| Smoky Mountain Springfest |
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Where: Gatlinburg Convention Center When: March 19-23 Admission: Free Contact: 2. Gatlinburg's Sixth Annual Ribfest and Wings- This sixth annual event promises to be the best yet, with a hot wings eating contest, competition among local vendors vying for title of "best ribs" and children's activities including face painting and balloon artists creating the most unusual creatures you've seen. Last year's participants included Crawdaddy's, Lineberger's Seafood Company, and Corky's BBQ, the Gatlinburg Fire and Police Departments, and the Gatlinburg Elks Lodge. A portion of the proceeds benefits an educational scholarship fund supported by the Gatlinburg Lodging and Hotel Association. Where: Downtown Gatlinburg When: Thursday, April 17 from 4-9 p.m. Admission: Yes - Free Entertainment, Armband available for purchase to allow "while it lasts" sampling, or you can purchase individual samples. Contact: 865/436-0500 - Gatlinburg's Office of Special Events
3. Fourth Annual Music of the Mountains Festival - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in conjunction with the city of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains Association is presenting a celebration of southern Appalachian music at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. This event is free and seating is limited to 160 on a first come basis for each concert. This is a great way to experience true "mountain music" - not country music! - and learn a bit more about the Appalachian heritage of the people who settled the Smokies. The concert schedule is as follows:
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center and W.L. Mills Auditorium
When: Saturday, March 29 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission: Free (Sugarlands Visitor Center); $25-$25 (W.L. Mills Auditorium) Contact: 1-800-568-4748
4. A Mountain Quiltfest - Each year the city of Pigeon Forge hosts 20,000 quilters at the 14th annual "A Mountain Quiltfest". Whether you are a seasoned quilter or just enjoy seeing the results of others' hard work, this event is impressive. There are more than 70 classes, a vendor area, and a multi-category quilting competition. In addition, this year there will be a quilt appraiser on site. Charge for appraisal is $40 per quilt and you must be preregistered.
Where: Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge and Music Road Hotel Convention Center When: March 12-16 Admission: Charge for classes and lectures Contact: 1-800-251-9100
5. 58th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage - Join experienced naturalists and historians in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Go on guided wildflower hikes, learn about edible and medicinal plants in the Smokies, or choose from almost 200 other hikes and lectures. You can visit springwildflowerpilgrimage.org to register between March 10 and April 18, 2008 and view a pdf of last year's programs. This is an amazing opportunity to learn from experts about the Great Smoky Mountains. Program sizes are limited so register early!
Where: Great Smoky Mountains National Park and several venues in Gatlinburg
When: April 21-27, 2008 Admission: Registration fee $25 - adults; $10 - students; Free - 12 years and under Contact: 1-800-568-4748
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Spring in the Smoky Mountains is filled with incredible sights and sensations - from blooming trillium and rhododendron to mountain waterfalls full with spring runoff to that unique mountain "spring is in the air" scent. In addition to the beauty of the mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer even more reasons to visit the Smokies in spring. I've highlighted five Springfest events you won't want to miss when you visit the Smokies this spring:
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