A celebration of the environment and conservation practices, Gatlinburg’s Earth Week features live music, family-friendly activities and games, crafts, food, and education about green practices that are simple to implement. The event, held from April 21-27, 2014, is presented by the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Hilton Garden Inn. All funds raised from the week’s events will go to providing traditional and non-traditional scholarships to members of the community through the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
With craft classes, seminars, races, and tournaments, Gatlinburg Earth Week is a fun, educational event for all ages. Enjoy food, fun, and festivities as you celebrate the beauty of our earth in one of the most scenic places in the country!
Lineup of Events
Gatlinburg Goes Green Breakfast Seminar
April 21, 9 – 11 a.m.
Hilton Garden Inn
Enjoy a delicious breakfast as you learn about TVA’s Green Power Switch, which is a simple way people can help support renewable energy in the area.
Contact: Jennifer Burke: (865) 436-0505, or [email protected]
Spur Clean-up
April 22, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Gatlinburg Welcome Center
A partnership with Keep Sevier Beautiful and the Great Smoky Mountains National park allows visitors the hands-on experience of beautifying the Smokies. Visitors will pick up trash along the area between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg known as The Spur, and Ben & Jerry’s will provide free ice cream to participants!
Contact: Jennifer Burke: (865) 436-0505, or [email protected]
Get Growing – A Children’s Planting Program with Keep Sevier Beautiful
April 23, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Mills Park Pavilion
Free to all ages, Get Growing is a story-reading and seed planting activity led by Laura Howard of Keep Sevier Beautiful. Guests should call ahead to sign up.
Contact: 865.436.4098
Earth Day Festival
April 24, 3 pm. – 7 p.m.
Mynatt Park
The 7th Annual Earth Day Festival will feature music from Boogertown Gap, games, craft stations, food, and the Knoxville Zoo’s Zoomobile! Green area businesses will offer information and activities, and Earth Week T-shirts with local student artwork will be for sale. Food and snacks will be available from Cabin Café and Ben & Jerry’s.
Earth Day 5K Run/Walk – Night Race!
April 25, 10 p.m.
Downtown Gatlinburg
Held in scenic downtown Gatlinburg, the 3rd Annual Earth Day 5K Run/Walk is open to athletes of all ages. The USA Track and Field-sanctioned event will begin at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, with registration at 8 p.m.
Register online at imATHLETE.
Junior Ranger Day
April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
On April 26, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will celebrate National Ranger Day with free hands-on activities for children and families, including historic toy making, blacksmithing, and touch tables with animal skins, skulls, and scat.
Go Green Disc Golf Tournament
April 27, 12:30 p.m.
Mills Park
Both beginners and regulars are welcome to this disc golf tournament, which features “go green” tips at each tee pad! Registration includes lunch from Mellow Mushroom and a T-shirt, and the tournament will also include putting contests and prizes from the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Register online at Green Disc Golf.
As you make plans to attend, check out the many Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg cabin rentals we have available. Call 1.800.684.7865 to let one of our reservation specialists help you find the perfect place to stay!