We had a great time at our 18th Annual Townsend Spring Festival, April 30 and May 1, 2010 

We always have fun at our celebration of bluegrass music, arts and crafts, BBQ, Appalachian skills, and the beauty of the Smokies in the springtime.  Click here to see a gallery of photos by Mary Grace McCaffery.

Save the dates for next year:  May 6 and 7, 2011!
 
Thank you to our Sponsors:  Knoxville Coca-Cola, Great Smoky Mountains Association, "Bear"ly Rustic Cabin Rentals, the Carriage House, Dogwood Realty, L.L.C., Parkside Realty Services, Little River Realty, Kinzel Springs, Tennessee Real Estate, Hideaway Cottages Cabin Rentals, Highland Manor Inn, Townsend Great Smokies KOA, Murlin's Music World, Pick N Grin, Kaufman Acoustic Kamps, Rocky Branch Community Club, Music Row, Digital Express, Pokey's, Townsend Shopping Center, Village Market IGA, Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop, Woodland Homes, WIVK Radio, WDVX Radio, WBIR TV, The Daily Times, Bank East

Why not come to Maryville on Thursday, April 29 and attend the Ralph Stanley and Cherryholmes concert at Clayton Center for the arts!

Tentative 2010 Schedule
(Subject to change;  please call 865-448-6134 for updates)
Click here for Young Pickers Talent Contest Registration: YP registration form

Friday, April 30: 

9:00am-11:00am:  Wildflower Walk on Chestnut Top Trail with Dwight McCarter; limit 20 (call 865-448-6134 to reserve a spot).  Meet Townsend Visitors Center.
9:00am-12:00pm:  Featured Author and Booksigning:  Jeremy Lloyd, Home in Walker Valley
10:00am:  Hedgewood Gardens Tour.  Meet Townsend Visitors Center.
11:00am: Clogging Demonstration and Instruction: Jack Patton at the Stage
1:30-3:30pm:  Wildflower Walk on Chestnut Top Trail with Tom Harrington; limit 20 (call 865-448-6134 to reserve a spot)  Meet Townsend Visitors Center.
2:00pm:  Hedgewood Gardens Tour.  Meet Townsend Visitors Center.
6:30pm:  Knoxville Pipes and Drums Concert and Parade:  Highland music in celebration of Scottish heritage.  Sponsored by Highland Manor Inn.

Plus, all of these favorite Festival events:
Bluegrass Music on the stage from 12:00pm-until 10:00pm, and pickin' on the porch and in the grove
Arts and Crafts Booths in the back field from 10am-6pm
BBQ vendors, ice cream, specialty sandwiches, hot dog booths, kettle corn, and other good food
Cake Raffles and Bake Sale for Hearts and Hands Scholarship Fund

Artisan Demonstrations in the Exhibit Room from 9am-5pm:
Basketry:  Karen Kenst and Bonny Kate Sugg
Woodcarving:  Lendel Abbott
Quilting:  Ila Mae Morton and Maetta Conrad
Rug Hooking:  Carol McBride
Weaving:  Effie Suttles
Spinning on the Great Wheel:  Dale Liles
Charcoal/Pencil Art:  Andy England
Apple Head Dolls:  Sallie Swor

Antique Tractors and Engines:  Foothills Tractor Club. Along the bicycle path.
Old Fashioned Photos in front of the hearth with Mary Grace and Bud McCaffery
Family Art Fair:  Arts activities led by Townsend Artisan Guild.  In the Storytelling Tent.

Appalachian Demonstrations around the grounds:
Mountain Berry Basket Making and Poetry:  Bill Alexander
Hand-carved wooden bowls: Jeff Wilkinson and Bob Tidd
Bee Keeping and Bee Hive Observation:  Tony Holt
Cornmeal Making:  Ronald Fowler
Herb Gardening:  Honey Rock Herb Farm
Moonshine Still:  Bill Leistner
Oak Shingle-making:  Sam White
Cades Cove Preservation Association Exhibits
Appalachian Bear Center activity Booth

FRIDAY BANDS ON STAGE: APRIL 30 

1100          CLOGGING DEMONSTRATION
1130          TWIN CREEK
1200          LARRY HOBBS & COMPANY
1230          THREE RIVERS BAND
105             CAKE RAFFLE
110             CAROLINA BLUEGRASS
150             BLUEGRASS CONFEDERATION
230             NOTCHEY CREEK
310             CAKE RAFFLE
315             CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
355             ROCKY VALLEY REVUE
425
500             CAKE RAFFLE
510             STEVE JORDAN BAND
550             APPALACHIAN BLUEGRASS
630             MIKE CLEMMER
640             RAVEN WELCH BAND
720             SHILO BAND
800             CAROLINA BLUEGRASS
840             NOTCHEY CREEK
920             CLOSE OUT BAND

Saturday, May 1: "Old Timers Day"
Lots of activities for young and old alike!

8:30am-11:30am:  Young Pickers Talent Contest.  Bluegrass music contest for 17 years and under.  At the Stage.
10:00am-5:00pm:  Old Fashioned Kid's Games.  In the field behind the Visitors Center.
2:00--4:00pm:  Featured Author and Booksigning.  Loletta Clouse, Mallie.  Visitors Center
12:00pm-3:30pm:  Storytelling Program with Lendel Abbott, Dwight McCarter, Robin Goddard, and special guest Kate Agmann of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild.
3:30-5:00pm: Old Harp Sing: Shape note music with the East Tennessee Old Harp Singers in the Storytelling Tent.
8:00pm:  Square Dance called by Don Tipton and music by Carolina Bluegrass.

Plus, all of these favorite Festival events:
Bluegrass Music on the stage from 12:00pm-until 10:00pm, and pickin' on the porch and in the grove
Arts and Crafts Booths in the back field from 10am-6pm
BBQ vendors, ice cream, specialty sandwiches, hot dog booths, kettle corn, and other good food
Cake Raffles and Bake Sale for Hearts and Hands Scholarship Fund

Artisan Demonstrations in the Exhibit Room from 9am-5pm:
Basketry:  Karen Kenst and Bonny Kate Sugg
Woodcarving:  Lendel Abbott
Quilting:  Ila Mae Morton and Maetta Conrad
Rug Hooking:  Carol McBride
Weaving:  Effie Suttles
Spinning on the Great Wheel:  Dale Liles
Charcoal/Pencil Art:  Andy England
Apple Head Dolls:  Sallie Swor

Antique Cars, Smoky Mountain Model A Club. NOTE: The cars will be up the road at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Museum.
Antique Tractors and Engines:  Foothills Tractor Club. Along the bicycle path.
Old Fashioned Photos in front of the hearth with Mary Grace and Bud McCaffery
Family Art Fair:  Arts activities led by Townsend Artisan Guild.  In the Storytelling Tent.

Appalachian Demonstrations around the grounds;
Mountain Berry Basket Making and Poetry:  Bill Alexander
Hand-carved wooden bowls: Jeff Wilkinson and Bob Tidd
Bee Keeping and Bee Hive Observation:  Tony Holt
Pottery:  Carol Ware
Cornmeal Making:  Ronald Fowler
Herb Gardening:  Honey Rock Herb Farm
Moonshine Still:  Bill Leistner
Oak Shingle-making:  Sam White
Cades Cove Preservation Association Exhibits
Appalachian Bear Center activity Booth

SATURDAY BANDS ON STAGE:  MAY 1

1145          TWIN CREEK
1215          LARRY HOBBS & COMPANY
1245           ANNOUCEMENTS   
100             CAKE RAFFLE
105             CAROLINA BLUEGRASS
145             OUTTA THE BLUE
225             NOTCHEY CREEK
300             CAKE RAFFLE
305             CONTEST WINNERS                            
335             WALKING IN TRADITION
415             ROCKY VALLEY REVUE
445             APPALACHIAN BLUEGRASS
515             CAKE RAFFLE & STEVE JORDAN BAND
550             BLUEGRASS CONFEDERATION       
630             MIKE CLEMMER
640             RAVEN WELCH BAND
710             WALKING IN TRADITION
740             SHILO BAND
810             SQUARE DANCE
900             NOTCHEY CREEK
945             CAROLINA BLUEGRASS

Sunday, May 2
2:00pm:  Hedgewood Gardens Tour.  Meet Townsend Visitors Center.

The Young Pickers Talent Contest will be on Saturday morning, May 1, 2010, and is for acoustic bluegrass players ages 17 and younger. Call 865-448-6134 for the registration form.
The contest is sponsored by Pick 'N Grin, Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp, Murlin's Music World, Rocky Branch Community Club, Music Row, Digital Express, Chambers Audio Visual Services, and Pokey's.

Many of our Festival photos are by Mary Grace McCaffery.  Contact her at:www.marygracephotostownsend.com    

Click here to view our new Smoky Mountain Festivals website!