Now Playing- Fairs, Festivals, and Fun

The end of summer can be bittersweet, but here in the 9 Lakes Region the fun hasn’t ended.  Colorful fairs and festivals keep the summer fun going. Top of mind for many visitors is asking us about what events are happening when they are “in town.”  Summer doesn’t officially end until September 22, so let’s play!

Here is a list of what is Now Playing in August and September:

Thru Oct 1- Seasonal marina restaurants:  Most of the seasonal restaurants will continue to be open with live music on the weekends through Labor Day.  After Labor Day, the hours will be weekends through October 1.  Check the Facebook page of your favorite marina for the band schedule and hours.  The fall colors and sunsets are worth the drive. Here are the most requested marina schedules: Beach Island Marina on Norris Lake, Black Oak Marina– Cherokee Lake, and Blue Springs Marina on Watts Bar Lake.

August 21- Great Smoky Mountain Balloon Festival is a spectacle of colorful hot air balloons lighting up the night sky of the Smokies.  Admission is $5 per person.

August 28- Bubba Brews Cardboard Boat Race– Ahoy…dare we ask?  Registration is now open.

Sept 4- 6th Annual Thunder in the Park festival featuring a car show, live music, and one of the biggest firework shows in the region.

Sept 5- Hooray for Harriman is an annual street fair featuring crafts, vendors, and Gospel and Bluegrass music.

Sept 10-19- Tennessee Valley Fair is back in 2021.  Music, carnival rides, concessions, and special events are all part of this event that celebrates East Tennessee’s history, agriculture, and arts.  If you love the pageantry of state fairs, this is the one for you.

Sept 11- MoCo 5K Color Dash- “Never Forget” run/ dash is an event to mark the sacrifice made by first responders.  Registration is now open.

Sept 16-18- Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival brings three days of bands, pick in’ and lots of jamming.  The event is festival seating, so bring your chair.  No pets please.

Sept 18- Tour de Moonshine bike tour will take riders through the beauty of Cocke and Sevier Counties.  Riders can choose from 100 and 50 km routes on paved surface and a 50 km route on gravel.

Sept 22- Go out and celebrate the first day of fall!