Save the date for 2011:  February 4--6.

We had a big time at this year's Winter Heritage Festival

February 4-7, 2010

Join us for more Festival Fun in 2010--Four seasons of celebration await you in Townsend!

A celebration of the history, people, and traditions of Townsend TN, Cades Cove, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Don't miss the Kick-Off on Thursday, Feb. 4 from 7 - 9pm, with Sparky and Rhonda Rucker at Tremont!  Call 865-448-6709 for reservations.

The Winter Heritage Festival has received an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History, and has been designated a "Top Twenty Event" by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau 

 
Great Smoky Mountains Association

Byron's Printing 

865-982-7261

 Big Meadow Campground

Townsend, TN 

865-448-0625

 Miss Lily's Cafe

WBIR-TV
Channel 10

See below for schedules of events for 2010!  Most events are free, but there are charges for the Kick Off, the Barn Dance, Miss Lily's Banquet Hall lunch programs, and the Cades Cove Heritage Tours. 

Advance Registration Required! Download the schedule and form:
Winter Fest Schedule 2010  
Winter Fest 2010 Registration
And the full program booklet:
Winter Heritage Booklet 2010
Call for more information or if you'd like to be sent the schedule and registration form by mail or email:  865-448-6134.  Complete the registration and send to Townsend Visitors Center 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Townsend, TN  37886.  jhilten@smokymountains.org

Highlights of Programs at the Townsend Visitors Center

• A "Mountain Craft Showcase" on Saturday morning in the Exhibit Room with artisans demonstrating their skills.
• "The Prehistory of Tuckaleechee Cove" with Dr. Boyce Driskell, University of Tennessee Archeologist.
• Mountain Music and Mountain People program by Bob Fulcher, Cumberland Trail State Park and Tennessee folklorist.
• Discover Life in America's biodiversity project in the Smokies, with Director Todd Witcher. 
• A presentation about the Park's natural history collections, by Curator Adriean Mayor. 
• Programs about key people in the formation of the Park: Horace Kephart, by Butch McDade and Ann Davis, by Robin Goddard.
• A performance by TNT Dulcimer Trio.
• Naturalist-led hikes to Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse and Walker Sisters Homestead with Butch McDade, Elkmont with Herb Handly, and other historic and scenic places. 
• Friday evening Volunteer Appreciation Open House with refreshments and music by the Woodpickers

Highlights of Programs at Other Locations:

• Thursday, February 4: Kick Off evening program at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont:  "Mountain Voices" with Sparky and Rhonda Rucker.   Charge: $10 per person. Call Tremont for reservations, 865-448-6709. 
• Cades Cove Preservation Association presentations and exhibits at Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.
• Blount County Historical Museum open house in Maryville, TN.
• Cades Cove Thompson-Brown House Museum exhibits.
• Friday and Saturday lunch programs at Miss Lily's Banquet Hall with guest speakers Mary Fanslow (Friday) and Ila Hatter (Saturday). Charge: $12 per person.  Call 865-448-1924.
• Cades Cove Heritage Tours:  guided trips around the Cove in a 19 passenger van with an expert leader. Call 865-448-8838.
• Myers Lane Book-signing at Mary Tippitt Library.
• Saturday, Februrary 6: BBQ Supper and Square Dance with "The Lost Hounds of Pumpkin Hollow" old time string band, at The Barn Event Center, Townsend, TN.  Charge:  $25 per person. Call The Barn for reservations, 865-448-3812. 
• Little River Railroad Museum talks and tours, Townsend, TN.
• Ranger-led interpretive programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• Salamander foray and history walk at Tremont.

All programs require pre-registration.  Most are free;  events with food will have a charge, so call the host businesses to make reservations.  For more information, call the Townsend Visitors Center (865-448-6134 or 800-525-6834).  Schedule is subject to change.  Please call and check back on our website for updates.
In addition to our sponsors, the Winter Heritage Festival is supported by these host businesses and organizations:  Cades Cove Preservation Association, Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Little River Railroad Museum, Cades Cove Heritage Tours, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, The Barn Event Center, Valley View Lodge, Townsend IGA

Click here to view our Smoky Mountain Festivals website!