3rd Annual Oktoberfest

WEARS VALLEY - August 14th, 2012 - The Wears Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce plans for the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest in Wears Valley, Tennessee for Oct. 19-21 of this year.

The Oktoberfest has been a remarkable mid-Autumn success for the area, which saw thousands of locals and visitors flock to Wears Valley, an unincorporated community 15 minutes outside the main traffic route of Pigeon Forge, for a mixture of Appalachian atmosphere, Harvest Festival fun and German culture in 2010 and 2011. While many areas of the Tennessee Smokies traditionally celebrate the Harvest Festival, very few incorporate the full Oktoberfest experience with it and this, along with the abundance of mountain views during the peak season of the color change, has made the event a major highlight in the season.

Plans for 2012 will include many traditional elements of an Autumn festival - local artists and crafters from Wears Valley, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pittman Center will set up booths to showcase their wares and demonstrate the skills that were handed down to them from generations gone by, a children's section with old-fashioned toys and games, and many picturesque views of the Smoky Mountains, but this year will include more elements of German culture than before and feature a singing talent competition called "Stars of the Smokies" - where the winner will receive $4,000 in prizes.

Parking will be a suggested $5 donation, which will go to the Wears Valley fire department and schools, and entry will be a suggested donation of canned goods which will go to the Sevier County Food Ministry. There is no alcohol at this event. Emergency personnel will be onsite to provide security and emergency response.


Sponsors for this event include UPS Store Sevierville, Imagine it Embroidery, Brainstorm Cafe, SoundTrax Recording Studios, Wright Stuff Catering, Bush Builders,CNB, Tennessee State Bank,The Mountain Press, Green Valley Motel and Yesterday's Antiques. Sponsorship opportunites are welcomed and still available. If you are a vendor interested in participating with Oktoberfest, please contact the Wears Valley Chamber of Commerce at (865)-296-4779 or write to wearsvalleychamberofcommerce@gmail.com. Sponsorship forms, Vendor Forms, and more information about the event is available at www.wearsvalleyareachamber.com.

Lisa Lawhead-Mack
Brainstorm Cafe
865-908-0650
www.brainstormcafe.com
ealawhead@aol.com