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…

Little River Trading Company is excited to celebrate 25 years of providing quality outdoor gear and services to East Tennessee. Since its founding in 1996, Little River Trading Company has been known for its quality outdoor gear and clothing. Now, the store is planning a multi-day celebration event, scheduled for the fall, to thank customers…

As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County Tourism ranks 8th in State Economic Impact among Tennessee’s 95 counties in visitor expenditures at $337.01 million in 2020 according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee. Tennessee tourism generated $16.8…

One of the prominent tourist intrigues of the Great Smoky Mountains is our majestic black bears. It is not an uncommon sight to see a mama bear and her cubs playing in the park during spring, and it is a precious sight indeed. But don’t be fooled by the innocence of this fun-natured scene or…

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…