Spring, Get Here Soon!

Man alive - as we write this today, another Winter storm comes down around us. While we thoroughly love the snowfall January and February often brings to the Smokies, this has been a season that makes us yearn more for Spring than any Winter for the last 7 years!

Luckily, Spring is just around the corner and we have plenty of special events to look forward to starting in just the next couple weeks. Here's what's coming up next in the Smokies:


Saddle Up!
February 21 - 24
Looking for something REALLY different in the Smokies for February? Come check out “Saddle Up!” a Wild West-themed festival happening all across Pigeon Forge for a full weekend near the end of the month.

This adds a whole new dimension to the Country Music scene in the Smokies, with singing, dancing, a chuck wagon cookoff and even a Cowboy Church on Sunday. Entertainers this year include Brenn Hill, Chris Isaacs, Waddie Mitchell, The Quebe Sisters Band, Dave Stamey, Sourdough Slim, T. Scot Wilburn and the Shut Up N’ Playboys, and Wylie and The Wild West. If you love your inner-cowboy and don’t want to go West to celebrate it, come to Pigeon Forge! https://www.etouches.com/ehome/71876/142500/


A Mountain Quiltfest
March 19 @ 8:00 am - March 22 @ 5:00 pm

The city of Pigeon Forge hosts a very popular festival in which over 20,000 visitors participate in many classes and seminars, and view some of the most gorgeous quilts in the country. More than 60 classes and seminars will be featured and a vendor mall will be onsite for enthusiasts to purchase supplies. http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_quiltfest.aspx


Dollywood’s Festival of Nations
March 22 - April 21

Dollywood opens every season with the most exciting Spring festival you’ll find in East Tennessee – the Festival of Nations gathers many of the countries of the world to Dollywood where many cultures will add to the entertainment of the park. Africa, India, China, France, Poland and more will all be there and providing some of the best shows you will see all year! http://www.dollywood.com


Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
April 5 - August 9

Ever wanted the Smokies to be filled with the old timey music and legends that it used to have way back in the day? Come to Gatlinburg for Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales and you can experience Gatlinburg celebrating Appalachian Culture the way it used to. Music, stories, dancing all throughout the city on evenings. www.gatlinburg.com


Grand Spring Rod Run
April 11 @ 8:00 am - April 14 @ 5:00 pm

The first Rod Run of the year means the whole Pigeon Forge Parkway turns into an automotive festival for gearheads amateur and professional alike. Some of the coolest cars you will ever see gather in the city and it’s the closest thing to a city-wide party Pigeon Forge has throughout the year. 1-800-241-4444


Smoky Mountain Winefest
April 12 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

A newer Spring festival at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies that allows wine enthusiasts to sample a wide variety of the bottles 15 wineries and appetizers provided by The Melting Pot, Vista Grill (Park Vista), Ober Gatlinburg and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. http://www.gatlinburg.com/events/details.aspx?id=127


Dollywood Barbeque and Bluegrass
May 24 - June 8

Dollywood provides some of THE best pork, chicken, beef and Southern music entertainment East Tennessee has to enjoy in May in addition to the dozens of rides and interactive fun stuff they provide almost year-round as well. www.dollywood.com.