Wears Valley Fall Festival Fun for All Ages

Sixteen acres of family fun, crafters, storytelling, interactive activities and entertainment, children’s events and a focus on recycled crafts awaits all in attendance at the 3rd annual Wears Valley Fall Festival coordinated by Keep Sevier Beautiful. The wide array of activities gives families and couples a great way to make great memories, experience a variety of fun activities and enjoy the incredible beauty of fall in the Smokies.

Wears Valley Fall Festival is a 3-day event running Oct. 14-16, 2016. The event begins on Friday, Oct. 14, and hours for opening day are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours on Saturday are also from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival site is next to Tennessee State Bank (3177 Wears Valley Road, Sevierville, Tenn.) in Wears Valley. Parking provided by the festival is free. Admission is $3 per person, or $10 per group/family.

“This Fall Festival truly offers something for everyone,” said Lisa Bryant, executive director of Keep Sevier Beautiful. “From tractor rides, a bull ride, crafters, a kid’s area, continuous live entertainment, we can appeal to families, children and couples wanting to enjoy Smoky Mountain heritage. The most unique element is something only Keep Sevier Beautiful can do—a teaching moment of how to be more sustainable at every turn.”

Variety best describes the entertainment at this fun-filled festival, showcased by The Pinklets, a talented trio of sisters ages 12, 13 and 16 from Knoxville who were featured at the acclaimed Bonnaroo music festival this past June. The Pinklets will perform at the festival’s main stage at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and other music includes country, bluegrass, and old-time mountain music by the group Boogertown Gap, to name a few. Performers from Sevier Country theaters will showcase their talents daily from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

On Saturday, storytellers will share the story of the Smokies, and visitors can opt for lessons from craftsmen, such as making leather bracelets, painting and even powder horns. Visitors can even participate in interactive performances and test their talents at spoons and wash buckets! The children’s tent will entertain kids of all ages with crafts from upcycled products, fun recycling activities, and old- time games including potato sack races and an obstacle course made from recycled materials (on Saturday only).

One of the big stars of the festival is sure to be Evie Sue, the Litter Retrieving Dog, and her “people,” children’s book authors Ed and Susan Harp of Evansville, Ind. This super Yellow Lab will be at the festival for the entire weekend to showcase her book adventures from Evie Goes Clean and Green and show guests how it can be fun to “go green” with your adventures. The event also includes a multitude of delicious southern foods and treats from a multitude of vendors and craft demonstrations that introduce visitors to Smoky Mountain traditions.

The Wears Valley Fall Festival is the biggest annual fundraiser for Keep Sevier Beautiful, a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, and is a volunteer-based organization focusing on waste reduction/recycling, litter prevention, and beautifying public spaces through education and community based programs. Keep Sevier Beautiful’s goal is to protect the natural beauty of the area that millions of visitors come to see each year.

For more information and vendor space, call (865) 774-6677 or visit www.WearsValleyFallFest.com.