Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center events

Ever wonder what it was like to live in East Tennessee as far back as the 1700s and 1800s? Well, if you’re coming through Townsend, Tn, stop by the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and let them guide you through the paces of life in Smokies during those early pioneer days. From artifacts dating as far back as 5,000 years ago to early family cabins and homesteads, the center has a bit of everything.
When you’re at the center you’ll notice a wide range of exhibits, sign-ups for educational programs, demonstrations and guides that offer a similar theme – no matter the demonstration or subject, it’s a historic journey through time taking in pieces of the numerous diverse cultures of Townsend and Tuckaleechee Cove. Not only that, the center offers a yearly concert series featuring the sounds bluegrass and other regional tunes.

This year’s Fall Concert Series includes:

September 7 – Blue Mother Tupelo

September 14 – Y’uns

September 21 – Four Leaf Peat

Also in September, the center’s Rotary Storytelling Festival commences, beginning September 15. That’s followed by a cub scout family weekend September 21-22. And back by popular demand is the Smoky Mountain Woodcarving Festival (www.woodcarvers.com) October 6-7. So, as you can see, it’s shaping up to be a big year at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and we’re not even halfway through October yet.

 One of the year’s biggest events is the Fall Mountain Home Tour. This is set for Friday, October 19. Tickets are $65 apiece and must be paid for when ordered. Each ticket includes is a three-home tour, transportation to and from The Reserve in Townsend, a $10 voucher for lunch or dinner at one of a dozen Townsend restaurants, and free admission to the Heritage Center. The free admission pass is good for one year following the home tour.

For more information, or to order tickets to the Home Tour, call 865-448-0044, or mail a check (P. O. Box 268, Townsend, Tn, 37882) for $65 per ticket, or visit the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center office between 10 am and 4 pm during the week.

That weekend (October 20) is also marked for the Smoky Mountain Field School Fall Nature Photography Workshop. For anyone interested, they may call the Heritage Center to inquire further about the event and any other requirements.

Events rounding out the rest of year include:

October 26 – Dr. Bass Presentation & Book Signing

October 27 – Smoky Mountain Book Festival

November 10 – Veterans Day Celebration

November – Holiday Homecoming

The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from Noon – 5 pm. The Heritage Center is located between the Townsend traffic light and the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along Highway 73.

Yearly Admission:
Adults (18-59) – $6
Seniors (60+) – $4
Children (6-17) – $4
Under 6 Free
Admission Free with Membership

(Contact us for membership application)

Townsend Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timers Day (Sept. 27 and 28)

The Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day is part of “Townsend Days”, with the Blue Ribbon Country Fair at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Sept. 24, Railroad Days at the Little River Railroad Museum, Sept. 24, and the Nawger Nob Arts and Crafts Show, Sept. 24-25.

The Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day is part of “Townsend Days”, with the Blue Ribbon Country Fair at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Sept. 26, Railroad Days at the Little River Railroad Museum, Sept. 26, and the Nawger Nob Arts and Crafts Show, Sept. 28-29.

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 27
(Please call 865-448-6134 for updates and refer to posted maps. *All times and performances are subject to change.)

All day: Bluegrass music and clogging at the stage and jam sessions on the porch and under the trees.

10am-6pm: Appalachian skills around the grounds:

– Blacksmithing, David and Melanie Thompson
– Sorghum Molasses Making, Mark and Sherry Guenther
– Apple Butter Making, Marie DeVault and friends
– Apple Cider Making, Liles Acres Organic Farm and Friends
– Apple Head Dolls, Sallie Swor
– Cornmeal Making, Ronald and Angel Fowler
– White Oak Shingle-making, Sam White
– Beekeeping and Observation Hive, Tony Holt
– Cherokee Finger Weaving, Charaity Hubbard
– Cast Iron Cooking, Blount Co. Fire Protection District
– Cades Cove Preservation Association Exhibits
– Black Bear Booth, Appalachian Bear Rescue

10am-6pm: Arts and crafts in the Exhibit Room

– Rug Hooking, Carol McBride
– Charcoal Pencil Artwork, Andy England
– Quilting, Ila Mae Morton and Maetta Conrad
– Basketry, Karen Kenst and Bonny Kate Sugg
– Woodcarving, Lendel Abbott
– Weaving and Weaving, Sue Mason

10am-6pm: Arts and Crafts Booths in the back field
10:am-8pm: Food Booths open in the back field

10am-5pm: “Harvest Market” demonstrations and sales: Gardening, plants and autumn decorations-Trillium Cove Home and Garden, and other items from area growers. In front of the Visitors Center

10am-3pm: Meet the Llamas from Liles Acres Organic Farm, and see their wool spun into yarn. On the grounds.

10am-5pm: Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club, antique car show along the bicycle path.

2pm-5pm: Book-signing with featured author Barbara Swell, author of Log Cabin Cooking, Take Two and Butter ‘Em While They’re Hot!, Secrets of the Great Old-Timey Cooks, and more! In the Visitors Center.

1pm, 3pm, 5pm: Cake Raffles with proceeds to the Hearts and Hands Scholarship Fund, at the stage. Bake sale all day.

Saturday, September 28

(Please call 865-448-6134 for updates and refer to posted maps.)

All day: Bluegrass music and clogging at the stage and jam sessions on the porch and under the trees.

8pm or so: Square Dance with caller Don Tipton and the Carolina Bluegrass Boys. Sponsored by Pioneer Cabins and Guest Farm.

10am-5pm: Antique Tractor Show: Tractors and engines from the Foothills Tractor Club. In the field

10am-5pm: Appalachian skills around the grounds:

– Blacksmithing, David and Melanie Thompson
– Sorghum Molasses Making, Mark and Sherry Guenther
– Apple Butter Making, Marie DeVault and friends
– Apple Cider Making, Liles Acres Organic Farm and Friends
– Apple Head Dolls, Sallie Swor
– Cornmeal Making, Ronald and Angel Fowler
– White Oak Shingle-making, Sam White
– Beekeeping and Observation Hive, Tony Holt
– Cherokee Finger Weaving, Charaity Hubbard
– Cast Iron Cooking, Blount Co. Fire Protection District
– Cades Cove Preservation Association Exhibits
– Black Bear Booth, Appalachian Bear Rescue

10am-5pm: Arts and crafts in the Exhibit Room

– Rug Hooking, Carol McBride
– Charcoal Pencil Artwork, Andy England
– Quilting, Ila Mae Morton and Maetta Conrad
– Basketry, Karen Kenst and Bonny Kate Sugg
– Woodcarving, Lendel Abbott
– Spinning, Dale Liles
– Weaving, Sue Mason

10am-6pm: Arts and Crafts booths in the back field
10am-8pm: Food Booths open in the back field

10am-12noon: “Dulcimer Celebration” in the Storytelling Tent
Workshop and Concert. Bring your mountain dulcimer and learn tips from Deby Libby and Linda Smith of “TNT Dulcimer Band” on tuning, playing, and maintaining your dulcimer. Then enjoy a lively concert from these talented musicians. (Some loan instruments will be available.)

10am-5pm: Smoky Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club, antique car show along the bicycle path.

10am-3pm: Meet the Llamas from Liles Acres Organic Farm, and see their wool spun into yarn. On the grounds

1:00pm-3:30pm: Smoky Mountain Tales, sponsored by Top of Townsend Cabins:

A program of mountain stories for all ages in the Storytelling Tent:
featured guest Kathryn Atkins-Roberson of Knoxville, member of the National Storytelling Network, the Tennessee Storytelling Association, and the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association. Plus, woodcarver Lendel Abbott, and Mistress of Ceremony Robin Goddard. See posted schedule.

1pm, 3pm, 5pm: Cake Raffles with proceeds to the Hearts and Hands Scholarship Fund, at the stage. Bake sale all day beside the Stage.

1pm-5pm: Book-signing with featured author and photographer, Bill Lea. In the Visitors Center.

***Please! Do not bring your pet to the Festival!***

Townsend, TN 2012 Calendar of Events

2012 Townsend Events and Festivals:

January – March: Attend classes on rug hooking, basketry, pottery, sewing, flat-picking guitar, among others. Townsend, Tn classes and workshops

February 2 – 5: Townsend’s Winter Heritage Festival in the Smokies is an event celebrating the human history, natural beauty, and cultural traditions of Townsend, Cades Cove, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Guests can enjoy a variety of presentations, storytelling, music, walks, exhibits, and tours—at the Visitors Center, Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tremont, and other businesses and organizations around Townsend. Townsend Winter Heritage Festival

March 16 – 17:  Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival is hosted by the Townsend Artisan Guild, Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, and the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau. This interactive fiber arts event connects the community with fiber arts activities.  The festival will include Border collie sheep-herding, sheep-shearing, classes and workshops, arts exhibitions, educational demonstrations of fiber processes, spinning, weaving, needlecrafts, dyeing, hands-on projects with children and adults, Fiber Arts Market and more.

April 7:  Herb and Wildflower Day, 9:00am—3:00pm. A tribute to the beauty and fascination of wildflowers, ferns, trees, and herbs.  Visit with expert botanists, photographers, and naturalists.  Buy locally grown plants, delicious baked goods, and fine hand-made pottery.  Take a short walk in the woods or a longer exploration of a special place. Townsend Herb and Wildflower Day

April – December: The public are welcome to view the Arts and Crafts Exhibits and Demonstrations in the Visitor Center Exhibit Room.  Visit with and buy directly from talented, local artists.  Townsend Arts & Crafts Exhibits and Demos

May 4 & 5:  20th Annual Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day.  A heaping helping of your favorite bluegrass music, a Young Pickers Talent Contest, arts and crafts, Appalachian skills, wildflower walks and garden tours, storytelling, BBQ and other good food at the town’s annual Spring Festival and Old Timers Day. Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day

May 18 – 20: Trout Fest. If you’re an avid fly fisher, or just into fishing, Trout Fest is like Sundance is to movie enthusiasts. That is, it’s a must see. It’s an annual fly fishing exposition and fund-raiser for Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department in Townsend, TN.  Sponsored by the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  Fly fishing demonstrations and seminars by experts are given daily.  Music, children’s activities, exhibits, and food are provided on the grounds.  TroutFest

 

Townsend's Scottish Heritage Festival & Games is always a popular yearly event.

May 18 – 20: Smoky Mountain Highland Games.  A celebration of Scottish Heritage at the foot of the Smoky Mountains with traditional games, a gathering of the clans, Scottish dance, music, and athletic contests.  Smoky Mountain Highland Games

June 2:  Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival.  Enjoy the work of skilled artisans and see pottery being made at this juried show with 40 booths.  There will be hands-on demonstrations by the featured a guest potter, plus special firings by Joe Frank McKee, hand building by Hugh Bailey, 30 potters booths, Children’s Tent with Carol Ware, music, and good food.  Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival

September 28 & 29: 20th Anual Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timers Day.  The fall version of Townsend’s spring classic featuring some of your favorite bluegrass music, clogging, arts and crafts, sorghum molasses making and other Appalachian skills, artisan demonstrations, family activities, and good food.  Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timers Day

For more information about each of the Townsend events and festivals contact Jeanie Hilten at the Townsend Visitors Center at 865-448-6134 or 800-525-6834. Smokymountains.org Smokymountainfestivals.org

Townsend 2011 Calendar of Events

Townsend 2011 Calendar of Events

April 2, 2011: Herb and Wildflower Day

April 29–May 1, 2011:  Trillium Cove Art Walk, Trillium Cove Shopping Village, Townsend, TN

May 6 & 7, 2011: Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day

May 13–15, 2011: TroutFest

May 20–22, 2011: Smoky Mountain Highland Games at Maryville College

May 20 & 21: Antique Outboard Motor Meet, Louisville Point Park, Louisville, TN.  Displays of antique boats and motors, swap, sell. Contact Henry Champagney, 865-856-5853, h2champs@aol.com.

May 21, 2011:  Black Bear Expo

June 3 & 4, 2011: Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival

June 12-18, 2011 and June 19-25, 2011:  Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamps and Concert Series
Steve Kaufman’s workshops in flatpicking guitar, fingerpicking guitar, mandolin, Old Time Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Old TIme Fiddle, Bluegrass Fiddle, dobro, Mountain dulcimer, Songwriting, Vocal class and Bass. At Maryville College.
Fantastic concerts by the instructors each evening, held in the Clayton Arts Center. Maryville, TN.
Call 865-982-3808 for information or go to www.acoustic-kamp.com

September 23 & 24, 2011: Townsend Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timers Day

Winter Workshops and Classes for 2011:  Arts, crafts, and music classes from January–March.

March-December: Arts and Crafts Demonstrations in the Visitor Center, and Calendar of other area activities.
Download the calendar brochure: Calendar of Events 2011

Past Events, 2011:

February 3–6, 2011: Winter Heritage Festival
Winter Heritage Sponsors: Great Smoky Mountains Association, Big Meadow Campground, The Tennessee Arts Commisssion, Friends of the Smokies, Byron’s Printing, WBIR-TV, The Chocolate Bar shop, Dancing Bear Lodge, Trillium Cove Shopping Village, Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau

Saturday, March 12: Concert at Music Row of Maryville to benefit the Young Pickers Talent Contest. 1:00pm–5:00pm. $5 donation will go to awards for winners of the Young Pickers Talent Contest Sat. May 7 at the Townsend Spring Festival.

March 17–19, 2011: Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival
Fiber Festival Sponsors: Smoky Mtn.Feed and Pet Supplies, Bearly Rustic Cabin Rentals, Foothills Farmers Co-Op, Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau , Townsend Artisan Guild, Fine Arts Blount, PetSafe, EconoLodge Parkside, Miss Lily’s Cafe

March 18–20, 2011: Smoky Mountain Quilters Show and Competition, at Maryville College