
GATLINBURG - If
you’re coming to the mountains, it only makes sense to stay in the
mountains, and autumn is worthy of a front-row seat in Gatlinburg.
Beginning in September, the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival season finds the folks of Gatlinburg decorating and celebrating the beginning of fall with a variety of events and festivals in Tennessee.
September’s warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights mix with just the
right amount of rain to transform 800 square miles of lush green forest
into a brilliant palette of vibrant autumnal colors.
The Great Smoky Mountains share center stage with the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair during the month of October. From October 6 through 23, 2011, the award-winning Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair opens the doors of the Gatlinburg Convention Center to the public with the 36th Annual Fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, one of the many amazing fall festivals in Tennessee.
Numerous artisans and craftspeople are on-hand each day to demonstrate
their skills, answer questions, and offer their unique art for sale. Third-generation
artisans and storekeepers strive to match the beauty of the autumn
mountains by carrying the same colors into often elaborate storefront
decorations, thus turning their little mountain town into a promenade of
Southern Appalachian sights.
Arts and crafts have long held a deep association with the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Nowhere else in the South will you find a richer heritage of fine
craftsmanship than in Gatlinburg. The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts
Community, established in 1937, is the largest group of independent
artisans in North America. Located on
an eight-mile loop at the northeast corner of Gatlinburg, the Community
proudly preserves the craft heritage of the Great Smoky Mountains
year-round. This area offers the best in a wide range of craft shops,
including pottery, woodcarving, candle making, quilting, weaving, broom
making, and painting, among many other fine art forms.
Gatlinburg is also home to the world-renowned Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Founded in 1945, Arrowmont offers summer and spring workshops and an array of special conferences for all levels of students in craft-art media. The art galleries at Arrowmont are open for tours of select collections throughout the year.
GREAT SMOKIES - Great Smoky Mountain National Park officials are warning park visitors on their website that bears have been approaching visitors challenging them for food. Some of these bears have been extremely bold in attempting to get food.
Bears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. Visitors are being reminded NOT to feed bears!
Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you!
Bear Warnings are in effect in areas where bears are active:
• Alum Cave Trail
• Clingmans Dome Trail
• Trillium Gap Trail - Grotto Falls parking area to Grotto Falls
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Little River Trail
• Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
• Rainbow Falls Trail
• Upper Forney Ridge Trail
• Backcountry Campsites 18, 36, 37, 38, 61, 85
• Double Spring Gap Shelter
• Laurel Gap Shelter
• Mount Collins Shelter