Back by popular demand, Gatlinburg’s fifth annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ begins in downtown Gatlinburg on June 11, 2010 and will run through August 7. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.
This popular eight-week event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.
The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 5 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling until 10 p.m. As many as 18 nightly acts perform throughout the evening.
Trios, duos, single acts and clogging groups will perform seven nights a week for the duration of the summer. The mountain style of music will be featured all season. From the beginnings of the pure Appalachian sound with groups like Boogertown Gap and Rattlesnake Hollow, to more traditional bluegrass music from groups such as Hurricane Ridge, The Grassabillies, Southern Skye, Timber Creek, and the Holloway Sisters.
Visitors will also be able to learn how instruments like the mountain and lap dulcimers and gourd banjo are made by local craftsmen Denton Bragg and Mark Edelman. They will also enjoy the talents of the Back Porch Cloggers demonstrating old time clogging and even teaching folks some fun moves and steps.
Miss Nan, the school marm, and Quiltin’ Annie will be returning this year to teach the young and old alike their old time ways. Also returning this year is Zeno, the Gatlinburg bear, the official ambassador of Gatlinburg who loves to welcome everyone to Gatlinburg with his signature bear hugs.
Also, visitors will be entertained with songs and stories by such characters as Uncle Tubby, Ol’ Rowdy and Smiley Burdett. Each one will be able to relate stories of the Great Smoky Mountains, its people and history and even sing a little song about them.
“Our intent is to take what we feel is one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provide something that is fun and somewhat different than what most places are doing,” Tourism Director David Perella noted.
Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales is an official activity of the City’s Department of Tourism. For more information on this and other special events, contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at (800) 56-VISIT or visit www.gatlinburg.com for mountains of information on how to “Reach Higher Ground.”
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