Gatlinburg SpringFest
Curt March 21st, 2007
Dates:Â March 14 - June 10
During the three-month Springfest celebration that begins in early March and continues into the second week of June, visitors witness Gatlinburg’s transformation into spring when the city’s streets overflow with baskets of beautiful blooming flowers and plants. Pansies, daffodils, tulips, mandevillas, bougainvilleas, lantanas, scaveolas and wave petunias are among the many varieties of flowers seen throughout the city. Live entertainment can be found along sidewalks, adding a festive flair to the time-honored Downtown Parkway stroll. Members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community display unique handcrafted wares as they gather at the Gatlinburg Convention Center to host their annual Easter Arts & Crafts show Wednesday, April 4 through Saturday, April 7.On Easter morning, April 8, join in the local tradition and attend Ober Gatlinburg’s 10th Annual Easter Sunrise Service enhanced by the beauty of the Smokies. Free tram rides to the mountain top begin at 5:45 a.m. and continue in 15 minute intervals until the service begins. Complimentary parking at the resort will be provided for those who prefer to drive. A breakfast buffet will be waiting and available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. The smell of hickory-smoked barbeque fills the air as folks roll up sleeves and dive in to sample their secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from more than 30 vendors from all over the Southeast on Thursday, April 19 at Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings. This festive street party features live entertainment, lots of fun and barbeque ribs and wings on the open grill just for your tasting.
The 57th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, Monday, April 23 through Sunday, April 29, is another great event, especially for hikers and nature lovers who love to see delicate wildflowers in bloom. Hosted by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the University of Tennessee Botany Department and the Gatlinburg Garden Club, this seven-day program offers more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and delightful motor excursions into the wonderful season of spring in the Smokies.
Spring events continue with Gatlinburg’s Scottish Festival & Games Grand Parade on Friday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at Traffic Light #10 in downtown Gatlinburg. All Scots are invited to march or ride in the parade. On Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20, Mills Park in Gatlinburg becomes competitive ground for the 26th Annual Scottish Festival & Games where clans meet and feature Highland athletics, bagpipe competitions, highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, haggis hurling, entertainment and whiskey tasting, along with food and merchandise vendors. Gatlinburg’s Fine Arts Festival, a family-oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country, delicious cuisine and music takes place on Aquarium Plaza and River Road Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. Proceeds benefit the Sevier County Arts Council.
At last, the warmer weather has won the battle, causing an explosion of Spring all across the Gatlinburg landscape. It’s the perfect time for a visit! There’s no better way to herald its arrival than with the 
Another favorite part of Springfest is the weeklong 
expand your knowledge and skills or simply a peaceful encounter with nature at its finest, come discover the stunning world of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 
You can even watch a video presentation in a mini-theater. Horse back riding is available in season. Trout fishing is a favorite for many. You must get a fishing license from Tennessee or North Carolina to fish in the park, available at many stores in the area. A visit to Cades Cove on the south end of the park is also a favorite, with a motor nature tour and the old farm buildings from the 1800’s. You are likely to see deer and maybe even a bear there. There are dozens of quiet walkways throughout the park with parking for 1 to 5 vehicles in addition to the many larger hiking trails, so be sure to get the list from the park. If you will be driving through the park on Hwy 441 on your way to Gatlinburg from home, it is always a good idea to check the road conditions - especially in the fall and winter - to make sure that the road is open. Call 865-436-1200 for the current conditions.