 11th annual Ribfest and Wings is set for Thursday, April 26.

Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings will feature the area’s best ribs and wings as well as live entertainment Thursday, April 26… So come hungry!

In a street fair setting, each admission allows visitors to sample the ribs and wings until they run out.

In its 11th year, this year the popular Gatlinburg festival will feature tasting hours from 5 to 8 p.m., with musical entertainment starting at 5 p.m., food sampling from 6 to 8 p.m., and eating contests in between. Come experience the entertainment as well as the food on the parkway between traffic light No. 6 and Riverside Motor Lodge/Reagan Terrace Mall.

In addition to the live entertainment, hot wing eating contests, an ice cream eating event, and children’s activities will take place during the festival.

Ribs and wings will be judged by a panel for best ribs or wings in seven different categories. The coveted “People’s Choice Award,” chosen by popular vote, will be awarded to one entrant.

Hot wing eating contests sponsored by All Sauced Up will feature wings prepared in sauces such as “Blazing Bomb,” “Fire Pit Hell,” “Next Day Disaster,” “Scorching Screaming” and “Treacherous Tongue.” Prizes will also be awarded to the “Hot Wing Eating Contest Champion of the Year.”

“We think this will be our best Ribfest & Wings extravaganza ever,” said George Hawkins, special events manager for the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism. “The parkway is such an exciting and unique venue.”

An armband for Ribfest & Wings may be purchased for a small donation that allows sampling as long as the ribs and wings last. A portion of the proceeds benefit Gatlinburg Hospitality Association’s educational scholarship fund.

Last year’s vendors included Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Calhoun’s Restaurant, Corky’s BBQ, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Bar, Gatlinburg Elks Lodge #1925, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Pucker’s Sports Bar & Grill, Smoky Mountain Brewery, TGI Friday’s, and Wings & Things Café.

Coming to town for Ribfest & Wings this year? Check out our list of Gatlinburg cabin rentals, as well as good tips like where to park in Gatlinburg and hiking in the Smoky Mountains.

For more information about Ribfest & Wings and other Springfest events, visit gatlinburg.com or call 865-436-4178.

Ober Gatlinburg – Christmas on Ice 2011 (photos)

Photos of Christmas on Ice at Ober Gatlinburg.

Ober Gatlinburg gets to show off their ice skating rink each winter with Ober Gatlinburg’s Christmas on Ice.  The student who learn to skate and hone their skills on the Ober Gatlinburg rink.  From the smallest skater (this year 3 years old) to professional skaters that come in to exhibit their talents, this is a great way to start off the Christmas holidays.

Gatlinburg Christmas Lights 2011 (photos)

Gatlinburg’s Winterfest features millions of lights covering every square inch of the town.

Gatlinburg’s Winterfest features millions of lights covering every square inch of the town.  If you have not gotten in the Christmas spirit yet then a trip down the parkway in Gatlinburg will warm your heart and get you ready for the holiday season.

2012 Gatlinburg Calendar of Events

Dates and times for Gatlinburg events in 2012.

January

Trolley Ride of Lights (Jan. 1-30) Visitors can soak up the spirit of the season from the comfort of a Gatlinburg Trolley by taking the relaxing Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights. These popular guided excursions start at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and travels throughout downtown Gatlinburg. Admission $5 (865) 436-0535

Tennessee Winter Special Olympics (Jan. 29-30) – Watch and cheer as Special Olympics athletes compete for the gold in their annual Winter Olympics day. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, www.obergatlinburg.com

February

Gatlinburg Improv Fest (Feb. 23-26) – The Gatlinburg Improv Fest is an event for both performers and spectators at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in Gatlinburg.

March

Smoky Mountain SpringFest (March 6 – June 1) – Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, trees are full of new growth and leaves, frost has melted from the high country and waterfalls cascade onto rocks below. Throughout Gatlinburg

April

Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show (April 4-7) – Unique handcrafted gifts and products produced by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are placed on display and offered for sale as they host their annual show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Demonstrations are part of the show. www.gatlinburgcrafts.com

Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (April 7 – 8) – The 13th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament in Gatlinburg is open to adults or children – and equally challenging for both visitors and locals, with multiple categories to be contested in this largest trout tournament in the Smokies. www.rockytopoutfitter.com or 865-661-3474

Easter Sunrise at Ober (April 8) – Soak up Easter Sunday sunrise from the top of Mt. Harrison at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort during this service sponsored by the Gatlinburg Ministerial Association.

Smoky Mountain Gatlinburg Regional Bridge Tournament (April 16-22) – This large tournament of the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference takes place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center with thousands of players participating in Gold Point events and other programs.

Mountain Man Memorial March (April 20-21) – The Fifrth Annual Mountain Man Memorial March is a 26.2-mile march in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee which will be conducted Saturday, April 20 & 21 in Gatlinburg as a tribute to our men and women in uniform. (865) 974-5371

Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage (April 24-28) – Enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with over 150 different programs, including hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations & classroom lectures. W.L. Mills Conference Center & various venues, www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org or 865-436-7318

Ribfest & Wings (April 26) – Enjoy the area’s best ribs and wings as well as live entertainment during Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings on Thursday, April 26. One admission price allows sampling until the ribs and wings run out as the Parkway transforms into a Street Fair.

May

Gatlinburg Gateway Triathlon (May 5) – The fourth annual triathlon at the Community Center starts at 8:15 a.m. and is open to anyone 15 years and older capable of swimming one-half mile, biking twenty kilometers, and running five kilometers consecutively. Gatlinburg Community Center, 865/436-4990. Entry Fee

Cinco de Mayo Celebration (May 5) – Ripley’s Entertainment and the City are teaming up to produce the second major Hispanic event in the City of Gatlinburg on Saturday, May 5 with the Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza

June

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales (June 15 – August 11) – Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.

July

37th Annual July 4th Midnight Parade (July 3-4) – For the 37th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade, which leads off at 12 a.m. on Sunday.

“Stand Here” Fireworks Finale (July 4) – Finish off the 4th in style with a magnificent fireworks show visible from the downtown streets of Gatlinburg!

Gatlinburg’s River Raft Regatta (July 4) – Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on Monday, July 4th, on the Little Pigeon River in Downtown Gatlinburg.

Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (July 20-29) – Art, crafts and music lovers can find almost 200 booths featuring some of the nation’s finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gatlinburg Convention Center, www.craftsmenfair.com or 865/436-7479. Admission: $6

August

Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival (Aug. 23-25) – Celebrating the area’s Appalachian musical roots, Gatlinburg will host its first Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival August 23 through 25. http://www.smswf.com

Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival (Aug. 31 – Sept. 2) – A family oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country and music on the campus of Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in downtown on Labor Day weekend, 2012. http://www.gfaf.net

September

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival (Sept. 13 – Oct. 31) – Fall decorations, old fashioned hayrides, events, entertainment, and local craft exhibits can be seen throughout Gatlinburg.

Fall Color in the Smokies (Sept. 15 – Nov. 15) – There are still a variety of trees in the low country in the Smokies and Gatlinburg that are hanging on, bearing the more muted brown hues and subdued oranges and golds. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, www.gatlinburg.com

Annual Taste of Autumn (Sept. 27) – Featuring the fare of the area’s finest restaurants and businesses, the performance of jazz performers John Celestin and Peggy Smith, the Taste of Autumn returns to the Gatlinburg Convention Center on Thursday, September, all to benefit the United Way of Sevier County. Admission fee

Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (Sept. 29-30) – The 11th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament is open to adults or children – and equally challenging for both visitors and locals, with multiple categories to be contested in this largest trout tournament in the Smokies.

October

Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (Oct. 11-28) – Art, crafts and music lovers can find almost 200 booths featuring some of the nation’s finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gatlinburg Convention Center, www.craftsmenfair.com or (865) 436-7479. Admission: $6

November

Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff (Nov. 7) – Offering mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous, the City of Gatlinburg hosts its 22nd annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on , Nov. from 5 to 8 p.m. on the popular Downtown Parkway. Admission fee

Veteran’s Day Celebration (Nov. 11) – Join Gatlinburg in saluting America’s veterans. Stirring musical tribute on Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza.

Festival of Trees (Nov. 20-24) – Festival of Trees and weekend performances of a holiday classic presented in Gatlinburg. W.L. Mills Conference Center, www.gatlinburgfestivaloftrees.com. Admission fee

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Show (Nov. 21 – Dec. 2) – Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual holiday show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Visit www.gatlinburgcrafts.com or call (800) 568-4748.

December

12th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament

Get your rods and reels ready, the 12th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament is coming down the stream! Open to adults or children Sept. 24 & 25 – this event pits visitors and locals, with multiple categories to be contested in this largest trout tournament in the Smokies. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, these fish don’t discriminate. Of course, all Gatlinburg and state fishing regulations apply. For information, call 865-661-3474 or email rockytopoutfit@aol.com.

Get your rods and reels ready, the 12th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament is coming down the stream! Open to adults or children Sept. 24 & 25 – this event pits visitors and locals, with multiple categories to be contested in this largest trout tournament in the Smokies. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, these fish don’t discriminate. Of course, all Gatlinburg and state fishing regulations apply. For information, call 865-661-3474 or email rockytopoutfit@aol.com.

If you’re coming in from out of town, check out some of the best cabins in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountain area, as well as a few great places to eat in the Smokies, if you’re so inclined.