Spring Break Ideas for Getting Outside

Are you planning ahead for spring break or maybe ready to get back outdoors?  Spring events are ramping up across the 9 Lakes of East Tennessee Region.  Spring break and warm weekends are calling us outdoors to play.  For adventurists seeking thrills white water season on the Pigeon River is booking now.  Prefer a tamer adventure, Dollywood opens for the 2025 season in March.

The sights, sounds, and tastes of Appalachia spring can be found in the 9 Lakes of East Tennessee.  Come to play at one or more of these events:

• Now through March:  Oak Ridge Farmers Market– Jackson Square- Saturdays 9am- 1 pm- baked goods, fresh meat, winter vegetables

• Feb 22- 26th Annual International Festival– Oak Ridge- Celebrate cultures from around  the world through food and dance.

• Mar 1: Mardi Growl– Knoxville- Parade for you and your best friend.  Costumes encouraged.

• Mar 7-8: NRRS Hillclimb– Windrock Park- Oliver Springs-

• Mar 5: White water rafting on the Pigeon River season booking now.

• Mar 13-Apr 13: Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Music Festival – Early spring time celebration of music.

• Mar 15- Knox Shamrock Festival- Knoxville- World’s Fair Park hosts this annual event for the “wearing of the green.”

• Mar 22: 5 County Norris Lake Clean-Up– Annual volunteer event to pick up winter debris from the shorelines of Norris Lake.

• Mar 27-30: Big Ears Festival– Knoxville- A premier multi-day, multi-sited music experience.

• Mar 27-30: Red Bull Tennessee National Downhill Race- elite downhill MTB riders come to conquer Windrock Bike Park.

• Apr 12-13: Rossini Festival– Knoxville- International street fair with food and live music. Benefit for the Knoxville Opera company.

• Apr 26: Ball Play Ramp Festival– Tellico Plains

• Apr 26- NATS Poker Run- Norris- Annual event for MTB riding on the trials at Norris Dam State Park to benefit upkeep of the trails.

• May 2 and 9: Sheep Shearing Days- Museum of Appalachia- Clinton- Demonstration of traditional Appalachian arts.

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