Smoky Mountain Summer-time Flare
The
Smoky Mountains Range is in spectacular full bloom during the summer
season. This bloom creates the outstanding Appalachian vistas that are
so popular with area vacationers. During this time of the year the surrounding
East Tennessee hills are covered in a dense, and lush Appalachian foliage
that consists of a diverse set of tree and plant species unparalleled
anywhere else on the continent. Without a doubt the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park is in its most vital and vibrant form between the months
of May and September. Its no surprise therefore that the months of May-August
see more tourists pour through the area than any other four month period
of the year.
Animal populations such as squirrels, deer, raccoons, foxes, and the
black bears are all active during these summer months. This combination
of lush forest growth and a busy animal population makes for inspiring
scenes for Smoky Mountain area visitors to enjoy. Tennessee tourists
enjoy these scenes by foot (by exploring the hundreds of walking and
hiking trails featured within the GSMNP boundaries), by car (through
scenic drives such as the one along the famous Newfound Gap Road), and
by water (by white-water rafting or kayaking down the picturesque Little
Pigeon River).
While it may be the star of the show, the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park certainly isn't the only draw to the East Tennessee area during
the summer months. The local resort cities of Gatlinburg, Townsend,
Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville join in on this all-natural celebration
of Appalachian life at its fullest with a wide variety of exciting and
entertaining regional festivals and special events. At various points
of the year Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville join hands to
co-host area-wide festival celebrations. An example of this regional
celebration is the much touted Smoky Mountain Springfest Festival. In
early June the Springfest Festival is just wrapping up with grand finale
events in all three of these Smoky Mountain sister cities.
Speaking
of festivals, Gatlinburg celebrates the onset of summer with the entertaining
MountainFest Festival. Gatlinburg's MountainFest is a popular throwback
to the rich heritage of Smoky Mountain culture. The celebration begins
in early June with mountain music performers and Smoky Mountain artisan
displays. Tennessee tourists certainly enjoy seeing these arts and crafts
skills applied right before their eyes. Many of these revered craftspeople
have had their skills and knowledge passed down from generation to generation.
And all this is on grand display during the kick-off to the Gatlinburg
Mountainfest Festival. Of course a celebration of Smoky Mountain culture
just wouldn't be complete without the inclusion of plenty of the area's
delectable cuisine! Throughout the duration of the festival local food
favorites such as deep fried beans, onion-topped fried taters, cornbread
and fried green tomatoes are available for samplings and full-on meals.
Be prepared to fall in love with these local favorites!
Not to be outdone, Gatlinburg's sister city of Pigeon Forge offers its
own mix of compelling summer-time special events for Smoky Mountain
tourists to see and experience. If there is one Pigeon Forge attraction
that stands out from the rest, it's the world famous theme park known
as Dollywood. Dollywood, named after East Tennessee's most famous native
citizen, takes summer-time fun to a new level with the popular KidsFest
Festival. This is an action-packed family celebration that offers a
wide variety of attractions likely to be highly popular with the younger
members of your family. Some of Dollywood's KidsFest most popular attractions
include: the SpongeBob Square Pants Turbo Action Ride, the Clifford
the Big Red Dog Stage Show, the Big Cats and Magic Show, and the Miss
Penny & Patches the Scarecrow Show.
Something else that Pigeon Forge is well known for is its celebration
of classic cars. Pigeon Forge plays host to more auto-events than any
other location in the Appalachian region. During the summer months Pigeon
Forge is home to the Southern Nationals Association Camaro, Chevelle,
and Nova Nationals, the Chevy Classics Show, and the Smoky Mountain
Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge event. If classic cars are your thing- then
Pigeon Forge in the summer is the place to be!
As
June rolls into July Pigeon Forge residents plan for one of the nation's
largest 4th of July celebrations. This year marks the 16th annual celebration
of the Patriot Festival in Pigeon Forge's Patriot Park. Attractions
that are part of the Patriot's Day festivities include bluegrass music
performers, an All-American food festival, a military salute, an opening
performance by the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus and more! The grand
finale is marked by a dazzling fireworks display. Seeing this brilliant
display against a majestic Smoky Mountain backdrop is quite a site to
behold!
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge might be the most well-known of the Smoky
Mountain cities of East Tennessee, but they certainly aren't the only
destinations available for exploration! The Smoky Mountain gateway city
of Sevierville adds to the summer-time flare with events such as the
Tennessee Smallmouth Fishing Seminar and special summer-time shows at
the downtown Governor's Palace. Townsend, Tennessee, offers the Townsend
Trout Fest and its own 4th of July celebration. North Carolina cities
such as Cherokee add their own Smoky Mountain vibrance with summer events
like the Great Smoky Mountain Trout, Wildlife & Heritage Festival, the
popular Gourd Festival, and the Maggie Mountain Bingo Bonanza.
Summer-time in the Smoky Mountains certainly is a special time of year.
Almost as soon as Smoky Mountain Springfest festivities are wrapping
up, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville kick their summer celebrations
into high gear. Gatlinburg's MountainFest Festival and Pigeon Forge's
Patriot Festival mark two of the highlights of the Smoky Mountain summer
season. And of course all of these celebrations and special events only
serve to augment the stunning attractions of the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park in full summer bloom. A wide variety of outdoor recreational
activities make summer one of the most popular times of the year to
make a getaway to the Smoky Mountain Park. The events in the surrounding
Tennessee cities of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Townsend and Sevierville
just serve to add even more value to the prospect of an exciting summer-time
Smoky Mountain escape.

















