9 Lakes, Area Events, free admission
Get Out and Play in May
Are you ready to get out and play in May? The 9 Lakes Region is bursting with fun, outdoor activities across the region. If you love live music, great food, arts and crafts, or if you are simply ready to enjoy a play day outside with friends, you won’t want have to look far or... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, family holidays, Getaways
Spring Events are Popping Up
After a yearlong slumber, spring events are popping up across the region. One way to immerse yourself in the region’s culture is to visit one of the many festivals. Did you know that the people who settled in this region migrated from cities across Europe and, more recently, world-wide, bringing their customs and rich cultural... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, history, moonshine
Taste of Local Lore: Whiskey and East Tennessee
There is no doubt that Tennessee has a love/ hate relationship with its heritage and lore of whiskey making. Moonshining is a revered craft in the Appalachian hills of 9 Lakes counties that have been historically “dry” until this last decade. The long struggle between revenuers and illegal distilleries has created legendary tales that define... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, COVID Safe vacations, driving trails, fall foliage, Getaways, motorcycles, Water Trails
Fall in Love with Autumn in East Tennessee
Saying goodbye to summer means welcoming the beautiful colors of fall. Autumn is traditionally a time to hunt and gather the bounty of the land. Hunters are “in the woods,” while gatherers are harvesting the bounty of apples, pears, and nuts that hang heavy on the trees ready to be picked. Others are awaiting the resplendent... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, driving trails, Outdoors, Trails
It’s a Spring Thing- Get Outdoors
As sure as wild onions and daffodils pop up during spring in the 9 Lakes Region, fun outdoor activities are also popping up. Spring is a great time to play in the 9 Lakes. Shake off the winter blues and get outdoors. Expect daylight average temperatures to be in the upper 60s and lower 70s,... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, conservation
Rolling Up Our Sleeves in March
The 9 Lakes tourism partners are recognized champions for rolling up their sleeves to protect the beauty of public lands and waterways found in East Tennessee. Working with local communities, businesses, Keep America Beautiful affiliates, and non-profits, partners take to the trails, lakes, and rivers to improve wildlife habitats and remove debris from shorelines and... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, history
Black History Month
The African American history of East Tennessee is a mosaic of moments and people who lived and struggled in this area of Appalachia. Pre-Civil War, the region was home to people of color, both slaves and freedmen. After Jim Crow, segregation, Civil Rights movement, and the era of urban renewal greatly impacted the lives of... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, downtowns, family holidays, Outdoors
Go Classic Holiday – Find your Merry and Bright
The 9 Lakes of East Tennessee provides an abundance of classic holiday activities for outdoor enthusiasts and family fun experiences. With temperatures that can fluctuate between frosty mornings and warming days, the outdoors will beckon you to enjoy all that region offers. This is the perfect time of year to find your inner child and... Read More
Area Events, fall foliage, history, Music
King of the Dobro to be Celebrated
King of the Dobro, Josh Graves will be celebrated at the annual Cherohala Skyway Festival to be held October 26 in Tellico Plains. Each year, the festival features art, food, bluegrass music, and a breathtaking backdrop of the Cherokee National Forest awash in autumn colors. The Skyway is one of the National Scenic Byways, and... Read More
9 Lakes, Area Events, Music
Ken Burns “Country Music” Documentary Shines a Spotlight on East Tennessee Musicians
The highly anticipated Ken Burns documentary, Country Music premiers Sunday, September 15 on PBS. It is often said that the musical talent came from the “hills and hollers” of Appalachia, and that those skills were honed in church choirs and on front porches. Talk to any old timer in East Tennessee, and they can tell... Read More