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Spring is perhaps the most beautiful time of year to visit Gatlinburg.
As if the entertainment and nightlife of Gatlinburg weren't already great reasons to visit, local merchants and the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism join forces to provide visitors with additional events to entertain families, honeymooners and kids-at-heart throughout the year.
During the three-month Springfest celebration that begins in early March and continues into the second week of June, visitors witness Gatlinburg's transformation into spring when the city's streets overflow with baskets of beautiful blooming flowers and plants.
Live entertainment can frequently be found along sidewalks, adding a festive flair to the time-honored Downtown Parkway stroll.
The smell of hickory-smoked barbecue fills the air as folks roll up sleeves and dive in to sample secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from more than 20 vendors from all over the Southeast on Thursday, April 17, at Gatlinburg's Ribfest & Wings.
This festive downtown party features fireworks, free musical entertainment, lots of fun, and barbecue ribs and wings on the open grill just for your tasting.
The 58th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage (April 23-27) is another great event, especially for hikers and nature lovers who long to see delicate wildflowers in bloom.
This program offers more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and delightful motor excursions into the wonderful season of spring in the Smokies.
Spring events continue with the Scottish Festival & Games Grand Parade on Friday, May 16, at 6 p.m. at Traffic Light #10 in downtown Gatlinburg. All Scots are invited to participate in the parade.
On May 17-18, Mills Park in Gatlinburg becomes competitive ground for the 27th annual Scottish Festival & Games where clans meet and feature Highland athletics, bagpipe competitions, highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, haggis hurling, and entertainment, along with food and merchandise vendors.
Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival, a family-oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country, delicious cuisine and music, takes place on Aquarium Plaza and River Road on May 17-18. Proceeds benefit the Sevier Co. Arts Council.
Gatlinburg's third MountainFest -- A Celebration of Our Heritage -- kicks off Friday, May 23 with two fun-filled days of bluegrass and genuine Appalachian mountain music, along with crafters and demonstrations as local crafters demonstrate skills passed down from generation to generation.
On May 24, listen as music talents playing fiddles, banjos and guitars compete for awards and cash prizes in the Mountain Strings Competition.
Returning on June 14 and continuing through Labor Day Weekend is Gatlinburg's Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, where you can experience numerous entertainment mini-performances every evening by costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying various time periods from the 1800s to today as you stroll in downtown Gatlinburg.
As summer arrives June 13-15, Gatlinburg hosts its second Living History Civil War Reenactment at Mills Park. The event features period performers in Civil War camp along with the recreation of the "Battle of Burg Hill" and historical portrayals. A cannon drill and music are among the festivities.
Call (800) 56-VISIT for more information about Gatlinburg events and attractions.
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