There are activities going on in the Smokies all year long. To check upcoming events when you will be visiting check www.gatlinburg.com and click on special events. You can also check out our links page for a direct link. The following are events that we enjoy attending throughout the year. Wild Flower Pilgrimage is held the last week of April and welcomes in spring. Many of the delicate spring flowers such as Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Lady’s Slipper and Dutchman’s Briches can be found in bloom. Artisans and Craftsman Fair is held in July and October at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This is a gathering of talented craftsmen displaying and selling their handy work. The big crowd pleaser is the chain saw carvers outside carving bears. Old Fashion Hay rides are held from September 1 to December 30 and make you feel like a kid again. Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival and Fall Decorating Contest is held from Mid-September thru October 31. All the businesses in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area decorate in beautiful fall fashion. Winterfest and Festival of Lights is held November to the end of January. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge come alive at night to celebrate the Christmas holiday season. Trolley rides are offered to view the light extravaganza. It really is a sight to see. If you enjoy driving around looking at Christmas lights in your home town, you must see them in the Smokies! Wildlife Wilderness Week is held in mid-January in Pigeon Forge. This is a week of free events that range from guided hikes in the park, photo workshops, wildlife seminars, mountain story telling, music, photo presentations by nature photographer and Gatlinburg resident Ken Jenkins, and much more. Check out our links page and mypigeonforge.com.