Spring is the time of year to come to the Great Smoky Mountains to experience the beauty of the mountains, and enjoy outdoor activities, music, and fun festivals. There’s no better way to relax and unwind after a day exploring Gatlinburg than at a charming, mountain cabin where you can enjoy the panoramic views.
A Favorite Vacation Destination
Gatlinburg has a rich Appalachian history that’s celebrated at the Gatlinburg Beans & Cornbread Festival. The festival sponsored by Bush Brothers & Company and is held on the Parkway. Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge are favorite destinations in this lovely area of Tennessee, and a lot of visitors plan their vacations around the festival.
Down-Home Food
Each year, hundreds of visitors come to Gatlinburg to enjoy traditional Southern food at the festival. Two of the staple foods of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains have always been beans and cornbread, and the festival is the place to sample recipes prepared by some of the best cooks in Tennessee. If you love down-home, Southern-style food with a glass of sweet tea, the house wine of the South, you won’t want to miss the second annual festival in downtown Gatlinburg.
Cookoff Competition
Visitors attending the festival have the opportunity to purchase a spoon for $10 to sample the delicious recipes from each of the booths. Children under the age of seven may sample dishes free of charge. The most anticipated event of the festival is the Beans and Cornbread Cookoff. Attendees may submit their favorite bean and cornbread recipes. Local businesses, catering companies, and restaurants will be preparing their favorite recipes for cornbread and beans and will compete for the honor of the top recipes in the cookoff.
Entertainment and Games
Rousing, Smoky Mountain music and plenty of games are part of the fun of the yearly event. Visitors look forward to the live entertainment presented at the festival. Tara Thompson, the cousin of one of country music’s icons, Loretta Lynn, will be performing at the festival. The Queen of Country Music’s younger cousin is a singer and songwriter, and will be releasing her first album this year.
One of Tennessee’s Top Events
The Southeast Tourism Society has chosen the Gatlinburg Beans & Cornbread Festival to be one of its Top 20 events. If you’ve never tried beans and cornbread, you’ll love the delicious pairing that has a lot of variations. If you’re already a fan, you may find some new variations that you’ll want to make at home after your vacation. The festival is fun for everyone but is an event that gives back to the community. The Corn Hole Tournament raises funds to support Gatlinburg’s Humane Society.
Since the festival is held on Gatlinburg’s main street, part of the Parkway will be closed to traffic for the event. The Gatlinburg Beans & Cornbread Festival will be held on Thursday, May 11th, and is open from 4 pm – 8 pm. The festival is free to the public.