Winterfest Kicks Off In The Smokies
Posted by Leif Palmer in Seasons Smoky Mountains
It seems like we just got through with the last remnants of summer, and here we are already, about to usher in another Winterfest celebration in the Great Smoky Mountains. For those who may not be familiar with this annual festival, it's the four months each year that the communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville celebrate winter and everything that's great about that season – especially all things Christmas.
Winterfest is made up of a different special events taking place within each of our three main cities, but what ties the entire celebration together are the millions and millions of holiday lights that have gone up in each town. Crews have been working for months to get all the lights in place, and it's almost time to turn on the juice.
In Gatlinburg, for example, you can see all the lights on one of the city's Winter Magic Trolley Rides of Light, which allow guests to view the town's displays in the heated comfort of a special trolley. In Pigeon Forge, you can see dozens of displays on self-guided tours of town, or you can catch the 4 million lights shining at Dollywood alone. Sevierville has millions more lights spread out through the entire city.
Each of our towns is getting Winterfest kicked off in its own special way in about a week. In Sevierville, they're launching the festivities downtown on November 6 from 3 to 9:30 p.m. The evening's events will include a mascot dance-off, a lumberjack exhibition, balloon artists, inflatables, Santa Claus and a grand finale complete with fireworks display.
Pigeon Forge is next on November 7 with old-time games starting at 4 p.m. and live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. And on that night, you can take a tour of the lights on one of the city's trolleys, beginning at 7 p.m. All festivities will take place at Patriot Park.
In Gatlinburg, it all goes down on November 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. with the city's annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff. Taking place downtown, the festivities will include local officials powering up the city's millions of lights at 6 p.m. on the Bush's Best Stage, followed by musical acts on multiple stages throughout the night. Featured artists include Tara Thompson, The Grassabillies and The Greenbrier Band.
The All Sauced Up Hot Chili Eating Contests will be at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. across from Reagan Terrace Mall, while participants in the annual Chili Cookoff will be competing for awards. Cookoff guests can purchase chili samplings on the street for $10 each.
If you're going to be in the area and want accommodations that are convenient for accessing all three kickoff celebrations, you still have time to book one of our cabins in the Smoky Mountains. You'll be just a few minutes from all the fun, and back at the cabin, you'll enjoy the peaceful and scenic surroundings of the Smokies.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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