December 6, 2023 • 22 mins
Ever dreamt of a white Christmas? Well, it's a rarity in East Tennessee, but that doesn't mean we skimp on holiday cheer! Join me, Dusty, your guide on the Tennessee Roads podcast, as we travel through the heart of Appalachia to experience a Christmas like no other. You'll discover the magic of homemade decorations and family heirlooms, the wonder of caroling and storytelling, and the joy that community involvement brings. Get ready for a taste of Smoky Mountain Toons and Tales, a delightful blend of history, humor and festive tunes that capture the essence of the holiday season.
Feeling adventurous? It's time to dive deeper into the Smoky Mountains and uncover the vibrant holiday offerings of Dollywood. From the enchanting Twas the Night Before Christmas show to the traditional Christmas in the Smokies show, there's something for everyone. We'll also explore holiday hotspots like Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland and Frightworks Haunted Holidays, along with the family-friendly Peppermint Trail in downtown Knoxville. And for the ice skating enthusiasts, let's glide over to the outdoor rink at Market Square and the indoor rink at Ice Chalet.
Sponsor: Frightworks haunted house
https://www.frightworks.com/
Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless:
https://tvchomeless.org/
Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales:
https://www.facebook.com/gbtunesandtales/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
You're listening to Tennessee Roads, recorded in the
foothills of the Great SmokyMountains.
Well, hey there, everybody, andwelcome back for another
episode of Tennessee Roadspodcast.
My name's Dusty and I'll beyour guide as we hitchhike to
all the towns and communitiesthat make up the foothills of
(00:24):
the Great Smoky Mountains.
Well, hey there, everybody, andwelcome back to another episode
(00:53):
of Tennessee Roads.
My name is Dusty and I'm superglad to be back just before the
holiday season.
I know I told you guys in thelast episode that it would
probably be 2024 before I cameback, but I've got everything
settled and planned out, so Ifigured what a better
opportunity than to jump in andcelebrate the season, as it is a
(01:14):
very important culturalcornerstone from the Smokies.
Now, before we jump in and westart talking about Christmas in
the Smokies or Christmas inAppalachia, I know that there
are some of you guys thatprobably have some questions,
some of you wondering what'sbeen going on.
So, in case you haven't beencaught up to date, at the
(01:35):
beginning of November I made thedecision that it was time for
me to have a new adventure and Ipicked up my life and I moved
to Orlando, florida.
If anyone of you know mepersonally.
You know that hospitality,tourism and theme park
management have played a largerole in my life, and this was
something that I've wanted to dofor almost the last 10 years,
(01:58):
pretty much since 2014.
So I made the decision that ifI was going to do it, I needed
to do it.
So I celebrated my 30thbirthday, wrapped everything up
back home in East Tennessee andhave decided, for at least the
time being, that I was going torelocate to Orlando, florida,
and, before any of you do askquestions, yes, I am already
(02:21):
heavily involved in thehospitality and tourism sector
down here.
Not going to give anything awayas to what I'm doing, I want to
keep that private, but those ofyou that know me personally
know where I'm at and what I'mdoing, so I am super excited to
see what that adventure holds,and it already sounds like 2024
and 2025 are potentially somepretty big years for me.
(02:43):
So that's exciting, but that isenough as updates on me.
So, without further ado, let'sjust go ahead and jump on right
in and let's discuss what it'slike to have Christmas in the
Smokies.
It's no secret that EastTennessee is one of the top
(03:11):
travel destinations in thecountry, with the largest free
national park, the Great SmokyMountains, dollywood's Smoky
Mountain Christmas Festival,thousands of parades and good
old Southern hospitality.
It is no wonder thatgenerations of families flock to
the area to enjoy some holidaycheer.
East Tennessee is a beautifulplace to visit any time of year,
(03:31):
but it is especially magicalduring the Christmas season the
lights are twinkling, the areais filled with the smell of
fresh baked cookies and themountains are covered in snow.
Well, while many people love tothink that Country Music Star
Amy Grant's song TenderTennessee Christmas depicts a
forecast snowy white, the lasttime we saw snow on Christmas
(03:53):
was in 2010.
The National Weather Service inMorse Town recorded 2.5 inches
of snowfall in Knoxville.
It's safe to say that itdoesn't happen often.
As a matter of fact, theNational Weather Service has
recorded just five whiteChristmases in over 121 years.
Snowfall in the area happensbetween January and February,
and data supports that we onlytypically see 4.6 inches on
(04:16):
average during that entire time.
Now, during this time, theaverage temperature floats
between 31 and 48 degreesFahrenheit or 0 and 8.8 degrees
Celsius, so let's not focus onthat time of year just yet.
(04:48):
Christmas in Appalachia,particularly East Tennessee,
often has a unique and warmcultural flavor, but it isn't
always like what you see in theHallmark movies.
Appalachia, as we havediscussed previously, is known
for its strong sense oftradition, and Christmas it's no
exception.
Families often engage inlong-standing customs, which
(05:10):
might include caroling, treedecorating and attending local
holiday events.
However, as we continue toventure further into this
millennium, we have often seenthose old traditions, like
caroling, fade away as peoplefeel less neighborly as the
modern age of technology hastaken over.
Still, there are parts ofAppalachia that hold true to
(05:30):
these holiday festivities, asmusic and storytelling are an
integral part of Appalachia.
Christmas is no different.
This time of year you can findlocal musicians playing
traditional Appalachian carolsand folk songs, provided you can
tune out Mariah Carey fromevery public speaker in
existence.
If you do some research, youcan often find storytelling
(05:51):
sessions where tales from theregion are shared, adding a
touch of folklore to the holidayseason.
One of the most famous ways tohear of these old folk tales and
music is by attending a sessionof the Smoky Mountain Toons and
Tales.
Here holiday music fills theair, as sacred and secular
mixture of Appalachia, bluegrassand country music fill the air.
Visitors will also enjoyvisiting with Santa's elves,
(06:15):
frosty Rudolph and a little bitof history, humor and more.
This interactive program is aholiday favorite, staged against
a backdrop of millions oflights, making a truly magical
experience in Geltlenburg.
For more information, you cancheck out Smoky Mountain Toons
and Tales on Facebook.
One thing that Appalachiadoesn't skimp on during the
(06:36):
holiday season is decorations.
These often reflect a morerustic and natural style.
Homemade ornaments, pineconeand other locally sourced
materials might be used todecorate homes.
Many families take pride increating their own wreaths and
decorations.
Some decorations are passeddown from generation to
generation.
For example, I have a string ofred beads that belong to my
(06:58):
great grandmother.
I design my whole tree aroundthe red beads and other
ornaments that I've inheritedover the years.
Even though traditions likecaroling are becoming more
uncommon, community involvementplays a significant role in the
lives of people of Appalachia.
Christmas often involves thewhole community, with local
churches, schools and communitycenters holding festive
(07:20):
gatherings.
Parades, holiday markets andtree lighting ceremonies are
also common.
However, during these times, wemust remember those who are
less fortunate.
Not everyone will have ahomeless Christmas.
The Tennessee Valley Coalitionfor the Homeless always works to
provide for those in need.
As a matter of fact, now,through December 31st, some of
(07:41):
their donors will match aportion of donations made to
expand programming and deliverdirect services to the people
who call in their organizationfor help.
I'll link their contactinformation in the description
box if you're interested infinding out more information on
how you can help in homelessnessin East Tennessee.
Now this brings us to anothergreat tradition of Appalachia
(08:05):
the spirit of giving.
Appalachians are known fortheir hospitality and generosity
, and the Christmas season oftenbrings out a strong spirit of
giving which many individualsand organizations organizing
charity events, food drives andother initiatives to help those
in need.
Now this brings me to a verybig point.
(08:26):
While giving is important, it'simportant to remember that most
of those large organizationsthey're just going to use your
donation as a tax write off andnot care where your money goes.
It's important to remember tosupport local.
Give your time and attention toorganizations that look to make
an impact specifically in yourarea.
(08:49):
In East Tennessee there arehundreds of thousands of people
that come together over theyears to attend East Tennessee's
Children's Hospitals Fantasy ofthe Trees.
This annual event is thehospital's largest fundraiser,
attracting nearly 60,000 peopleduring the week of Thanksgiving.
The guests can travel through aforest of more than 350
(09:11):
beautifully designed trees,holiday accessories, storefront
windows, door designs, tablecenterpieces and an adopt a tree
forest decorated by localschool children, all priced to
sell.
Guests can also enjoy liveentertainment at the Fantasy
Theater or stroll through thegingerbread village.
The event raised more than $1.3million in 2022, which enabled
(09:35):
the hospital to purchase alifeline ambulance to transport
pediatric patients to and fromthe hospital.
Now we can't forget about one ofthe most famous and personally
my favorite parts of Appalachiathe food.
Like in many southerntraditions, food is a big part
of the Christmas celebration.
You might find a spread oftraditional southern dishes like
(09:56):
ham, biscuits, sweet potatoesand various casseroles.
Local ingredients and recipespassed down through generations
contribute to the uniqueAppalachian holiday cuisine.
Now, I've had friends attendChristmas breakfast, which our
family hosts the week after theholiday.
Now, one thing that has stumpedmost of my out of town friends
(10:16):
is that we always have dumplingsaround the holidays.
Now, this tradition goes backto the 20th century and even
farther.
Families in Appalachia didn'talways have money to buy a
Christmas ham or turkey.
They would live off the land.
So in its place, manyhomesteads would take one of
their chickens, which they couldafford to lose, and they would
(10:37):
make chicken and dumplings astheir main dish, with the famous
Appalachian sides to accompanythem.
Now, in more modern times, itis more customary to see ham and
turkey around the center of thetable.
As time has continued, medianhousehold income has increased
and more families are able toparticipate in these modern
(11:00):
Christmas traditions.
Are you enjoying today's episode?
If you are be sure you rate andsubscribe wherever you stream
podcasts, and don't forget tofollow us on Facebook and
(11:22):
Instagram so you can see whatwe're doing when we're outside
of the studios.
If you're really enjoyingtoday's episode, be sure you
share it with someone you know.
Stay safe and stay educatedwith Tennessee Roads Podcast.
(11:55):
As winter's chill settles overthe scenic landscapes of East
Tennessee, the Appalachianspirit comes alive, with a
festive energy that transformsthe region into a holiday haven.
From charming small townsadorned with twinkling lights to
the breathtaking vistas of thegreat smoky mountains, east
Tennessee offers a Christmasexperience steeped in tradition,
warmth and southern hospitality, whether you're a local seeking
(12:19):
new ways to celebrate theseason or a visitor eager to
discover the unique holidaycharm of this region.
We're about to discuss atapestry of yuletide activities
capturing the essence of EastTennessee's Christmas magic.
So let us journey through theheart of Appalachia as we
explore the best of what thispicturesque region has to offer
during the most wonderful timeof the year.
(12:40):
One of the most famous eventstaking place in Appalachia this
holiday season is theaward-winning Dollywood's Smoky
Mountain Christmas Festival.
Dollywood is known for havingover 6 million lights adorning
every surface of the park, andthis year they adorn the sky as
well, as the park debuts the newjoyful drone show.
It features hundreds of droneon display in the sky above
(13:03):
Wildwood Grove displayingfestive reds, greens and whites.
In addition to the new droneshow, guests can watch one of
the classic Dollywood Christmasline-ups oh Holy Night.
Candlelight, carolers and themistletones will be held in the
outdoor venues throughout thepark and you can catch a
full-length musical in thevarious indoor theaters.
(13:25):
Dollywood's Twas the NightBefore Christmas takes you back
13 years to the Baxter family'sfavorite Christmas memory.
The show follows the Baxtersiblings Grace, sarah and Jim.
Sarah's stuck at school inVermont when her friend's car
breaks down and the last bushome to Tennessee is full.
Jim gets bumped from histransport plane home from the
(13:45):
Navy.
This is when young Gracedecides to write a letter to
Santa asking her family to behome for the holidays.
Grace's parents warn her not toexpect too much from Santa, as
it is the night before ChristmasEve when things get crazy, when
a ragtag group of mice starttheir hunt for this year's
(14:06):
holiday cookies.
Sarah meets Grandpa Nick, jimmeets Captain Dasher, and the
next thing you know the entirehouse on stage begins to rotate.
But you will have to find outwhat happens if you attend the
show yourself.
Located in the Pines Theater,this is a great show for
children 1 to 99.
(14:27):
Another show that I would highlyrecommend is Dollywood's
Christmas in the Smokies, whichhas been their resident
Christmas show since the companybegan its Christmas celebration
in the 90s.
The show has had a fewdifferent interpretations, but
in recent year the show followsa family celebrating Christmas
in Appalachia Mountains in thelate 18 to early 1900s.
As the family's son returnsfrom the city with his
(14:50):
girlfriend, they are welcomed bythe extended family as they
celebrate the holiday season.
The show features traditionalfolk music, christmas hymns and
a cabin exterior that opens intoan expansive set.
The show was housed in theDolly Parton Celebrity Theater,
which can host more than 1,700guests per show.
When Santa isn't hard at workat the North Pole, he's hard at
(15:14):
work at East Tennessee when hecomes to visit his favorite
songstress, dolly.
Santa's list Naughty or Niceallows kids and kids at heart a
chance to see inside Santa'scabin in the Smokies.
As he reviews the list,families can discover whether
their names are on the Naughtyor Nice list and they even have
(15:35):
their photo made as they peerthrough the window.
During this once in a lifetimechance to catch Santa at work,
dollywood's Smoky MountainChristmas Festival operates
daily from now until January 6thof 2024, from 11 am to 9 pm,
with the exception of ChristmasEve and Christmas Day.
(15:56):
Another fun thing to do in theSmokies is Shadrack's Christmas
Wonderland, a drive throughholiday experience.
After a recent move, the eventis now held at Soakey Mountain
Water Park.
The new location provided alonger drive route filled with
new additions and the additionof the Snowy Mountain Village.
Inside Soakey Mountain WaterPark, guests can enjoy
(16:18):
refreshments, souvenirs andactivities for the kids.
This runs until January 7th of2024.
And we can't forget the holidays.
You tell ghost stories aroundthe fireplace, right?
Well, frightworks HauntedHoliday show returns December
8th and 9th.
Now you can enjoy the spookyside of the holidays, as
(16:42):
Frightworks does a completeChristmas layover of their
13,000 square foot attraction.
Guests are provided a singlecandle or glow stick and are
sent through Frightworks to meetwith holiday classic characters
such as Christine the Red NosedReindeer, genji the Gingerbread
man, krampus, dark Santa, and,if you're lucky, you may catch
(17:04):
Grandpa and he'll tell you hisown scary stories.
While the event is still ahaunted house, frightworks has
been known to take this eventinto the theatrical camp route,
providing tons of scares andlaughs to create memories this
season.
As a matter of fact, here's aclip from their holiday catalog.
Now it's the most frighteningtime of the year.
(17:27):
Oh, the Sandman is dreaming,the Krampus is scheming, so be
of great fear.
It's the most frightening timeof the year.
Evil Santa is lurking, theButcher is working, so it's
(17:48):
Doctor's casting his spell,bloody Mary appearing with
wicked clowns leering andcreatures from dark pants up
ahead.
Help, ah.
Join us at Frightworks hauntedhouse and celebrate the spooky
side of the season with ourHaunted Holidays event.
Scary stories from the seasonaren't just for telling around
(18:11):
the fireplace.
Frightworks brings them to life.
Get dates, times and ticketsnow at Frightworkscom.
Ha ha ha.
The Frightworks HauntedHolidays will happen December
8th and 9th from 7 pm to 10 pm.
You can get tickets atFrightworkscom Now if you're in
(18:31):
the Knoxville area and you'relooking for a super fun way to
explore the downtown area that'snot quite as spooky as
Frightworks, you can take astroll on the Peppermint Trail.
Follow the trail of peppermintsof the sidewalks of downtown
Knoxville to discover all sortsof treats featuring the favorite
red and white candy, from candycane coffees at Morning Brunch
(18:54):
to craft cocktails sipped bycandlelight.
You'll find peppermint treatsaround almost every corner,
along with plenty of gingerbread, cinnamon, cranberry, apple
spice and other holiday flavors.
Plus, boutiques and gift shopsfeature peppermint-themed
t-shirts, scented soaps, candlesand all sorts of holiday
surprises.
And you can end your trip atthe Peppermint Trail Grove at
(19:17):
Market Square in Crutch Park.
You can enjoy the PeppermintTrail November 24th and January
8th, and you can post yourphotos at hashtag NoxPeppermint
on Instagram.
If anyone is looking to lace upand try their luck on the ice,
there are plenty of locations inthe area to do so.
Market Square in downtownKnoxville is hosting holiday on
(19:40):
ice presented by Home FederalBank.
The rink is open daily nowuntil January 2nd, weather
permitting.
Tickets are $12 for adults or$9 for children.
This is a fun place to go, asthey have special themed nights
like Ice Bear's Night, decadenights, popular artist's nights,
college night with admissionfor $2 with a college ID or $2
(20:04):
off, and other themes.
If you prefer indoor skatingwith a larger rink, you can also
check out the Ice Chalet, whichhas been a Knoxville family
destination since 1962.
Or if you're up in the mountains, feel free to check out
Obermountain, formerly ObergOutlandberg.
They feature a scenic andexciting Four Seasons Adventure
(20:27):
Park and Ski Area.
Obermountain features iceskating daily and ice bumper
cars at select days.
Also, ober has multiple alpinecoasters, scenic chairlifts,
snow tubing, skiing shops anddining.
You know, I think we mightactually have to circle back and
do a whole episode on Ober,because it is a historical
(20:48):
landmark for many Now.
I wanted to put somethingtogether for you all for
Christmas, but I didn't have allthe time in the world.
There's so much more crazystuff happening in this area
during the holiday season and somuch more history.
But from my family to yours, wehope you have a merry Christmas
(21:11):
, happy Kwanzaa, happy Hanukkah,merry Yule and Boxing Day and
any other holiday that I mighthave missed, please remember.
If you enjoyed today's show,please like it, leave a review,
share it with someone you know.
Turn on your notifications soyou can be notified when I
publish new content.
(21:31):
Oh and Jen, thank you so muchfor your email.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting tohear from you and hearing how
much you love the show.
Thanks again, until next time,stay safe, stay educated and
Merry Christmas.
You're listening to Tennessee Roads, recorded in the
foothills of the Great SmokyMountains.
Well, hey there, everybody, andwelcome back for another
episode of Tennessee Roadspodcast.
My name's Dusty and I'll beyour guide as we hitchhike to
all the towns and communitiesthat make up the foothills of
(00:24):
the Great Smoky Mountains.
Well, hey there, everybody, andwelcome back to another episode
(00:53):
of Tennessee Roads.
My name is Dusty and I'm superglad to be back just before the
holiday season.
I know I told you guys in thelast episode that it would
probably be 2024 before I cameback, but I've got everything
settled and planned out, so Ifigured what a better
opportunity than to jump in andcelebrate the season, as it is a
(01:14):
very important culturalcornerstone from the Smokies.
Now, before we jump in and westart talking about Christmas in
the Smokies or Christmas inAppalachia, I know that there
are some of you guys thatprobably have some questions,
some of you wondering what'sbeen going on.
So, in case you haven't beencaught up to date, at the
(01:35):
beginning of November I made thedecision that it was time for
me to have a new adventure and Ipicked up my life and I moved
to Orlando, florida.
If anyone of you know mepersonally.
You know that hospitality,tourism and theme park
management have played a largerole in my life, and this was
something that I've wanted to dofor almost the last 10 years,
(01:58):
pretty much since 2014.
So I made the decision that ifI was going to do it, I needed
to do it.
So I celebrated my 30thbirthday, wrapped everything up
back home in East Tennessee andhave decided, for at least the
time being, that I was going torelocate to Orlando, florida,
and, before any of you do askquestions, yes, I am already
(02:21):
heavily involved in thehospitality and tourism sector
down here.
Not going to give anything awayas to what I'm doing, I want to
keep that private, but those ofyou that know me personally
know where I'm at and what I'mdoing, so I am super excited to
see what that adventure holds,and it already sounds like 2024
and 2025 are potentially somepretty big years for me.
(02:43):
So that's exciting, but that isenough as updates on me.
So, without further ado, let'sjust go ahead and jump on right
in and let's discuss what it'slike to have Christmas in the
Smokies.
It's no secret that EastTennessee is one of the top
(03:11):
travel destinations in thecountry, with the largest free
national park, the Great SmokyMountains, dollywood's Smoky
Mountain Christmas Festival,thousands of parades and good
old Southern hospitality.
It is no wonder thatgenerations of families flock to
the area to enjoy some holidaycheer.
East Tennessee is a beautifulplace to visit any time of year,
(03:31):
but it is especially magicalduring the Christmas season the
lights are twinkling, the areais filled with the smell of
fresh baked cookies and themountains are covered in snow.
Well, while many people love tothink that Country Music Star
Amy Grant's song TenderTennessee Christmas depicts a
forecast snowy white, the lasttime we saw snow on Christmas
(03:53):
was in 2010.
The National Weather Service inMorse Town recorded 2.5 inches
of snowfall in Knoxville.
It's safe to say that itdoesn't happen often.
As a matter of fact, theNational Weather Service has
recorded just five whiteChristmases in over 121 years.
Snowfall in the area happensbetween January and February,
and data supports that we onlytypically see 4.6 inches on
(04:16):
average during that entire time.
Now, during this time, theaverage temperature floats
between 31 and 48 degreesFahrenheit or 0 and 8.8 degrees
Celsius, so let's not focus onthat time of year just yet.
(04:48):
Christmas in Appalachia,particularly East Tennessee,
often has a unique and warmcultural flavor, but it isn't
always like what you see in theHallmark movies.
Appalachia, as we havediscussed previously, is known
for its strong sense oftradition, and Christmas it's no
exception.
Families often engage inlong-standing customs, which
(05:10):
might include caroling, treedecorating and attending local
holiday events.
However, as we continue toventure further into this
millennium, we have often seenthose old traditions, like
caroling, fade away as peoplefeel less neighborly as the
modern age of technology hastaken over.
Still, there are parts ofAppalachia that hold true to
(05:30):
these holiday festivities, asmusic and storytelling are an
integral part of Appalachia.
Christmas is no different.
This time of year you can findlocal musicians playing
traditional Appalachian carolsand folk songs, provided you can
tune out Mariah Carey fromevery public speaker in
existence.
If you do some research, youcan often find storytelling
(05:51):
sessions where tales from theregion are shared, adding a
touch of folklore to the holidayseason.
One of the most famous ways tohear of these old folk tales and
music is by attending a sessionof the Smoky Mountain Toons and
Tales.
Here holiday music fills theair, as sacred and secular
mixture of Appalachia, bluegrassand country music fill the air.
Visitors will also enjoyvisiting with Santa's elves,
(06:15):
frosty Rudolph and a little bitof history, humor and more.
This interactive program is aholiday favorite, staged against
a backdrop of millions oflights, making a truly magical
experience in Geltlenburg.
For more information, you cancheck out Smoky Mountain Toons
and Tales on Facebook.
One thing that Appalachiadoesn't skimp on during the
(06:36):
holiday season is decorations.
These often reflect a morerustic and natural style.
Homemade ornaments, pineconeand other locally sourced
materials might be used todecorate homes.
Many families take pride increating their own wreaths and
decorations.
Some decorations are passeddown from generation to
generation.
For example, I have a string ofred beads that belong to my
(06:58):
great grandmother.
I design my whole tree aroundthe red beads and other
ornaments that I've inheritedover the years.
Even though traditions likecaroling are becoming more
uncommon, community involvementplays a significant role in the
lives of people of Appalachia.
Christmas often involves thewhole community, with local
churches, schools and communitycenters holding festive
(07:20):
gatherings.
Parades, holiday markets andtree lighting ceremonies are
also common.
However, during these times, wemust remember those who are
less fortunate.
Not everyone will have ahomeless Christmas.
The Tennessee Valley Coalitionfor the Homeless always works to
provide for those in need.
As a matter of fact, now,through December 31st, some of
(07:41):
their donors will match aportion of donations made to
expand programming and deliverdirect services to the people
who call in their organizationfor help.
I'll link their contactinformation in the description
box if you're interested infinding out more information on
how you can help in homelessnessin East Tennessee.
Now this brings us to anothergreat tradition of Appalachia
(08:05):
the spirit of giving.
Appalachians are known fortheir hospitality and generosity
, and the Christmas season oftenbrings out a strong spirit of
giving which many individualsand organizations organizing
charity events, food drives andother initiatives to help those
in need.
Now this brings me to a verybig point.
(08:26):
While giving is important, it'simportant to remember that most
of those large organizationsthey're just going to use your
donation as a tax write off andnot care where your money goes.
It's important to remember tosupport local.
Give your time and attention toorganizations that look to make
an impact specifically in yourarea.
(08:49):
In East Tennessee there arehundreds of thousands of people
that come together over theyears to attend East Tennessee's
Children's Hospitals Fantasy ofthe Trees.
This annual event is thehospital's largest fundraiser,
attracting nearly 60,000 peopleduring the week of Thanksgiving.
The guests can travel through aforest of more than 350
(09:11):
beautifully designed trees,holiday accessories, storefront
windows, door designs, tablecenterpieces and an adopt a tree
forest decorated by localschool children, all priced to
sell.
Guests can also enjoy liveentertainment at the Fantasy
Theater or stroll through thegingerbread village.
The event raised more than $1.3million in 2022, which enabled
(09:35):
the hospital to purchase alifeline ambulance to transport
pediatric patients to and fromthe hospital.
Now we can't forget about one ofthe most famous and personally
my favorite parts of Appalachiathe food.
Like in many southerntraditions, food is a big part
of the Christmas celebration.
You might find a spread oftraditional southern dishes like
(09:56):
ham, biscuits, sweet potatoesand various casseroles.
Local ingredients and recipespassed down through generations
contribute to the uniqueAppalachian holiday cuisine.
Now, I've had friends attendChristmas breakfast, which our
family hosts the week after theholiday.
Now, one thing that has stumpedmost of my out of town friends
(10:16):
is that we always have dumplingsaround the holidays.
Now, this tradition goes backto the 20th century and even
farther.
Families in Appalachia didn'talways have money to buy a
Christmas ham or turkey.
They would live off the land.
So in its place, manyhomesteads would take one of
their chickens, which they couldafford to lose, and they would
(10:37):
make chicken and dumplings astheir main dish, with the famous
Appalachian sides to accompanythem.
Now, in more modern times, itis more customary to see ham and
turkey around the center of thetable.
As time has continued, medianhousehold income has increased
and more families are able toparticipate in these modern
(11:00):
Christmas traditions.
Are you enjoying today's episode?
If you are be sure you rate andsubscribe wherever you stream
podcasts, and don't forget tofollow us on Facebook and
(11:22):
Instagram so you can see whatwe're doing when we're outside
of the studios.
If you're really enjoyingtoday's episode, be sure you
share it with someone you know.
Stay safe and stay educatedwith Tennessee Roads Podcast.
(11:55):
As winter's chill settles overthe scenic landscapes of East
Tennessee, the Appalachianspirit comes alive, with a
festive energy that transformsthe region into a holiday haven.
From charming small townsadorned with twinkling lights to
the breathtaking vistas of thegreat smoky mountains, east
Tennessee offers a Christmasexperience steeped in tradition,
warmth and southern hospitality, whether you're a local seeking
(12:19):
new ways to celebrate theseason or a visitor eager to
discover the unique holidaycharm of this region.
We're about to discuss atapestry of yuletide activities
capturing the essence of EastTennessee's Christmas magic.
So let us journey through theheart of Appalachia as we
explore the best of what thispicturesque region has to offer
during the most wonderful timeof the year.
(12:40):
One of the most famous eventstaking place in Appalachia this
holiday season is theaward-winning Dollywood's Smoky
Mountain Christmas Festival.
Dollywood is known for havingover 6 million lights adorning
every surface of the park, andthis year they adorn the sky as
well, as the park debuts the newjoyful drone show.
It features hundreds of droneon display in the sky above
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Wildwood Grove displayingfestive reds, greens and whites.
In addition to the new droneshow, guests can watch one of
the classic Dollywood Christmasline-ups oh Holy Night.
Candlelight, carolers and themistletones will be held in the
outdoor venues throughout thepark and you can catch a
full-length musical in thevarious indoor theaters.
(13:25):
Dollywood's Twas the NightBefore Christmas takes you back
13 years to the Baxter family'sfavorite Christmas memory.
The show follows the Baxtersiblings Grace, sarah and Jim.
Sarah's stuck at school inVermont when her friend's car
breaks down and the last bushome to Tennessee is full.
Jim gets bumped from histransport plane home from the
(13:45):
Navy.
This is when young Gracedecides to write a letter to
Santa asking her family to behome for the holidays.
Grace's parents warn her not toexpect too much from Santa, as
it is the night before ChristmasEve when things get crazy, when
a ragtag group of mice starttheir hunt for this year's
(14:06):
holiday cookies.
Sarah meets Grandpa Nick, jimmeets Captain Dasher, and the
next thing you know the entirehouse on stage begins to rotate.
But you will have to find outwhat happens if you attend the
show yourself.
Located in the Pines Theater,this is a great show for
children 1 to 99.
(14:27):
Another show that I would highlyrecommend is Dollywood's
Christmas in the Smokies, whichhas been their resident
Christmas show since the companybegan its Christmas celebration
in the 90s.
The show has had a fewdifferent interpretations, but
in recent year the show followsa family celebrating Christmas
in Appalachia Mountains in thelate 18 to early 1900s.
As the family's son returnsfrom the city with his
(14:50):
girlfriend, they are welcomed bythe extended family as they
celebrate the holiday season.
The show features traditionalfolk music, christmas hymns and
a cabin exterior that opens intoan expansive set.
The show was housed in theDolly Parton Celebrity Theater,
which can host more than 1,700guests per show.
When Santa isn't hard at workat the North Pole, he's hard at
(15:14):
work at East Tennessee when hecomes to visit his favorite
songstress, dolly.
Santa's list Naughty or Niceallows kids and kids at heart a
chance to see inside Santa'scabin in the Smokies.
As he reviews the list,families can discover whether
their names are on the Naughtyor Nice list and they even have
(15:35):
their photo made as they peerthrough the window.
During this once in a lifetimechance to catch Santa at work,
dollywood's Smoky MountainChristmas Festival operates
daily from now until January 6thof 2024, from 11 am to 9 pm,
with the exception of ChristmasEve and Christmas Day.
(15:56):
Another fun thing to do in theSmokies is Shadrack's Christmas
Wonderland, a drive throughholiday experience.
After a recent move, the eventis now held at Soakey Mountain
Water Park.
The new location provided alonger drive route filled with
new additions and the additionof the Snowy Mountain Village.
Inside Soakey Mountain WaterPark, guests can enjoy
(16:18):
refreshments, souvenirs andactivities for the kids.
This runs until January 7th of2024.
And we can't forget the holidays.
You tell ghost stories aroundthe fireplace, right?
Well, frightworks HauntedHoliday show returns December
8th and 9th.
Now you can enjoy the spookyside of the holidays, as
(16:42):
Frightworks does a completeChristmas layover of their
13,000 square foot attraction.
Guests are provided a singlecandle or glow stick and are
sent through Frightworks to meetwith holiday classic characters
such as Christine the Red NosedReindeer, genji the Gingerbread
man, krampus, dark Santa, and,if you're lucky, you may catch
(17:04):
Grandpa and he'll tell you hisown scary stories.
While the event is still ahaunted house, frightworks has
been known to take this eventinto the theatrical camp route,
providing tons of scares andlaughs to create memories this
season.
As a matter of fact, here's aclip from their holiday catalog.
Now it's the most frighteningtime of the year.
(17:27):
Oh, the Sandman is dreaming,the Krampus is scheming, so be
of great fear.
It's the most frightening timeof the year.
Evil Santa is lurking, theButcher is working, so it's
(17:48):
Doctor's casting his spell,bloody Mary appearing with
wicked clowns leering andcreatures from dark pants up
ahead.
Help, ah.
Join us at Frightworks hauntedhouse and celebrate the spooky
side of the season with ourHaunted Holidays event.
Scary stories from the seasonaren't just for telling around
(18:11):
the fireplace.
Frightworks brings them to life.
Get dates, times and ticketsnow at Frightworkscom.
Ha ha ha.
The Frightworks HauntedHolidays will happen December
8th and 9th from 7 pm to 10 pm.
You can get tickets atFrightworkscom Now if you're in
(18:31):
the Knoxville area and you'relooking for a super fun way to
explore the downtown area that'snot quite as spooky as
Frightworks, you can take astroll on the Peppermint Trail.
Follow the trail of peppermintsof the sidewalks of downtown
Knoxville to discover all sortsof treats featuring the favorite
red and white candy, from candycane coffees at Morning Brunch
(18:54):
to craft cocktails sipped bycandlelight.
You'll find peppermint treatsaround almost every corner,
along with plenty of gingerbread, cinnamon, cranberry, apple
spice and other holiday flavors.
Plus, boutiques and gift shopsfeature peppermint-themed
t-shirts, scented soaps, candlesand all sorts of holiday
surprises.
And you can end your trip atthe Peppermint Trail Grove at
(19:17):
Market Square in Crutch Park.
You can enjoy the PeppermintTrail November 24th and January
8th, and you can post yourphotos at hashtag NoxPeppermint
on Instagram.
If anyone is looking to lace upand try their luck on the ice,
there are plenty of locations inthe area to do so.
Market Square in downtownKnoxville is hosting holiday on
(19:40):
ice presented by Home FederalBank.
The rink is open daily nowuntil January 2nd, weather
permitting.
Tickets are $12 for adults or$9 for children.
This is a fun place to go, asthey have special themed nights
like Ice Bear's Night, decadenights, popular artist's nights,
college night with admissionfor $2 with a college ID or $2
(20:04):
off, and other themes.
If you prefer indoor skatingwith a larger rink, you can also
check out the Ice Chalet, whichhas been a Knoxville family
destination since 1962.
Or if you're up in the mountains, feel free to check out
Obermountain, formerly ObergOutlandberg.
They feature a scenic andexciting Four Seasons Adventure
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Park and Ski Area.
Obermountain features iceskating daily and ice bumper
cars at select days.
Also, ober has multiple alpinecoasters, scenic chairlifts,
snow tubing, skiing shops anddining.
You know, I think we mightactually have to circle back and
do a whole episode on Ober,because it is a historical
(20:48):
landmark for many Now.
I wanted to put somethingtogether for you all for
Christmas, but I didn't have allthe time in the world.
There's so much more crazystuff happening in this area
during the holiday season and somuch more history.
But from my family to yours, wehope you have a merry Christmas
(21:11):
, happy Kwanzaa, happy Hanukkah,merry Yule and Boxing Day and
any other holiday that I mighthave missed, please remember.
If you enjoyed today's show,please like it, leave a review,
share it with someone you know.
Turn on your notifications soyou can be notified when I
publish new content.
(21:31):
Oh and Jen, thank you so muchfor your email.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting tohear from you and hearing how
much you love the show.
Thanks again, until next time,stay safe, stay educated and
Merry Christmas.
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