Smoky Mountain Music & Heritage Series in Pigeon Forge, TN

Throughout the entire month of June at 6:30 p.m., the Old Mill Square in Pigeon Forge will have live music that represents the culture of East Tennessee at the Pottery House Café & Grill. Each week is different and admission is free, so bring your family out to experience the good ol’ days at the Old Mill. While you are there visit the local shops and dining in the Square for more Smoky Mountain tradition.

Scenic Drives through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Newfound Gap Road

Can’t get enough of the Great Smoky Mountains? The 33-mile scenic drive, Newfound Gap Road, is a beautiful drive from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, North Carolina. It is the largest drivable pass-through of the Park, and is a great way to see beautiful look-outs and everything that the Park has to offer at a glance. Along the way, you should pull over and have a picnic by the river, or take advantage of the great photo opportunities. You can call the National Park at (865) 436-0120 for a Newfound Gap Road Auto Tour Booklet that will tell you all the great pull-offs and hiking trails along the drive.

Christy Fest in Townsend, Tennessee

If you are a literature buff, you may be familiar with the classic novel Christy by Catherine Marshall, which was turned into a TV series and a movie. This festival began as a small gathering of fans to show their appreciation for the book and television show, but has now grown into a festival filled with mountain crafts, herbal medicines, music, history and early mountain culture. Old cast members, directors, and others involved with all elements of Christy come to the festival to share memories and enjoy the Smoky Mountains where the TV series was filmed. The festival began today and will continue until the 22nd. Click here for places to stay in Townsend while attending Christy Fest.

Boating, Camping, and Fishing at Douglas Lake, Tennessee

Beautiful Douglas Lake, located outside Sevierville, TN, extends to the rolling hills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lake offers a variety of activities for your family including fishing, camping, swimming, and boating. Are you a fisherman? Douglas Lake is ranked in the top 5 lakes in the nation for Crappie, and in the top 10 for Large Mouth Bass. Want to spend the afternoon out in the middle of the lake? You can rent houseboats, ski boats, pontoon boats, and lake boats at the Marinas. Douglas Lake is a great place for your family to have all sorts of outdoor fun! If you’re not a family of campers, click here for lodging around the Douglas Lake area.

Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales Summer Festival

This is the 3rd year for the summer Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales event in Gatlinburg. This event makes the downtown Gatlinburg experience a little more authentic and exciting during the summer months. Until the end of August you will be able to hear mountain melodies being played in the streets as well as people performing and encouraging the genuine southern flare. You will be able to witness costumed performers, storytellers, and artisans portraying time periods from the 1800s to today. You will be captivated by the performances as the actors get you involved in their skits throughout the streets of Gatlinburg. The performers are carried to their locations by a horse-drawn wagon at 5:30 each evening. So come out of your cabins and enjoy some East Tennessee culture in the streets of downtown Gatlinburg.

KidsFest at Dollywood

If your kids are getting restless during your vacation in the Smokies, take them to KidsFest in Dollywood, now until August 3. This is the largest kids’ festival in the south. The stars of PBS’ Zoboomafoo series, the Kratt brothers, will be introducing an exciting cast of creatures. Along with the brothers will be Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber from VeggieTales in their live show. At Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse, the Penguin Players will be presenting three sing-a-long shows that the kids will love. This fun-filled event will be the highlight of your children’s vacation. Click here for places to stay while visiting Dollywood.

Tennessee Valley Lineman’s Rodeo, Sevierville

Today is the last day of the 11th Annual Tennessee Valley Lineman’s Rodeo in Sevierville. This event is a 2-day competition for the employees of Tennessee Valley Authority power distributors. Participants will be judged on safety, skill, and knowledge in their particular field of the company. There are individual and team events in areas such as A3 Suspension Insulator Transfers and Speed Climbs. This is a unique event, because it caters to a specific group of professionals. The Rodeo provides and opportunity for lineworkers to showcase their talents and for friends and family to show their support.

Old Mill Pigeon River Potting Shed, Pigeon Forge, TN

If gardening is a hobby of yours, then the Old Mill Pigeon River Potting Shed is the place for you. The store is full if items that will make your garden a ravishing and enchanted place. The environment within the store is relaxing and soothing for maximum stress free shopping. Stop by anytime, this a place for all gardeners alike. For information on the store and location please click here.

Civil War Reenactment in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The Living History Civil War Reenactment will be returning to Gatlinburg today through the 15th. The men from the “Southern Guards Battalion” will be acting out the only battle fought in Sevier County during the War. Beginning at 9 a.m. you will be able to view the Civil War era camp life, and tonight at 6 p.m. the soldiers will walk through Gatlinburg reenacting The Siege of Gatlinburg. On Saturday at 2 p.m. cannons will blaze and soldiers will reenact the “Battle of Burg Hill”. At 10 a.m. on Sunday there will be a church service similar to the services during war. There is no admission price to this event, so bring your family out to experience the history of the Civil War right here in East Tennessee.

Dumplin Valley JuneFest Bluegrass Festival, Kodak, Tennessee

The Dumplin Valley JuneFest is a new summer show that begins today and runs until the 14th. There will be live bluegrass music entertainment from 14 performers such as, The Issacs, Dailey & Vincent, Steep Canyon Rangers, and more. This is the first annual JuneFest, it is an extension of the another bluegrass festival that is held in September. This festival is full of East Tennessee traditions, and is one that your family should not miss. Click here for lodging information for this event.