September 15-17, 2022, means a 3-day party in Pigeon Forge as the town fills up with pure automobile muscle and classic cars, with chrome and fins and gorgeous paint jobs, all cruising the strip and on display at the car show.
Images courtesy of the Rod Run
In 2022, the annual Hot Rod Roundup in Dollywood’s Splash country makes its final appearance. The Shades of the Past contract with Dollywood ends in this year and unfortunately, can’t be renewed.
The organizers say there’s no equivalent location in the area that can hold this large-scale event, and think they couldn’t better it elsewhere, so they have decided that this is the Last Roundup for this long-standing Pigeon Forge event. It will be long remembered after this final year.
Image courtesy of Shades of the Past
Summer in the Smokies can get hot, and there are many ways in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park to make a splash and cool down. From just dipping your toes along the banks of a stream, to diving into one of the swimming holes in the area, from river tubing to whitewater rafting – and with swimming pools thrown in for good measure – here are some ways to feel the spray and get a soaking.
On Sunday, July 3, 2022, a lot of people will stay up late at night to celebrate the coming of July 4th, in the nation’s first Independence Day Parade, as Gatlinburg once again marches to an early drummer, and kicks off its annual parade beginning a few seconds after midnight.
Image courtesy of Anakeesta
Dollywood celebrates summer in 2022 with its annual summer festival of fun, called the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration – beginning July 18 and lasting through August 7th. Included in the regular ticket price, the Celebration offers nighttime lights, daytime splashes…and Bubbles are back!
Images courtesy of Dollywood and Gazillion Bubbles
One of the country’s best quilt shows, A Mountain Quiltfest returns to Pigeon Forge for 2022, as the 4-day FREE event opens June 6 through June 9, at the LeConte Center. Filled with world-class wonders, the show draws thousands of visitors enjoying an ancient craft that also became a signature folk art of America, and roars on strongly today.
Now in its 28th year, the event opens on Monday with numerous classes that will run all four days, and the Free Quilt Show and Vendor hall will be open to the public Tuesday through Thursday, June 7-9. The exhibition times are 9am-5pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and closing at 4 pm on Thursday.
The 2022 Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games happens all day Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, in Townsend, TN, just a few scenic miles drive to the west of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. In a great location set against the foothills of the mountains, and right next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s an explosion of Scottish culture and fun, and a unique annual festival.
The Games are one of the oldest Scottish Festivals in the country, and it’s an excellent occasion to get a taste of all things Scottish, with some rocking Celtic live music, formal Pipes & Drums, clan histories, Scottish dance, athletic contests from the Highland Games, as well as sheepdog performances, a dog show, and many kid-friendly activities, with face painting of course. Oh, and many opportunities to taste and explore the famous Scotch whiskies of that remarkable nation.
Images courtesy of the Scottish Festival & Games
Sevierville puts on its FREE street festival again with the 18th Annual Bloomin’ BBQ and Bluegrass festival, on Friday and Saturday, May 20-21, 2022. It’s two days of music and competition barbecue with entrants from across the country in the historic downtown of this fun loving town. It’s family friendly, with kids attractions, hot musical talent, and tens of thousands of visitors who wouldn’t miss this party for the world.
Images courtesy of the Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival
The Gatlinburg area of the Smoky Mountains gets a lot of visitors, and this can mean that things get crowded – so if you want to get out into some of the more quiet places, here’s our guide to the less traveled destinations and routes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area.
The festival is April 22 through June 5, 2022, multicolored wonders in a lovely theme park with creative plant sculptures, a million flower blooms, immersive and unique treats, lots of music and amazing food.
Dollywood is blooming here in springtime, 2022, and the Third Annual Flower & Food Festival gets underway on April 22, lasting through June 5. This gorgeous festival in an already lovely theme park features astonishingly creative plant sculptures, more than a million flower blooms throughout the park, the multicolored Umbrella Sky, live music everywhere – and mouth-watering food, of course.
Images courtesy of Dollywood
This year the Dollywood chefs have some new creations that are exclusive to this festival, with unique new flavors – the menu in an offering that practically demands getting a Tasting Pass to sample.
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We are the one of largest cabin rental agencies in the Smoky Mountains and have been recognized by Southern Living as the Best Family Resort in the Smokies. We manage over 340 cabins in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Tennessee areas. Visit us today and get over $700 of free attraction tickets with your cabin rental.
