Author: gatlinburg insider

The Smoky Mountains region is slowly becoming quite the wine-lover’s paradise with all the specialty wineries popping up throughout the Smokies. That’s partial reason for Gatlinburg’s latest initiative: the Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Winefest, taking place Saturday, April 27 from 1-6 pm on the plaza at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

At the winefest, guests can sample wines from local Tennessee wineries along with small dish fare from some of the top Smoky Mountain restaurants. Not only will you hear from some of the most knowledgeable area wine connoisseurs, you’ll also witness food pairing demonstrations in the aquarium’s Jules Verne Room.

Over the years Gatlinburg, TN has come to be known for many things – a multitude of family attractions, skiing Ober Gatlinburg, for the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, a thriving arts and crafts community, and for the town’s growing wine tastes. In fact, Gatlinburg is home to three very different wineries: the Smoky Mountain Winery, Sugarland Cellars and Bootleggers Homemade Wine.

Located on Cherry Street in Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountain Winery is East Tennessee’s oldest producer of premium wines, including the very popular Blackberry wine. Stop by Winery Square and try a sample in their tasting room while you’re in town!

Meanwhile, Sugarland Cellars is located near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You’ll find wine-related gifts in the store’s gift shop, as well as their handcrafted wines that are produced on site. Some of their most popular wines include sweet, semi-sweet and dry wines. Like the Smoky Mountain Winery, Sugarland Cellars also offers tours and free samples.

The newest wine locale, Bootleggers Homemade Wine,  is an offshoot of the Olde Smoky Moonshine Distillery also located downtown right off the Parkway. Bootleggers Homemade Wine only uses all-natural ingredients in order to create their unique wine. Their wine is made in small batches, from local fruit, following the very same recipes that have been used in the East Tennessee Mountains for generations. Here, wine bottled by hand, which means no machinery or other complicated equipment. Popular wines include Blackberry, Scuppernong, Muscadine Blush, Peach, Strawberry and Redneck Reserve.

For all those nature-lovers out there, Spring is always the best part of the year. And with everything in full bloom, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the Smokies’ natural offerings.

From April 23-27, Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountain Association will present their 63rd annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. Weekend gardeners to more serious botanists can come learn from some of the nation’s leading botanical experts as well as Appalachian wildlife authorities.

“It is a rare opportunity for those with a personal love of flowers to have the same access to leaders in the field as researchers,” said Ken McFarland, University of Tennessee professor and botanist. “With seminars and intimate guided tours, each participant will expand his or her skills and knowledge of the unmatched flora and fauna of the Smokies.”

Since 1951, the Wildflower Pilgrimage offers over 150 programs including an array of guided hiking tours and instructional walks tailored to meet individual ability, along with demonstrations and guest lecturers educated in the local fauna. These tours showcase the abundant varieties of wildflowers, ferns, plants, trees, mosses and shrubs, as well as birds, amphibians and reptiles – all native species in the Great Smoky Mountains.

While most classes take place in a more natural setting amongst the Smokies, a number of educational classroom sessions take place in the W.L. Mills Conference Center in downtown Gatlinburg.

“The Wildflower Pilgrimage is always an exciting time in our town,” said Dave Perella, executive director of the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism. “The Convention Center is transformed into a hub of learning and celebration of the Great Smoky Mountain’s natural botanical beauty. We look forward to the Pilgrimage each year.

Educational programs and entertainment in the evenings will round out the week’s events in Gatlinburg and the Smokies. Each is sponsored by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and GSMA, the City of Gatlinburg, Friends of the Smokies, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, the University of Tennessee Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society and the Gatlinburg Garden Club.

Contact Info: 865-436-7318
Toll-Free: 800-568-4178

Strap on your racing shoes and get ready to run for a great cause in Gatlinburg later this month! It’s the Earth Day 5K in Gatlinburg presented by Hilton Garden Inn!

The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation is celebrating Earth Week this year by offering an Earth Day 5K Run/Walk throughout town. Funds raised will benefit the Chamber Foundation’s initiatives in education and their green program.

The Earth Day 5K is a United States of America Track & Field sanctioned event complete with time chips, prizes and much more! ANyone interested can register early to guarantee their shirt size.

Runners register here http://www.imathlete.com/events/EarthDay5KGatlinburgTN?z=1363006292183

Friday, April 26, 2013
Race begins and ends at NOC Gatlinburg, 1138 Parkway
Registration begins at 9 pm.
Race begins at 10 pm.

Early Bird Registration: $20 (until April 12)
Regular Registration: $25 (April 13-25)
Race Day Registration: $30 (Register at event on April 26)
Student/Youth: $15 (17 & under or High School Student)
Family Rate: For each parent, a child 12 or under is free.  Call for more information.

There will be awards given for the best overall male and female in each category, as well as the overall group winner. The various age categories are: 12 & under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 and over.

For more information, contact Jennifer Burke at the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau (865) 436-0505 or email jennifer@gatlinburg.com

There is really no place like Gatlinburg – surrounded by the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, to celebrate Earth Day with Earth Week 2013! With events including a 5K, the entire family will be able to enjoy the offering of the old town while learning about local conservation practices. Music, activities and games, craft stations, food and more will be ongoing throughout the week!

Schedule of Events

Sunday, April 21
Go Green Disc Golf Tournament
Registration begins at 12:30 at the pavilion at Mills Park; $20 for adults, $15 for children. Registration includes a 2013 Earth Week T-shirt. Winners will receive Innova discs donated by NOC Gatlinburg.  The awards ceremony will be held at 4:30 pm.

Monday, April 22
Gatlinburg Goes Green Breakfast Seminar at Hilton Garden Inn

Tuesday, April 23
Get a hands-on experience at the Spur Clean Up on Tuesday, April 23.  Earth Week is partnering with Keep Sevier Beautiful to pick up trash along a stretch of the National Park between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, known as The Spur.  To participate, bring a pair of gloves and meet at Gatlinburg’s Spur Welcome Center at 9:00 am.

April 23-27
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
The Great Smoky Mountain Association is hosting the 63rd Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage April 23-27.  Attend one or more of the 150 programs including instructional walks and tours, demonstrations and guest lectures.

Wednesday, April 24
Wildflower Pilgrimage Welcome Luncheon
Presented by the Gatlinburg Garden Club featuring “Cherokee Plant Lore,” with Ila Hatter
W.L. Mills Conference Center $25 per person
For tickets & information, Call  Pat Willoughby 865-397-7355 or Juanita King 865-453-6101 ext 481 or cell 865-654-4393.

Thursday, April 25
Earth Day Festival at Mynatt Park
Live entertainment provided by Tuatha Dea and Boogertown Gap.  Food will be for sale from the Cabin Café.  Ben and Jerry’s will be selling ice cream.  Several exhibitors will be on-site including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Discover Life in America, Keep Sevier Beautiful, Sevier County Humane Society, NOC Gatlinburg, the Gatlinburg Farmers Market and more!  Families are encouraged to come enjoy the free crafts and activities offered.  Earth Week t-shirts featuring the art work of a local student will be for sale at the festival.

Friday, April 26
Shred Day
10 am – 3 pm at Anna Porter Library.  $5 per box – proceeds to benefit the library’s new book fund.  Certificates of destruction will be provided.

Earth Day 5K Run/Walk in downtown Gatlinburg
Runners and walkers are invited to celebrate Earth Week by participating in the Second Annual Earth Day 5K Run/Walk in beautiful downtown Gatlinburg. The night race is scheduled on Friday, April 26, 2013 at 10:00pm. Athletes of all ages are welcome to participate in this USA Track and Field sanctioned event.  Early registration is encouraged to guarantee your shirt size! Race night registration begins at 9:00pm at Nantahala Outdoor Center. Race starts at 10:00 pm.
Race Cost:
Student/Youth: $15
Advanced (before April 12): $20
Regular (April 13-25): $25
Day-of: $30

Saturday, April 27
Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Winefest
Saturday April 27, 1- 6 pm on the Plaza at Ripley’s Aquarium
16 wineries from all over Tennessee will each serve samples of their various labels.  Visitors age 21 and older will purchase a ticket to the festival for $20 and receive a wristband for sampling and a signature wine glass.  The first 1,000 couples at the festival will receive a free 6-pocket wine bag.

Participating wineries are: Grinder’s Switch Winery, Keg Springs Winery, Beachaven Winery, The Grape Barn at Nolichucky, Spout Spring Estates, Blue Slip Winery, Sumner Crest Winery, Beans Creek Winery, Tennessee Valley Winery, Mountain Valley Winery, Delmonaco Winery, Stonhaus Winery, Amber Falls Winery, Sugarland Cellars, Eagle Springs Winery, and Bootleggers Winery.

Enjoy presentations on wine making, wine pairing and more. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Gatlinburg Hospitality Association Scholarship Fund and Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts.

Discover Life in America Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball
7-10 pm at Gatlinburg Convention Center
Live music with the Johnson Swingtet
Tickets $75 for adults, $50 for Wildflower Pilgrimage participants, Children 12 & under free

Sunday, April 28
Children’s Planting Program
Sunday at 1:00 pm at Mills Park Pavilion
Children are invited for storytime and seed planting activity. This event is sponsored by Keep Sevier Beautiful.

If you enjoy good food – especially Mexican food, as well as fun and frivolity, then you won’t want to miss this year’s Food Ministry Fiesta in Gatlinburg.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies will again play host to the event on April 18. There’s not a better place in all of Gatlinburg to hold such a fantastic culinary event as the 3rd annual Food Ministry Fiesta than Ripley’s Aquarium. It’ll be a night of Mexican food, tasty beverages, and great conversation, and of course some incredible live Mexican music performed by some of the most talented artists in the Smokies.

Not only is this a night of food and fun, it’s a very worth while cause. All proceeds from the Food Ministry Fiesta go to benefit the Sevier County Food Ministries “Growing with Grace” Building Fund, a local non-profit. Just bring your family, bring your friends, and bring everyone you can to this can’t-miss event, and you can have fun while helping the world at the same time. Adult tickets are 2 for $75 or $50 each, while children age 3-11 may attend for $10. So RSVP to the Sevier County Food Ministries as soon as you can.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out all the other amazing things that Gatlinburg offers, such as the beautiful scenery, incredible culture, and wonderful community! From delicious food, to the beautiful mountain fauna, to the wonderful architecture, there is something for everyone, including this fun fiesta for all! Everything about Gatlinburg, Tennessee is as good as it gets; trust us. You are sure to be impressed! See you at the Food Ministry Fiesta later this month!

The Sixth Annual, 26.2 mile, Mountain Man Memorial March is a tribute to the men and women that serve in our country’s armed forces. This event honors First Lieutenant Frank Walkup, a UT Alumnus who was killed in Iraq in 2007 while serving our country. This event is inspired by the Bataan Memorial Death March that is staged in White Sands, NM each year. The University of Tennessee Army ROTC started the event to show its admiration and appreciation of our armed services while walking a mile, 26.2 of them in this case, in their boots. Thus the motto of the event, “Honor through actions.”

The march will begin at 9am Saturday, April 20 in downtown Gatlinburg in front of the Hard Rock Cafe and proceed up Highway 321 toward Pittman Center. Opening ceremonies commence at 8:30am.

The course ranges from highway to rural roads from rugged terrain to mountain slopes. There are three entry categories:military heavy, military light and civilian. The entry fee is $50 per person or $200 per five-person team.The entry fee covers a light breakfast, snack food and water along the route at any of the 12 water points, T-shirt, BBQ meal at the finish line and custom-made awards from the Gatlinburg area. Proceeds from the event go to the Ranger Company, devised in 1962, to provide better training for Cadets who may be deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.A portion of the events will go toward the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund in the name of First Lieutenant Walkup.

Frank B. Walkup IV followed in his father’s footsteps and chose the army for service to his country. First Lieutenant Walkup was raised in Woodbury, TN and attended the University of Tennessee. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry. Frank graduated from Airborne, Air Assault & Ranger School and was assigned to the 25^th Infantry Division in Hawaii. Summer of 2006 saw Frank deployed to Iraq as a platoon leader. On June 16^th, 2007 he was killed in Rashaad, Iraq by an IED. Frank was survived by his family and his college sweetheart Sabita Walkup.

Come out, support the troops and give to a good cause. It is very rare that you get to see a marathon in the Smokies. It is even rarer to see it done military style with 35 pound packs.

For more information visit www.mountainmanmemorialmarch.com or call (865) 974-5371.

It’s not the World Series of Poker, but it’s close enough…. For the Smoky Mountains that is.

Every spring for seven days in Gatlinburg (April 15-21) people from all across the country descend on this small, Smoky Mountain town for the bridge tournament to end all bridge tournaments – the Smoky Mountain Regional Bridge Tournament. For around 4,000 card-playing enthusiasts, Gatlinburg is the bridge capitol of the world. Officially, it’s titled the Smoky Mountain Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference Regional and it’s simply the largest regional bridge tournament in the United States. It’s a tournament that has been going on for over 40 years now.

Not only do people from all over the United States come to Gatlinburg to battle it out at the bridge table, players from England, Poland, Germany, France, Denmark, and even Japan pull up a chair in Gatlinburg to compete against the best in bridge.

Starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until 2 a.m., people who wake early and those who burn the midnight oil can play almost around the clock. During the course of the tournament there will be over 9,500 tables in play and 1,000 card tables anticipated. All types of bridge will be in play during the tournament – KO’s, BAM’s, Open Pairs, 299er events, Gold Point events, Swiss Teams.

If you are coming in for the tournament, make sure you take some time to explore Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg is one of the most sought-out vacation destinations in the U.S. and serves as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee side. Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains area annually hosts 10 million visitors and ranks first in the Eastern United States and second in the nation in number of weddings performed each year.