Nestled amid gently rolling peaks, Gatlinburg serves as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can relax in a peaceful, safe environment of natural splendor. The Feast occurs at the most beautiful time of year in the Smokies—a time of vibrant reds and golds of the fall season. It is a top vacation and honeymoon spot in the United States. The average temperature in Gatlinburg for October: high temperatures of 69 degrees and lows of 55 degrees.

Housing accommodations include motels, efficiencies, one to three bedroom condominiums and many fully-furnished homes and chalets. Prices range from $30 to $200 per night. Housing tax is 13.85 percent.

Gatlinburg provides a unique range of dining and entertainment, arts, shopping and unusual attractions. There are over 100 restaurants where you can enjoy anything from a pizza to a perfectly done steak, or even the latest in regional cuisine. After dinner you can choose live music or theater, dinner shows or dancing. Even strolling the lively main street throughout the afternoon or evening is a relaxing pleasure. You can watch artists and artisans at their easels and pottery wheels throughout the vibrant crafts community, either in the galleries downtown or on the eight-mile-long crafts loop that begins just outside town.

A large part of what makes Gatlinburg such a great meeting place is the great outdoors. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits at your doorstep, offering 800 square miles of spectacular flora, fauna and outdoor activity. There are over 900 miles of hiking trails so you can explore forests, waterfalls and stunning mountain vistas.

The 36th Annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair will be held October 6-23 in the Great Hall of the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The Craftsman’s Fair is open daily 10 a.m.6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and offers live music entertainment at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair has been voted one of the Southeast’s most popular events. Admission is $6 for adults—children 12 and under enter free. Visit www. craftsmenfair.com for additional information.

This year we are planning a family day that will have activities for everyone: an evening at Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, a family dance, opportunities at Ober Gatlinburg (a beautiful area in the mountains above Gatlinburg) and a possible activity at the Ripley’s Aquarium.

Parking varies and could range from $5-$18 per day.

Trolley Service is available in downtown Gatlinburg from 8 a.m.-midnight during the month of October. Many of the properties are located on the trolley route, which will take you directly to the convention center. Special routes are available for an additional fee to the Arts and Crafts Community, a portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood.

Come join us for a spiritually and physically magnificent Feast. You are sure to enjoy this beautiful part of the United States.

For additional information about the Gatlinburg area, you may read more online at www.gatlinburg.com.