4th of July In the Smokies!
It’s officially the season of hot apple cider, warm blankets, and pumpkin patches. It’s also the season for fall festivals, and the Smoky Mountain area is full of them!
Here are three festivals you can enjoy while on your Smoky Mountain vacation.
1. Dollywood Harvest Festival
If you love Dollywood and the fall season then you won’t want to miss this event! From early September to late October this annual celebration marks the best weather and some beautiful fall foliage in the Smokies. Stay late into the evening to see beautifully carved pumpkins, lit up and on display. During the day you’ll enjoy fall themed food, and colorful leaves all throughout the park.
2. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
In early to mid October the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair heads into full swing. Artisans from across the country gather to peddle their wares while musicians serenade the crowds. You’ll see everything from woodworking and pottery to handcrafted jewelry and leatherworkings. If you have an appreciation for handmade goods then this event is for you.
3. Wears Valley Fall Festival
The Wears Valley Fall Festival takes place in mid October and is a favorite event for locals. Come experience the hundreds of vendors, melodic live music, and incredible Southern cuisine. If you’re interested in a true rustic, Appalachian festival with plenty to do and see for the whole family, then this one is for you.
No matter the festival you choose you’ll need a place to stay. Choose from one of our many options at Bear Camp Cabin Rentals today!
Its soon to be the biggest day of the season. Like Christmas and New Years, the 4th of July comes earlier than later in the Summer and often is the peak moment of the season for lots of people, but it's practically always for good reason - especially here in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg!
In the two cities, we have a very traditional way of celebrating our country's independence - and by "traditional", that means we have been celebrating them the same way for a few decades and still look forward to them each year. They are indeed that much fun!
Starting in Gatlinburg, their 4th of July celebrations are spread across a 22-hour period and revolve around 3 activities:
- The First Independence Day Parade in the Nation
Starting the very MOMENT it turns the 4th of July at midnight in Gatlinburg, this Summer parade will fill the streets of downtown Gatlinburg with festivity and joy you won't see at this time of night on any other day of on the calendar. For an hour or more, patriotic floats and groups will go from traffic light #3 to traffic light #10 and get the 4th of July started off right!
- Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta
The following morning is another Gatlinburg Summer tradition where we race all manner of floatable objects down the river in Gatlinburg; starting from Christ in the Smokies on River Road and ending at Ripley's Aquarium. Trophies are awarded to winners in 1st, 2nd and 3rd categories, among others, and all proceeds benefit the Gatlinburg Chamber Foundation. The event begins at 10:00AM.
- The Fireworks
Yep, the main event itself! And they go off overhead downtown Gatlinburg at 10:00PM. The best viewing area will be between traffic lights #3 and #5.
You can see more on these events at CLICK HERE
And in Pigeon Forge, we keep the 4th of July events relegated to one municipal event, but it's a pretty good sized one that lasts all day - the ever famous Patriot Fest at Patriot Park. Patriot Park is our big, flat, riverside park at the Old Mill district and it is a PERFECT spot to hold a public all-day festival where visitors can expect to bring chairs, towels and picnic supplies as well as enjoy onsite amenities such as food vendors, children's fun area, water sprinkling area (because it will definitely get hot), inflatables and other potential surprises.
At the west end of the park, a large music stage is erected and we typically have professional entertainment performing throughout the day - Country, Bluegrass, Patriotic tribute music, the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus and more. Our headlining entertainment this year is singer-songwriter Craig Morgan.
Then between 9:45PM and 10:00PM, the fireworks you've been waiting for go off overhead for more than 15 minutes while a mix of patriotic music plays. A fitting end to a wonderful day!
You can see more information on the Patriot Festival
Please be aware that all events going on in relation to the 4th of July festivities WILL have a large amount of foot and road traffic and proper planning, scheduling and such will need to be enacted to enjoy the festivities to their fullest.
Enjoy!
