Inside Gatlinburg TN – Gatlinburg Coupons, Gatlinburg Lodging, Vacation Guides

The 14th annual Gatlinburg Fright Nights show is underway at Ripley’s Haunted Adventures again this year with “Voodoo 13” – a spine-chilling presentation dedicated to all things Voodoo over the course of the event’s 13 terror-filled nights!

“We are very excited about our Fright Nights this year,” said Suzanne DeSear, Haunted Adventures manager. Best known for its year-round haunted house, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure in Gatlinburg reaches the peak of fright no less during October as performances multiply and dark, scary surroundings play on your eyes, ears, feelings, and even smell.

“Due to the fact that there is so much you can do with the Halloween theme, the actors have requested that we change the show up every weekend,” said DeSear. “This gives people within driving distance the chance to see five different shows if they choose, but the best part is that we have added a twist to the show one weekend for those that have visited before.”

Fright Nights shows run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October and there is no extra charge. Shows start each night at 6:13 p.m. with a parade of characters much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Opened in 1999 by Ripley Entertainment on the site which was once the Grimsby & Streaper Casket Company, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is a year-round operating haunted house. The old casket factory itself was mysteriously left vacant during the early 1900s shortly after its residents started disappearing.  Until Ripley’s can decide a course of action for this Gatlinburg property, the tours of the facility will continue.

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure in Gatlinburg is but a handful of haunted houses in the U.S. that is open 365 days a year. Single admission tickets are $12.99 + tax for ages 12 and up and $7.99 + tax for ages 6-11. Multi-weekend tickets are available at a discount for the month of October only. No one under the age of 6 is allowed due to the graphic nature of the facility, and those under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian. For more information on Ripley’s Haunted Adventure – Voodoo 13, call (865) 430-9991.

What’s more fun than a glass of the best German lager set against the backdrop of men singing and dancing around in lederhosen. Not too much, which is why Ober Gatlinburg is continuing their annual Oktoberfest celebration this year (Sept. 28 – Nov. 4) with their usual complement of Bavarian fare, ales and music. All this and you don’t even have to be German to take in all the fun and frivolity put on by Ober.

Celebrate Gatlinburg-style as Ober Gatlinburg rings in the 201st anniversary of the popular festival held in Munich, Germany with special performances and offerings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of October.

Just like in previous years, Ober Gatlinburg will present the Bavarian Fun Makers Band, lederhosen and all, as they entertain guests with original German folk dances, oompah music, schuhplattling, yodels, and other various Bavarian tunes. For those whose mouth just starts to water at the very thought of German lagers and Bavarian food, seasonal Oktoberfest Biers will be on tap as we as a menu featuring traditional German bratwurst, sauerkraut, schnitzel, strudel, and pretzels.

In actuality, the first Oktoberfest held in Munich was not really a festival at all. It was a wedding celebration for Crown Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Bavaria on October 17, 1810. It was held on the Theresienwiese, a large meadow in Munich, and the gathering consisted of a horse race, various beer, food, music and dancing. Pretty much the same nowadays with the exception of a wedding and a horse race in most cases

Approximately 6 million people attend Oktoberfest anniversary celebrations every year, with most starting in late September and going throughout the month of October. Munich, Germany’s Oktoberfest has been going strong for 200 years with the exception of wartime years. Oktoberfests have continued to sprout up in the United States as more and more German immigrants have made their way to the U.S.

So plan on attending Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg in October, that’s easy. At least come by and ride the Aerial Tramway, or check out the Wildlife Encounter including the Municipal Black Bear Habitat and Birds of Prey Exhibit. There’s also an ice skating rink, Alpine Slide, scenic chairlift, three water raft rides, shops, restaurant and lounge on site. Ober’s winter activities include skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing.

For more information on Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg call 865-436-5423.

Come strap on the feedbag September 27 in Gatlinburg, TN. You can enjoy food from some of the top restaurants in town while contributing money to great cause. Held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, this is the 15th annual Gatlinburg Taste of Autumn event, and the money raised will go to the United Way of Sevier County. Great food and great fun is always on the table at the Taste of Autumn. With live entertainment and great fellowship this is an event that you want to make sure you attend.

Besides giving money to a great cause, the main draw is the food. Roughly 20 restaurants provide the food. And the food they provide is out of this world! Some of the vendors participating in past years include: All Sauced up, Blaine’s Restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Calhoun’s Restaurant, Charles Richard Resources, Cherokee Grill, Fox & Parrott Tavern, Gatlinburger, Guarino’s Italian, Hard Rock Café, Knoxville Coca-Cola, Nifty Fifties Café, No Way Jose’s, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Smoky Mountain Winery, Smoky’s Pub and Grub, The Lodge at Buckberry Creek, and Touch of Love Catering. Once you are inside, you can make unlimited trips to the different booths. There will be plenty of food and if you have ever wanted to try a lot of different restaurants in Gatlinburg this is a great way to do it.

After you have had your fill, you can sit back and enjoy some live entertainment. In the past, performers like Karen Johns & Company have provided the entertainment. Live singing and great food go hand-in-hand, and the entertainment has become as much a tradition as the food. Admission for the event costs $25. Of that admission price, 100% of it goes to the United Way. The businesses and sponsors cover all the other cost. The volunteers with the United Way help out and get everything else set up. Make your plans to visit the Taste of Autumn. Have a tremendous food experience, listen to some great music and support a good cause.

The annual Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival signals the most incredible time of the year to visit Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. The air starts getting crisp, the leaves begin to change color, and the arts & crafts community starts buzzing with energy. There is simply no other time like fall in the Smokies. If you have never experienced it or have only visited Gatlinburg during other times of the year then you don’t know what you’re missing! I suggest clearing you calendar right now to visit Gatlinburg before October 31!

The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is a county-wide celebration that includes Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. The event kicks off on September 13 and will last through October 31. This is basically a celebration of autumn that numerous businesses participate in. Throughout the entire country you will find an assortment of “fall displays” with pumpkins, scarecrows, stacks of hay, cornstalks, and all sorts of other fall decorations. In Gatlinburg you will experience traditional Appalachian music along with bluegrass and gospel. The arts & crafts community is filled with artisans whose expertise include; candle making, basket weaving, quilting, pottery, jewelry, dolls, scrimshaw, leather, stained glass, fine photography, art, and more. This isn’t some “made in (insert foreign country here)” tourist trap…no sir…this is genuine, made in the mountains by good ‘ole folks crafts and artwork! What makes this experience amazing is being able to meet and talk to the artists face-to-face. I know of numerous visitors who have to come back to the same shops to add to their collection of pottery, jewelry, art, etc. You simply won’t find anything this unique and personal anywhere else. This is a must-do.

Other events taking place in Gatlinburg, TN during the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival:

• Throughout fall – Old Fashioned Hayrides: Departure is at Traffic Light #6 at Mountain Mall. Rides run from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and leave approximately every 45 minutes. Proceeds benefit United Way.
• September 27 – Taste of Autumn Fundraiser
• October 11-28 – Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair at the Gatlinburg Convention Center ( more info )