annual spring heritage festival happening may 3

Townsend, TN – A special treat awaits visitors to the annual Spring Heritage Festival at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center on Saturday, May 3, from 10 AM - 5 PM. The Center will welcome the “music makers” -- skilled craftsmen who create the musical instruments popular with fans of mountain music. These individuals will be on hand to demonstrate their craft, show samples of their work, and talk with visitors. They include Lynn Dudenbostel, mandolin, Knoxville; Howard Greene, violin, Louisville; Mike Clemmer, dulcimer, Townsend (10 AM - Noon); and Johnny Rushing, guitar, New Market.

In addition, visitors can enjoy historic demonstrations throughout the day including a blacksmith, whittling, beekeeping, candle making, basket making, spinning, quilting, open hearth cooking, broom making and more. An herb display will be presented by Honey Rock Herb Farm, Louisville. Children can enjoy historic games, pony rides and a petting zoo.

Special entertainment will be provided by Sweet Sounds (dulcimers), Mountain Folk Reunion (folk), Lisa Free, Don Story (dulcimer), with storytelling by Faye Wooden. Cades Cove Preservation Association members will present an “Armchair Tour of Cades Cove” (Allen Coggins) and “Mountain Medicine Women” (Gail Palmer.) A complete schedule of events is attached.

Wilson’s Homemade Ice Cream will be back on-site, and concessions for the spring festival are being provided by The Coffee House, Townsend.

The 2008 Spring Heritage Festival is presented by the Integrity Development Group, Inc., and The Traces at Fox Ridge.

Admission is $3 for each person. Heritage Center members and children under 6 years of age are free. The event will be held rain or shine. A free shuttle provided by River Rat is available to take visitors from the Townsend Visitors Center to the Heritage Center.

The Center is located between the traffic light and the national park entrance on Scenic Highway 73 in Townsend. For information, call 865-448-0044.