Townsend’s Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival (April 19-20) is an interactive arts event connecting the community with fiber arts activities. The festival will include fiber animal exhibitions, vendor market, classes, demonstrations of spinning, needlecrafts, dyeing, weaving, and many other fiber processes. You’ll also have the chance to participate in hands-on projects for children and adults, view local artists’ work, purchase fiber craft supplies, and get information about local fiber activities, groups, and businesses.
This year’s fiber arts festival will take place in the Townsend Visitors Center as well as at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Both are top notch facilities for the Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival. You’ll find fiber arts classes and demonstrations, vendor shopping, great food, good friends and a memorable experience in each setting.
In all, this event celebrates all things Fiber Arts, beginning with the raw materials (catch the sheep herding and sheep shearing demonstrations at the festival), through the creative processes (check out the classes and non-animal demonstrations at both locations), and finally, the end product (visit a great collection of vendors who will fill your every supply and project need)!
Townsend is known as the “Peaceful side of the Smokies”, and a place that’s far different from other communities near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We hope you’ll enjoy your visit and check out what all Townsend has to offer including Townsend cabins, all the Townsend events, and some of the Townsend restaurants.
Goings on at the Townsend Visitors Center: Border Collie Sheepherding by Leigh Anne and Paul Tucker and Sheep-shearing by William Rick, plus demonstrations of weaving, spinning, and other fiber crafts.
Occurring at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center: Fiber classes and workshops, marketplace of vendors, demonstrations, museum exhibits of Smoky Mountain cultural history. Click here for the list of Vendors. Also, if you’re interested in participating, check out the vendor application.
At the Townsend Artisan Gallery: Exhibits of fiber arts and many other beautiful works by local artisans.
Please call 865-448-6134, 800-525-6834 for more information and schedules.
Vendors: contact Nancy at gsmhcevents@yahoo.com
Instructors: contact Deborah Adams, quiltsbydeborah@gmail.com .
Fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains is a outdoor sport loved by many who venture to the national park every year. For weekend anglers and serious fly tiers alike, the one place you should be sure to stop before fishing in any mountain stream is Little River Outfitters Townsend TN! Their staff has a wealth of knowledge on anything that has to do with l0cal fishing, especially around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and they carry all the gear you might need to successfully reel in that prized trout while you’re here.
Since 1994, Little River Outfitters Townsend TN has catered to the Great Smoky Mountain fly fisher. The Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina are crisscrossed with numerous rivers and streams stretching thousands of miles across each state. Little River is a family owned fly shop and fly tying school that has become a destination for Smoky Mountain fly fishers looking to catch the Smokies’ wild rainbow, brown and brook trout. Little River staff can help the saltwater fishermen as well. They’re essentially the strength of the shop. The employees love to fly fish and have the experience to back up their recommendations.
Little River Outfitters started teaching fly fishing and fly tying classes in the mid ’90s. As far as fly fishing instruction goes, in those days it was few and far between. Today, Little River Outfitters has its own classroom devoted to instruction and sponsors events like Troutfest which occur every spring in Townsend. For the serious fly fishermen, or woman, Troutfest is the event of the year as anything and everything fly fishing can be seen, heard, and bought at Troutfest. By the way, fly tying classes at Little River are offered two weekends each month from May through October.
In all, over 800 miles of fishable trout streams make up the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is all you need to cast your line in any of them. The national park’s mountain streams are filled with populations of rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. Though brook trout are catch and release only. Just outside the park you can find excellent smallmouth bass fishing in the rivers and streams running out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Additionally, the Tennessee River watershed provides lakes, tailwaters, freestone mountain streams and lowland rivers with some of the finest fly fishing for brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, stripers and panfish found anywhere. Still, Townsend, Tennessee is the perfect base camp for a fly fishing vacation. Little River Outfitters is there to help meet your fly fishing needs along the way.
Little River Outfitters Townsend TN
106 Town Square Drive
Townsend, Tennessee 37882
877-448-3474
Open 7 Days/Week
Townsend, Tn and nature go hand in hand. With many events and attractions centered around the area’s more natural aspects, it’s no wonder that one of the more popular events is the annual Herb and Wildflower Day, Saturday, April 7. This Spring, Townsend’s Herb and Wildflower Day will be held at the Townsend Visitor Center, 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882, 865-448-6134. Some of the many things to do during the event include illustrated talks about wildflowers, herbs, and area natural history, naturalist-led walks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, plus cooking demonstrations and classes centered around herbs, opportunities to purchase plants from area gardeners, as well as fresh baked goods, and pottery.
Townsend Herb and Wildflower Day Schedule:
7am – Bird Walk with Carey Jones, Great Smoky Mountains National Park park ranger. Meet on the back porch of the Townsend Visitors Center.
9am – “Spring Wildflowers of the Smokies”, talk by Tom Harrington, Great Smoky Mountains National Park volunteer guide.
10am – “Forest Communities”, talk by Paul Threadgill with Maryville College.
11:30am – “Cooking with Herbs”, cook and learn with Paula Begley of Little River Outfitters.
12:30-1:30pm – Lunch break. Shop and browse through all the plants, baked goods, and pottery available at the visitors center. Explore town and eat at one of the many great Townsend restaurants.
Wildflower rambles and hikes. Advance registration required *. Call 865-448-6134:
1:30-3:00pm – * Chestnut Top Trail, “What’s in Bloom”; easy stroll with Tom Harrington, Volunteer, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Meet at the trailhead at the Townsend “Wye”.
1:30-4:00pm – * White Oak Sinks; moderately strenuous hike with Jim Burbank, Volunteer, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Meet on the porch at the Townsend Visitors Center.
The Townsend Winter Heritage Festival is a seasonal celebration of the natural beauty, heritage, and cultural traditions of Townsend, TN; Cades Cove; and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The event combines a number of the areas most renowned businesses and community groups in one large get-together. It’s a FREE event, with the exception of lunches and dinners, where there are reservations required, with a charge for each meal. Music workshops also require pre-registration.
So, whether it’s music and live performances that you like, or southern cuisine like some of the area’s best BBQ, or getting more familiar with nature and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend’s Winter Heritage Festival really answers the call to the Smokies-lover in all of us. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors, Townsend, and spend some time with the family.
Some of this year’s festival highlights include:
Festival Kick Off at the Blount Co. Historical Museum: Hear storyteller Charles Maynard, listen to live music with Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, view the various Civil War exhibits, and get refreshments at the kick-off celebration. Thursday, Feb. 2, 6-8pm.
Special musical guest:Wayne Erbsen
Come listen to the sounds of Wayne Erbson on Saturday evening, Feb. 4. He will also be presenting an Appalachian music workshop that afternoon. Call 865-448-6134 to sign up.
Mountain Dulcimer Workshop with Sarah Morgan: If you’ve ever had an interest in the dulcimer and its beginnings sign up for Sarah Morgan’s workshop Friday afternoon, Feb. 3. Call 865-448-6134 for details and to sign up. Limit 20.
Sarah Morgan holds her annual Mountain Dulcimer workshop.
Music of the Civil War: We know that there are always a number of Civil War enthusiasts among our visitors. It’s not always you get to hear the songs and music they went to battle to. This presentation includes tunes and songs with Conny Ottway at the Chocolate B’ar, Friday, Feb. 3.
Listen to a great Young Fiddler – Carson PetersCarson will be fiddlin’ up a storm with his family at the Mountain Music Showcase on Saturday. It’s a performance not to be missed!
Cast Iron Cooking by members of the Blount County Fire Protection District will take place Saturday, Feb. 4. Come by and taste some delicious cobblers, biscuits, beans and more!
Lunchtime Programs: at the Chocolate B’ar Cafe, with good food, talks, and music, both days. Friday: Conny Ottway, sponsored by Rocky Branch Community Club Saturday: Tommy and Tammi McCarroll with Bobby Fulcher, sponsored by The Chocolate B’ar. Call for lunch reservations, 865-448-9432.
Friday evening at Dancing Bear Lodge, with supper and entertainment by flute player Randy McGinnis. Reservations required. 865-448-6000.
Book-signing: Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures, Bill Landry; Noon to 3:00pm both days at the Townsend Visitors Center.
“Precious Memories” Homecoming with the Cades Cove Preservation Association on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 5. Location to be announced.
Full Winter Heritage Festival Schedule Day by Day:
Schedule subject to changes and for updates call 865-448-6134.
(Events with a * require pre-registration and those with meals have a charge.)
Thursday, Feb. 2:
At Blount County Historical Museum and Cades Cove/Thompson Brown Museum:
– 6-8pm: “Festival Kick-Off”, Blount County Historical Museum and Cades Cove/Thompson Brown Museum. Civil War Exhibit, refreshments, and 6:30pm storytelling by Charles Maynard, plus music by Pistol Creek Catch of the Day.
Friday, February 3: Events take place at several locations.
At Townsend Visitors Center:
– 9-9:45am: “Cora’s Story”, Cherel Henderson, East Tennessee Historical Society.
– 10-10:45am: “Preserving our Heritage-The Foothills Land Conservancy”, Elise Eustace, Foothills Land Conservancy.
– 11-11:45am: “Thomas Sumter”, Charlie Rhodarmer, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.
– Noon-3pm: Book-signing by Bill Landry, Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures.
– 2-3pm: “Mountain Dulcimer Workshop” * with Sarah Morgan. To register, call 865-448-6134. (Free) Limit 20. Sponsored by Friends of the Smokies.
– 3:15-4:15pm: “Music of the Mountains”, Lisa Free.
– 4:30-5:15pm: “Black Leaders of Blount Co. during Reconstruction”, Robert Glenn Slater, University of Tennessee.
At Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center:
Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4:
– 9am-5pm: Cades Cove Preservation Association talks and Families of Cades Cove exhibits.
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– 9-9:45am: “Bear Creek Tales”, Lonnie McMillan
– 10-10:45am: “A Cades Cove Long Rifle”, Stephen Weber
– 11-11:45am: “Horace Kephart-The Back of Beyond”, Butch McDade
– Noon (Lunch break)
– 1-1:45pm: “Living in the Cove”, Bernard Myers
– 2-2:45pm: “Sacred Places of the Smokies”, Gail Palmer
– 3pm: Panel Discussion, Cades Cove Preservation Association
At Little River Railroad Museum:
– 3-4pm: “Walking Tour of Townsend”, Don Headrick.
In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Cades Cove:
– 1-3pm: “Hike to Gourley Pond” *, Ranger Mike Maslona. Meet at the Lequire family cemetery on the far side of the Cades Cove Loop Rd. *Call 865-448-6134 to sign up.
In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Tremont:
– 9-11am: “Waterfall Hike”, Dawn Dextraze. Meet at the Tremont Visitors Center (office).
At The Chocolate B’ar:
– 11am-12pm: “Music of the Civil War”, Conny Ottway. Sponsored by Rocky Branch Community Club. Followed by lunch.
Call for lunch reservations * : 865-448-9433 or 865-448-9895.
At Townsend Artisan Gallery:
– 4-6pm: “Open House and Artist Reception”
At Dancing Bear Lodge:
– 6:30-8:30pm: Dinner and entertainment by Native American flute player Randy McGinnis. * Reservations needed: 865-448-6000.
Saturday, February 4: Events take place at several locations
At Townsend Visitors Center:
Mountain Craft Showcase:
– 9-9:45am: “Dollmaking”, Carolyn Gregory.
– 9:45-10:30am: “Pottery”, Carol Ware.
(Break)
– 11-11:45am: “The Forgotten Baskets of the Mountains”, Bill Alexander.
– 11:45am-12:30pm: “Blacksmithing”, Hugh Bowie.
Mountain Music Showcase:
– 1:30-2:30pm: “Appalachian Music Workshop”, Wayne Erbsen. * Call 865-448-6134 to sign up (free)
– 2:45-3:45pm: “Fiddlin’ Carson Peters Band”, Carson Peters and family
– 4-5pm: “The Mountain Dulcimer”, Sarah Morgan
The Mountain Craft and Mountain Music Showcases are funded by an Arts Build Communities Grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and a sponsorship from Great Smoky Mountains Association for Wayne Erbsen.
– 11am for White Oak Sinks Hike, Butch Mcdade. 11am-3PM. Meet on Townsend Visitors Center front porch and carpool to trailhead.
– Noon-3pm: Book-signing by Bill Landry, Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures.
– 11am-5pm: Cast Iron Cooking Demonstration with members of the Blount County Fire Protection District.
– 10am-5pm: Cherokee Finger Weaving by Charaity Hubbard and Historic Weapons Display with David Hubbard.
At Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center:
Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4:
– 9am-5pm: Cades Cove Preservation Association talks and Families of Cades Cove exhibits.
Saturday, Feb. 4:
– 9-9:45am: “Smoky Mountain Bears, Bucks, and Wildflowers-A Video Presentation”, Kate Marshall
– 10-10:45am: “Bloomery Forge in Cades Cove”, David Ledbetter
– 11-11:45am: “A Park by Any Other Name”, Kent Cave and Raymond Palmer
– 12:00 (Lunch break)
– 1-1:45pm: “Noah and Sarah Brown Burchfield of Cades Cove”, Larry Sparks
– 2-2:45pm “Photographers and Photos of Cades Cove”, Missy Green
– 3pm: Panel Discussion, Cades Cove Preservation Association
At Little River Railroad Museum:
– 10am-12pm: “Tremont Walking Tour”, Ron Briggs.
– 3-4pm: “Logging Railroads of the Smokies” Rick Turner.
In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Tremont:
– 10:30am-12:30pm: “Winter Tree ID Hike”, Ken Voorhis. Meet at the Tremont Visitors Center (office).
In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-White Oak Sinks Hike:
– 11am-3pm: “Hike to White Oak Sinks”, Butch McDade. Meet on the front porch of the Townsend Visitors Center and carpool to trailhead.
In Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Little Greenbrier/Walker Sisters:
– 11am-2:30pm: “Hike to the Walker Sisters Family and Friends Homesites”, Mark and Janet Snyder. Bring a sack lunch, drink, raingear, and good hiking shoes. There will be off-trail walking. Meet at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.
At The Chocolate B’ar:
– 11am-12pm: “Old Time Mountain Music”, Tommy and Tammy McCarroll and Bob Fulcher. Sponsored by The Chocolate B’ar. Followed by lunch.
Call for lunch reservations *: 865-448-9433 or 865-448-9895.
At Townsend Artisan Gallery:
– 9am-4pm: “Open House and Demonstrations by Artists”
As far as vacation tips for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park goes, many people ask about handicap parking and other accessible areas before making the trip. In Townsend, while some of these designated areas can be hard to find, they’re well worth the trip.
The majority of the picnic areas around the national park are not accessible to handicapped individuals. Most are just your everyday picnic table, which is fine for most users, but for someone who is handicapped, a standard picnic table can be very difficult to maneuver around. You’ll also find that reaching these areas requires a trip down a small dirt or gravel pathway. These trails can make getting to the picnic areas, well, not quite a picnic. Still there are places near the park where this is not the case. In Townsend, Tn, otherwise known as the “Peaceful side of the Smokies”, there are several handicap-accessible picnic areas.
One such place overlooks the Little River in Townsend. While it is a bit off the beaten path, it’s well worth seeking out if you have someone in your group that requires a little assistance to enjoy the family picnic. Coming into Townsend from Pigeon Forge or Wears Valley, take a right when you get to the junction of Wears Valley Road and Hwy 321. There will be signs for Tuckaleechee Caverns followed by a few small blue signs indicating handicapped accessible picnic areas and where each is located.
The walk to the picnic tables is paved. The curb is ramped to allow wheelchair-bound visitors or someone on crutches an easy way to get up to the picnic area. There are no gravel or dirt pavements here so no need to worry about accidentally flipping over trying to get to the tables.
Each of these picnic tables are built with a person in a wheelchair or mobility assistance device in mind. One side of the table is unencumbered with enough room for a wheelchair to pull up to. No longer does the person in the wheelchair have to feel left out because they cannot get up to the picnic table. No longer does the person with special needs have to worry about having their traveling companions help them into the picnic table.
All these handicapped accessible picnic tables are right on the water. Want to take a swim in the cool mountain water of the Little River? Go right ahead. Want to cast your rod for some brown trout? Throw your line in right here. Moreover, these picnic areas are designed with the handicapped individual in mind. Making sure that everyone in your party can enjoy their trip to the Smoky Mountains is always on the mind of the people on this side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
The phrase “Connecting people and nature in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park” is one you’re bound to hear often at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Townsend, Tn. It suits the program well as it’s one that relies heavily on the experience of their students in nature.
The education programs provided by the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont celebrate the ecological and cultural diversity of the Smokies, while helping those that seek a greater understanding of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park itself. Through such programs as Wilderness First Responder courses, photo workshops, hiking adventures, and naturalist certification, the Institute is able to carry out its mission.
“Connecting people and nature.” What is the meaning behind it? What’s the Great Smoky Mountains Institute’s common thread? Who do we serve and how does motto connect with our programs?
Questions like these are constantly asked and expounded upon at the Smokies Institute. The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont believes that three strands make up its purpose and include a Sense of Place, Diversity, and Stewardship. These strands weave the thread that flows through each lesson and program offered.
The following are ideas and values that these themes represent:
Sense of Place
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a unique and inspiring place.
Wild places like the Smokies are important to the health of our planet.
Each of us is a part of our “home” ecosystem. These same “sense of place” attitudes should be transferred to our home ecosystem.
Diversity
There is tremendous diversity within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Smokies have been and continue to be affected by people of diverse interests and perspectives.
We can learn much about ourselves by living in a community with people of diverse backgrounds, philosophies, and cultures.
Stewardship
We have a responsibility for preserving and caring for the Smokies and places like it.
Preserving places like the Smokies means learning about their problems and working to help.
Our lifestyle and daily habits can be adjusted to have minimal impact upon the environment.
Townsend’s Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival (April 19-20) is an interactive arts event connecting the community with fiber arts activities. The festival will include fiber animal exhibitions, vendor market, classes, demonstrations of spinning, needlecrafts, dyeing, weaving, and many other fiber processes. You’ll also have the chance to participate in hands-on projects for children and adults, view local artists’ work, purchase fiber craft supplies, and get information about local fiber activities, groups, and businesses.
