Smoky Mountain Springfest

Birds are chirping, flowers and trees budding, and old man winter is saying adieu! It’s springtime in the Smoky Mountains, and there are many reasons to celebrate a new spring and summer fun to come. Smoky Mountain Springfest offers three months of special events, usually from March to June, celebrations, and contests to commemorate this special time of year coupled with spring specials and our Pigeon Forge cabin rentals at Elk Springs Resort. This year’s Smoky Mountain SpringFest will run from March 12th through June 2nd.

This three-month festival is marked by numerous special events. Here are some highlights:

Great Smoky Mountain East Arts & Crafts Show

This annual Arts & Craft show features hand-crafted works from regional artists. Conveniently located in the downtown Gatlinburg Convention Center, admission is free and visitors can meet and greet members of the area Arts & Crafts Community. There is a rich mountain heritage shared by these local artisans and they crafts they have been creating in this region for decades. Shoppers can browse the works of hundreds of vendors and talk with the artisans who make these one-of-a-kind crafts. \

234 Historic Nature Trail Gatlinburg.

The Spring Grand Rod Run

The Spring Grand Rod Run is one of 3 annual car shows held in Pigeon Forge. One of the largest car shows in the country, this show brings together classic cars, every make and model from everywhere to Pigeon Forge. Visitors to the area can stop view, sit in, and look under the hood of classic Fords, GMCs, and Gold Wings to name a few. Vendors are also set up to sell customized, antique, and hard-to-find car parts. This year’s Spring Rod Run will run from April 18-20, 2024.

Ribfest and Wings

Gatlinburg’s annual “Ribfest and Wings,” is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. This fun festival brings vendors from far and wide to share some of the best in sauces, ribs, and wings. The Gatlinburg Parkway transforms into a street fair, with live entertainment and plenty of food to sample. One ticket allows visitors to sample ribs and wings to their heart’s delight. This festival typically runs from April-July.

The Dolly Parade

National singer/celebrity and Sevier County native, Dolly Parton, comes home to proudly lead and serve as the Grand Marshall of the famous Dolly Parade. Dolly’s annual homecoming parade draws more than 50,000 spectators every year. This parade is a spectacular event as colorful floats, entertainers, marching bands, and local celebrities cruise down the Pigeon Forge Parkway. This parade draws Dolly Parton fans and admirers from around the globe. This year’s parade will be held on April 13, 2024. The event will start at 5 pm and will begin on Pigeon Forge Parkway.