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2009 Is The Big 75 For Great Smoky Mountains National Park

June 1, 2009 at 12:47 PM | by kjb | 0 Comments

We had no idea that Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited national park in the country, but it is, and now is a great time to join the crowds. The park is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and is promoting its birthday with special events, nature programs, and a snazzy commemorative website.

If you enjoy a little class with your national park experience, you’ll want to visit during the weekend of June 13 for the official anniversary celebration. Pack your car with some tasty vittles and moonshine—you’ll be in Appalachia after all—and head to the Cades Cove section of the park. There you'll find the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, who are dragging their tubas and oboes out to the park to perform an outdoor concert. Tickets will cost you $25 per carload.

The festivities continue through September, when taking a break from searching for bears and elk allows you to listen in on a reenactment of the park’s dedication at the Rockefeller Memorial at Newfound Gap. President Franklin Roosevelt was the one who originally dedicated the park, so hopefully there will be someone dressed up in a good FDR costume. If you’re looking to feel all warm and fuzzy, this program is probably a solid pick.

Even if you miss the special events like the Festival of Christmas Past or the Mountain Life Festival, there’s still plenty of hiking, fishing, and camping to enjoy. If you can’t make it this year, at least take a look at the park’s interactive timeline on their new website—it’ll help you during your next game of Trivial Pursuit.

Related Stories:
· Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th Anniversary [Official Site]
· Great Smoky Mountains [NPS.gov]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: fruitbatdesigns]

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