Pawpaw Holler Home

The Townsend Winter Heritage Festival takes place this week, Thursday through Sunday, February 4-7, 2010.

A celebration of the history, people, and traditions of Townsend TN, Cades Cove, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

All programs require pre-registration.  Most are free;  events with food will have a charge, so call the host businesses to make reservations.

Schedule is subject to change.

There will be presentations, exhibits, hikes, demonstrations and much more.

Download the full program booklet (PDF) here:

Winter Heritage Booklet 2010

Please call the Townsend Visitors Center at (865) 448-6134 or (800) 525-6834 for more information.

Blessings,

Denese

Need something to do today?

There will be an Open House/Craft Fair today, January 31st, 2010 from 2-4pm at the Highland Manor Inn Conference Center in Townsend, Tennessee.

Several vendors will be there including; Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Premier Designs and Southern Living. You’ll find homemade and gift items such as jewelry, hair bows, baby items, and many more.

Everyone is welcome and there will be refreshments and door prizes.

Traveling north through Townsend on 321, Highland Manor Inn is located at 7766 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy -on the right, just past the Valley View Lodge.

In case of bad weather, you might want to call the motel to be sure the Open House hasn’t been cancelled –(865) 448-2211.

Blessings,

Denese

The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, Tennessee is hosting a free event this Friday and Saturday January 29-30, 2010.

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center to host ‘Hurry-Back-Spring-Fling’

The Heritage Center is located at 123 Cromwell Dr. in Townsend (just off Hwy 73, between the traffic light and GSMNP entrance) and is open 10am-5pm.

Please call (865) 448-0044 for more information.

Blessings,

Denese

Every Saturday night, in season, you can enjoy free music at the Pickin’ Porch, located behind Wood ‘n Strings Dulcimer Shop in Townsend.

Tonight, listen to Native American flute music performed by Randy McGinnis –music starts at 7:00pm.

Wood ‘n Strings is located at 7645 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy. in Townsend.

Blessings,

Denese

The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum in Townsend will present two special tours this Saturday.

There will be an  “Old Town” tour at 9:00am, focusing on the old lumber mill in Townsend, and a tour of the old logging camp at Tremont will start at 10:30 am.

Townsend museum hosts special tours Saturday

There is no charge for the tours and they are repeated on the fourth Saturday of every month.

Blessings,

Denese

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is offering free tickets to the Dolly Parton-headlined "rededication" ceremony to mark the park’s 75th anniversary.

Tickets available for Smokies Rededication

Act fast –first-come, first-served and limited to 2,000.

Blessings,

Denese

Update:

Tickets for Smokies rededication no longer available

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a special program scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15 at the Sugarlands Visitor Center –all about birds of prey.

Attend a Birds of Prey program at GSMNP

For more details, please call the Sugarlands Visitor Center at 865-436-1291.

Blessings,

Denese

Independence Day Fireworks Show

Join us in Townsend this July 4th for our annual Independence Day Fireworks Show. It will be held in the usual place -the field next to the Highland Manor Inn on 321 -with Patriotic music at 8:30pm and fireworks at 9:45pm.

Bring your lawn chairs and come an hour early to find a good spot to park, they fill up fast!

Update for 2010:

• Fourth Of July Fireworks In Townsend TN

Denese

On June 29 and July 2 you can become a “Citizen Scientist” and join Great Smoky Mountains National Park researchers and educators in collecting scientific data in the park.

Special High School Volunteer Day

Monday, June 29: Mapping in a Maze of Grass -10:00 am to 2:00 pm

This project will include collecting data, mapping evidence, and treating fire ant mounds. Open only to high school students and recent graduates.

Special Public Volunteer Day

Thursday, July 2: Filling in the Gaps on the Map -9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Participants will spend the day exploring the trails between the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center and Sugarlands Visitor Center and map the big trees along the way. Open to the public of any age (for those 12 years of age or younger, a parent is required to be present). Limited to 20 people, reservations required.

For more information on these events, please see The Great Smoky Mountains National Park website.

Blessings,

 Denese

There are all kinds of free and low-cost events happenin’ this weekend in our corner of East Tennessee.

Townsend Events

Friday May 1

Smoky Mountain Musical Homecoming – featuring The Country Tennesseans, Smoky Mountain Grass and Mountain Gap

• Where: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend
• When:  5:30pm (Center opens at 5:00pm)
• Price: $3, free for members and children under 6 years
• Extra: BBQ Supper $7

Friday May 1 – Sunday May 3

Townsend in the Smokies Spring Festival and Old Timers Day – bluegrass music, arts and crafts, BBQ, Appalachian skills, antique cars and tractors, wildflower hikes and the beauty of the Smokies in the springtime.

• Where: Townsend Visitor’s Center
• When:  9:00am – ‘til the music’s over
• Price:  Free

New this year:

• Young Pickers Talent Contest on Saturday morning for acoustic bluegrass players ages 17 and younger.
• Tuckaleechee Cove Day on Sunday.

For full details, please visit the Townsend Visitor’s Center website.

Saturday May 2

Spring Heritage Festival – skill and trade demonstrations, storytelling, music, crafts, games and more in an historic setting.

• Where: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend
• When:  10:00am – 5:00pm
• Price: $6 Adults (18-59) 
          $4 Seniors (60+) 
          $4 Children (6-17) 
          Free admission for members and children under 6 years

Smoky Mountains Events

Saturday May 2

Old Timer’s Day in Cades Cove – bluegrass, storytelling and reminiscing from former Cades Cove residents, their descendents, and others from surrounding areas. Visitor’s welcome, pack a lunch and bring a chair. Old Timers Day is held the first Saturday in May and last Saturday in September.

• When:   All day
• Where: Cable Mill area of  Cades Cove in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Price:  Free

Blessings,

Denese