Think Green at Gatlinburg’s Annual Earth Week Events
The Great Smoky Mountains are once again thinking green for Earth Week. In an effort to get locals and vacationers of all ages involved this year, the week-long events in Gatlinburg will include educational sessions, children’s programs, and grown-up fun.
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Monday, April 21
Earth week begins with a Green Breakfast Seminar event in Gatlinburg at the Hilton Garden Inn on Monday. From 9:00 am to 11:00 am, guests of this event can enjoy a delicious breakfast while learning about TVA’s Green Power Switch, a new way to support regional renewable energy.
Tuesday, April 22
A clean-up at the Spur begins at 9:00 am on Tuesday. Starting at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center. Anyone who would like to participate is encouraged to put together a team. Ben and Jerry’s will be at the clean-up to provide free ice cream to all those who help. There will also be a contest, and the team with the most trash picked up in the allotted time gets a pizza party from Big Daddy’s Pizzeria.
Wednesday, April 23
A Children’s Planting Program will be held at Mills Park Pavilion on Wednesday. This free event in Gatlinburg will run from 9:00 am-10:30 am. Children will hear a story and then work together in a fun planting activity.
Thursday, April 24
The largest of the Earth Week events in Gatlinburg is the annual Earth Day Festival. In its seventh year, this year’s outdoor festivities will be bigger than ever. Each year, the festival includes games, live music, and food. Local businesses will have craft booths set up, and Boogertown Gap will be the live entertainment. The festival begins at 3:00 pm and runs until 7:00 pm.
Friday, April 25
Friday, the annual Earth Day 5k Run and Walk begins in front of NOC Gatlinburg at 10:00 pm. Participants are welcome to walk or run along the course, and there will be aid stations available to those who participate. Adult registration is $25 or $30 on race day. Students and youth may register for only $15.
Saturday, April 26
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will hold special activities throughout the day on Saturday. From 10:00 am-2:00 pm, all youth are invited to join in on National Junior Ranger activities, including historic toy making, Ranger-guided walks, and hands-on animal exhibits, at the National Park visitor centers.
Sunday, April 27
Mills Park will host a disc golf tournament on Sunday. Players will tee off between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Registered participants will be provided discs, lunch, and a free t-shirt. This is the wrap-up event for an excellent week of activities.
Adults $20
Children $15
If your family would like to spend some time exploring the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Outdoors would like to invite vacationers to take a trip down the Pigeon River with us. Our Tennessee white water rafting trips are fun and safe for the entire family. Call us at 865-430-3838 today to reserve a rafting trip and save up to 16.95 per person through Memorial Day. We can’t wait to see you out on the Pigeon River for an exciting day of rafting with your family and friends! We hope you have a great Earth Week!
