Do Not Beware The Ides Of March - Welcome Them!

And all the additional days the 3rd month of the year brings to us in the Smoky Mountains. This is an interesting month where it could easily be Spring weeks earlier than expected or another solid month of Winter with snow and ice, and it then follows that the interesting month is filled with interesting special events. Definitely by the time the 15th comes around, we're seeing our famous Dogwood Trees (the "popcorn trees") sprout and some green returning to the grass and hills around us. That's the first green flag that Spring and life is renewed for the year.

In our post here, we'd like to introduce you to a few of those events and hope they would inspire you to take a trip to the East Tennessee mountains for Spring Break (or simply a break for early Spring). Let's take a look:

* Chuckwagon Cookoff Competition
February 28th - March 2nd
https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/cookoff

"Pigeon Forge invites Western lifestyle enthusiasts, foodies and those in search of a hearty meal to the Chuck Wagon Cookoff weekend. This 3-day event includes an intimate dinner concert, cowboy church and our annual cookoff competition!

Chuck wagons will gather at Clabough’s Campground for this one-of-a-kind outdoor cooking event. Long before today’s food truck craze treated foodies to impromptu kitchens on wheels, early American chuck wagons fed hungry cowboys on the open prairies during cattle drives. Chuck wagon cooks, or cookies, as they are known, rely on simple ingredients to guide their menus and fire to power their ovens."


* Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest
March 8th
https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/gatlinburg-smoky-mountain-wine-fest/928/

Raise a glass! Wine Fest is BACK! Wine lovers and food enthusiasts, mark your calendars! The highly anticipated Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest is making its grand return, bringing an immersive experience filled with exceptional wine tastings, gourmet food pairings, live entertainment and artisan craftsmanship. This event will take place at the historic Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in downtown Gatlinburg, offering attendees a unique blend of flavors, culture and scenic beauty.

Sip, Savor, and Celebrate! Guests will have the opportunity to sample wines from over 10 local and regional wineries, engage with the talented winemakers behind the bottles and explore a variety of handcrafted goods from local artisans. Accompanying these fine wines will be delicious food pairings from some of Gatlinburg’s local restaurants, specially curated to enhance each sip.


* Family Arts & Crafts Workshops
March 18th, March 22nd, March 31st, April 1st
https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/family-arts-%26-crafts-workshops/937/

Fun for the whole family! Join Arrowmont School of Arts and crafts for family workshops (ages 5+) and learn a new craft in as little as 3 hours. Multiple days available, including during peek Spring Break in March-April. Workshop topics include lego printmaking, watercolor, clay, birdhouse building, bead art, origami and so much more. Add an arts and crafts day to your next Gatlinburg visit.


* Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show
March 18th - March 25th
https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/great-smoky-easter-arts-%26-crafts-show/4/

Unique handcrafted gifts and products produced by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are placed on display and offered for sale as they host their annual show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The event is free to the public.


* I Will Always Love You Music Festival
March 14th - April 13th
https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/i-will-always-love-you/

The I Will Always Love You Music Festival celebrates the art of songwriting, filling Dollywood's mountain-nestled streets with a dynamic, cross-genre blend of music. Soak in the sights and songs of spring with four dazzling productions, including a headlining act from Heidi Parton, a Dolly Parton sing-a-long, and the award-winning From The Heart: The Life & Music of Dolly Parton. Be dazzled by the sparkling display of Instagram-worthy art pieces, like Celebration Sky and a life-size installation of the word LOVE. Get exclusive merchandise to commemorate the festival and our historic 40th anniversary. Savor the festival's many delicious dishes.