Blooms & Tunes: Guide to the Spring Festival at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg
Spring is an amazing time to visit the Smoky Mountains! Not only does the warmer weather make an appearance, but there are also a ton of exciting events happening throughout the Smokies! You have the return of the annual car shows in Pigeon Forge, plus all sorts of special events at theme parks as well. One of the most popular events that you don’t want to miss takes place at one of Gatlinburg’s premier attractions! Here are all the details for the Blooms & Tunes spring festival at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg:
Breakdown of the Event
Anakeesta in Gatlinburg welcomes spring each year in the middle of April with the Blooms & Tunes event. The good news is that you have plenty of time to enjoy the festivities because the festival runs until around the end of May each year. During the event, your family can head to the top of the mountain to enjoy spring-themed art exhibits, gorgeous spring flowers, live music and entertainment, a special food menu, and so much more! Be sure to check out the stunning Vista Gardens as well where you can soak in the sight of over 10,000 colorful plants! Once the sun goes down, the park comes to life with twinkling lights and light sculptures that lead you through the park.
Live Music and Entertainment
With the name tunes in the event title, you can be sure there is a ton of music to enjoy when you visit Anakeesta this spring. As you make your way through the park, be sure to stop by Black Bear Village to enjoy the sounds of the Anakeesta park band. From traditional mountain bluegrass to a few fiddle solos, you will be sure to stay entertained while you take a seat and relax in the Black Bear Village. The band will also play some of your favorite country music hits, so don’t be afraid to sing along. This year’s event will also feature some new whimsical characters that will be making their way through the park, including the magical fairy and the wise-cracking gardeners who can plant flowers and make you laugh with some hilarious jokes!
Local Art Displays
Now that you have an overview of the event, let’s look at some of the specific things you can expect to see at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, beginning with the local art. The Smoky Mountains is home to all sorts of amazing artists that are looking for ways to get their work on display for the world to see, and Anakeesta offers that opportunity. During Blooms & Tunes, you will see some incredible creations made by Brainchild Creative, an organization that is headquartered in the Smokies. All the pieces on display celebrate the spring season and the amazing heritage and tradition of the Smoky Mountains. The fun begins when you pass by the 20-foot blooming daisy at the entrance of the park. Some of the other displays include an oversized paint palette with 10-foot-tall paintbrushes and over 30 other sculptures throughout the park.
Spring Menu and Seasonal Cocktails
The food you will find at Anakeesta is unlike anything you will find at a traditional theme park. They have trained chefs that work in the restaurants to create incredible cuisine that everyone in your group will love. During the Blooms & Tunes event, Anakeesta changes up the menu to bring you new and exciting springtime recipes. To go along with the dinner specials, the park also has signature cocktails to enjoy while you look out over the stunning backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. Some of the dishes you need to try include the Kale & Almond Spring Salad, the Blackened Tataki Tuna, and the Hoisin Sriracha Chicken. These dishes can all be found at the Clifftop Restaurant!
More Things to Do at Anakeesta
In addition to the special spring events at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, there are also year-round activities that are sure to be one of the many highlights of your vacation. If you want to enjoy the warm weather and get a stunning view of the mountains, take a ride on the Dueling Zipline Adventure. They also have the longest tree-based skywalk in North America with over 880 feet of spectacular hanging bridges that dangle over 50 feet in the air! This fun activity is great for the entire family as you can explore a treehouse unlike any other in the world!
The Blooms & Tunes festival at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg is not the only fun thing to do in the Smokies this spring! Check out the full calendar of events to start planning your spring getaway in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to seeing you soon!
