Winter Magic Tunes and Tales

Christmas is right around the corner and 'tis the season to be jolly! The best way to get you and your family into a great Christmas spirit is heading to Gatlinburg TN for the 2009 Winter Magic Tunes and Tales celebration. Christmas kicks off with Winter Magic Tunes and Tales on November 27, 2009.

Award winning designer DeWayne Kirchner's Whimsical Elves transform the Parkway into a winter wonderland for eight nights of live entertainment during the Winter Magic Tunes and Tales. Every Friday and Saturday night, starting November 27, Gatlinburg comes to life with Christmas magic. Gatlinburg's downtown area will be almost like one large stage for musical performances with singing, dancing and storytelling from the area's performers.

The Elves at Winter Magic Tunes and Tales come from the magical Land of Elfdom and come specially to Gatlinburg TN to help kick off the Christmas holiday celebration. Children and adults of all ages will love the performances by the magical Elves. Don’t miss the chance to meet up to 20 jolly Elves from places like Jolly Town, Gum Drop Lake and Nutwood Forest. These Elves from far away lands will amaze you with their stories, songs and dancing performances. Stroll the streets of downtown Gatlinburg TN and stop to hear some of your favorite classic Christmas song along with stories about life in Elfdom.

Magic is waitng for you at the 2009 Winter Magic Tunes and Tales that will be going on this year in Gatlinburg. The only thing missing from the show is you so pack your bags and grab the kids and start making your way to Gatlinburg. This annual event will get Christmas started the right way and have to you in a holly jolly mood all season long.

Christmas On Ice

It may feel like winter and look like winter but Gatlinburg’s annual winter event, Christmas on Ice, will really get you into the Christmas spirit. Christmas on Ice gives you and your group or family the chance to get in complete Christmas spirit by watching some of the area’s best amateur ice skaters perform for you.

The local amateur ice skaters that perform for you at “Christmas on Ice” are some of the best around. The show will include all the traditional Christmas. These amateur ice skaters perform fantastic routines that are choreographed by their rink instructor, Devon Harman. Each performance will leave you refreshed.

Make plans to attend the 2009 “Christmas on Ice” at Ober. The show starts on Saturday December 6 at 7:00 and the last performance for the weekend is Sunday December 7 at 5:00. The indoor ice skating is in the middle of Ober Gatlinburg’s fun and entertainment area so there is not a bad seat in the place to catch the wonderful performances. Go ahead and start getting ready for it…it will be a blast!

Holiday Arts and Crafts

Gatlinburg will hold a Christmas Arts and Craft show beginning November 30th - December 7th. It is to be held in the Gatlinburg Convention Center. It will be open at 10am daily, and as always, admission is free. What a perfect way to shop for the holidays! Each item is 100 percent original and handcrafted.

Each year, the artisans get together to display their carefully crafted merchandise. The convention center is decorated with tinsel garlands, wreathes and bows, perfect to the season. Then, tables and booths are set among the center. Each one, containing the works of over 100 artist.

Most of the artist have been doing this their entire lives with some generational skills dating to roughly the early 1800's. Some of the items in the shoe will include: paintings, homemade candles and soaps, baked goods, handcrafted jewelry, baskets and other woven items, wood carvings, and ceramics.

Gatlinburg TN is the perfect place for a gathering such as this. One thing Gatlinburg has been noted for is it's arts and crafts. And they really do support that theory by pulling together one of the largest groups of independent artist in the entire nation. If you want to be a part of the show, applications can be printed from the Gatlinburg Crafts website, or they can be sent to you via email.

Make a trip to Gatlinburg this winter and enjoy the Holiday Arts and Craft show. I am sure you family will enjoy the purchased items.

Chili Cook Off

Fall and winter are two very popular times to take a vacation to Gatlinburg TN and this year is no different. Throughout the fall and winter months in Gatlinburg many family activities will be planned for you to enjoy. Each month kicks off with something new for you to enjoy. Although winter is not the busiest time of the year, it might be the most exciting time.

If you have taste buds for chili and are in the mood for some great food then Gatlinburg is the place for you to be on Wednesday, November 4. At the 20th Annual Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff chili vendors from all over the Southeast are coming to the area to show you what they do best ... make chili. The vendors at this year's chili cookoff in Gatlinburg will be cooking and mixing up some of their favorite recipes.

There are over 25 vendors and all you need is $7 and a spoon. At each booth you visit you can try the chili and vote for your favorite recipe. The Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff runs from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and at the end of the chili tasting winners from the contest will be announced.

The 20th Annual Chili Cookoff kicks off the month of November. These chilies range in taste from mild to extremely hot so whatever your taste is the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff is sure to have something just for you. After the chili tasting is done and the judging is complete get everyone together for the lighting of downtown. The Gatlinburg community also kicks off their winter magic by lighting the winter lights in downtown.

Celebrate Veterans Day in Gatlinburg

This year, 2009, Gatlinburg will host the 7th annual Veterans Day. Enjoy an afternoon of fun while paying tribute to the ones that serve our country.

Gatlinburg has now been announced as the official Regional Site for the Observance of Veterans Day by the Veterans Day National Committee and the US. Department of Veteran's Affairs. Gatlinburg is now one of two cities in Tennessee, the other being, Nashville, to obtain this honor. There are only forty official sites in the United States that have received the designation.

Gatlinburg began it's original celebrations in 2002. The Southeast Tourism Society was so impressed by the event that they named it one of the Top 20 Events!

On the 11th hour of the 11th Month of the 11th day, Gatlinburg pulls out a huge celebration as a way of saying "thank you" to the men and women that have so bravely served our country. The festivities will be held at the Ripley's Aquarium.

The party begins with the flying of jets overhead. In addition, some of our finest veterans will deliver speeches. There will be a period of remembrance for our those who served and lost their lives. There will be loads of patriotic music, some of which will be performed by the Gatlinburg Pittman High School marching Band.

What a great way to celebrate our troops and service men and women. Come on out to the annual Veterans Day in Gatlinburg TN.

Hayrides in Gatlinburg

Old Fashion Hayrides are a popular event for tourists and locals alike. It’s a hayride that so many of us enjoyed as small children but this hayride takes you on a tour through some of Gatlinburg. The hayrides begin in September and last through December so if you’re in town be sure to stop by and take a ride.

They begin at 5pm and run until 9pm. The hayrides run in 45 minute intervals starting at traffic light number 6 in Gatlinburg. You will be picked up at Mountain Mall and your ride will take you down side streets on a scenic tour. Proceeds from these rides go to benefit United Way. If you travel during the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival you will get to see the storefronts decorated to celebrate the fall colors and season. It continues through some of Winterfest as well. You’ll get to see the light displays and maybe some snow while you’re riding around. This unique ride is a great way to enjoy the scenery of fall or winter.

Bring back the old memories of hayrides from your childhood back and share it with others you’re traveling with. The Old Fashion Hayrides are a great way to see the city and scenery without having the same view from your car window. Remember to bundle up if you’re planning on riding the hayride in the winter months. Remember to have fun and bring your camera!

Fishing Tournament in the Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament is back for the 11th year. The dates are September 26-27. If you don't want to fish then come to watch. The 20+ miles of streams in the Smokies have been stocked with over 10,000 trout for this event. If you want to participate in the Trout Tournament be sure you register before 7am on September 26th at the Rocky Top Outfitter store.

On Saturday the tournament will be from sunrise until 4pm and on Sunday from sunrise until 2pm.The trout must be weighed at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge by 4pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday. There are rules that must be followed for this event:

• Single hook, 1 hand held rods with a limit of 5 fish.
• No fishing on the Friday before the tournament and no fishing after tournament hours on Saturday and Sunday
• Only trout will be weighed and must be 7 inches long.
• The only people who can fish are those who registered.
• Total weight of the trout for the two days will determine the winner.
• In order to win you must register and also be present to win.
  

For more rules visit http://www.rockytopoutfitter.com/tournament.htm.

If you participate in this tournament you could win a trophy, fishing equipment, passes to certain attractions, gift certificates, etc. If you have the largest trout there will be a $500 prize. It's a fun event and great for fishermen. If you'll be in town for these dates and want to participate then don't forget your rod and reel.

For more information about accommodations or Gatlinburg cabins, please browse are website. Although September is a relatively slow month, most accommodations will not be available.