Yes, Townsend will be having their free, annual fireworks show again this year! It will be held at the same place as in years past -in the field just past the Highland Manor Inn on 321.

Music from Tennessee State Line -a country, bluegrass and gospel band- will start at 8:30pm and Tiffany Webb will sing patriotic songs at 9:15pm. The fireworks will start around 9:45pm.

To find a good parking spot, get here at least an hour early -and bring your lawn chairs or you’ll be sitting on the ground!

These pictures were taken last year -about a half a mile away from the show site:

Denese

For all of you local yokels and garage sale go’ers, I am having a 3 family garage sale at my house Friday and Saturday, rain or shine. My address is: 7746 Caylors Chapel Road, Townsend TN. Turn at Phillips 66 onto Webb Rd, go 1 mile and look for signs.

GMC truck, 2 horse trailer, lawn mowers, weedeater, tools, tack, bicycle rack with hitch, school books, chalkboards, children’s stuff, clothing, frames, clay pots, linens, drum set, computer monitor, beautiful wedding dress, air conditioner, much, much more!!!!

Lots of great bargains!!

Denese

When we moved to the holler, I brought 2 of the briars with us. Over the last 8 years those 2 briars have turned into a nice sized patch -we now get quarts instead of handfuls!

I have since found out that these raspberries are wineberries -also known as wine raspberries- and are considered an invasive species here in the United States. (I call them a gift from God -with a little help from the birds!)

The canes of the wineberries get very long -anywhere from 6-10 feet- and when they touch the ground, a new plant will form. The plants are covered with red, hairy spines and the leaves look frosted on the undersides. Wineberries bloom in May here in East Tennessee -the berries get ripe in June and July.

Wineberries can be found throughout the northeast United States in moist fields, woods, roadsides, thickets and yards.

Can you guess what we’ve been eating?

Find out more about wineberries:

Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group: Wineberry

Invasive Plant Atlas of New England: Wineberry

Denese

Townsend Arts and Crafts Fair -Over 80 vendors selling woodcarvings, baskets, paintings, pottery, chairs, bird houses and lots of other local and regional crafts plus food, drinks and music. Admission is $1.50 for adults, children under 12 get in free. Fair times are from 9:00am-6:00pm on Saturday and 9:00am-4:00pm on Sunday. For more information, call (865) 448-2259.

Nawger Nob is located at 7321 East Lamar Alexander Pkwy (321) in Townsend.

Denese

WBIR: Ed Rupp’s Free Ticket Giveaway -Enter to win a a 2 night cabin stay from Bluff Mountain Cabin Rentals, 4 tickets to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, 4 meals from Corky’s Ribs & BBQ plus 4 gift cards provided by The Marble Slab Creamery. Entries must be received by noon on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. One entry per person, open to Tennessee residents only, must be 18 years of age to enter.

Denese

The Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival is going on today and tomorrow -June 4-5, 2010- in Townsend, TN:

Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival -30 pottery booths with demonstrations, hands-on children’s activities, prize drawings and music.

When: June 4-5, 2010 -from noon-5pm on Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturday.

Where: Townsend Visitors Center, 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pwy, Townsend, TN 37882

Cost: FREE

For more information, please call 865-448-6134 or 800-525-6834.

Denese

O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Psalms 104:24

Trolley service from Sugarlands Visitor Center
Trolleys from the City of Gatlinburg will pick up visitors at the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area starting at 7pm and will run continuously until the parking area is full -or until 9pm if the parking area doesn’t fill up. The cost for the trolley service is $1 per person.

Shuttle Service from Townsend, TN
Cades Cove Tours is offering a shuttle service from Townsend. The 3 hour tour starts at 8:30 and the cost is also $1 per person, but space is limited and the shuttles are filling up fast.

Please note: The Elkmont entrance road will be closed to all motor vehicles and pedestrians every night from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, June 5-13.

Denese

You might also be interested in:

• Homeschool/Education Freebies And Citizen Science Opportunity For Learning About Fireflies (Lightning Bugs)

Every week there are all kinds of fun and educational things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park -plus they’re free!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Junior Ranger Activity: Charismatic Mega-fauna -What is “charismatic mega-fauna”? Where can I see it? Find out from a ranger if there is something they’re not telling you! This event repeats every Sunday through May 9, 2010. Wheelchair accessible.

When: 10:30am to 11:00am
Where: Oconaluftee Visitor Center, South Porch

Sunday Morning in Sugarlands Valley -Reflect on how old-time religion satisfied both spiritual and social needs of the mountain people on this easy, one mile walk. This event repeats every Sunday through May 9, 2010.

When: 10:30am to 11:30am
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center

Bear with Us -The North American black bear has become a symbol of the Smokies. Learn about some of their characteristics and how to observe these wonderful animals. This is a good activity for Junior Rangers and repeats every Sunday through May 9, 2010. Wheelchair accessible.

When: 2:00pm to 2:30pm
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio

Ranger Guided Hike: Where the Waters Sing! -Join a ranger and experience the melody of the mountains. This is a 2 hour, moderate hike -4 miles roundtrip and repeats every Sunday through May 9, 2010.

When: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Kephart Prong Trailhead

Monday, April 26, 2010

Elkmont Nature Trail -Come and enjoy a glimpse into the past. This is an easy, 1 hour walk and repeats every Monday through May 10, 2010.

When: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Where: Elkmont Nature Trailhead

The Smokies Largest Mammal: The Elk - Join park staff to discover the life of the Smoky Mountain elk. This event repeats every Monday through May 10, 2010. Wheelchair accessible.

When: 12:30pm to 1:15pm
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio

Cataract Falls Walk -Get away from the hustle and bustle by taking an easy stroll to a beautiful waterfall and learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains. This is an easy, 1 hour walk and repeats every Monday through May 10, 2010.

When:  1:30pm to 2:30pm
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Take a Walk with a Naturalist -Take a closer look at the harbingers of spring–birds, flowers, trees, and amphibians. Easy walk. This event repeats every Tuesday through May 11, 2010.

When: 9:00am to 11:00am
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center

Little Greenbrier School -Readin’ and writin’ and fun. Turn back the clock to 1900 and find out what it was like to attend school in a one-room log schoolhouse. This event repeats every Tuesday through May 11, 2010.

When: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Where: Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Porters Flats Walk -Discover the natural and cultural wonders of the Greenbrier area of the Smokies. Easy to moderate walk. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water. This event repeats every Wednesday through May 12, 2010.

When: 12:00pm to 2:30pm
Where: Porter Flats Trailhead in Greenbrier

Newfound Gap Appalachian Trail Walk -Join a park ranger and walk along part of the Appalachian Trail. Discover the beauty and secrets of this high elevation ecosystem. Moderate hike. Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots. This event repeats every Wednesday through May 12, 2010.

When: 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Where:  Rockefeller Memorial at Newfound Gap

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Trees of the Smokies -Join us on this leisurely walk along the Fighting Creek Nature Trail as we identify some of the trees found in the Smokies. Easy walk. This event repeats every Thursday through May 13, 2010.

When: 11:00am to 12:30pm
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio

Highland Homeland -Sit a spell on the front porch of the Ogle cabin and learn about the families who once lived here. Guided walk at 1:00 p.m.; short talks and stories presented from noon to 2:00 p.m. This event repeats every Thursday through May 13, 2010.

When: 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Where:  Noah “Bud” Ogle Nature Trail on Cherokee Orchard Road

Most Dangerous Animals in the Smokies -What is the most dangerous animal in the park? Is it the bear? Surely it is the snake! Come join park staff and find out, you might be surprised! Easy walk and a good activity for Junior Rangers. This event repeats every Thursday through May 13, 2010.

When: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center

Friday, April 30, 2010

Myth and Medicine -Join a ranger for a guided hike to learn about early settlers of the region and their use of nature`s bountiful resources. Easy walk. This event repeats every Friday through May 14, 2010.

When: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center

Civil War in the Smokies -Join us for a short walk to hear about Colonel Thomas and his legion of Confederate Cherokees, the Civil War outposts of Clingmans Dome, Fort Harry, and Alum Cave, and the Battle of Gatlinburg. Easy walk. This event repeats every Friday through May 14, 2010.

When: 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center

Waterfalls Walk -Discover the beauty of three waterfalls on this easy to moderate, 3 hour walk -2.5 miles roundtrip. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water and snacks. This event repeats every Friday through May 14, 2010.

When: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Juney Whank Falls trailhead at the Deep Creek trailhead parking area

Elkmont History Walk -Logging and tourism were both factors in the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Elkmont played a major role in this history. Walk back through time on this easy walk. This event repeats every Friday through May 14, 2010.

When: 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Elkmont Campground at the Bridge

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Enjoying Spring`s Beauty -Experience a guided hike observing the spring season through the beauty of wildflowers on the Chestnut Top Trail. Meet at the parking lot at the intersection of State Road 73 (Townsend entrance road) and Little River Road, also known as the Townsend Wye. This is a difficult (trail is very steep), 1 hour hike -1 mile roundtrip. Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots.

When: 9:30am to 10:30am
Where: Chestnut Top Trail

Junior Ranger: Fishy Facts -Join a Ranger for a short walk down to the river to learn about the Smokies fish species. This event repeats every Saturday through May 15, 2010. Wheelchair accessible.

When: 10:30am to 11:00am
Where: Oconaluftee Visitor Center, South Porch

Cataract Falls Walk -Get away from the hustle and bustle by taking an easy stroll to a beautiful waterfall and learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains. This is an easy, 1 hour walk.

When: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio

Bear with Us -The North American black bear has become a symbol of the Smokies. Learn about some of their characteristics and how to observe these wonderful animals. This is a good activity for Junior Rangers and repeats every Saturday through May 15, 2010. Wheelchair accessible.

When: 1:00pm to 1:30pm
Where: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio

Down on the Farm -Walk down to the farm for a glimpse into the past. Demonstrations vary. This event repeats every Saturday through May 15, 2010. Wheelchair accessible.

When: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Where: Mountain Farm Museum adjacent to Oconaluftee Visitor Center

For more information:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Schedule of Events -Search for upcoming events by date.

Great Smoky Mountains Maps -Downloadable park, trail, region and campground maps.

You can also stop by any Visitor Center -be sure to pick up a free Smokies Guide newspaper that lists all these activities and more.

Denese

From the Passion Play website -dates for 2010:

We regret that this past year we lost the lease to the Amphitheatre in Townsend. The woman who owned the property deeded it to the National park and the Amphitheatre and set were torn down to the ground ….We are planning on doing a limited engagement of the Passion play in Sevier county ..most likely Sevierville or Pigeon Forge this fall. Please keep us in your prayers as we hope to find a new home for the ministry .

For updates, please check the Passion Play website and I’ll post any new information on their status as it becomes available.

It would be nice if they could find another place here in Townsend…they will be missed.

Denese