Second annual MountainFest event to honor ‘Old Timers’
Known throughout much of America as the Gateway to the Smokies and for its rich mountain heritage, Gatlinburg has a new event to offer this summer.
Gatlinburg’s second MountainFest-A Celebration Of Our Heritage- kicks off Aug. 17, with two fun-filled days of bluegrass and genuine Appalachian mountain music, along with crafters and demonstrations in downtown.
As the city’s Bicentennial Celebration continues, a new addition to MountainFest this year will be the tribute of “Old Timers’ Day” in honor of the Gatlinburg Bicentenial. “Old Timers’ Day” was originally started in 1923 as a way to bring the community together, especially the older folks, to share stories and crafts and have a fun time with old-fashioned entertainment. It was held every year until the changing lifestyles of the 1950s resulted in the events decline and eventual dissolution.
MountainFest will revive “Old Timers’ Day” with storytelling, special demonstrations, husband calling and pig calling contests and a special panel discussion entitled “Remembering The Past,” featuring a gathering of resident seniors recalling the early days of Gatlinburg. A special area will be set aside for the “Old Timers’ Day” events as part of MountainFest.
Local crafters will demonstrate their skills as passed down from generation to generation, with pottery making, weaving, woodworking and glass blowing featured.
Entertainment will be featured throughout the festival on the main stage, highlighted by an appearance by Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier at 9 p.m. on Saturday night.
Bands scheduled to appear at MountainFest include: The Moonshine Boys, Smoky Mountain Rose, Smoky Mountain Four, The Tennessee Mountain Boys, Mike Grove and The River Road Ramblers, the Spring Lizards, Delmer Holland and the Blue Creek Ramblers, and the Lost Mill String Band.
On August 18, listen as music talents of all ages playing fiddles, banjos, and guitars compete for awards and cash prizes in the Mountain Strings Competition. There is no entry fee to compete.
“We invite musicians of all ages to come out and play,” said George Hawkins, special events manager for the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism.
“This is a chance for anyone to get some exposure and a little bit of recognition for their musical talents.”
Age categories for all instruments include 1 to 10, 11 to 20, and 21 and over.
The event will be held at the new downtown location on the Parkway parking lot near Traffic Light No. 3.
Comments
we will be visiting the week of sept 17th-22nd, anything going on that week we would want to attend or even in gatlinburg?
Posted by: becky miller | September 3, 2007 05:40 PM
We were visiting on the week before Christmas and we had such a wonderful time all the lights and decorations were wonderful and visited Gaitlenberg also everything was so wonderful!!
Posted by: Joyce Cooper | January 6, 2008 06:24 PM