Townsend’s Second Smoky Mountain Snowdown: A Winter Heritage Festival
Good Ole winter time has finally arrived in East Tennessee. Townsend, TN is having their second annual winter heritage festival Jan. 29-31, 2016. The three-day event takes place in several different locations in the Townsend area. With almost 50 activities planned it is sure to be a lot to see and do.
Here is a copy of the information put out by Blount Partnership media room a few weeks ago.
Townsend Winter Heritage Festival
Check out the second annual Smoky Mountain Snowdown: A Winter Festival, Jan. 29-31, 2016. The three-day event takes place at various locations in Townsend, including the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, the Townsend Visitor Center, Cades Cove Cellars, Tremont Lodge, Apple Valley, Wood N Strings Dulcimer Shop, Dancing Bear Lodge, Little River Outfitters, Little River Railroad Museum, Tally Ho Inn and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The festival is a celebration of East Tennessee history, Appalachian traditions and the natural beauty of Townsend, Cades Cove and the national park. It offers everyone an opportunity to enjoy and learn about the area’s heritage and traditions through a variety of presentations, storytelling, music, exhibits, nature walks and tours.
“This festival offers an intimate, insider’s look into Cades Cove and the surrounding area with songs, stories and accounts of the region and its heritage from the people that lived the history and who have expertise on a wide range of topics,” said Kim Mitchell, director of tourism for the Blount Partnership. “There are also events like hikes, candy-making and workshops in photography, fly tying and dowsing that get attendees actively involved—it’s a lot of fun.”
With nearly 50 planned activities, the Snowdown kickoffs with an opening reception presented by the Townsend Artisan Guild and Apple Valley on Thursday, Jan. 28 from 5-7 p.m., at Mountain Trax.
Events begin at 10 a.m. all three days at various locations.
Friday’s showcase events include a beer and cheese pairing presented by the Little River Beer Club from 5-9 p.m. at Miss Lily’s Café in Townsend.
Tremont Lodge is hosting a musical performances by local songwriters from 7-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
For people that want to try their hand a fly tying, Little River Outfitters is holding a free session on Friday from 2-4 p.m.
Townsend resident and historian Marrilyn Myers Byrd kicks off the event with vintage details about Tuckaleechee Cavern and the migration of the Myers family to Cades Cove at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center at 10 a.m. Friday.
For nature lovers, John Diego of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont will conduct a class on winter tree identifications and a naturalist ramble.
Charlie Monday returns for his instruction on the art of dowsing from 10 a.m.-noon at the Townsend Visitors Center.
Saturday’s events are highlighted by bourbon tasting, craft cocktails and hot toddies presented by the Dancing Bear Lodge from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available by calling 800-369-0111 ext. 2.
Additionally, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is hosting a wine and food pairing for $135 from 5-9 p.m. Call 800-369-0111 ext. 2 for details and ticket information
Apple Valley is also hosting a demonstration on making apple cider from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tally Ho Inn is the site of an outstanding photography workshop on Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
In addition to these happenings, there will be many artisan presentations, cooking demonstrations and nature hikes all throughout the weekend. Some of the sessions require pre-registration. For a complete schedule of events, times and registration info, log on to www.snowdownfest.com.
Looks like a lot of fun things to enjoy on a cold winter weekend in the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies”. Crafts, hot food, hot drinks, music, demonstrations, photography, history and mountain heritage, wine tastings, nature lessons and more. Make plans to get to the Smoky Mountain Snowdown: A Winter Heritage Festival the last weekend in January. But remember to take your coat, hat, gloves and scarves to stay nice and warm!
Winter in the Smokies
