As some of you may have noticed we have started a photo contest! We recieved some great fall photos in the first contest and now, for the second, we are taking submissions of photos of "kids having fun." The winner of the photo contest will win 2 tickets to the Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge! So get those photos in!
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October 2009 Archives
It is definitely fall here in the Smokies! The leaves are changing all across the mountains, and its starting to really cool off. We're seeing scattered foliage all over the mountains, and the peak of the colors should be over the next few weeks. Although we did have our first snowfall in the higher elevations last week, which has caused a lot of those leaves to disappear, the lower elevations still have beautiful vibrant colors! There are plenty of fun fall activities to participate in before we switch to the winter season, check out some fun Halloween celebrations, or maybe go camping before it gets too cold!
There are plenty of historical sites and facts about the Smokies that a lot of people don't know about. We have made a page just for those who love learning more about the past of the Smoky Mountains, and how it came to where it is today! There is information on different historic sites such as the Bud Ogle Cabin, the Lost C.C.C. Camps, the Rockefeller Monument, Cades Cove and Elkmont. Next time you're in the Smokies, you may want to check out one of these neat, educational and fun sites to learn more about the Smoky Mountains!
Great Smoky Mountains Association has just published and released its newest book, Smoky Mountain Magic, a novel by Horace Kephart. Although completed in 1929, just 2 years before his death, the novel was never published until now.
The unpublished manuscript for Smoky Mountain Magic was handed down within the Kephart family until it was finally brought to the attention of park superintendent by the author's great-granddaughter, at one of this year's 75th Anniversary celebrations.
Smoky Mountain Magic's fictional story takes place during the summer of 1925, mostly along the Deep Creek watershed in the Great Smoky Mountains. Characters include a mysterious stranger, a greedy land baron, a cadre of mountain folk ranging in constitution from stalwart to conniving, a beautiful botanist, a Cherokee chief and a witch. The novel fits the adventure story genre of the day with a bit of romance interwoven.
The 248 page Smoky Mountain Magic is now available in both paperback ($12.95) and hard cover ($19.95). All proceeds are being donated to the Horace Kephart Foundation (in support of the annual Horace Kephart Days Celebration in Bryson City), Great Smoky Mountains Association and Friends of the Smokies.
The novel is available at park visitor centers, area bookstores, and by contacting GSMA at www.SmokiesInformation.org or , ext. 226.
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies will host "Thrill The World," a worldwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous dance with Michael Jackson's Thriller on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8:30 p.m. Thousands of people in cities around the world will learn the Thriller dance and perform it on October 24, 2009. Thriller Dance workshops will be taught at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies each Tuesday in October at 6 p.m., or you can learn the dance free online. For more information or to request a free video of the Thriller dance call 325-9151 or email.
Unfortunately Park officials have recently announced that next year they will be closing the 11-mile Cades Cove loop for about 3 months. The road will be closed to all traffic from March 1 through May 21. And bad weather could extend the project. This road work is in effort to pave the eroded pull offs which will overall improve traffic flow, so visitors will be able to pull over to view the wildlife.
The Cades Cove campground, campground store, picnic area and horseback riding stable will remain open. Access to trails, however, will be impacted, including Abrams Falls, Cooper Road Trail, Gregory Bald and the Hannah Mountain Trail.
It has cooled off tremendously here in the Smokies over the weekend. We are seeing more and more of the changing leaves all across Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains. A lot of reds and oranges have popped out over the past week and there is still plenty more to come! If you are planning on visiting the Pigeon Forge area over this fall season, it is still not too late to come! The leaves will still be beautiful throughout October into November, the perfect time to get cozy with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy the Smoky Mountains, so plan that fall weekend getaway today!
As Pigeon Forge prepares for their annual Winterfest festivites, they will add a very exciting twist to this year's kickoff. The Duggars, stars of TLC's "18 Kids and Counting", will visit Pigeon Forge to flip the switch to turn on all the lights at the November 5 kickoff. This year marks the 20th year of the Pigeon Forge Winterfest Celebration which makes it even more significant that this family of 20 will be celebrating it with us!
The fall season is beautiful in the Smokies! Although we are not quite to the peak fall colors, we are quickly approaching! Most predict the peak time to be at the end of October, but anytime from now until into November you will find beautiful fall colors in the mountains. Since the higher elevations are changing now you might want to take a hike to get a great view of the mountains in this fall transition. If you're not much of a hiker, take a trip up to Clingmans Dome, which is only a half-mile walk and get a great view from the highest point in the Smokies without the hike!
October 9th and October 24, Cades Cove will host two free one hour musical performances, featuring Paul Grace and the Boogertown Gap band. The music will begin at 8:00 p.m. on the 9th and 24th, at the Cades Cove campground amphitheater.
Paul Grace, who will be playing on the 9th, is a folk musician who has been performing for more than 25 years. The Boogertown Gap band, who perform on the 24th, specialize in traditional songs and tunes played on stringed instruments. They are a husband and wife duo and are known to share the music and stories of their ancestors and descendants of the Southern Appalachians.
Former President Bush will be in Sevier County this week to speak at a Christian Convention. He will be at the Sevierville Events Center as a guest speaker for the "Celebrate America!" day in the Celebrators conference, which is said to the "the leading Christian conference for older adults and mature believers." This event has been sold out for months and will be closed for media.
Bush was scheduled to visit the Smokies on Earth Day in 2005, but due to inclement weather he was unable to make it, so this will be Sevier County's first appearance by George W. Bush.
It is definitely starting to feel like fall here in the Smokies! With the cooler temperatures setting in and the days becoming shorter, the leaves are starting to turn those beautiful fall colors we all love! The lower elevations are still pretty green, but up in the higher elevations you can see the early colors coming out. It will still be a couple weeks before the peak colors here in the Smokies, but we can tell now that it won't be too long! To get a better look at these wonderful fall colors, try taking a hike in the Smokies. The Chimney Tops trail is a fun 4 mile round trip that takes you high up in the Smokies with a breathtaking 360-degree view!
Saturday, October 10, Cades Cove will be hosting a two-hour stargazing program beginning at 7:30 p.m. as long as the weather cooperates. This event is being held in cooperation with the Smoky Mountain Astronomical Society, where experienced astronomers with telescopes will be available to point out the position of the stars, galaxies, and constellations. If you are interested in attending it is suggested that you park near the exhibit shelter at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road where a ranger will then escort a group to the nearby field. Those planning to attend should dress warmly and bring a flashlight, blanket or chair to sit on, and binoculars if you have any. If you have any further questions don't hesitate to call 865-448-4104.
