There's something special about the Appalachian Mountains and the folks who homesteaded them and handed down their traditions to their kin. This Saturday you can experience a rich slice of that lifestyle at the annual "Cosby in the Park" festival at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The festival will take place at the Cosby campground in Cocke County, Tennessee. This year’s event will occur in the campground amphitheater and the picnic area, both located along the park’s Cosby campground entrance road. Free parking for attendees will be provided in campground Loop B.

The many planned activities that include cultural demonstrations, traditional music entertainment, hikes, storytelling, and children’s games are free to the public and are scheduled between 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

“Cosby in the Park” celebrates the cultural heritage of this part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while also showcasing the many recreational opportunities in the area. During the day, visitors will be treated to traditional music and presentations at the amphitheater. In the picnic area, crafters will demonstrate traditional southern Appalachian skills such as blacksmithing and metal working, quilting, and other folk arts.

The scheduled activities for the day are:

Amphitheater Stage (Allan Goss, Master of Ceremonies):

10:00 am – 11:00 am Lost Mill String Band
11:00 am –11:30 am Introductions/Dedication of Event
11:30 am –12 p.m. Duay O’Neil “Under the Apple Trees” presentation
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm The Green Family Band
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm David McClary and Mountain Strings
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Boogertown Gap
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Curtis and Lynn Osteen

Hikes:

Nature Trail, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, 1 mile, moderate. Meet at Amphitheater. Leaders: Morgan Briggs and Matthew Briggs

Hike to Ella V. Costner Grave. 1:30 pm – 3:00 p.m., moderate. Meet at Cosby picnic area pavilion. Leaders: Shane and Judy McGaha/Alma Williamson

Picnic Area Activities:

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Exhibit and talk on Ella V. Costner, “The Poet Laureate of the Smokies.”

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Introduction to Beekeeping – The Art or Dowsing – Charlie Monday

Ongoing demonstrations

Introduction to Beekeeping - Jon and Sherry Holt

Blacksmithing – Clayton Sharp

Quilting – Maria Holloway and Ellen Ogle

Blacksmithing and Blade Making – Len Landrum

“Old Timey Stuff” – Morgan and Matthew Briggs will display items of daily living from the past

Children’s Activities (Picnic Area)

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sack races, old-timey toys, games- Carolyn Templeton, Dianne Goss, Robin Goddard, and Gay Thompson

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. “Hills and Hollows”—Mountain stories in words and music by Kathy and Mike Gwinn

“This event is a wonderful opportunity for park neighbors and visitors to experience this beautiful area of the national park and learn about its history,” said Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. “Cosby is rich in mountain scenery and pre-park history."

“Cosby in the Park” is a partnership between Cocke County government, Great Smoky Mountains Association, and the National Park Service. For more information contact the Sugarlands Visitor Center at (865) 436-1291.