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Fun and Lights at the Smoky Mountain Winterfest by Corey
A magical celebration that begins during the later months of the year, the Smoky Mountain Winterfest is fun for everyone. The Winterfest is the focus of several towns along the Smoky Mountains, including Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and businesses like Ripley’s Aquarium and the Christus Garden.
The Winterfest brings together the colorful twinkling lights of the entire city and turns it into a celebration of the winter season. Millions upon millions of lights are arranged into breathtaking displays around the city. But there’s more to the festival than lights alone – there is also entertainment, old fashioned southern hospitality and winter games!
The annual celebrations lasts for four months. With a time frame like this, you won’t have worry about missing out on any of the sights and sounds. During this time, the city lights up with more than 5 million winter displays. The plateau turns into a gorgeous winter wonderland, the perfect environment for families, couples and kids of all ages.
The festival is usually followed up by many fun games and activities for kids and teens. The annual Wilderness Week is lined up for the second week of January. The program is designed to help visitors not only appreciate the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, but to get in touch with it, as well. The guests will join a crew of more than 100 wildlife experts on hikes, camping trips and nature walks. They also conduct seminars and clinics that touch on the history of the Smoky Mountains, the folklore, and the ecological aspects of the mountain range. You can also sign your children up for a kid-themed Wildness Week with Miss Mary Burke.
Go to the wild! If you are eager to learn more about the outdoors outside of the Wilderness Week, there are plenty of other activities offered by the Lights Display Winterfest. Greg Ward and Gene Rayfield will conduct a fly-casting class for all of those interested in the art of Fly Fishing. Sandy Sgrillo will be conducting a walk and lesson with her llamas, and Steve Garr will be leading an Owl Prowl. Mr. Alfred Ballinger will be hosting rappelling lessons, as well.
If you are not interested in the physical activities like hiking or owl prowling, then you can head over to the Hog Calling Contest, an event hosted by the Comedy Barn Theater. For kids, or kids at heart, there is a spelling bee that will be hosted by Robin Goddard. The Music Road Convention Center is the place where you will find most of these activities – and nearly all are free of charge.
The Winterfest has been ranked 5th in a list of the nation’s best light displays. The Director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism said, “The Oglebay Festival of Lights was one of the inspirations for what we created in the Smokies. Winterfest now is 15 years old, and it’s exciting to be on a list that includes the place that helped us get started.”
The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade draws thousands of spectators every year, and is perhaps the most anticipated event of the entire celebration. The millions of lights within the city provide a stunning backdrop for the glowing Christmas Parade. The celebration is usually kicked off, literally, by the local High Schools’ nearly 1,000 cheerleaders. There is also a thirty-foot Christmas tree that is placed at the end of the main boulevard; festooned with lights and ornaments, it is the perfect way to finish the magical look of the Winterfest. There is also a mini-beauty pageant for girls to participate in.
The Smoky Mountain Winterfest is an annual event that is fun for participants of all ages. Be sure to visit one of the three participating cities in Tennessee this year and enjoy the beautiful lights!
About the Author
Spend your Smoky Mountain Winterfest bundled up in a Gatlinburg condo as you feel at home away from home. Close to all the top attractions in the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg condo rentals are perfect for your next family vacation.
Uhhh…what did she just say?? Miss Teen South Carolina 2007
January 22, 2012 11:22 am 
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