April in the Smokies is the real beginning of spring in the Smoky Mountains where green is rapidly replacing the browns and grays of winter. Wildflowers and trees start blooming in lower elevations and by the end of April springs newly awakened colors can be found all throughout the Smoky Mountains.
During the heart of all of this excitement, the 57th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage takes place April 23rd through the 29th and registration has already begun. The wildflower pilgrimage is for both tourists as well as residents of the Smokies and features activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are educational or just plain fun for the whole family.
The week long event is based at the Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and kicks off with an opening luncheon on Monday, April 23rd.
A wildflower plant display is open through Saturday afternoon to the public where you will also find arts and craft vendors, and an exhibit of 85 paintings of native wildflowers.
Those who attend will not only get to enjoy the great outdoors in on of the most exciting and biologically diverse national parks, you will also get to enjoy walks, talks and activities that celebrate the parks history, diversity and importance today and for future generations.
Activities such as the hikes in the national park are varied so that hikers of various abilities and experience can participate in these exciting events. Those who participate will walk away with a better knowledge and appreciation of the GSMNP plants, animals and the smoky mountains culture and history.
Not all of the events of the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage take place outdoors as there are indoor programs led by the park staff and both professional and amateur naturalists. The programs will take place rain or shine every day of the week and cover a variety of topics.
During the evenings enjoy the free art exhibit, have the opportunity to learn about creating a wildlife habitat in your own backyard, an introduction or orchids, and learn about fish restoration in the Great Smoky Mountains national parks Abrams Creek.
The event ends on Saturday, April 28th where after the buffet a play will be performed by award-winning actress Kaiulani Lee. The play titled A Sense of Wonder highlights environmentalist Rachel Carson's love for the natural world and her fight to defend it. The book "Silent Spring" which alerted everyone to the dangers of pesticides was written by Carson.
We at your Smokies would like to personally thank the sponsors of the 2007 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage:
- Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
- City of Gatlinburg Department of Tourism
- Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Gatlinburg Garden Club
- Great Smoky Mountains Association
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Southern Appalachian Botanical Society
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- University of Tennessee Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
Register for the week long event either online at www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org or by phone (865) 436-7318 Extension 222 and ask for Judy.
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