Bear's Den Vacation News, Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg Rolling Out Free Trolleys June Through August

For a fifth season, the City of Gatlinburg will offer free trolley service to summer visitors along the length of the Parkway during the peak tourist season.

 

For a fifth season, the City of Gatlinburg will offer free trolley service to summer visitors along the length of the Parkway during the peak tourist season.  Visitors and local residents can board the specially designated trolleys at no charge along numerous stops on the Parkway.  The shuttle service will extend from traffic light #1 at the north end of town to light #10 at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

The free open-air trolleys will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily from Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, August 15.  All Gatlinburg trolleys are handicap accessible. 

Approximately 800,000 patrons use the Gatlinburg trolleys annually, making it the fifth-largest mass transit system in the state.  It originated in 1980 with only six trolleys, but the fleet has grown to 20-plus trolleys servicing approximately 50 miles in and around Gatlinburg and surrounding areas.

You can hop aboard the Gatlinburg Trolleys all day long for just $2 a day with unlimited access to the Red, Blue, Purple, Yellow and Green Trolley Routes.  The $2 Pass is sold at City Welcome Centers as well as City Hall and the Mass Transit Center, plus numerous Gatlinburg lodging facilities. 

For more information about the Gatlinburg Mass Transit System, visit www.gatlinburgtrolley.org.  There you can find routes, an informational video, or track the current location of Trolleys en route via a GPS Trolley locator.

For further information, call the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-588-1817 or visit our website at www.Gatlinburg.com.

Gatlinburg Welcomes Fall With 10th Annual Fine Arts Festival

The 10^th annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival at Arrowmont is slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-5 on the campus of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. The diversity of creativity in fine arts and crafts makes for a prestigious event against the backdrop of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains.

The three-day festival showcases artists at the top of their fields. Participating exhibitors are chosen by jury in 16 categories, ranging from ceramics and glass to watercolor and woodworking. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the best in fine arts and crafts, talk to the artists, hands-on activities for children, Appalachian music and southern barbecue. 

While the festival is free to visitors, the event serves as a major fundraiser for Arrowmont, the Sevier County Arts Council and the Gatlinburg Boys and Girls Club art program. The Fine Arts Festival is at traffic light #5 on the Parkway in Gatlinburg adjacent to the McMahan Parking Garage. 

For more information about the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival, visit www.gfaf.net or call 800 588-1817.

Gatlinburg chili cookoff, Winterfest kickoff scheduled Nov. 7

GATLINBURG — Millions of LED lights will  be illuminated on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the 22nd annual Gatlinburg Winter Magic  Kickoff and Chili Cookoff.

Set for 5-8 p.m. on the downtown Parkway, the chili  cookoff will feature area restaurants, attractions, civic groups, retailers,  banks, and public service agencies serving thousands of cups of chili as each  participating group competes for a variety of awards.

Those attending vote for the People’s Choice Award for  the most popular chili. A panel of judges will cast their votes for other  awards.

Headline entertainment will be the Beatles tribute  band, The Beat 64 of Knoxville.

The hot-chili eating contest finds contestants eating  chilis with increasing levels of heat.

Although admission for the event is free, a $10  wristband is required for chili sampling, with a portion of proceeds going to  benefit Pi Beta Phi Elementary School PTA. Wristbands will be available for  purchase onsite the day of the event at two ticket booths. Advance tickets will  be available starting Oct. 19 at Home Federal Bank, Gatlinburg welcome centers,  and online at Gatlinburg.com.

For more information, call 436-4178 or visit  www.gatlinburg.com .

Read more:  The Mountain Press - Gatlinburg chili cookoff Winterfest kickoff scheduled Nov 7

Legal moonshine distillery to open in Gatlinburg July 2nd

GATLINBURG, TENN. — Tennessee Moonshine will be available legally for the first time when Ole Smoky Distillery opens for business in Ole Smoky Holler at 903 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. The distillery will have a grand opening celebration on July 2 and will offer free tours, free samples of moonshine to adults over 21, and moonshine for sale.

Ole Smoky will offer a number of moonshine products: Original unaged corn whiskey moonshine, apple pie moonshine, sweet tea moonshine, and peach moonshine.  Moonshine cherries will be available for purchase during the holiday season.  The Ole Smoky recipes are the product of the hard work and experience of local families who have made moonshine in the mountains for over a century.  Dave Pickerell, who served as the Master Distiller for Maker’s Mark for over 15 years, assisted with the refinement of the recipes in order to ensure a superior mountain-made moonshine. 

A highlight of the facility is the authentic working moonshine still where visitors will learn the science of the distilling process as well as the history and lore of moonshining in East Tennessee.  Ole Smoky is the only distillery in the state dedicated to moonshine products.  Proprietors Joe Baker, Tony Breeden and Cory Cottongim place a particular emphasis on celebrating their mountain heritage as well as the historical significance of the moonshine craft in sustaining families during hard economic times of the early 20th century. 

“Moonshine played an integral role in the daily lives of families in this region,” said Baker.  “Too often, people rely on the stereotype of a backwards old man making a cheap, dangerous product.  In truth, a lot of good people made and sold moonshine in order to feed and clothe their families.”

Ole Smoky is the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee, and is currently one of only four distilleries operating in the state.  Jack Daniels and George Dickel received their licenses before Prohibition, and Prichards Rum opened their Tennessee facility in 1999.

via www.citizen-times.com

4th of July "Midnight Parade" in Downtown Gatlinburg, TN

For the 35th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade, which leads off in the opening moment of the holiday at 12 a.m. on Sunday, July 4, to the cheers of close to 100,000 spectators and features a special tribute to our military personnel among the many highlights of this one-of-a-kind patriotic event.

Stretching more than a mile in length, over 100 units will make their way through Gatlinburg, showcasing many elaborately decorated floats, helium balloons, marching bands, equestrian entries and a large contingent of our armed services men & women.

Among the military personnel being honored as Grand Marshall for the parade will be the 129th Army Band from Nashville, Tennessee, which will march in the event. Vintage military vehicles will also be part of the parade.

As soon as the street is closed late on July 3, the parade route comes alive with pre-parade entertainers that begin the excitement of what is to follow. Marching bands, colorful floats and helium balloons will navigate the streets.

 

 

Also appearing in the line-up will be a parade-scale replica of the famous starship U.S.S. Enterprise from Riverside, Iowa and the Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit from Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

Bands schedule to participate in the Midnight Parade include the 129th Army Marching Band, Boyertown (Penn.) Alumni Marching Unit, the Nashville Suzuki Strings and Knoxville Pipe & Drum.

“This will be one of the most patriotic and colorful midnight parades that the City of Gatlinburg has ever produced,” according to Special Events Manager George Hawkins, who organized the first Gatlinburg 4th of July parade in 1976 in celebration of America’s Bicentennial. "We are very excited about the entire weekend of events, which will include a four-day festival highlighting our armed services!”

Additional weekend activities in downtown will include free admission concerts by the 129th Army Band, the Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit, Nashville Suzuki Strings, Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta unmanned floatable race, and a spectacular fireworks display.

For more information about the 35th Annual 4th of July Midnight Parade, please call 800-56-VISIT (568-4748).
 

4th of July Midnight Parade

Saturday July 3, 2010 - Sunday July 4, 2010 from 12:00am - 10:00pm

Downtown Gatlinburg

Parkway and Reagan Dr.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee Get Directions

July 3 Activities

1 p.m. – Nite Fire of the 129th Army Band (Rock Group) at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza.

12 midnight – 35th annual Fourth of July Midnight Parade.


July 4 Schedule

10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – River Raft Regatta

1 p.m. – Direct Hit of the 129th Army Band (R&B/Jazz Group) at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza

4 p.m. – Nashville Suzuki Strings at the Gatlinburg Inn

4 p.m. – Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza

8 p.m. – Nashville Suzuki Strings at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza

8:30 p.m. – 129th Army Concert Band at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza

10 p.m. – Fireworks Finale in Downtown

Website: http://www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=22

First Penguins to Call Gatlinburg Home, now Living the Good Life at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies | Ripleys Newsroom

The playful colony of Blackfooted Penguins is now totally acclimated to their home in the new $5 million, state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor habitat – ready to meet their public.

The unique, naturalistic exhibit is the largest and costliest expansion ever at the aquarium, now celebrating its 10th year in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. More than 12 million have visited the aquarium since its opening in December 2000.

 

Fast Eddie and the gang now reside in a habitat that closely models their native homes.  Naturalistic rockwork surrounded by more than 30,000 gallons of temperature controlled saltwater depict the coastal island rookeries along the coast of South Africa.

Aquarium guests are able to view the penguins from both above and below water level and unique to this exhibit, visitors can crawl through clear underwater acrylic tunnels and pop up on the penguin’s private beach to view the birds nose to beak.

As visitors crawl through the tunnels, penguins swimming above and below them will have the opportunity to get a good close up of the human species!

The highly interactive habitat has two wave machines and multiple spa jets that create continual water movement which in turn creates an inviting watery playground for the birds.

“Our penguin habitat is a wonderful family experience that showcases these beautiful birds and adds a new dimension and added value to our guest’s aquarium visit,” said Ryan DeSear, General Manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. “Each penguin has its own little personality and charisma. The habitat is an entertaining and playful environment for both the humans and the penguins. I’m not sure which species is having more fun.”

Ripley’s Vice President of Husbandry, Joe Choromanski, who helped create the exhibit, notes that “we have studied penguin exhibits from zoos and aquariums around the world, as well as their natural habitat, and we are building what we believe to be the most realistic, interactive and fun exhibit in existence.”

“We are pleased to be bringing another world class fun attraction to Gatlinburg as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and also while marking our 40th year of family entertainment in this beautiful Smoky Mountain city,” said Jim Pattison Jr., president of Ripley Entertainment Inc.

The penguins who are now calling Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies home are all captive bred and are part of the Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. When they reach breeding age, they too will contribute to the survival of this species in the wild.

via www.ripleysnewsroom.com

Nantahala Outpost Center's Grand Opening April 2nd - Gatlinburg's Newest Adventure

Nantahala Outpost Center's Great Outpost, at the Gateway to 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park 

NOC's Great Outpost combines Gatlinburg's colorful, exciting atmosphere with the Smoky Mountains' aura of splendor and adventure. At this new must-see attraction, we'll provide the assistance, gear and services you need to maximize your Smoky Mountains experience.

Whether your idea of outdoor adventure is an open-window drive, a family raft trip on the Pigeon River or a multi-day backcountry trek, we'll share our knowledge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and recommend specific activities that fit your style of exploring.

NOC's Great Outpost is located at Gatlinburg's entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In fact, we are the park's next-door neighbors. If you came to Gatlinburg looking for that experience in the mountains, be sure to start at NOC's Great Outpost, the gateway to Smokies fun!

 via www.noc.com

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair Scheduled for July 17-26th

 Voted one of the south’s most popular summer events, the 34th annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is scheduled for July 17 – 26 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

This event is expected to have more than 200 booths featuring some of the nation’s finest work. Artisans will be on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer unique art for sale.

Bluegrass and country music will also be available. Keith Longbotham and Band perform July 17-21, while Dennis Lee & Band perform July 22-16.

Show times are 1pm, 3pm & 5pm daily. On Sundays, shows are at 1pm & 3pm only.

The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is open 10am-7pm on daily. On Sunday, it is open from 10am-5pm. Adult admission is $6; Kids under 12 are free.

Presidential Motorcade Reenactment Highlights Gatlinburg’s 34th 4th of July Midnight Parade

For the 34th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade, which leads off at 12 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, to the cheers of close to 100,000 spectators and features a special tribute to our four branches of military service among the many highlights of this one-of-a-kind patriotic event presented by Land O’ Lakes Half & Half.

In recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as the birthday of our Country on July 4, the City of Gatlinburg will recreate the September 2, 1940, Presidential Motorcade of Franklin D. Roosevelt as it traveled through Gatlinburg on its way to Newfound Gap. There, perched high above a throng of onlookers, FDR officially dedicated the Park while standing with one foot in North Carolina and one foot in Tennessee.

The mobile reenactment will lead the 34th Annual 4th of July Midnight Parade, Presented by Land O’ Lakes Half & Half, at 12:01 a.m. in front of 100,000 patriotic spectators in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 4th, 2009. The Presidential Motorcade will be reproduced in vintage style with period automobiles and costuming as along with vintage motorcycles to escort the motorcade. Stretching more than a mile in length, over 100 units will make their way through Gatlinburg, showcasing many elaborately decorated floats, helium balloons, marching bands, equestrian entries and a large contingent of our armed services men & women.

As soon as the street is closed late on July 3, the parade route comes alive with pre-parade entertainers that begin the excitement of what is to follow. Marching bands, colorful floats and helium balloons will navigate the streets, with over 100 entries of all types scheduled to appear.

“This will be one of the most patriotic and colorful midnight parades that the City of Gatlinburg has ever produced,” according to Special Events Manager George Hawkins, who organized the first Gatlinburg 4th of July parade in 1976 in celebration of America’s Bicentennial.

The parade, presented by Land O’ Lakes Half & Half, is sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Coca-Cola, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, A Step Above & Premier Limousines, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

"We are very excited about the entire weekend of events, which will include a four-day festival highlighting our armed services!”

Gatlinburg’s popular River Raft Regatta takes place at noon on Saturday, July 4th, beginning at the Christus Gardens bridge on River Road and ending at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies bridge in downtown Gatlinburg. This unmanned river raft race will be hosted by the United States Navy and is open to anything floatable except balls and plastic eggs. In the past, families have entered boats made out of matchsticks, floating rocks, as well as little rubber ducks. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with the race beginning promptly at noon. Support for the River Raft Regatta is provided by the Gatlinburg Recreation Department. Then, just an hour after sundown, the Fourth’s Grand Finale occurs on the streets of downtown Gatlinburg with a fireworks extravaganza visible all along the Parkway from Applebee’s to the Sky Lift starting about 10 p.m. Lasting almost 20 minutes in duration, the sights and sounds of “the rocket’s red glare” will fill the sky as a fitting tribute to this day of celebrating freedom.

For more information about the 34th Annual 4th of July Midnight Parade or the River Raft Regatta, please call 800-56-VISIT (568-4748) or visit www.gatlinburg.com .

Watch the July 4th Video on YouTube!

Synchronous Fireflies Work Their Magic at Great Smoky Mountains - June 6-14, 2009

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced that the Elkmont entrance road will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrian use every night from at 5:00 p.m. until midnight, June 6-14, except to registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground. The closure is to accommodate transportation service for visitors planning to spend the evening viewing the natural-occurring, synchronous firefly beetles at Elkmont.

The City of Gatlinburg, in partnership with the Park, will provide the trolleys for this activity. The trolley service, coinciding with the expected peak flashing period, will be the sole transportation mode for visitor access during this period; no private vehicles will be allowed to enter Elkmont.

Restrictions will be in place to prohibit motor vehicles from parking along roadsides, pullouts, or any other areas besides at the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area for the purposes of viewing fireflies at Elkmont. Only those visitors parking at the visitor center will be allowed to ride the trolleys.

Chief Park Ranger Bill Wright said, “There are safety concerns over the number of people parking in undesignated areas, along roadsides with narrow grassy shoulders that do not have adequate space for getting in and out of vehicles. Walking along the roadsides, along blind curves and, in some instances in traffic, are high risk factors, especially in the dark after coming back from Elkmont. This also means that visitors will not be allowed to park their vehicles along Little River Road and walk to Elkmont.”

The trolleys will begin picking up visitors from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area at 6 p.m. The trolleys will run continually until the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area is full or until 9 p.m., whichever comes first. The last trolley to return visitors from Elkmont to the Sugarlands Visitor Center is scheduled at 11 p.m. The cost will be $1 round trip per person as in previous years.

The annual appearance of the synchronous firefly beetles, which occurs during their mating behavior, has become so popular that Park officials began managing the number of visitors to the trailhead. The Elkmont area has very limited parking spaces that were designed to accommodate day use for several trails.

The dates that the mating behavior begins can vary each year due to weather and other natural factors, but generally starts around the second week in June. For those riding the trolleys, it is recommended that visitors bring flashlights with red cellophane covers to reduce white light.

Visitors can bring lawn chairs, and carry food and water in backpacks which can fit on their laps in the trolleys; there are no services available at the site. Visitors are prohibited from bringing coolers, alcoholic beverages, or their pets.

SOURCE: http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/synchronous_fireflies  

More Information:

http://tinyurl.com/phbtwz - Creature Feature: Synchronous Fireflies Work Their Magic at Great Smoky