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Blount County Citizens Set to
Celebrate 25th Spring
Festival in Townsend
TOWNSEND, Tenn. –
The “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” is ready to kick off
another exciting celebration of music, local artisans,
delectable food and a look back into the area’s rich
Appalachian roots. The Townsend Spring Festival and Old
Timers’ Day takes place May 6-7, 2016 and commences on both
days with crafts, demonstrations and food beginning at 10
a.m. and music at noon.
Guests are welcome to bring their lawn chairs
and enjoy genuine bluegrass music from local out-of-town
performers. Some of the musicians include: Deep River
Bluegrass, Jay Tipton and Friends, Jones Brothers, Bluegrass
Outlaws, Tennessee Borderline, Thankful Heart, Wilson Family
and the Gravel Road Boys.
Several craft vendors will be in attendance
selling a variety of hand-made items like paintings,
jewelry, furniture, canned goods, pottery and stationery.
On-site demonstrators will walk guests
through the process of cornmeal making, farm equipment,
white oak shingle making, rug hooking, woodcarving and
quilting.
The festival also features authors Dr. Lin
Stepp and Roy Oliver, who will introduce guests to their
latest works.
“The Spring Festival is the perfect
family-friendly event,” said Kim Mitchell, Tourism Director
for the Blount Partnership. “Our goal is to celebrate and
educate our citizens and visitors about our culture through
entertainment and great food.”
Guests have the convenience of a free
Townsend shuttle. Buses provided by the Great Smoky
Mountains Heritage Center will run between destinations
including the Heritage Center, Jeepism, Trillium Cove,
Little River Railroad Museum, Cades Cove Cellars, Apply
Valley, Townsend Visitors Center and finally back to the
Heritage Center. Buses run from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. both
days.
The festival is made possible through
generous sponsors including Dogwood Cabins, Alcoa, Inc., Big
Meadow Campground & RV, Great Smoky Mountains Association,
Pioneer Cabins & Guest Farm, Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop,
Carriage House Restaurant, Spectra Environmental Group, Keep
Blount Beautiful, The Daily Times and WATE-TV.
Admission to the festival is free. Parking is
available for $8/day or $12 for a two day pass. Proceeds for
parking will benefit the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department.
For more information, contact: Kim Mitchell,
Tourism Director for the Blount Partnership at 865-983-2241
or visit: www.smokymountains.org
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