Upcoming Events

FEBRUARY

Celtic Adventure Weekend

A weekend for lovers of all things Celtic. Celebrate the Scotch-Irish heritage of Western North Carolina with the finest in dance, literature, food, drink and music. Blending influences from Irish traditional, folk, acoustic, and country music, McPeake will take the stage with their unique sound. Enjoy the music and stories of Scottish songwriter and guitarist Colin Grant-Adams as well as a performance by Gaelic Storm. Asheville, N.C. Feb. 2-5. 800.438.5800.

Winter Heritage Festival in the Smokies

A celebration of the human history, natural beauty, and cultural traditions of Townsend, Cades Cove, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Features presentations, storytelling, music, walks, exhibits and tours. Townsend, Tenn. Feb. 2-5. smokymountains.org/winter-heritage.html.

Bluegrass First Class Festival

A weekend of bluegrass from Dailey & Vincent, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, the James King Band, the Seldom Scene, Lonesome River Band,  Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice featuring Wyatt Rice on guitar. Asheville, N.C. Feb. 17-19. 800.733.3211.

Old Fort Cruise In

Cruise on down in your classic car, truck or motorcycle. Downtown Old Fort, N.C. Feb. 19. 828.442.5135 or route70cruisers.com.

Saddle Up!

A celebration of the American west. Live entertainment from cowboy poets and western musicians including a Stories and Strings presentation. Enjoy cowboy themed activities at the Buckaroo Roundup along with food at the Chuck Wagon Cook Off. Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Feb. 23-26. 865.429.7350

Rose Glen Literary Festival

Features lectures and book signings by local authors and those who have written books about Sevier County. Walters State Community College in Sevierville, Tenn. Feb. 25. 865.453.6411.

MARCH

Carnival of Magic

Learn tips and tricks from the pros during this two-day event. Watch quick change shows, comedy routines and large-scale illusions intensified by sound and lighting effects. Pigeon Forge, Tenn. March 8-10. 800.792.4308.

Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival

Hosted by the Townsend Artisan Guild, Fine Arts Blount, and the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau, this interactive event connects the community with fiber arts activities. Includes Border collie sheep-herding, sheep-shearing, classes and workshops, arts exhibitions, educational demonstrations of fiber processes, spinning, weaving, needlecrafts, dyeing, hands-on projects with children and adults, Fiber Arts Market and more. Townsend, Tenn. March 15-17. tnfiberfestival.com or 615.789.5943.

March of the Leprechauns

A celebration of Irish heritage and entertainment along with a costume contest. Downtown Hendersonville, N.C. March 17. 828.233.3216.

Spring Corvette Expo & Auction

This indoor auction is open to the public. An outdoor swap meet features race car parts, engine parts; custom and stock wheels, rims and tires new or used for sale. Watch as corvettes cruise the Smokies. Sevierville Events Center in Sevierville, Tenn. March 23-24. 865.453.0001.

8th Annual Tour De Lure Bike Ride

Ride one of two courses, one for the hardcore rider and one for the easy going rider, through rolling farmlands, mountains and lake scenery. Enjoy a free spaghetti meal after the ride. Old Fort, N.C. March 31. 828.668.4282 or ymcawnc.org.

APRIL

Dogwood Arts Festival

A city-wide celebration of arts, music, food and more. Knoxville, Tenn. April 6-29. 865.637.4561.

Easter at Lake Junaluska

An exciting weekend of Easter activities including Easter Vigil and Sunrise worship services, 5K and 10K Bunny Run and Walk, Easter egg hunts, egg decorating, special buffets and more. April 7-8. 800-222-4930 or lakejunaluska.com/easter.

Mountain Man Memorial March

A challenging tribute to our men and women in uniform. The course includes highway and rural road stretches in addition to rugged terrain and mountain slopes. The event honors 1LT Frank Walkup, a University of Tennessee-Knoxville alumnus who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq in 2007. Military Heavy, Military Light and Civilian entry categories. Gatlinburg, Tenn. April 20-21. 865.974.8858 or mountainmanmemorialmarch.com.

23rd Annual Great Smoky Mountain Trout & Heritage Festival

A unique, family-oriented event highlighting the importance of Mountain Trout as a valuable resource. Features Catch Clinics for kids and timbersports demonstrations by the Forestry Club. Maggie Valley, N.C. April 21. 828.926.0866.

61st Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

For hikers and nature lovers alike who long to experience the Great Smoky Mountains in spring. This public program offers hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and motorcades into the mountains. Gatlinburg, Tenn. April 25-29. springwildflowerpilgrimage.org or 800.568.4748.

Merlefest

Bluegrass music greats come together at Wilkes Community College for this celebration of Doc and Merle Watson’s lives. Guitar and banjo contests as well as the renowned Chris Austin Songwriting contest bring some of the best amateurs from around the country. Other activities include jam sessions, youth showcases, raffles and vendors. Headliners this year will include Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, Dougie MacLean, The Boxcars and many more. Wilkesboro, N.C. April 26-29. merlefest.org or 800.343.7857.

Pioneer Day

An annual celebration of mountain heritage featuring mountain music in the amphitheater, craft demonstrations such as weaving, blacksmithing and pottery turning. Hit or Miss engine displays and vendors displaying and selling their wares. Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort, N.C. April 28. 828.668.9259