Lifestyle

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is pleased to announce the selection of Dawn Brackins as the Park’s 2015 “Employee of the Year.” This marks the 32nd anniversary of an important partnership between the park and its neighboring communities which recognizes the outstanding work of park employees in all disciplines. A public event will be held on Tuesday, May 3 at ...

The Appalachian Bear Rescue Spring Festival promises two days filled with fun, food and music. Appalachian Bear Rescue celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. Join the organization in celebration at the Spring Festival and enjoy local arts & crafts; great entertainment provided by the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival, Boogertown Gap and Appalachia Anna; and delicious food from Breads of Heaven ...

Kids can learn basic police skills at a 5-day police camp in Sevierville this summer. The Sevierville Police Department has scheduled a Police Camp for kids from Monday, June 20, 2016 through Friday, June 24, 2016. Camp will take place daily from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. The purpose of Police Camp is to provide the opportunity for young men and ...

Back again for its twelfth year, the Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival in Sevierville has released its entertainment lineup, including a headline performance from Mountain Faith Band, 2015 finalist from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” “This year’s roster of performers features a great mix of up-and-coming artists with a number of bluegrass legends,” says Sevierville Chamber of Commerce director of marketing ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced the dates for the firefly viewing event in Elkmont. The ticketed event will take place from Tuesday, May 31 through Tuesday, June 7, 2016. Parking passes will be distributed this year via a lottery system administered through www.recreation.gov. Since 2006, access to the Elkmont area has been limited to shuttle service during ...

Jack Hatfield, author of the Hatfield clan cookbook “Eat’n with the Hatfields,” will hold a book signing event in Pigeon Forge. Have you ever wanted to eat with the Hatfields of the famous Hatfield-McCoy feud? Now is your chance. Jack Hatfield will be visiting Pigeon Forge on Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27, 2016 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will celebrate Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with special activities at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Cades Cove Visitor Center and Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The park is also hosting two InstaMeet opportunities with photographers who will share tips on creating unique social media posts using camera phones at ...

Author Courtney Lix profiles the lives and accomplishments of Dolly Parton and other local women in her book “No Place for the Weary Kind: Women of the Smokies.” What does it mean to be a woman of the Smokies? While author Courtney Lix spent more than five years researching and writing her way to an answer, the Gatlinburg, Tenn. native ...

Residents and those who work locally can see any of the Ripley’s attractions in Sevier County for just $5 during Local Discount Days. Everyone who lives or works in Blount, Cocke, Jefferson, Knox or Sevier County may take advantage of this local discount and enjoy any of the Ripley’s Tennessee attractions for just $5 plus tax per person/per visit from ...

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is exhibiting works by Nelson Ziegler – Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist of the Year. The Pilgrimage is a five-day event, April 19-23, 2016 hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The event offers 144 professionally guided walks and presentations held in the Park and Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg. The exhibit showcases Ziegler’s ...