SEPTEMBER 2008

September 1 to 30 - Old Fashioned Hayrides – As fall begins in the Smoky Mountains , take this fun-filled hayride and enjoy breath-taking views of our beautiful mountains. Departure is from traffic light #6 at Mountain Mall from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, leaving approximately every 45 minutes. (GSE) (800) 568-4748 ($)

September 11 – Library Luau – Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies hosts its third annual fall fundraiser benefiting Anna Porter Public Library at 5:30 p.m. Entertainment and refreshments included. (865) 436-5588 (Bicentennial) ($)

September 13 - Great Gatlinburg Shark Race – Festivities start at Ripley's Plaza with live entertainment, food & fun and opportunity to win fantastic grand prizes. Rubber sharks are released into the Little Pigeon River, first one to cross the finish line wins! Proceeds benefit United Way of Sevier County . (865) 436-4261 ($)

September 18 - 11 th Annual Taste of Autumn - Sample signature dishes from the area's finest restaurants. Enjoy live entertainment, live auction with a cash bar. Proceeds benefit United Way of Sevier County . Doors of the Gatlinburg Convention Center open at 5 p.m. (GSE) (800) 568-4748 ($)

September 19 to 30 - Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival - A countywide celebration of harvest season in Gatlinburg. (GSE) (800) 568-4748

September 21 - Gatlinburg Run For The Hills 10K Road Race – This demanding sanctioned course begins and ends in the early morning in downtown and includes challenge of Dudley Creek Bypass, ending at Mynatt Park . Men's and women's age divisions will be contested and prizes will be awarded. (865) 436-4990 ($)

OCTOBER 2008

October 1 to 31 - Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival - A countywide celebration of harvest season featuring special events, craft shows and more. (GSE) (800) 568-4748

October 1 to 31 - Old Fashioned Hayrides – As the glorious colors of fall sparkle in the Smokies, enjoy a unique hayride with family and friends. Departure is from traffic light #6 at Mountain Mall from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, leaving approximately every 45 minutes. (GSE) (800) 568-4748 ($)

October 9 to 26 - Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair - Art, crafts and music lovers will find over 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skill, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Sunday until 5 p.m. at Gatlinburg Convention Center . Call (865) 436-7479 or visit www.craftsmenfair.com ($)

NOVEMBER 2008

November 1 to 30 - Old Fashioned Hayrides – As fall peaks in the Smokies, enjoy a unique hayride with family and friends. Departure is from traffic light #6 at Mountain Mall from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, leaving approximately every 45 minutes. (GSE) (800) 568-4748 ($)

November 5 to 30 ­– Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm - The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with over three million spectacular lights, including displays new for 2008. (GSE) (800) 568-4748

November 5 to 30 - Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm Trolley Ride of Lights - Enjoy a guided trolley tour of spectacular Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays. Departure is from the Ripley's Aquarium Trolley Station. Group reservations are available. Trolley leaves at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. (GSE) Tickets on sale October 15. (865) 436-0535 ($)

November 5 - Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm Kickoff and Chili Cookoff - The City of Gatlinburg kicks off Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm from 5 to 8 p.m. by turning on over three million lights including new displays making their debut in 2008 For a small donation, sample chili recipes from local restaurants and businesses and vote for your favorite. Event includes live entertainment. Downtown Gatlinburg (GSE) (800) 568-4748 ($)

November 11 – Veterans Day Celebration – Join the City of Gatlinburg in saluting the men and women of America who have served in our Armed Forces. Program at 11 a.m. includes stirring musical tributes, ceremonial words and recognition of Veterans in attendance. Ripley's Aquarium Plaza . (GSE) (800) 568-4748

November 25 to 30 - Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Show - Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center . Visit www.gatlinburgcrafts.com or call (800) 568-4748.

November 28 & 29 – Winter Magic Tunes & Tales tm – Through the holiday season, visitors can meet characters and storytellers and enjoy caroling and entertainment along the Parkway Friday and Saturday evenings during this holiday event! (GSE) (800) 568-4748

November 28 & 29 - The Nutcracker “Sweet”- Presented by the Smoky Mountain Dance Theater Company, enjoy this holiday classic presented in Gatlinburg. 7 p.m. in the W.L. Mills Auditorium. (GSE) Call (865) 680-7369 for information and reservations.

November 28 & 29 - Gatlinburg's Festival of Trees - Dozens upon dozens of ornately decorated Christmas trees await visitors in this winter wonderland at Gatlinburg Convention Center 's W.L. Mills Conference Center . (GSE) (800) 568-4748

DECEMBER 2008

December 1 to 20 – Winter Magic Tunes & Tales tm – Through the holiday season, visitors can meet characters and storytellers and enjoy caroling and entertainment along the Parkway Friday and Saturday evenings during this premiere event! (GSE) (800) 568-4748

December 1 to 31 ­– Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm - The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with over three million spectacular lights, including LED displays new for 2008. (GSE) (800) 568-4748

December 1 to 30 - Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm Trolley Ride of Lights - Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays. Departure is from the Ripley's Aquarium Trolley Station. Group reservations are available. Trolley leaves at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. (GSE) Tickets on sale October 15. (865) 436-0535 ($)

December TBA1 to 7 - Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Show - Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual holiday show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center . Visit www.gatlinburgcrafts.com or call (800) 568-4748.

December 5- Gatlinburg's 33rd Annual “Fantasy of Lights” Christmas Parade, Presented by Schwan's - This popular Christmas parade in downtown Gatlinburg is recognized as one of the very best by the International Festival and Events Association and as one of the Top Twenty Events in the South by the Southeast Tourism Society. Features lighted floats, marching bands, equestrian units and giant helium balloons. Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. at Traffic Light #1A and continues through downtown to Traffic Light #10. (GSE) (800) 568-4748

December TBA – Christmas on Ice – Enjoy the spirit of the holiday season as local skaters display their talents on ice to a wide variety of holiday music in a two-day performance at Ober Gatlinburg. Visit www.obergatlinburg.com or call (800) 251-9202

December 31 - New Year's Eve Fireworks Show & Ball Drop on Historic Nature Trail at the Parkway. For the 21st straight celebration, the Space Needle area at traffic light #8 comes alive at the stroke of midnight with a fabulous fireworks show. Features live entertainment and party favors. “Best New Year's Eve Show in the South.” (GSE) (800) 568-4748