Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge Events

Oktoberfest 2016 at Ober Gatlinburg

Posted October 18, 2016 by Dusty Camp

Images courtesy of Ober Gatlinburg

It’s that time of the year again. Oktoberfest has come to Ober Gatlinburg with the promise of cooler weather, snow on the horizon, amazing German food, and of course beers galore! As winter beckons and the fall leaves begin to turn to brilliant shades of red and gold, visitors are flocking to the Smoky Mountains and enjoying the ski area’s 7th Annual Oktoberfest.

This annual event can be enjoyed from September 23 through October 30, 2016. Families and friends can delight in the special German food that is prepared on a daily basis. The cuisine is inspired from traditional Bavarian festivals and includes a few crowd-pleasing classics such as turkey legs, strudel, schnitzel, bratwurst, pretzels, and of course heaping side orders of sauerkraut. Attendees over the age of 21 can choose from a wide selection of exotic beers that make the perfect accompaniment to the German cuisine.

(more…)

Halloween in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge 2016

Posted October 17, 2016 by Dusty Camp

Image courtesy of Ripley’s

October’s menu of spooktacular events in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is guaranteed to bring out ghosts, goblins and creatures of the night in celebration of the Halloween spirit. Through the end of October, consider these scary encounters for adults and children of all ages to experience.

Gatlinburg Halloween Events

Celebrate Halloween with the annual Trick or Treat Kickoff Karnival from 1 pm to 5 pm on Monday, October 31 at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies plaza. A favorite for kids, the Karnival offers plenty of entertainment, contests, games and activities, creative costumes, Halloween safety tips, candy galore and food vendors with tasty delights.

(more…)

Ripley’s Fright Nights 2016

Posted October 13, 2016 by Dusty Camp

Images courtesy of Haunted Adventure

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure in Gatlinburg puts on its special “Fright Nights” weekends again for its 18th year in 2016, every Friday through Sunday all through October.

It’s that time of year when ghosts and goblins set the stage for Gatlinburg Halloween antics. If you’d like to experience exploring spooky places, getting up-close to scary faces, and hearing bloodcurdling screams, make your plans to share in the frightening atmosphere offered at the Haunted Adventure on Parkway.

(more…)

Star Gazing in Cades Cove: October 8, 2016

Posted October 7, 2016 by Dusty Camp

Saturday night, October 8, 2016, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is allowing people into Cades Cove for a special Star Gazing evening. Normally the Cove is closed at night, but it opens up for a Star Party! Cades Cove has the lowest ambient light level in the area – one more thing that makes it special – and there’s a lot of sky that can be seen.

The cloud cover should be all gone and the stars should be amazing. Experts on hand with telescopes will show you a sky you may never have known. Check the Smoky Mountain Astronomical Society Facebook page for updates, and call 865-448-4104 Saturday to confirm the event is on – last minute weather changes can cancel these events suddenly.

(more…)

Fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair 2016

Posted October 5, 2016 by Dusty Camp

The Fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair of 2016 happens October 6-23 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, with doors open 10-6 daily and 10-5 Sunday for two weeks. It’s fall in the Smoky Mountains, and the harvest is abundant especially when it comes to arts and crafts.

This ever popular show is the place for window shopping, or shopping for real, and the pickings are astonishingly varied and rich. There are more than 150 booths, and all the summer’s new work coming out of the hills to town from the nation’s largest community of independent artists and craftspeople who make this area their home.

images courtesy of Arts & Crafts Community

(more…)

Top Things To Do With Kids in the Smokies: Part 2 – Outdoor Adventures

Posted September 30, 2016 by Dusty Camp

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are family-friendly towns with numerous attractions for kids. Getting outdoors is easy too, with the Smoky Mountains all around. Here are some of the activities for children in the area.

(more…)

Old Mill Heritage Day, 2016

Posted September 23, 2016 by Dusty Camp

The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, TN, is hosting its 13th Annual Old Mill Heritage Day this Saturday, September 24, 2016. Admission is FREE to this family-friendly event, which is open from 10am to 6pm. There will be food and amusements for all ages. Bring blankets and chairs and get comfortable for the whole day.

Images courtesy of the Old Mill

(more…)

Top Things To Do With Kids in the Smokies: Part 1 – Fun & Games

Posted September 19, 2016 by Dusty Camp

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have incredible kids attractions that educate and entertain at once. Kids and adults as a family can experience the wonders of history, science, and record-setting human feats at these top venues for fun, family field trips.

Kids full of energy? Give them the big adventure of being here in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Even getting around is fun – families in the know hop on the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Trolley and skip the traffic.

image courtesy of Aquarium of the Smokies

(more…)

It’s the 17th Annual Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival 2016

Posted September 14, 2016 by Dusty Camp

The Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival is one of the best festivals in the Smoky Mountains, and almost unheard of. This year the 3-day festival happens September 15-17, at the same time as the Rod Run in Pigeon Forge – so if you want to drive a few miles out of town up to Kodak and get away from the snarl, you can trade motors for music.

The Dumplin Valley festival is on a farm with an RV camp, and people book months or even a year ahead of time to be there. The festival is open to day trippers however.

images courtesy of Dumplin Valley Farm

(more…)

Fall Rod Run 2016

Posted September 12, 2016 by Dusty Camp

The street party is back again as Pigeon Forge starts its engines for three days and nights of the 34th Annual Fall Rod Run, Thursday-Saturday, September 15-17, 2016. Some of the fanciest custom wheels in the country gather here for this event, the great American art form known as Cruising the Strip.

The event draws thousands of extra visitors into town, come to mingle in the friendly crowds, and to watch the gleaming chrome and paint jobs slowly driving by.There’s lot of muscle on display too, with plenty of supercharged motors loping at low revs, and straining for the highway.