From the Peaceful Side of the Smokies
On August 21, 2021, the Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival will celebrate its fourth year with high expectations. Professional balloonists will light up the Tennessee evening sky with an unforgettable glow. A spectrum of hope, happiness, and color will cast over the breathtaking Smoky Mountain sunset like never before. The 2021 event will…
Fans of vintage automobiles can view a special collection of classic cars at the Autos Through the Ages Show at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center (123 Cromwell Dr., Townsend) on July 17 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The car show is free with admission to the museum being $5. Presented by the East…
Apple Valley Mountain Village welcomes Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center (SMOC) as they announce their Grand Reopening scheduled for Friday, June 18th through Sunday, June 20th, 2021. Smoky Mountain Outdoor Center moved to its newer and larger Apple Valley Mountain Village location under new ownership and has been undergoing renovations and upgrades. Finally complete, on the…
Bigfoot in the Smokies may be elusive, but Sasquatch enthusiasts were easy to find in Townsend, TN. The city hosted the first annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival on Saturday, May 22 at the Townsend Visitor and Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. A 5K and fun run kicked off the festival with sightings of ‘Squatch and…
It is officially springtime in the Smoky Mountains. Today, Saturday, March 20, at 5:37 A.M. EDT began the first day of spring and the vernal equinox. The word equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night”—aequus (equal) and nox (night). So on this first day of Spring 2021, it brings a nearly perfect balance of daytime and nighttime across the world.…
Valentine’s Day is here, so what better time to give you a little history of Appalachian Folk Magic? Who hasn’t wished they could conjure up a couple of love spells this time of year? Well, luckily for you, many of our Appalachian ancestors didn’t have the mainstream disdain for a little practical magic. History Appalachian…
Something is enchanting about watching the snowfall. It brings a sense of childlike joy and quietens the soul, especially in the South. Snow in the Smokies slows things down, allowing us to savor the beauty of stillness and regain the giddiness of snow days past. So, what can you do if it snows during your…
One of the best parts of visiting the Great Smoky Mountains is all of the wildlife unique to this region of the world. In fact, there are 65 mammal species alone. Animals like elk, coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and black bears are essential parts of the park’s ecology. But there are also smaller inhabitants…
Murals have become a growing trend in East Tennessee, and for good reason. Public art brings communities together by creating vibrant neighborhoods people take pride in and work to keep beautiful. It draws people into conversation, creating opportunities to share ideas and experiences. Earlier this year, DMA-events, Inc. chose Maryville to be one of seven…
Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can explore a variety of historical sites, enjoy the majestic mountain beauty, and find the thrill of spotting life in the wild. Whether you want to visit the grist mill or hope to run across a family of…
Almost every vacation, no matter how relaxing or well planned, needs the occasional pick-me-up. There is no easier and more delicious energy boost in the world than an expertly made coffee. When we travel, it is easy to find coffee from the nationally marketed chains, but one of the joys of experiencing new locations is…
When Joe Emert agreed to a speaking engagement at Blount County’s Tennessee Veterans Business Association, he probably didn’t realize the amount of change it would create in the community. After finishing his lecture on Sam Houston’s youth in Maryville, Mary Childress, president of the Veteran Heritage Site Foundation, inquired if a list of all veterans…
