A quilt from the Quilter’s Guild.
Everyone talks about Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. But did you know that there’s another great Smoky Mountain town called Townsend? It’s about a half hour from Pigeon Forge — close to Cades Cove.
Townsend’s tagline is “The quiet side of the Smokies.” And this is really true. If you plan to spend most of your vacation time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and would prefer a quieter, non-commercialized vacation, Townsend is the spot for you. You won’t find mini golf galore or theaters or mirror mazes in Townsend. But you will find a few fun local restaurants, a few spots to rent river tubes, and lots of southern hospitality.
Starting in March, a series of Appalachian demonstrators will be featured at the Smoky Mountain Visitor Center in Townsend. The exhibits are free and are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Here’s what to expect:
- Quilters. The Foothills Quilters Guild of Blount County, TN will have quilts on display from March 1-16. The exhibit will have a variety of quilts, including hand-made and machine-made, and a variety of sizes. According to The Chattanoogan: “Visitors will have the opportunity to see true Appalachian heritage and culture exude from the pattern and stitching of each quilt on display.”
- Woodcarvers. From March 19-30, local woodcarvers’ creations will be on display for visitors. Woodcarvers will also be on hand to demonstrate the craft. The Woodcarvers Supply Store at Nawger Nob will be hosting the event. The store offers woodcarving classes and a wide selection of tools. The creator of the hand-carved cabin and mountains mantel in the visitors center will be on hand to do demonstrations.
For more information about Townsend or the exhibits during the month of March, visit Townsend’s web site.