Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, trees are full of new growth and leaves, frost has melted from the ground and waterfalls are flowing freely. Wildlife is emerging and stirring about from their winter slumber. Indeed, spring can be felt in the cool, crisp air of Gatlinburg.
Spring is a magnificent time to visit Gatlinburg. As if the entertainment and nightlife of Gatlinburg weren’t already great reasons to visit, local merchants and the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism join forces to provide visitors with additional events to entertain families, honeymooners and kids-at-heart throughout the year. Here’s the 2007 schedule of springtime affairs.
During the three-month Springfest celebration that begins in early March and continues into the second week of June, visitors witness Gatlinburg’s transformation into spring when the city’s streets overflow with baskets of beautiful blooming flowers and plants. Pansies, daffodils, tulips, mandevillas, bougainvilleas, lantanas, scaveolas and wave petunias are among the many varieties of flowers seen throughout the city. Live entertainment can frequently be found along sidewalks, adding a festive flair to the time-honored Downtown Parkway stroll.
Members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community display unique handcrafted wares as they gather at the Gatlinburg Convention Center to host their annual Easter Arts & Crafts Show Wednesday, April 4 through Saturday, April 7. On Easter morning, April 8, join in the local tradition and attend Ober Gatlinburg’s 10th annual Easter Sunrise Service enhanced by the beauty of the Smokies. Free tram rides to the mountain top begin at 5:45 a.m. and continue in 15 minute intervals until the service begins. Complimentary parking at the resort will be provided for those who prefer to drive. A breakfast buffet will be waiting and available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.
The smell of hickory-smoked barbeque fills the air as folks roll up sleeves and dive in to sample secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from more than 30 vendors from all over the Southeast on Thursday, April 19 at Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings. This festive downtown party features live entertainment, fireworks, lots of fun and barbeque ribs and wings on the open grill just for your tasting.
The 57th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, Monday, April 23 through Sunday, April 29, is another great event, especially for hikers and nature lovers who love to see delicate wildflowers in bloom. Hosted by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the University of Tennessee Botany Department and the Gatlinburg Garden Club, this seven-day program offers more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and delightful motor excursions into the wonderful season of spring in the Smokies.
Spring events continue with Gatlinburg’s Scottish Festival & Games Grand Parade on Friday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at Traffic Light #10 in downtown Gatlinburg. All Scots are invited to march or ride in the parade.
On Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20, Mills Park in Gatlinburg becomes competitive ground for the 26th Annual Scottish Festival & Games where clans meet and feature Highland athletics, bagpipe competitions, highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, haggis hurling, and entertainment, along with food and merchandise vendors.
Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival, a family-oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country, delicious cuisine and music takes place on Aquarium Plaza and River Road Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. Proceeds benefit the Sevier County Arts Council.
Returning for a second run on June 8 and continuing through August 11 is Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Tunes and Talestm event, where you can experience numerous entertainment mini-performances every evening by costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying various time periods from the 1800s to today as you stroll in downtown Gatlinburg. Fourteen acts involve the audience as they each perform in simultaneous ten-minute performances along the Parkway throughout the night.
Information provided by Gatlinburg Tourism Department