Gatlinburg Springfest |
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March 12 - June 8, 2008: 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 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, March 19 through Saturday, March 22.
On Easter morning, March 23, join in the local tradition and attend Ober Gatlinburg’s 11th 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 10:30 a.m.
The smell of hickory-smoked barbeque fills the air as folks roll up sleeves and dive in to sample their secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from vendors from all over the Southeast on Thursday, April 17 at Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings. This festive street party features live entertainment, lots of fun and barbeque ribs and wings on the open grill just for your tasting. Live entertainment as well as hot wing eating contests highlight the evening. Kids activities are also available on the Parkway parking lot surrounding the Harley Davidson store across from Hard Rock Cafe near Traffic Light #3.
The 58th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, Wednesday, April 23 through Sunday, April 27, 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 16 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 17 and Sunday, May 18, Mills Park in Gatlinburg becomes competitive ground for the 27th Annual Scottish Festival & Games where clans meet and feature Highland athletics, bagpipe competitions, highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, haggis hurling, entertainment and whiskey tasting, along with food and merchandise vendors.
Gatlinburg's Fine Arts Festival, a family-oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country, delicious cuisine and music takes place in downtown Gatlinburg on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. Proceeds benefit the Sevier County Arts Council.
For more information about Gatlinburg or Spring’s special events, call 800/568-4748 or 865/436-4178. Mountains of information can also be found online at www.gatlinburg.com
For more events, go to the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Calendar. Information provided by Gatlinburg Department of Tourism.
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