Gatlinburg Event Brings Southern Flavors to 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!
No Smoky Mountain cookbook would be complete without a few chapters on beans and cornbread. This simple but delicious meal is a stable of Appalachian cuisine. In May, the city of Gatlinburg will celebrate this down home favorite with a brand new festival: the Gatlinburg Beans ‘n Cornbread Blast! Read on to learn everything you need to know about this exciting Gatlinburg event.
When and Where
The Gatlinburg Beans ‘n Cornbread Blast will be held on May 8, 2014. Tents and booths will line the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg for this big bean cook-off. The festivities will last from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Best Beans
This festival sets out to answer an age old question: who has the best beans and cornbread in the Smokies? Guests at the Beans ‘n Cornbread Blast will discover the answer by sampling bowl after bowl of everyone’s favorite dish. Local venders will whip up their very best recipes as they try to win the popular vote and launch their cooking into the history books.
Entertainment
In addition to plenty of food, the Beans ‘n Cornbread Blast will also feature live music and games. In between bites, you’ll be clapping your hands and stomping your feet to the excellent bluegrass music planned for the event.
After chowing down on some cornbread, you can also play some cornhole. There will be an official Corn Hole Tournament to benefit the local Humane Society, so start practicing your bean bag tossing now!
Admission
For $15, guests will be able to sample all of the different beans and cornbread recipes while supplies last. To get tickets, visit the official event website.
Where to Stay
Bear Camp Cabins is just minutes away from this fantastic Gatlinburg event! With bubbly hot tubs, wireless internet, and fully furnished kitchens, our cabins have everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. Visit our Gatlinburg Cabins page to find the perfect place to stay for your next trip to the Smokies, or give us a call at 1-800-705-6346.
