Bronco Super Celebration East

If Broncos make you squeal like a middle school girl at a boy band concert, you need to know about the Bronco Super Celebration East. Hosted in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies since 2006, one of the largest bronco enthusiast gatherings in the world is a four-day event in Townsend, TN. Whether you come…

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Registration now open for Great Smokies Experience at Maryville College

After the COVID-19 pandemic forced a two-year hiatus, Maryville College’s Great Smokies Experience will return in July to give rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates an opportunity to take part in a learning lab like no other. The 10-day program will give participants both college credit and a chance to explore…

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Vee Hollow Mountain Bike Trails

Vee Hollow Mountain Bike Trails has become a valued addition to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. This mountain biking trail offers adventure for riders at every stage of learning and gives bikers the chance to immerse themselves in nature as they pedal through the Smoky Mountains. Trails are open 365 days of the year,…

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Start Planning Your Spring Trip

Springtime in the Smokies is one of the most beautiful times of the year, so this is the perfect time to start planning your spring trip. Whether you want to four-wheel in the mountains or cozy up with the family in a cabin- we’ve got ideas to ensure you make the most of your time…

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Valentine’s Day Dinner in the Smoky Mountains

A perfect Valentine’s Day date requires forethought and planning. Show your love with a unique Appalachian dining experience. Book a reservation at one of these celebrated restaurants, nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Everyone has a different definition of romance, so we found a variety of dining experiences that embrace the distinctive local flair…

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Blackberry Farm Featured in 2022 US News & World Report Best Hotel Rankings

Blackberry Farm won the Gold Award in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Rankings, being named #1 in Best Hotels in Tennessee as well as ranked #3 in the Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the United States.   “We always strive to deliver the best guest experience possible,” says Blackberry President Matt Alexander.…

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Peaceful Side of the 2022 Smoky Mountain Events

Welcome to our 2022 Smoky Mountain Events! We are thrilled to bring the Peaceful Side of the Smokies a year of inviting events from the Bigfoot Festival to Grains and Grits. Check out all of this year’s events below and book your trip now. Bronco Truck Show (April 20 – 23) Bronco Driver Magazine presents…

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Park sets visitation record with 14.1 million visits in 2021

Great Smoky Mountains National Park experienced the busiest year on record with 14,137,812 visits. Visitation exceeded the 2019 record by 1.5 million visits and 2020 visitation by more than 2 million visits. The park has increasingly become a year-round destination with eight monthly visitation records set during the winter and spring months in 2021.  “In…

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Little River Run 5K set for November 13 at Townsend Abbey

Keep Blount Beautiful (KBB) and Little River Watershed Association (LRWA) are partnering for the 3rd Annual Little River Run 5K, set for 11 am on Saturday, November 13th at the Townsend Abbey in Townsend, TN. The Little River Run 5K represents a joint effort through which both organizations encourage participants to enjoy the beauty of…

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Kim Mitchell named Women in Tennessee Tourism & Hospitality Leader of the Year

The Blount Partnership announced today that Director of Tourism Kim Mitchell was named “Women in TN Tourism & Hospitality Leader of the Year” by HospitalityTN. The award was given during the Stars of the Industry Gala at the Governor’s Conference on September 16, 2021, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Mitchell has served as the director of tourism…

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Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon and 5K returns to Townsend

The Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon and 5K returns to Townsend this year and will take place on September 10 and 11. Participants can race through trails with breathtaking views in an experience they will never forget, whether it be the 13.1 mile half marathon or the 5K “Fun Run.” The Smokies are America’s most…

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19th Annual Taste of Blount

It is no secret that the restaurant industry has taken a significant hit over the past year, and although this is Blount County’s 19th Annual Taste of Blount, this year is a little different. This year we need to come together and support our local restaurant industry more than ever. And what’s a more flavor-filled…

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