General
Information

Winter Heritage Festival
Coming February 4-7, 2010:

A celebration of the history, people, and traditions of Townsend TN, Cades Cove, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Last Year, 2009:
The 2009 Winter Heritage Festival was an official event of the 75th Anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See below for last year's activities and mark your calendars for February 4-7, 2010.

2009 Program Highlights:
Note:  Call 865-448-6134 for a registration form or download it, below.
Kick Off Evening, Thursday, Feb. 5, hosted by Dancing Bear Lodge
--Social time with hors d'oeuvres with Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintent Dale Ditmanson: the State of the Park and the 75th Anniversary of the Park --Reservations required:  call 865-448-6000
Followed by:
--Dr. Boyce Driskell, University of Tennessee Archeological Research Lab, Findings from Tuckaleechee Cove
--Author Charles Maynard, "Conquistadors in the Smokies--the Juan Pardo Expedition
Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 7: talks, tours and demonstrations in Townsend and nearby venues
--Cades Cove Preservation Association programs at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, and family exhibits at the Townsend Visitors Center
--Blount County Historical Museum exhbits: "Treasures of Attic and Trunk", Model T and antique fire engine, and Civil War display
--Guided hikes and tours in the Smokies, including Rocks of Ages geology hike, Walker Valley Ramble, and Wesley Woods History Hike
--Little River Railroad Museum programs
--Stories, music, and special guest presenters.  Topics include Smoky Mountain Photography, Wild Foods, Gardening for the Birds, Exploring the Wilderness, Founding of the National Park, the CCC, Hiking the AT, This Land of Change, Spinning and Weaving, Old Time Music, Tuckaleechee Cove Archeology, Primitive Baptist Church, Margaret Stevenson, and much more!
--Cades Cove Heritage Tours with special guest guides
--Vintage Photography by Mary Grace and Bud McCaffery in front of the Townsend Visitors Center hearth

**New program just added**: "Walker Valley History" with Jeremy Lloyd, Friday, Feb. 6, 11:00--12:00 noon at Talley Ho Inn.

**New program just added**: "Faces and Places of the Smokies--Historic Photographs from the Calvin McClung Collection.  Steve Cotham, Saturday, Feb. 7, 3:00--4:00pm at GSM Heritage Center.

**Program Change**:  "Seasons of the Smokies", a photographic presentation by Bob and Gloria Epperson of the Knoxville Camera Club, will be given at 9:00am Friday, Feb. 6 at Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.  This will replace Bill Lea's program, which has been cancelled.

Friday Evening, Feb. 6, hosted by the Barn Event Center of the Smokies
--BBQ Supper;  Square Dance and other Appalachian Dancing with live band and caller: "The Mumbillies"
--Reservations required:  call 865-448-3812
Saturday Evening, Feb. 7, hosted by Valley View Lodge
--Guest Speaker Sam Venable, author and Knoxville News Sentinel columnist: "Mountain Hands, a Portrait of Appalachia"
--Program free, but reservations required for refreshments:  call 865-448-2237
Sunday Afternoon, Feb. 8
--Cades Cove Preservation Association Event at Valley View Lodge and music by the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club.

Click here for the full Schedule of Events: WHF Schedule 1-26
Click here for Presenters and Programs descriptions: WHF presenters 
Click here for the Registration form: WHF registration form or WHF registration pdf

All programs require pre-registration.  Most are free;  events with food will have a charge, so call the host businesses to make reservations.  For more information, call the Townsend Visitors Center (865-448-6134 or 800-525-6834).  Schedule is subject to change.  Please call and check back on our website for updates.

Click here to view our new Smoky Mountain Festivals website!