Ober Gatlinburg’s Beth Roark and Sophie Train for the Color Me Mutt 5K in Sevierville on May 14th

It’s clear that the folks who live and work in Sevier County, TN are devoted to the well-being of our furry, four-legged friends. On the weekend that Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and Amusement Park were preparing for their annual fundraiser, The Bone Zone Drop for Sevier County Humane Society, HeySmokies’ got the opportunity to catch up with Ober Gatlinburg’s Beth Roark who is also training with her miniature schnauzer Sophie for Pets Without Parents’ spring fundraiser, the Color Me Mutt 5K Run/Walk.

Beth and Sophie are a quite the pair. Beth graduated from Sevier County High School (several years after Dolly Parton) and has worked in the accounting/payroll department of Ober Gatlinburg for 18 years. As Beth puts it, “Sophie rescued me.” Beth tells the story of how a friend had some miniature schnauzer puppies and Beth just went to look at them one day. Then she describes the moment that Sophie hopped in her lap and made herself comfortable. Beth says there was just no turning back at that point.

Both Sophie and Beth have been training for the upcoming Color Me Mutt 5K at NASCAR SpeedPark in Sevierville on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 a.m. And both Sophie and Beth have had their ups and downs. Beth, with the help of Weight Watchers and support from friends, has recently lost 30 pounds. However, seven-year-old Sophie has recently been diagnosed with arthritis by her veterinarian and is undergoing treatment.

Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival at Dollywood May 13 – May 22! Enjoy Some Great BBQ and Roots Music!

Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival features award-winning BBQ along a banjo-load of some of best toe-tapping, good-time music in Appalachia! Just take a look at all the great bluegrass bands that will performing at Dollywood from May 13 – 22, 2016!

Friday, May 13
The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience with Special Guest Del McCoury
Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
Lonesome River Band

Saturday, May 14
Dale Ann Bradley
Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers
O’Connor Band Featuring Mark O’Connor

Sunday, May 15
Becky Buller
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Willis Clan

Monday, May 16
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle

Wednesday, May 18
The Bankesters
Dailey & Vincent
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Thursday, May 19
Dailey & Vincent
Kenny and Amanda Smith Band
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Friday, May 20
Blue Highway
The Steeldrivers

Flower & Garden Show and Sale at Sevier County Fairgrounds on April 23rd

It’s time for the 12th Annual Master Gardener Flower & Garden Show and Sale on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Sevier County Fairgrounds from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

If you want to learn about gardening in East Tennessee, this is the place to be! The Sevier County Area Master Gardeners Association and the University of Tennessee Extension Service host this day-long event to kick off the planting season. The Master Gardener Flower & Garden Show and Sale features a vendor marketplace for lawn and garden equipment and supplies, plants of all kinds, and more!

In addition to the opportunity to purchase ornamental plants, herbs, and fruit and veggie starts, Master Gardeners will offer educational sessions on how to attract butterflies and bees to your garden, beneficial insects in your garden, recycling, and the benefits of local food sources. You’ll also be able to tour the Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden.

The Kid’s Area will offer healthy snacks as well as some really cool garden-related crafts. This is a great opportunity to introduce children to the wonderful world of nature and gardening!

Admission to the Master Gardener Flower & Garden Show and Sale is $2.00 for adults with a non-perishable food item to be donated to Sevier County Food Ministry. Adult admission without donation is $3.00. Kids 12 and under are free! Proceeds from the Flower & Garden Show help support the SCAMGA’s community service programs including 4-H Club scholarships.

For more information, visit Sevier County Area Master Gardeners Association or call the Sevier County Extension Office at 865-453-3695.

Bicycle Mornings in Cades Cove begin May 11th! Passing on your left!

Beginning Wednesday, May 11, 2016 Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed to motor vehicles until 10:00 a.m. on both Wednesday and Saturday mornings to allow bicyclists, runners, and walkers time to enjoy the cove without having to worry about heavy traffic. This special experience on the 11-mile paved loop road will last until late September.

During the season, bicycles can be rented at the Cades Cove Campground Store. For pricing info, give them a call at 865.448.9034. Of course, you can bring your own bikes and helmets to enjoy the scenic ride through this historic landscape. Be mindful that Tennessee law requires cyclists under the age of 16 to wear a helmet. HeySmokies and the GSMNP recommend anyone of any age wear protective head gear…just sayin’!

You won’t find any mountain biking trails within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are only 3 trails in the National Park that allow bicycles:

Gatlinburg Trail
Begins at Sugarlands Visitor Center and travels 1.9 miles one-way toward the outskirts of Gatlinburg along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. Leashed pets are allowed on this trail.

Oconaluftee River Trail
Begins at Oconaluftee Visitor Center and travels 1.5 miles one-way toward the outskirts of Cherokee along the Oconaluftee River. Leashed pets are allowed on this trail.

Deep Creek and Indian Creek Trails
From the Deep Creek Campground, cyclists can access both Deep Creek and Indian Creek Trails. Bicycles are allowed on both trails until the point where the old roadbed ends and the hiking trails begin. Pets are not allowed on this trail.

Bicycles are allowed on most roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so drivers need to be alert of cyclists when driving through the park.

For more information on bicycling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and adjacent National Forests, please visit NPS.gov.

Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park April 19-23! Online Tickets Available Now!

Make plans for the 66th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park April 19-23, 2016. Tickets are now available online and there are some great free programs too! The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is held at one of the most incredible times of the year to be in the Smokies. Be sure to put this pilgrimage on your 2016 Bucket List!

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a fabulous five-day event celebrating springtime in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As an International Biosphere Reserve, the Smokies’ lush, one-of-a-kind forest really springs to life in April!

Most of the programs for the pilgrimage are held out on the trails with expertly guided hikes exploring the park’s gorgeous display of wildflowers, abundant wildlife, cultural curiosities and natural history. Hikes are available for all skill levels.

All programs will be held rain or shine; worry not, there are plenty of motorcade trips with short walks and lots of outstanding indoor programs and workshops available at Mills Conference Center in downtown Gatlinburg and nearby Sugarlands Visitor Center Training Room.

Some of the free events that are open to the public with no registration required are:

Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist-of-the-Year Reception @ Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 @ 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Nelson Zieglar’s painting “Roaring Fork” was selected for this year’s pilgrimage brochure and commorative t-shirt. His artwork will be exhibited in the Wolpert Gallery on Arrowmont’s campus until April 24, 2016.

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