ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS IN THE SMOKIES!

Everyday of the year is filled with activity holidays here in the Great Smoky Mountains.   With the change of every season comes the kind of activities that create lifetime memories.  Every holiday is exciting!  Every activity brings a "mountain" of wonderful things to do that can only be experienced in these hills!  

Activity Holidays explodes with excitement during Independence day!  Every year thousands gather in the Great Smoky Mountains to celebrate our nation's freedom!  For over 200 years, God has blessed us with freedom in one of the greatest countries in the world.  Patriot Park comes alive with a full day of music, food, fun, and games.  This event kicks off with a children's carnival at noon, followed by free live concerts, entertainment and games!  Because parking is limited at Patriot Park, free shuttle buses to and from the event from LeConte Convention Center.  The first July 4th Parade in the nation happens in Gatlinburg, TN!  Thousands pack into the city on July 3rd for this amazing Independence Day parade that actually begins at 12:00 A.M. on July 4th.   Excitement fills downtown Gatlinburg with beautiful lighted floats, balloons, and marching bands.  For more than 40 years, this parade has honored our military and veterans!  Gatlinburg also does a huge fireworks display every year beginning at 10:00 p.m.   This spectacular 20 minute display is filled with beautiful colors and American pride. Patriot events too numerous to mention are activity holiday happenings scheduled throughout Sevier County on Independence Day.   It's a day filled with respect for those men and women who have so willingly gave up their families and freedoms so that we may have ours.  It's a reminder that our freedom is not free!  It's a time of celebration through shopping and special sales!  It's about becoming involved in competition during the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta.  It's standing as a proud American during our area's theater's excellent patriot shows.  

Easter is a celebration of our resurrected Savior!  A time of all things new!  It's one of the most beautiful Activity Holidays in the Great Smoky Mountains because the people here love Jesus!  It's a sacred time of singing hymns, going to church, dressing fancy, spending time with family, and cooking delicious meals.  It's a time of glorifying God for sending His son to die on an old rugged cross for our sins so that we can come to know Christ through the blood of Jesus and live eternally in Heaven!  With Easter comes the resurrection of life in the newness of spring!  The mountains burst forth with lovely springtime flowers!  Wildlife nurture their young!  Beautiful sunrises peak through the mountains!  Birds sing a special song as a cool gentle breeze whispers of the beauty of God's creation that's brought to life again once more.  Area churches with doors open wide lift up the name of Jesus!  Sunrise services happen all over the area echoing beautiful praises to God above along with heartfelt sermons that lift the spirit high! The sunrise service at Ober Gatlinburg brings thousands of people to the mountains each year for their annual sunrise service.  It's the one time of the year when the tram ride to the top is FREE!  There is a hot breakfast available for those whose favorite meal is in the morning.  Before daylight the name of Jesus is lifted high in worship in song!  Speakers from all Christian denominations come together to speak of the risen Savior with an invitation to accept  Him as Savior and Lord.  Mighty rejoicing continues as the sun rises in all her glory over the Great Smoky Mountains bringing the promise from a loving God of another new day!  Check Trip Advisor for more information and reviews of this amazing event.  The mountain air is filled with children's laughter as they play Easter games.  There are colored eggs to be found!  Wishes from the Easter bunny to come true!  Prizes to be won!  Easter is a special activity holiday for children as they hear about the love of Christ and learn the true meaning of Easter.

Autumn is the most beautiful time of the year in the Great Smoky Mountains!  This activity holiday is one of the most glorious "peeks" inside God's Coloring Book!  It's a time of rejoicing and lifting up the name of Jesus with the National Quartet Convention.  This week long series of Southern Gospel music concerts brings people from all over the world to lift up the Almighty God in praise.  Fall is a fun time to visit because so many things are happening!  Harvest Festivals are held throughout Sevier County at different times during the season.  Each festival is filled with its own live music, crafts, children's areas, and delicious concessions.  Many restaurants introduce warm and delicious foods and drinks like hot apple cider, and pumpkin pie.  Fall colors become brilliant masterpieces as Fall displays are brought to life in wide array featuring dressed pumpkin head people and scare crow families.  Fall's main attraction continues to be the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!  Through the years, millions have come here just to drive through and see the leaves bursting forth with colors of red, yellow, and orange.  It's amazing to go to one of the highest peaks (like Clingman's Dome) and view miles and miles of colorful mountains for as far as the eye can see!  There are so many ways to view "God's Masterpiece!"  My personal favorite is on the Ober Gatlinburg Tram.  You may choose to drive, hike, rent a recreational vehicle, or ride over in a helicopter.  There are "pull offs" as you ride through the mountains that offers plenty of nature viewing and photo taking.  

CHRISTMAS - The most wonderful time of the year!  Everyone, whoever you are, must experience a real Smoky Mountain Christmas!  Christmas in the Smokies is about the birth of Jesus, the newborn king who came to earth as a child to live, minister.  A Savior who shed His blood on an old rugged cross so that we will be made perfect through and live for an eternity in Heaven.  It's a beautiful time when nativities are prevalent throughout the area.  Churches and organizations gather for pageants, and Christmas caroling.  Area theaters bring the story of Jesus alive onstage through drama and song.  Millions of colorful lights are twinkling throughout Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. Restaurants prepare their favorite holiday meals made complete with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings served with some of the best desserts you ever tasted.  The malls are filled with Christmas music as shoppers pile up bags and boxes.  Most every store is decorated with Christmas trees and festive colors.  The smell of warm candles, homemade cookies, and candies fill the air.  Christmas is a magical time for everyone, especially the children.  Holiday festivals include exciting parades filled with colorful floats and marching bands.  Photos with Santa Claus brings a smile to most every little face!  Old "St. Nick" can be seen in area shows, sitting inside shopping centers, and taking a daily down the Parkway of Pigeon Forge in his Sleigh!  (No kidding)  It's the time for a ride inside a beautiful horse-drawn Cinderella Carriage adorned with beautiful colored lights.  

THE FUN NEVER ENDS WITH ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

Some of the world's most talented artisans live in the Great Smoky Mountains area!  Arts and craft shops spread throughout Sevier County.  Arts and crafts fans love browsing through famous  galleries by Thomas Kincade, and Robert A. Tino.  Because art is so popular, Gatlinburg has dedicated a whole community to our amazing artists and the creative work they do!  Each shop is unique and carries a vast array of art made from woodworking, whittling, and quilting.  There's beautiful artistic home decor to reflect mountain living.  There are unique pieces you won't find anywhere else!  It's exciting to drive through the Arts and Crafts Community just to see fabulous works of art like the black bear carved from wood.  There's furniture made of logs, and old-fashioned hand-made quilts.  There's exquisite jewelry, clothing, and a huge selection of Indian moccasin boots and shoes.  Arts and Crafts Festivals are popular events and happen year around.  The Gatlinburg Trolley offers free rides that includes the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community through mid-August from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.  If you would rather drive, turn at Traffic Light #3 in Gatlinburg and go down Highway 321 North.  Some of the Arts and Crafts Community's most popular shops are listed at the right. (All shops are located on Glades Road - Gatlinburg)

Oooh that fall foliage!  (aka) God's Coloring Book!  From around the world they come to see those amazing fall colors of the Great Smoky Mountains!   It's one of the most beautiful times of the year!  It's been reported that over 2 million people have visited the area in Autumn alone.  It's a wonderful time to hike because of the scenery and temperatures.  The black bear is getting ready to hibernate and looking for food! (so look out!)  There are around 12 scenic motor trails for great viewing.  The most popular ones include Cades Cove Loop Road, Little River Road, Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap Road, Chimney Tops,  just to name a few.  Depending upon the weather and the amount of rainfall in the area the leaves normally peak around the second or third week of October.  There are also lots of exquisite ways of viewing  fall colors without driving into the mountains and still get great photos. So don't forget the camera!  This Activity Holiday demands it! 

People flock from everywhere to see the beautiful fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains.  However, to get to the Smokies most everyone has to drive through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.  So, what are you going to see along the way?  The photo to your left is a pretty good indication!  All of Sevier County is decked out in the most awesome fall displays you've ever come across!  There's big ones, little ones, funny ones, and hey....you're still in VOL Country, so don't be surprised if you see Big Orange Football ones!  Some of the area businesses become really creative so be sure to stop and get photos.  It's always fun to take a "selfie" and put yourself in the picture.  Along with fall comes celebration!  it's the time to enjoy cooler weather!  There's lots of great food, craft fairs, car shows, and festivals.  Fall in the Smokies is one incredible Activity Holiday you have to see for yourself!  If fall is your favorite season, you must see the Smokies bursting with color both in the valley and in the mountains.  Enjoy seeing the "Best of Fall"  celebrations at the locations listed on left.

CHUCK WAGON COOK-OFF

EASTER CELEBRATION

FALL FESTIVAL