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.