It’s already the first of December and Tennessee State Parks are full of holiday spirit. There’s so much to choose from – visits with holiday exhibits and lights, re-enactments and traditional storytelling are just a few of the opportunities available in East Tennessee. As a special reminder, we also have highlighted Tennessee State Parks’ great winter specials.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
Don’t forget about Sycamore Shoals’ annual Winterfest Christmas Tree Exhibit and Art Show. Featuring local artists and the ever-popular Fraser Fir exhibit, decorated by community organizations – both trees and artwork from the Watauga Valley Art League will remain on display in the museum during regular park hours throughout the month of December until Jan. 4. For more information call 423/543-5808.
Slated for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, Sycamore Shoals’ Christmas at Carter Mansion is a candlelit evening in the oldest frame house in Tennessee, which will be decorated with bright greenery for the holidays. Enjoy music, refreshments, and costumed interpreters acting out scenes from an 18th century Christmas. The event will be held both days from 6 to 9 p.m.
Sycamore Shoals also will host a variety of Traditional Arts Workshops throughout December, including step-by-step oil painting and shape-note singing. Traditional Arts Workshops are by registration only and must be pre-paid. For complete schedules or to make a workshop reservation, please call 423/543-5808.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park attracts more than 305,000 people every year. The 85-acre site sits on the banks of the Watauga River where the Overmountain Men assembled in 1780 before marching to defeat the British in the Battle of Kings Mountain, a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The park features interpretive exhibits, events, a fitness trail and picnic facilities. It is located off U.S. Highway 321 in Elizabethton. Additional information about the park can be found on the park’s Web site at www.tnstateparks.com/SycamoreShoals.
Warriors’ Path State Park
Warriors' Path will host an Adopt-a-Tree event on Saturday, Dec. 3, beginning at 10 a.m. until noon. Designed just for kids, participants can help park staff bring "re-leaf" to Northeast Tennessee by planting tomorrow's forests. For every tree seedling planted, participants also will get to take one home. Be sure to come early because supplies of trees are limited. While some digging tools will be provided, visitors are encouraged to bring their own. Come dressed for the weather and be prepared to get your hands dirty. Follow signs from the park entrance to the tree distribution location. This event is sponsored by Warriors' Path State Park and the Tennessee Division of Forestry. For more information, call 423/239-6786.
Join Warriors' Path State Park for its Christmas on the Lake celebration, slated for Friday, Dec. 9, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The park will be decorated with Christmas lights, luminaries and a beautiful flagpole Christmas tree at the entrance of the park. As part of the festivities, children will get to make their own pinecone feeders and bird ornaments. There will be storytelling, acoustic music by Strangebrew and a visit from Santa! The park also will serve hot chocolate and cookies for all visitors. Event sponsors include Indian Path Medical Center and Niswonger Children's Hospital.
Warriors' Path State Park was named for the park's proximity to the ancient war and trading path used by the Cherokee. Since that time, the park’s land has known a long history of travelers and is still a pathway for modern-day outdoor enthusiasts. The 950-acre area was acquired from the Tennessee Valley Authority is 1952, to serve the people who live in or visit this section of Northeast Tennessee. It is situated on the shores of TVA's Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River. For additional information about the park, please visit www.tnstateparks.com/WarriorsPath.
Cove Lake State Park
Cove Lake State Park will celebrate its Christmas in the Park on Monday, Dec. 5. Celebrating its 27th anniversary, this year’s event will feature more than 2,500 luminaries, the Lighting of the Tree ceremony, Santa Land, cookie decorating, horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, refreshments, children’s crafts and activities. There will be an appearance from Santa as well! Admission, activities and refreshments are free of charge. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the park office.
Located in Caryville, Cove Lake State Park's 673 acres are situated in a beautiful mountain valley setting on the eastern edge of the Cumberland Mountains. There are scenic nature trails and bike trails leading through the open grasslands and woodlands. In the winter, several hundred Canada Geese make this lakeshore their feeding ground. Nearby is the Devil's Race Track whose steep pinnacle rock affords a panoramic view. For more information about upcoming park activities, please call the park office at 423/566-9701 or visit www.tnstateparks.com/CoveLake.
Fort Loudoun State Park
Fort Loudoun will present an 18th Century Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec. 3. Titled “Christmas 1757,” this annual event blends a festive holiday spirit with both educational opportunities and traditional entertainment. The event is free and open to the public. The 18th Century Christmas event begins with a “roll call,” summoning re-enactment soldiers to their posts just as it would have been done 250 years ago. Throughout the day, costumed living history re-enactors will go about their garrison duties, while taking time to interact with visitors. Demonstrations of both crafts and skills also will be conducted, including cooking, laundering, blacksmithing and artillery drills.
Park visitors will get to see an 18th century infirmary, as well as soldiers’ barracks, the commander’s quarters and a Cherokee encampment. Throughout the day, soldiers will be commanded to sing Christmas carols and guests are encouraged to add their voices. The daily schedule includes a Christmas church service, wassail tasting and a special candlelight tour of the fort. On this special occasion, the soldiers will perform a rare nighttime firing of the fort’s cannon. The Visitor Center and Museum at Fort Loudoun will be open throughout the program and light refreshments will be served just before the candlelight tour commences. The Fort’s gift shop and bookstore also will be open for visitors to find that unique Christmas gift.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Park is a 1,200-acre site on the location of one of the earliest British fortifications on the western frontier, built in 1756. Nearby were the principal towns of the Cherokee Nation including Tenase, namesake of our state, and Tuskegee, birthplace of Sequoyah. Today the fort and the 1794 Tellico Blockhouse overlook TVA's Tellico Reservoir and the Appalachian Mountains and are located one mile off Highway 411 on Highway 360 in Vonore. For more information about the park or a complete schedule of events, please contact the Fort Loudoun State Historic Park office at 423/884-6217 or visit the website at www.tnstateparks.com/FortLoudoun.
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park will kick off the holidays with its annual Crockett Christmas, slated for Saturday, Dec. 10, From 4 to 8 p.m. This living history event celebrates the spirit of Christmas on the frontier and the birthplace cabin will be adorned with pioneer decorations. A candlelit pathway will light the way to the cabin where historical interpreters will greet visitors, inviting them inside to a warm fireplace, traditional hot wassail and edibles. Traditional storytelling will be held inside the cabin and guests can also warm their hands around the campfire outside the cabin. This event is free to the public and participants should dress warmly. For more information about Crockett Christmas, please contact the Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Visitor’s Center at 423/257-2167 or e-mail Dawn.Coleman@tn.gov.
Runners are encouraged to participate in the Davy Crockett Birthplace Pioneer 5-Mile Run on Saturday, Dec. 17 – an exhilarating and hilly run through the park and the Limestone community. The run is part of the Tennessee State Parks Running Tour – a unique fall and winter series of foot races with distances varying from 5 to 13 miles and serves as the oldest state parks’ running series in the nation. The Pioneer 5-Miler is the 11th race of the tour. All runners must be registered to enter. For more information, please contact Bob Townsend at 423/257-6188, 423/ 426-6709 or at bobt4@earthlink.net.
Davy Crockett's birthplace has been preserved by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as an historic site within the state park system. The site consists of 105 partially wooded acres of land along the Nolichucky River in Greene County, Tennessee. For more information about the park, visit www.tnstateparks.com/DavyCrockettSHP.
Norris Dam State Park
Join Norris Dam State Park on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. for the 10th Annual Holiday Homecoming – a walk through time, depicting the old-time holiday traditions of the region. Discover early Appalachian life and how residents lived before the dam, and enjoy traditional holiday music and horse-drawn wagon rides. All celebrations will take place on the east side of the park, with its rustic cabin area transforming into a winter village of festivities – from live animal demonstrations to caroling. Admission is free but donations will be accepted to benefit future park events. Participants are asked to dress warmly and bring a flashlight for the one-mile walk from the parking area to the festivities. Handicapped-accessible parking will be available. For more information about this event, please call the park office at 865/426-7461.
This 4,038-acre park, located on the Norris Reservoir, began in 1933 as the first Tennessee Valley Authority project. Miles of trails lead hikers through deeply forested valleys and ridges. Located on the shores of Norris Lake with 700 miles of picturesque shoreline, the park offers the ultimate in boating, skiing and fishing. The park also offers a fully equipped marina, a boat ramp available to the general public and pontoon boats are available for rent. For additional information about Norris Dam State Park, please visit www.stateparks.com/NorrisDam.
Red Clay State Historic Park
Visit Red Clay State Historic Park on Saturday, Dec. 17, for its 4th Annual Trail of Lights, from 5 to 8 p.m. This event will feature a candlelight tour of the park, refreshments and entertainment. Admission is $5 per car.
Red Clay State Historic Park is located in the extreme southwest corner of Bradley County, just above the Tennessee-Georgia state line, and is the site of the last Cherokee Council meeting before the infamous Trail of Tears. The park encompasses 263 acres of narrow valleys and forested ridges and features picnic facilities, a loop trail and amphitheater. The park also contains a natural landmark, the Blue Hole Spring, which arises from beneath a limestone ledge to form a deep pool that flows into Mill Creek. The Cherokee used the Blue Hole Spring as their water supply during council meetings. For more information about Red Clay State Historic Park, please visit www.tnstateparks.com/RedClay or call the park office at 423/478-0339.
Tennessee State Parks Announce Special Winter Rates
Don’t forget that Tennessee State Parks is offering special winter rates for 360 villas and cabins, along with six state park inns now through March 31, 2012. With a Tennessee State Parks special winter discount, park visitors can stay at one of Tennessee’s six state park inns for $49.95 a night (excluding tax). The inn discount may be used seven days a week and applies to both individuals and groups. At participating inns, guests may add the breakfast package for an additional $10. A 50 percent discount also is being offered for villas and cabins with a two-night minimum stay. The cabin discount is valid Sunday through Thursday only and some holiday weeks are not included. Discounts are based on availability and certain other restrictions may apply.
There is no coupon necessary for this special rate and patrons simply need to ask for the “Special Winter Promotion” when making a reservation. When making online reservations please ensure the available code for the special winter rate or cabin discount is applied. While reservations are not required, they are highly recommended to ensure availability. Special winter rates are not valid with other discounts. For more information about the special promotion, please call the Tennessee State Parks information line at 615/532-0001 or toll free at 1-888-867-2757. For additional information or to make online reservations, please visit the Tennessee State Parks website at www.tnstateparks.com/promotions/winter_promotion.shtml.
Tennessee's 53 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families, or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call toll free 888/867-2757. For additional information, visit our website at www.tnstateparks.com.