Shocktober in Gatlinburg Begins Tomorrow!

Witness mentalist Bill Gladwell perform tricks with the mind that will you amazed and confounded at Gatlinburg’s Shocktober (Oct. 17-31).

If your idea of being scared has less to do with vampires and other things that go bump in the night, and is more about the tricks and deceptions a person’s mind can play on them, you’ll want to be in Gatlinburg tomorrow for the first showing of Shrieks and Mind Freaks as part of Shocktober in Gatlinburg. The show is put on by Bill Gladwell, one of the nation’s most talented mentalists. His mystical show, Shrieks and Mind Freaks, will take place at the Arcadia Theater October 17th through Halloween night (October 31).

Bill Gladwell has received numerous accolades over the years with his incredible mental abilities. This particular show has been hailed as one of best to come through Gatlinburg by a number of media outlets. Gladwell demonstrates his abilities through two completely different performances. If you choose to see Head Case, you’ll witness Gladwell’s hypnotic abilities combined with the power of suggestion and psychology. As with all famous hypnotists and magicians, Gladwell’s talents as a showman take the performance to new heights of thought and wonder with each show. Audience members will stand mouths agape as he pulls thoughts directly from their mind and completes what they’ve only begun to say.

In Gladwell’s Hypnotized performance, actual volunteer audience members – not paid performers, not audience plants, are picked to help deliver a thought-provoking, while humorous show. It’s a part family-friendly comedy show as audience members are convinced that they’re things like movie stars, dancers, or weight lifters in a competition. You’ll laugh in amazement as people are transformed mentally before your very eyes.

People know about these shows , but do you really know what Gladwell has in store for his Halloween performance? Hypnotism? Mind-reading? Maybe something even more mind blowing?

Only he knows the details, so it’s truly going to be a surprise. Especially for those who choose to volunteer. The one guarantee is that it will be an experience you’ll never forget. So be sure to check out Shrieks and Mind Freaks in Gatlinburg! Shocktober 17-31 at the Arcadia Theater in Gatlinburg.

Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights

Gatlinburg’s Trolley Ride of Lights tour takes visitors on a guided tour of the old town’s lighted Christmas displays.

Information on this page refers to the 2012 event.

Start out the holiday season on the right foot and enjoy Gatlinburg’s lighting spectacular with a fun tour through town. Gatlinburg’s Trolley Ride of Lights is the perfect way to jump start the holidays and really take in the old town’s Christmas magic.

With the holiday season really kicking into gear, trolley rides will continue through the month of January, departing at 6:30 p.m. each Saturday (except on December 2, 24 & 25) at the mass transit/trolley center at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies with additional tours at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and be sure to call 865-436-0535 for reservations.

The Trolley Ride of Lights is a chance to soak up every last bit of Gatlinburg’s holiday spirit as the trolley winds its way through streets decorated with garlands, wreaths and the occasional elf. The 45-minute tour is completely narrated so that no one will miss that oh so elusive display just around the corner, or the place you keep meaning to drive by, but have simply forgotten.

Cruise along Gatlinburg’s River Road taking in the one-of-a-kind LED lighting display. This latest lighting endeavor has a price tag of $1.6 million. You’ll notice newly-designed sections reminiscent of evergreens, winter forests, and romance. Bright lighting displays will align Hwy. 321 as well.

The whole lighting program itself was updated just a few short years ago to quarter-watt LED bulbs, replacing the 5-watt incandescent bulbs the program used to run on. This update saved the town nearly 95 percent in energy costs. It also allowed Gatlinburg to run the program for 120 days on what would have only covered 3.

Like in years past, you’ll pass by displays featuring Smoky Mountain creatures like deer, squirrels, foxes, and rabbits. You’ll also notice that many older displays that you might recognize as a child over the past 23 years have been updated as well. LED lighting now adorns Gatlinburg’s snowmen, dancing fountains, and a shiny rocking.

So don’t miss the trolley ride of lights, and make sure you’re waiting at Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza Saturday night at 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 p.m. and enjoy the lights!

Reservations are encouraged as the ride typically sells out.

For additional holiday events check out Gatlinburg’s Calendar of Events for a complete list of Christmas festivals and additional things do around Gatlinburg during the holidays, as well as Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas in Pigeon Forge.

Gatlinburg’s Trick or Treat Carnival

Gatlinburg’s Trick or Treat carnival takes place on Halloween at Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza at 12 noon.

For those of you with small children who still want them to experience all the fun and frivolity of Halloween, Gatlinburg has the perfect event planned for you. Their 5th Annual Trick or Treat Kickoff Carnival is slated to be held on Wednesday, October 31 from noon to 5 p.m. at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. It’s fun for kids of all ages. There will be contests, inflatables including a bounce house, games, costumed characters, food vendors and lots of CANDY! If it’s anything like in years past, it will be a memorable, fun night for the kids and you as well.

Gatlinburg started its Trick or Treat Carnival five years ago because there a number of things Halloween-related that may be a little too frightening for the town’s younger residents. Therefore, something that eventually became  the Trick or Treat Kickoff Carnival would be a great option for the younger crowd. When kids get to the Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza Halloween afternoon, local businesses will be handing out candy and gifts in order to get the day started out right. There will be a number of costume contests, games and prizes, for everyone. So come dressed in your favorite get-up, costume, whatever.

This fantastic family Halloween day event is not just for the locals, any visiting children and their parents who want to take part in the fun are more than welcome to come participate in the contests, play in the inflatables, fill their bags with candy as well as participate in a pumpkin contest.

Trick or treat safety tips will be provided by the Gatlinburg Police Department and the Gatlinburg Fire Department will offer information on fire safety during the event, which attracted more than 1,200 children last year.

Proceeds from some activities will benefit the United Way of Sevier County. To volunteer or for more information, contact Chuck Winstead at 654-0766.

Gatlinburg City Parks

Gatlinburg has 3 city parks with pavilions, sports fields, restrooms, fishing streams, and other various outdoor amenities.

What? You thought the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the only park in Gatlinburg? Well, you’d be surprised how many people actually believe that to be true. In reality, Gatlinburg is home to three large city parks that get quite a bit of traffic.

Whether it be kids playing on the playground, a game of football, or maybe a large church group, Gatlinburg’s parks have a number of uses. Each city park has a covered pavilion which large groups, families planning a reunion, and church groups can reserve for outings. Each of the covered pavilions are FREE to Gatlinburg residents to for such gatherings.

For those who live outside of the Gatlinburg city limits who wish to reserve a pavilion, there is a fee. At Mynatt and Mills Park, it’s $25 for up to 4 hours of pavilion usage, usage over 4 hours is $35. At Herbert Holt Park, up to 4 hours of usage is $35, and over 4 hours is $45. Anyone interested in reserving a pavilion can call the Gatlinburg Recreation Department at (865) 436-4990. Fees must be paid prior to using the facility.

Herbert Holt Park (right)
Herbert Holt Park is located just off the Parkway on Pigeon River Road in Gatlinburg and include:

    • Children’s fishing stream
    • Handicap access fishing pier
    • Covered pavilion
    • Picnic tables
    • Playground area
    • Horseshoe pits
    • Walking trails
    • Sinks & grills


Mynatt Park
Mynatt Park is located on Asbury Lane and includes such amenities as:

    • Children’s fishing stream
    • Tennis courts
    • Covered pavilion
    • Baseball field
    • Basketball court
    • Playground area
    • Horseshoe pits
    • Picnic tables
    • Grills
    • Restrooms


Mills Park (right)
Mills Park is on Mills Park Road just off Hwy 321 in Gatlinburg with:

    • A 9 hole Disc Golf course
    • 400-meter track
    • Skate park
    • Football field
    • Softball field
    • Basketball court
    • Jogging trail
    • Covered pavilion
    • Playground area
    • Picnic tables
    • Horseshoe pits
    • Sinks & grills
    • Restrooms

Hazzard Run

The Hazzard Run takes place this weekend in Gatlinburg and features many General Lee 1969 Chargers as they make their way from Nashville to Gatlinburg.

Are you a Dukes of Hazzard fan and love checking out old ’69 Chargers decked out like the original General Lee? No? Well, that’s a shame. But if you do love everything those Duke boys have come to stand for, you’re going to want to be in Gatlinburg this weekend for the finish of the annual Hazzard Run.

What is the Hazzard Run you ask? Friday, October 12, a convoy of orange 1969 “General Lee” Dodge Chargers as well as other “Hazzard County” vehicles will pull out of Nashville and make their way to Cooter’s Place in Gatlinburg, Tn for the annual Hazzard Run. IF you aren’t going all the way to Nashville on Friday for the Run’s start, be downtown at 3:30 p.m. Saturday as the convoy makes its way down the Parkway in Gatlinburg. Following the parade, the Hazzard cars will be on display at Cooter’s Place in Gatlinburg for the rest of the weekend.

You’ll also get a chance to meet Cooter himself after the parade. Actor Ben “Cooter” Jones and actor Rick “Cletus” Hurst will signing autographs and kissing babies at Cooter’s Place in Gatlinburg as well as on Sunday, October 14 at the same location.

“The General Lee is the most famous car on the planet,” Jones said. “And there are hundreds of them throughout America. I love getting together with the car owners to cruise along some of our country’s beautiful roads. We have a ball and really turn some heads!”

Cooter’s Place in the Smokies is located in Gatlinburg, TN and owned by Jones and his wife, Alma Viator. After starring as “Cooter” in the Dukes of Hazzard, Jones served two terms in Congress as a U.S. Representative. He now resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The couple also own Cooter’s Place in Nashville. Both attractions are filled with memorabilia from the ever-popular TV series The Dukes of Hazzard.

For more information on Cooter’s annual Hazzard Run visit www.CootersPlace.com or call the Gatlinburg location at 865-430-9909.

Christmas on Ice at Ober Gatlinburg

Christmas on Ice at Ober Gatlinburg is an annual traditional and features a number of local skaters performing Christmas routines.

If it’s one thing this town knows how to do, it’s put on a spectacular Christmas show. Head up to Ober Gatlinburg this year for one of the best. Christmas On Ice is one of Gatlinburg’s most colorful and spectacular shows of the holiday season and has scheduled performances for Saturday and Sunday, December 1 – 2, and it’s FREE!

Gatlinburg’s annual Christmas on Ice show at Ober Gatlinburg’s ice skating arena features local amateur ice skaters performing skating routines to traditional Christmas music, choreographed by Ober rink instructor Devon Harman. This year, the Saturday night show time is at 7 pm. For those of you who come to the Sunday performance, that show starts at 5 pm.

Ober Gatlinburg’s indoor ice skating arena is the centerpiece of Ober’s 62,000 square foot upper tram terminal and mall. The ice skating arena, crafts market, scenic chairlift, alpine slide, and aerial tramway are all open year round. Ober Gatlinburg’s Amusement park is filled with fun events, rides, and happenings that the whole family can enjoy! We’re not only talking about the indoor ice arena and scenic chairlift, but also attractions like the alpine slide. You’ll also find an arcade, bumper cars, a pirate ship, bungee jumping, a Velcro jump wall, a shooting range, and mini golfing at the facility. You could spend a week there this fall and never have to do the same thing twice.

In addition, the Municipal Black Bear Habitat with live black bears is open spring through fall months. Snow skiing and snowboarding begins in December, weather permitting, and goes through mid-March.

Ober Gatlinburg Ice Rink
1339 Ski Mountain Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-5423

All Sauced Up

All Sauced Up in Gatlinburg has everything you need for your kitchen from spices and sauces to kitchenware and utensils.

Looking for that hard-to-find spice, or just some kind of new sauce to get your grill going this fall, head on over to All Sauced Up in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and let them help you spice up your next meal.

Established in 2008, All Sauced Up specializes in sauces and spices, kitchen gadgets, gourmet food, and Smoky Mountain hospitality. The store boasts over 4,000 unique items, and families are welcome to come in, browse, and stay as long as they want. It’s really fun looking through all the kitchen and cooking nick-knacks, and thinking about everything you could cook with them.

As far as sauces go, All Sauced Up offers samples of BBQ sauces, salsa’s, syrups, jams and jellies, salad dressings, olives, pickles, bean dip, gourmet peanut butter and so much more. All Sauced Up offers up over 150 samples daily. So you’re gonna get a chance to try it before you buy it. Wondering what you’ll be trying it with? The store offers so much in way of chips, nuts, and popcorn, you’ll never be searching for ways to make use of the number of delicious dips, jellies, and sauces.

When it comes to the all the things you can purchase to better equip your kitchen, the staff at All Sauced Up is happy to demonstrate the newest in kitchen accessories so that you’re sure whatever you purchase will work in your kitchen. From “how-to” and cookbooks to cookie cutters, cutlery, mugs, stemware and utensils, you’ll find it in the mercantile store.

All Sauced Up is a one-of-a-kind cooking store in Gatlinburg, Tn. For all your Smoky Mountain grilling, cooking, and kitchen needs, add some flavor to your next meal by shopping at All Sauced Up. Your taste buds will thank you.

All Sauced Up
646 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-7700

The Nantahala Outdoor Center in Gatlinburg, TN

The Nantahala Outdoor Center, one of the outdoor retail industry’s leading companies specializing in whitewater rafting in 7 of the south’s best rivers.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center, one of the outdoor retail industry’s leading companies, has made a name for itself in Gatlinburg, TN over the past two years as THE go-to place for outdoor adventure, shopping, and guidance in the Smokies. Headquartered in Bryson City, NC, the Nantahala has a history dating back almost 40 years. They are recognized as a leader in the whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing industry.

The Great Outpost in Gatlinburg is located in a beautifully renovated 18,000 square foot building that originally housed the Open Hearth Restaurant. The Nantahala Outdoor Center began renovation on the 30-year-old stone building in 2009 with improvements taking place on the inside and outside of the building. Crews even used recycled materials for many of the building’s renovations during construction. In keeping with good environmental practices, the Great Outpost has been registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for its green building practices.

The Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Great Outpost carries a diverse selection of name-brand outdoor gear and apparel, including items for biking, camping, climbing, fishing, hiking, paddling, and snow sports. There are also interactive stations for children, including a rope climbing station and an adventure cave located inside the building.

In all, the NOC provides for whitewater rafting guidance on 7 southern rivers, paddling instruction, shopping for apparel as well as souvenirs, a river rescue and wilderness medicine leadership institute, customizable group adventure trips, additional guided activities including biking and fly fishing, bike rentals, lodging, and numerous festivals and events surrounding the seasons.

Over the years, their facility has been recognized by numerous national and world organizations including The New York Times and National Geographic. That said, the staff at NOC continues to strive to serve the people who seek to lead a fuller, more adventurous life.

Known primarily for their expertise in whitewater rafting, paddling, etc, the Nantahala Guides has nearly 40 years of experience leading adventure trips down the Chattooga River, Cheoah River, French Broad River, Nantahala River, Nolichucky River, Ocoee River, and Pigeon River.

For the entire month of October, celebrate NOCtoberfest with a month-long series of events geared to embrace the variety of the season. At Rivers End Restaurant in Bryson City, stop by and enjoy some of the finest in German fare as well as an adult beverage selection including Spaten Octoberfest, Gaffel, Franziskaner, and hot mulled wine. Other NOCtober events will include The Great Pumpkin Pursuit, face painting, a costume contest, live music, and the Fall River Cleanup Community Service Project. So, visit the store in Gatlinburg, then hop on over for some fall fun in Bryson City this weekend.

The NOC facility is located at light No. 10 in Gatlinburg, right at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Coffee & Company

Coffee & Company is a great little coffee house in the Village Shops in Gatlinburg. Choose from over 50 different coffee varieties.

Tired of the whole Starbucks scene? Want a place with over 20 years of experience in brewing the finest cup from locales the world over? Make a note to stop by Coffee & Company next time you’re in downtown Gatlinburg and enjoy coffee from some of the finest growing regions including Africa, Costa Rica, and Panama.

There’s just something to be said for that first cup of coffee in the morning…. And what better way to get your morning started than a stroll down to the Village Shops in Gatlinburg for a cup at Coffee & Company. What looks like a quaint little store is anything but. Choose from an array of coffees, over 50 varieties, and buy a cup or pick out a bag of your favorite beans for consumption at home. Flavors like Black Bear Blend, Guatemala Antiqua, Le Conte View, and Smoky Mountain Mist highlight the shop’s straight blend category. They also have a number of flavored coffees like Almond Joy and Chocolate Truffle as well as seasonal favorites like pumpkin spice, Kentucky bourbon, and blueberry crumble to name a few. Vermont Maple, which is back, is a personal seasonal favorite for us.

Being that Coffee & Company is located in the Village in downtown Gatlinburg, there is plenty of outdoor seating. You might also stop by if you get a our cupcake or muffin craving, to go along with your gourmet fresh roasted coffee.

The purveyors of Coffee & Company, describe their brewing business as a small batch coffee roasting house, thus ensuring that each customer gets the freshest and highest quality coffee around. Currently, 12 ounce bags of straight and blended coffee are now $10.99, exotic straights & blends are $11.99, and all flavored & decaf coffee is $11.99 per bag.

Can’t make it back to Gatlinburg for a cup or bag? Visit Coffee & Company’s web site and place an order online and have their coffee shipped to you via secure order form here.

Coffee & Company at The Village
634 Parkway #13
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-3650

Arrowmont

Arrowmont school of arts and crafts is one of Gatlinburg’s treasured institutes. Arrowmont celebrates 100 years in the art world this year.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg is a national center for art education. It’s for anyone who wants to take advantage of its tools and step up their art education. In all, Arrowmont offers one- and two-week courses for the beginner to advanced artist. All workshops are taught by national and international studio artists and university faculty – each with years of experience to lean on.

Arrowmont is located on a 14-acre residential campus in Gatlinburg, TN. For residents of the Gatlinburg community, Arrowmont offers a series of weekly classes. These classes and workshops include instructional courses in books, ceramics, drawing, fiber, metals/jewelry, mixed media, painting, paper, photography, warm glass, wood-turning, and woodworking.

Come by and visit Arrowmont’s campus whenever you would like, they’re open year round. Peruse artwork by artists the world over in Arrowmont’s five galleries. These galleries are continuously changing exhibits and evening presentations are the norm most weeks. In terms of research and study, the Marian Heard Library and Resource Center includes print and electronic materials and work is always on display from Arrowmont’s permanent collection. Art supplies and tools for students can be purchased on campus at the Artist Outfitters Store as well.

Arrowmont’s Artists-in-Residence Program provides for five early-career artists during a year-long residency. Continued programs of study and various community talks bring artists, art educators, and others to Arrowmont’s studios where they discuss and critique issues and trends in the art field.

Area schools have benefited greatly from Arrowmont over the years. A program called ArtReach, a partnership with Sevier County Schools, gives 1,000 students from grades 4-12, an in-depth, full day art workshop at Arrowmont each year.

This year, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts marked its 100th birthday as an art education center. While Arrowmont’s formative years were based on a general education curriculum in a settlement school setting, mountain handicrafts soon found their way to the school’s halls. This came about in order to preserve the skills and livelihood for residents who lived in a more agricultural environment at the time. Arrowmont’s signature summer workshop program was launched in 1945 and the school welcomed people from all over the country who were interested in furthering their art education against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. Today, more than 130 classes in contemporary art and crafts are offered throughout the center’s seasonal sessions.

Arrowmont operates Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Hours expand to seven days a week during the spring, summer and fall workshops programs. During winter classes, the galleries, resource center and the book/supply store are also open extended hours.

Arrowmont Map