April Indoor Activities & Outdoor Fun
It won’t matter where you go in the Smoky Mountains this month, there are plenty of opportunities to participate in fun things to do in all three cities of Sevier County. Outdoor activities include fishing and hiking in the National Park, experiencing worldwide culture and checking out the coolest hot rods. For indoor fun, why not catch a sports tournament, learn about Smoky Mountain wildflowers, or listen to some great music? It’s all here… all month long!
Synchronous Fireflies: DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED EARLY APRIL
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to the annual end of May – early June synchronous firefly gathering that offers a splendid light show in the Elkmont area of the park. Advance ticket purchases required for traveling to Elkmont.
April 1-2 2017
1-2: Smoky Mountain Blast Volleyball Tournament – Sanctioned USA Volleyball event taking place at LeConte Center Pigeon Forge. Visit web site online at dynamiceventz.org or call (484) 553-5060
1-2: 19th Annual Spring Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament – The first of two fishing tournaments offered by Rocky Top Outfitter that is open to youth and adults for 2 days of fishing fun and competition. Gatlinburg and state fishing regulations will be observed. Call (865) 661-3474 or visit online at http://www.smokymountaintrouttournament.com/
1-June 2: Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Spring: It’s a Spring Thing! – As part of Smoky Mountain Springfest, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have packed April with special events and activities for the whole family! For more information on Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Spring: It’s a Spring Thing
1-9: Dollywood’s Festival of Nations – Cultural festival bringing a world of music, traditional costume and foods to Dollywood theme park. Visit festival web site at http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/Festival-of-Nations
6-8: Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run – Annual Pigeon Forge car show by MCS Promotions headquartered at the Pigeon Forge Events Center and municipal parking lot hear the Island. Visit online at rodrun-pigeonforge.com or call (865) 687-3976 for additional details.
7-8: 2017 “Titanic” Gathering – Event begins with Friday evening cocktail reception to gather with friends. Saturday includes meet-n-greet with Margaret Brown’s great granddaughter, a first class dinner and presentation of Titanic “Voices.” (800)381-7670
April 7-8 2017
7-8: Smoky Mountain Winefest – Event begins Friday evening with a guided wine tour through Gatlinburg wineries beginning promptly at 6 p.m. On Saturday, wineries from across the state will provide samples of their labels along with local chefs preparing food for pairings at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts 1-6 p.m. Informational demonstrations and seminars will be held. Advance tickets are available on line at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/wine-fest/
7-9: “Hands-On Gatlinburg” – Experience, create, learn and enjoy! First time event that allows youth and adults to create a piece of art or craft from the experts of the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. Talk about a great Smoky Mountain souvenir! For more information, visit https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/hands-on-gatlinburg/ for a complete list of classes and costs.
11-15: 67th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage – Celebrate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with over 150 different programs, including hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations and classroom lectures centered on the flowers, plants and wildlife in the great outdoors. Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg. www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org.
12-15: Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show – Members of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community head to the downtown Gatlinburg Convention Center brings to show and sell their handmade products and gifts. Visit your favorite community artists all under one roof! www.gatlinburgcrafts.com
12-16: It’s Baseball Time in Tennessee! – The Tennessee Smokies kicks off the baseball season with their Home Opener. It’s the Tennessee Smokies vs Mississippi Braves at Smokies Stadium in Kodak TN. See the full 2017 season schedule at smokiesbaseball.com
16: Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg – Early morning Easter Service held atop of Mt. Harrison at Ober Gatlinburg. Service begins at 6:30 a.m. Complimentary tram service to the top of the mountain starts at 5:45 a.m. Breakfast buffet available. (800) 251-9202
April 17-21 2017
17-21: Tennessee Smokies Baseball – Smokies vs Birmingham Barons at Smokies Stadium in Kodak TN. See the full 2016 season schedule at smokiesbaseball.com
17-21: Earth Week – Gatlinburg host a week of family-oriented events created around Earth Day Celebration. The week features fun and entertaining community activities designed to educate people about adopting easy green practices. Earth Day Festival at Mynatt Park is Thursday, April 20. The nighttime Earth Day 5K is on Friday, April 21. Visit https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/earth-week/
17-23: Smoky Mountain Regional Bridge Conference – This large tournament of the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference, presented by District 7, is held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center and anticipates over 3,000 participants in Gold Point events and other programs. Visit the Regional Bridge Conference web site at www.gatlinburgregional.org
18: Earth Week Spur Clean Up – Volunteer to meet others at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center at 9 a.m. to assist Keep Sevier Beautiful and the National Park Service in cleaning up “The Spur.” Organizational teams are encouraged to participate. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. For more information, please call (865) 436-0505.
19: EWaste Collection Day – This day will make you AND the environment happy! Gather up your *computers and monitors, printers, small electronics and ink and drop them off at the Gatlinburg Events at 207 Cherokee Orchard Road. *Call (865) 277-8216 for a current, detailed list of approved items.
20: Earth Day Festival – Family friendly fun takes place at Mynatt Park from 3-6 p.m. and include free crafts and “environmental awareness” activities designed to encourage a green lifestyle. Live entertainment and food will be available.
21: Earth Day 5K – Onsite registration begins at 8 p.m. at Nantahala Outdoor Center parking lot for this nighttime road race in downtown Gatlinburg. Race begins at 10 p.m.
21-22: Mountain Man Memorial March – This 10th annual 26.2-mile march starts in downtown Gatlinburg at 9 a.m. as a challenging tribute to our men and women in uniform, with Military Heavy, Military Light and Civilian entry categories. The course includes highway and rural road stretches in addition to rugged terrain and mountain slopes. Open to all ages!
22: Tanya Tucker Concert – First Class Concerts welcomes Tanya back in to Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge for an 8 p.m. show. Special celebrity concerts take place each month now through November. Don’t miss them! (865) 453-2003
22-23: Southeast Alliance Volleyball Championships – League tournaments for Power and Club divisions held at LeConte Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. (843) 283-5320
28-30: Women of Joy – Christian convention for women’s fellowship, worship and Bible study at LeConte Center Pigeon Forge. Visit the convention web site at womenofjoy.org
29: Patriots Freedom Cruise In – Cruise season kickoff with car show including trophies for The Diner Pick, The Diner Rats Big Cheese and most Patriotic. $10 puts you in cash drawings. Entertainment by Gary’s Sound Machine. Event is held at The Diner in Sevierville from Noon-5 p.m. To see all The Diner events, visit online at www.thediner.biz
