2008 Special Events & Festivals
March 22 -- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
Peanuts Easter Beagle. Departs from Dillsboro. During the layover, children can seek out bunnies carrying brightly colored eggs. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
March 29-- '"Ramp it Up"
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. A celebration of ramps, trout and other Native fair. Call 828-497-8128 for more information.
March 29-- Cherokee KOA Fishing Tournament.
KOA Campground. 6AM - 5PM. 828-497-2511
April 4 ---"Linda Davis"
Eaglenest Entertainment. 7PM. Call 828-926-9658 for ticket info. www.eaglenestnc.com
April 18 -- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Home School Day - Special school rates available to home-schooled children. Departs at 10:30am.
Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
April 25-- Josh Bates
Eaglenest Entertainment.7PM A free night of worship, fun & incredible music. 828-926-9658 or www.eaglenestnc.com
April 25-27-- Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. 865-724-4105
April 25-27-- Thunder in the Smokies Motorcycle Rally.
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. 828-246-2101
April 26 -- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Biltmore Estate Wine Dining Train. A special gourmet dinner train pairing premium wines of the Biltmore Estate. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
May 2-- Ghost Town opens for the season.
www.ghosttowninthesky.com
May 2-4-- Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Times TBA
May 10-- Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Mother's Day Dining Train. Evening Gourmet Dinner Train with a special recognition corsage for mothers. Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
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 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.
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-- 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 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 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 28--Maggie Valley Civil War Celebration Day.
Stompin Ground-Story telling event.
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds- 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 & 13-- Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Crafts Festival
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. At least 100 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 18 & 19-- Mini Truck Show
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Times TBA
July 25 - August 3--Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.
Day Out With Thomas. Nine fun filled days.
Call 800-872-4681 for reservations.
August 2-- Talking Trees Children's Trout Derby.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. Free for children ages 11 and under. 800-438-1601.
August 16-- 30th Annual Moonlight Race
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Runners from all over the world converge on Maggie Valley for this annual events. Details TBA
September 5-7-- Thunder in the Smokies Motorcycle Rally.
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. 828-426-2101.
September 5-7-- Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally.
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. 800-438-1601
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 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. Over 100 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 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 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.
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-- Maggie Valley Christmas Parade
Ghost Town parking lot to the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
6PM. Theme TBA
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.
