2008 Festivals and Events
May 2-- Ghost Town opens for the season.
www.ghosttowninthesky.com
May 16-18-- 'Cruise the Smokies" Spring Rod Run.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Pre 1972 vehicles.
828-497-8122.
May 16-23-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
"The Little Engine That Could" Two 3-day weekends!
Bryson City Depot. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
May 23-24-- "Golden Voice of Soul" Percy Sledge
Eaglenest Entertainment. 8:30PM.Call 828-926-9675 for tickets. www.eaglenestnc.com
May 24-25--Memorial Day Powwow.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Champion Indian dancers in competition and exhibition will stir your blood. 828-497-8128.
May 24 & 25 -- Vettes in the Valley.
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Corvette enthusiasts come from all over the US to compete in this annual event. Call 828-926-0201 for more information.
May 26 --- Memorial Day Program
Maggie Valley Town Hall. 9:30AM. Bring your old or tattered flags for the flag burning ceremony.
May 31 -- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Carolina Wine Dining Train. Evening features a special menu pairing wines produced in the Carolinas. Departs Dillsboro Depot at 7:30PM. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
May 31-- FREE Family Fun Night and Information/Ticket Sales Trailer Preview. Eaglenest Entertainment.
Bring the family & enjoy live music under the stars.
Call 828-926-9658 for information. www.eaglenestnc.com.
May 31 & June 1-- "The Larkins" will be performing at Ghost Town in the Sky. www.ghosttowninthesky.com
June 6-8-- Gourd Festival
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. 828-497-9131 x-238
June 7-- "Unto These Hills"
Mountainside Theatre. June-August 16. Nightly performances except Sunday, 7:30PM Call 828-497-8122.
June 7-- Knights of Columbus 3rd Annual Local Charities Tournament. Lake Junaluska Golf Course. To participate you must enter before May 24th. Please call 828-926-8974 for entry information.
June 7-- The Midnight Ramblers 7:30PM show.
Eaglenest Entertainment. Call 828-926-9675 for ticket information. www.eaglenestnc.com
June 10 -14-- Summerfest Carnival
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Call 828-497-8128.
June 14--Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Father's Day Beer Dining Train. Evening features a special menu paired with four premium beers brewed in the Carolinas. Departs from Dillsboro Depot at 7:30pm. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
June 13 & 14--- Ole Smoky Spring Farm Fest
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Antique tractor show.
Call 828-627-6372 for more information.
June 14 & 15--- Mountain Heritage Festival
"The Larkins" will be performing at Ghost Town in the Sky. Call 828-926-1140 for more information. www.ghosttowninthesky.com
June 20---"A Tribute to Hank Williams" performed by David Church at Eaglenest Entertainment. call 828-926-9658 for ticket information or visit www.eaglenestnc.com.
June 21--19th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Festival
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. 9AM-6PM
It's a full day of mountain style fun! This unique event celebrates the importance of trout as a valuable resource to western NC. www.gsmtroutfestival.org
June 21--- "Spongebob Squarepants"
Ghost Town in the Sky. Join Spongebob for lunch. Call 828-926-1140 for more information. www.ghosttowninthesky.com
June 21--- Spongebob The Movie
Eaglenest Entertainment. Call 828-926-9658 for more information. www.eaglenestnc.com
June 23-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Wines of the New World Dining Train. Special gourmet dining train featuring the pairing of premium wines from select vineyards of the New World. Departs at 7:30pm.
June 26-29--- Smokey Mountain Motor Classic
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Smoky Mountain version of the Black Hills Rally. 803-518-7149
June 28--Maggie Valley Civil War Celebration Day.
Stompin Ground-Story telling event.
Maggie Valley Town Hall - Outdoor demonstrations & reenactments.
Further information TBA.
July 4-- Red, White & Boom!
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Gather the crew, grab your blankets and chairs, and head to Maggie Valley for an afternoon of family fun. 4PM-?
July 4-6-- Annual July Powwow.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. A two day explosion of dancing, drumming and tribal regalia. 800-438-1601
July 5-- Gene Watson
Eaglenest Entertainment. For ticket information call 828-926-9658.
July 12--- Care Bears
Ghost Town in the Sky. Join the Care Bears for lunch. Call 828-926-1140 for more information. www.ghosttowninthesky.com
July 12-- Care Bears The Movie
Eaglenest Entertainment. Call 828-926-9658 for more information. www.eaglenestnc.com
July 12 & 13-- Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Crafts Festival
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Talented artisans from throughout the Southeast present a varied collection of arts, crafts and unique merchandise.
9AM - 5PM
July 17-19-- Festival of Native Peoples.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. A gathering of tribes from throughout the Americas. 800-438-1601
July 19-- "Red Hot Jubilee Jam"
Eaglenest Entertainment. Variety show featuring comedy, show tunes, country & jazz. Call 828-926-9658 for more information. www.eaglenestnc.com
July 18 - 20-- Mini Truck Southeastern Nationals
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. New location, great new show site & new sponsors. Hundreds of mini trucks compete for 12 specialty awards. 423-623-4644
July 21-- Folkmoot Under the Stars
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. 828-452-2997
July 25 - August 3--Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Day Out With Thomas. Nine fun filled days.
Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
July 26--- Harry Deal & the Galaxies
Eaglenest Entertainment. Outdoor beach party with lots of great oldies & food. Call 828-926-9658 for more information. www.eaglenestnc.com
August 2-- Talking Trees Children's Trout Derby.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Free for children ages 11 and under. 800-438-1601.
August 2-- Curious George The Movie
Eaglenest Entertainment. Call 828-926-9658 for more information. www.eaglenestnc.com
August 7--- Talking Trees Trout Derby
Cherokee. Call 828-497-8122 for more information.
August 15-- Moonlight Street Dance
Ghost Town Parking Lot. Put on your cloggin' and square dancin' shoes. Enjoy an old fashioned hoe down. 828-926-1686
August 16 ---Moonlight Race - CANCELLED
August 16--- The Porter Family
Eaglenest Entertainment. Call 828-926-9658 for ticket information. www.eaglenestnc.com
September 5-7-- Thunder in the Smokies Motorcycle Rally.
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. 828-426-2101 or www.handlebarcorral.com
September 5-7-- Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. 800-438-1601
September 13 & 14--- Mountain Heritage Festival
Ghost Town in the Sky. Call 828-926-1140 for more information.
September 14 - October 12- Gospel Sunday in the Fall
Ghost Town in the Sky.
September 14--The Blackwoods
September 21--The Chuckwagon Gang September 28-- The Stamps
October 5-- The Kingsmen
October 12--The Florida Boys
www.ghosttowninthesky.com for details.
September 19 & 20-- Fall Rally in the Valley
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. This annual event brings in motorcyclists from all over the country for music, fun, food and games. Check out www.chdda.com for more information.
September 19-21-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Railfest 2008. Three days of railroad fun! Motor car display and musical performances. Special events mark the 20th Anniversary of GSMR.
Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
September 26 & 27-- Fifth Annual WNC BBQ Festival
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. This KCBS sanctioned event presents some of the tastiest, mouth-watering, lip-smackin' barbeque in all of WNC. www.wncbbqfestival.org
September 27-- The 35th Annual Shelby/Mustang & Ford Meet. Eaglenest Entertainment. Call 828-926-9658 or 770-586-0338 for more information.
October 1 - 31-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
October Leaf Season. Fall leaf-viewing trains.
Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
October 3-5-- "Run To The Valley Rod Run"
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Call Tim at 980-429-0175 for vehicle or vendor registration.
October 4-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Oktoberfest Beer Train. Evening features a special menu paired with four premium beers brewed locally.
Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
October 7-11-- Cherokee Indian Fair.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Artwork, crafts,, agricultural items. 800-438-1601
October 11---Wadestock Music Festival
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. CANCELLED!
October 10 - 26-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Peanuts. The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Meet Charlie Brown, Lucy & Snoopy, select your own pumpkin. Hayrides, live music and kids wear your own costume. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
October 16-18-- AHTA Big Rig Show.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. enjoy gorgeously restored and customized old and antique trucks.
800-438-1601.
October 18 & 19--Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Talented artisans from throughout the southeast present a varied collection of arts, crafts & unique merchandise.
9AM - 5PM
October 23-25--Cherokee Rotary Craft Show.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. 800-438-1601.
October 24 -26--- World Championship Clogging
Stompin Ground in Maggie Valley. Individual & team competition. Call 304-872-5803 for more information.
October 31-November 2-- Fall Rod Run.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Once a year isn't enough for this annual event. 800-438-1601.
November 7 - December 23--Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
The Polar Express. The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs Bryson city for the journey to our North Pole. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
November 8 --Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Veteran's Day Train. Join the GSMR as we honor veterans of all eras. Departs Dillsboro depot at 1:00pm. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
November 8---The 9th Annual Season Bash sponsored by Ski Country Sports.
Cataloochee Ski Area. Call 800-768-0285 for more information.
November 14 - 23--Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
The Polar Express Dining Train. Make your journey to the North Pole in style. Departs from Dillsboro depot. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
November 28--- Scheduled Opening Day
Cataloochee Ski Area 800-768-0285
November 28 & 29--- Crafts and Greens Fair
Maggie Valley Town Hall. Local exhibitors show their handmade crafts. 828-926-9926.
December 3-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Polar Express- Home School Day. Special Student rates available to home-schooled children.
Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
December 6--- Children's Shopping Spree with Santa.
Maggie Valley Town Hall. Affordable gifts for children to purchase, gift wrapping available. Meet Santa!
Call 828-926-9929.
December 6-- Maggie Valley Christmas Parade
Ghost Town parking lot to the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
6PM. Theme TBA
December 7--- Can - U - Ski Food and Coat Drive!
Cataloochee Ski Area. Help us give back to the local community by bringing 10 cans of food or warm winter jacket of good quality and receive your lift ticket on that Sunday from 8:30 - 4:30 for free! It's a $50.00 value. Call 800-768-0285 for more information.
December 19-- Holiday Season Begins
Cataloochee Ski Area. Holiday rates apply everydayduring the holidays through January 2, 2009. Enjoy night sking under the stars every night beginning December 19, with the exception of Christmas Eve. 800-768-0285.
December 25-- Merry Christmas! Ski & ride with Santa!
Cataloochee Ski Area. Cataloochee opens for skiing & riding with Santa at 1PM. Make us part of your Families Christmas Day celebration and join us for turkey & all the trimmings at the lodge! 800-768-0285
December 31-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
New Year's Eve Gala. A festive, fun filled evening, dining, dancing & live entertainment.
Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
December 31-- New Year's Eve Fireworks.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. 8:00 - 8:30PM
800-438-1601.
Dates are tentative and subject to change.
