Calendar of Events

The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is pleased to announce that our annual Blue Ribbon Country Fair will return on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10 am to 4 pm. We are honored to have Big Meadow Family Campground as the 2024 Title Sponsor.

In the tradition of old-time county fairs, we will have lots of livestock (pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, etc.), outdoor activities like the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet Toss, and all-around fun for the whole family. Living history demonstrations will be taking place throughout the day, including open-hearth cooking, wood-turning, and blacksmithing sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Don't forget to get registered in one of our many competitions and maybe you can take home a Blue Ribbon!

Make sure to visit the Townsend Artisan Gallery's tent with the kids to make a take home craft. Say "Hi" to Scottie Mayfield at the Pick TN Products area and enjoy some complimentary ice cream. Enjoy music from Steve Brooks, Brand New Box of Matches, and the students of JAM! Sheepshearing and Goat-milking demonstrations are happening throughout the day. This Event is free and Parking is a $20 donation to the Heritage Center.

865-448-0044. https://gsmheritagecenter.org/ 
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center | 123 Cromwell Drive, Townsend, TN 37882

Saturday, September 28 at 8 pm

The Cincinnati-based ensemble Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle perform within a wide range of genre -- from traditional mountain music to Music Row, blues-gospel to classic country. “We play music that we connect to, whether it’s an old find or a new line. We want it to mean something, every time.”

The members of Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle are: Matt Wabnitz (Lead guitar, lead vocal), Casey Campbell (Drums/percussion, vocal), Scott Risner (mandolin, vocal, resonator guitar, tenor banjo), and Bill Baldock (bass, vocal).
https://www.pricehillhustle.com/

$20 at the door, $15 General Audience Advance, $14 JCA members, students & seniors 65+
Tickets available at TicketLeap (https://jubilee-community-arts.ticketleap.com), by mail or at the door 30 minutes prior to show.

All our events are free to 18 and under and we do offer special codes for FREE tickets for college students also! All ticket and subscription prices are available for purchase online at https://www.orcma.org, by phone at (865) 483-5569, by email at office@orcma.org, or at the door.

Special Performances by the Oak Ridge Chorus: Sing & Swing
September 28th at 4pm @ Bissell Park BandShell (with a rain backup plan at the Oak Ridge Performing Arts Center)

This season, Choral Director Sarah Henrich will also be performing jazz, swing, Broadway, and an original composition by local musician Wendel Werner. The Oak Ridge Chorus, Swing Time Big Band, and special guests from Oak Ridge High School will have you dancing in your seat!

Wendel Werner Plus 4, All Elton John concert, September 28, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:20 PM
Birdhouse Neighborhood Center, 800 N 4th Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917, USA

FREE concerts, but tips are welcome!
https://www.fourthandgill.org/

Get ready for a festive celebration as Orange Hat Brewing invites you to their 2024 Oktoberfest on September 28th, at 10246 Hardin Valley Rd, Knoxville, TN 37931. The event is packed with activities and fun for the whole family.

Special events include:
• State Qualifying Steinholding Competition
• Orange Hat Collectors Ceramic Mug
• Axe Throwing
• Bounce House for kids
• German-style food
• Live music
• Traditional Oktoberfest games
• Cornhole tournament

And for the beer lovers, Orange Hat Brewing will offer six German-style craft beers, including:
• Märzen
• Kölsch
• Weizenbock
• Hefeweizen
• Pilsner
• Helles
Bring the whole family and enjoy this exciting Oktoberfest celebration.

https://www.facebook.com/events/919148636911071

Join us at Hi-Wire Brewing for our much-anticipated Fall Market! A curated selection of over 25 vintage & handmade vendors will be set up inside and outside. This a dog-friendly market and all ages are welcome!

Music will be provided by DJ Captain Ed! The Rasta Pasta food truck will be on-site as well!

2-7 PM
https://www.facebook.com/events/hi-wire-brewing-knoxville/mood-ring-vintage-fall-market/1376128889750502/

Friday evening, September 27th will mark the 26th consecutive year that Maple Lane Farms will open its Corn Maze and other “agritainment” activities that include tractor-pulled hayrides (daytime and nighttime), pumpkin picking, inflatables for the kids, music, corn hole, food vendors, face painting, photo ops, sunflower fields, and other wholesome family fun to the public!

The Maze is located at 1126 Maple Lane in Greenback, just 14 miles south of Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport. The Maze is open weekends from September 27 through October 31. The Haunted Maze begins on weekends starting Friday night Oct 18. Opening hours are the following:

Friday 6pm to 10pm
Saturday 10am to 10pm
Sunday Noon to 6pm, Haunted Noon – 10pm
Haunted Maze Opens nightly, October 18-20, 25-27, 30, 31
Additional Features include: Barn Store Collectibles including Fall/Halloween Decorations, Straw Bales, Cornstalks
Variety of Food and Beverage Vendors
Evening campfires in the Maze Fairway near our Covered Party Tents
Private Parties via Tent Reservation with Fire Pit
Music
Face Painting, Old Time Photo Booth
Numerous Photo Ops, including the Sunflower Fields

Maple Lane Maze is an “authentic agritainment” venue operating since 1999. The farm’s offering continues to be an organic destination for families who love outside adventures mixed with the peacefulness of simply being together sitting around the fire pit and making memories. Many guests have described the farm as a “a fall tradition”. Yes, it is a place seeped deep in tradition. We hope you will join us to start your fall traditions here at Maple Lane Maze. Visit the farm’s website at www.TNMapleLaneFarms.com, Call 865-856-3511 or www.Facebook.com/tnmaplelanefarms/ www.Instagram.com/MapleLaneMaze/

Greek Fest: on Friday-Saturday, September 27th-28th from 11am-10pm and Sunday, September 29th from 11am-5pm at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Kingston Pike, $3 day pass, $5 weekend pass

St. George Greek Orthodox Church has celebrated its annual Greek Fest since 1977! Originally, the Knoxville Greek Fest was organized to introduce Greek food, culture, and dance to the local community. Greek Fest is one of the most popular events in Knoxville, attracting over 20,000 visitors over the weekend.

https://www.greekfesttn.com/

The 2024 Scots Irish Festival in Downtown Dandridge, Tennessee, on Historic Main Street will open with a free concert: Friday, September 27, 2024 – 6:30 to 9:00 PM and the Festival will continue Saturday, September 28, 2024 – 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM. All activities are free to the public.

On Saturday, September 28th, outstanding Scottish & Irish Entertainers will vie for attention with the Bagpipe & Drum Band Challenge, which will take place along Main Street in Downtown Dandridge. The Color Guard from the Scottish American Military Society will lead the way for the combined pipe bands during the glorious parade at 12:00 noon. An Opening Ceremony will feature patriotic songs by the combined choirs of Dandridge Elementary School, Maury Middle School and Jefferson County High School.

Saturday’s experience will be a trip back in time to enjoy the heritage of the original Scots Irish who settled in East Tennessee ca. 1783, following the Revolutionary War. Visitors will experience Scottish & Irish music, Highland Dancing, Irish Step Dancing, Heritage organizations, Highland Clan booths, Highland Cattle & Black Faced sheep exhibits, Highland Athletic demonstrations, and Storytellers for both children and adults. Scottish & Irish Food, baked goods, meals, and treats will abound, as well as Scots & Irish merchandise vendors. Back by popular demand for 2023 is our fabulous Ale Garden featuring a selection of Scottish, Irish & Mountain ales from Highland Brewing.

The Highland (Main) Stage entertainment will feature bands House of Hamill and The Muckers. On the Lowland Stage, Trip Rogers and Celtic Conundrum will perform along with piper & harpist, Kelly Shipe. Demonstrations of Highland Dancing and Irish Step Dancing will also be presented on the Lowland Stage.

The Pipe & Drum Band Challenge Competition will include the Knoxville Pipes & Drums; the Appalachian Highlanders; and the Memphis Pipe Band. These bands will play twice each during the day, as well as marching in the Ceremonial Parade on Main Street at Noon and as Mass Bands on the Dike at 4:00 PM.

An old-time children’s playground returns this year with a variety of games and activities for the Lads & Lassies. Visitors to the event are welcome to bring leashed, well-behaved dogs to participate in the dog parade down Main Street, scheduled for 11:45 AM.

For more information about the festivities, visit www.ScotsIrishFestival.com or contact Chris Umberger at info.scotsirishfestival@gmail.com. We can also be found on Facebook @Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival, and you are invited to join our Facebook Public Group. The Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The foothills of the Smoky Mountains will come alive with the sounds of Bluegrass music, arts and crafts, and the rich traditions of Appalachian cooking at the Townsend in the Smokies Fall Festival on September 27-28, 2024, from 10 AM to 6 PM. This free community event is designed for all ages, offering a family-friendly atmosphere that celebrates the time-honored traditions of the Appalachian region.

Festival-goers can enjoy traditional and contemporary Bluegrass music, clogging, and square dancing performances, while also exploring art and craft booths showcasing local talents. There will be numerous demonstrations of Appalachian skills, old-fashioned kids’ games, and delicious Southern food, including crowd favorites like fried pies and kettle corn.

This year, the festival has moved to a new location:
Townsend Event Center, 7930 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882
Located next to the Townsend Visitor Center, all events will now be held at this central venue.

Come join the fun and experience the authentic spirit of the Smokies!
https://www.smokymountains.org/townsendfallfestival/

Willkommen to Schulz Brau! Oktoberfest is our biggest festival of the year here at our Brewery and Biergarten! Meticulous planning goes into creating this special 2-week celebration of Bavarian culture. We proudly follow Munich traditions to offer our guests an authentic and fun experience. Prost!

BARREL-TAPPING CEREMONY
21.SEPT – 5AM-9AM
TICKET SALES TBA

https://knoxvilleoktoberfest.com/