Every season of the year offers enticing and luring reasons to travel to the Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mountain regions of Tennessee. Winter is no exception. The winter months are a magical time to visit this area. There are endless sites and events during winter including holiday lighting and decorations, Christmas shows, festivals, and parades. The cool air of Smoky Mountain winters coupled with the holiday season brings about boundless vibrancy of the region’s culture.
While end-of-the-year activities are filled with shopping, shows, and socializing, the new year brings with it a new air in the Smokies. Although the close of the year allows little time to relax and enjoy the scenery, the start of the new year is a renewed opportunity to do just that. The region’s attention shifts from a holiday celebration to a celebration of nature and heritage. The beauty and natural habitat of the mountains are the focus of the 25th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week scheduled on January 24-31, 2015.
Because of holiday indulgences, family budgets are often miniscule in January. This should not be a deterrent in attending Wilderness Wildlife Week activities. All of these events are free to the public and are based at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. Offering affordability along with a renewed spirit are perfect reasons to take part in these unique Smoky Mountain cultural opportunities during Wilderness Wildlife Week.
The culture of the region will be celebrated in music highlighted throughout the week. Music enthusiasts will enjoy listening to performers native to the Appalachian region. Features of the musical entertainment will include traditional mountain instruments, bluegrass genre, spiritual hymns, and traditional mountain ballads. Players of instruments such as banjos, fiddles, and dulcimers make Appalachian music breathe a life of its own.
In addition to enjoying the celebration through music, the culture and heritage of the region will also be celebrated through exhibits, workshops, panel discussions, and presentations. Historical enthusiasts will enjoy learning how the plights of early generations have shaped the cultural communities of today. Individuals unique to the region, from the Cherokee Indians to families such as Mr. and Mrs. Willis P. Davis to a country music sensation known as Dolly Parton, helped define the current way of life. By discovering interesting facts about the early American Cherokee and pioneer settlers of the region, attendees will gain a respect for past and present inhabitants of the Smoky Mountain area.
Discovering the culture and heritage of the area would not be complete without appreciating the scenery and natural habitat. The beauty of the Smoky Mountains National Park can be best experienced by hiking the landscape. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate events scheduled during the week such as leisurely walks and challenging hikes. Each trail offers different visual stimulations and different levels of intensity. Viewing waterfalls and mountainous overlooks will make either short treks or higher difficulty excursions worth every step. During these walking activities, a camera is every bit as essential as hiking shoes.
All events offered throughout the week’s festivities are family oriented. There are some activities known as Kids’ Track that are specifically designated for children. Some topics designated for children include safe and fun hiking techniques, storytelling, cartooning, and explanation of civil war history. With different offerings provided each day, there will certainly be activities to entice children of all ages. The offerings will combine educational aspects with entertaining delivery methods and will make it difficult to decide on final choices to attend.
If musical, historical, walking, or children’s events are not of particular interest to you, there is still a large variety of activities that you may want to attend. Examples of other topics that may spark your interest include photography, bears, fly fishing, rock formations, edible weeds, cougars, drawing, whittling, and writing. A wide array of exhibits and vendors will be on hand to highlight merchandise unique to the region. In addition to hiking activities, there are also multiple guided field trips scheduled daily such as bus tours of destination-specific areas, bird and owl watching, and photography tours.
While some events will have an unlimited number of participants, other events will be limited to a specific number of participants depending on availability of equipment, safety precautions, and supplies. There will also be certain activities that require each participant to bring his/her own equipment such as dulcimers, pictures, tools, and clothing. Because of the specific requirements of some sessions, it is recommended to review a class schedule prior to attending in order to be prepared for the desired classes. Pre-registration for limited classes will be held the morning of the specific event.
All activities included in Wilderness Wildlife Week are free of charge, so your budget may accommodate more splurges for dining and lodging. No matter how you choose to attend, this week in the Smoky Mountains is certain to be one consisting of events and activities that you will remember for years to come. Celebrate the new year by renewing your interest in Smoky Mountain heritage at the 25th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week.
No comments:
Post a Comment