Friends of the Smokies has some great events coming up and exciting successes to share. Appalachian State's Fall Color Report, news on the 21st annual telethon and 2nd annual Gran Fondo Asheville, are examples of just a few of the great programs donations to Friends of the Smokies support.
This year, fall colors are expected to peak around October 1 at high elevations and continue through October further down into the valleys. Of course, this is an estimation and can be effected by a number of contributing factors. With the wide range of elevations in the Smokies, the chances are good that you can see some spectacular colors on your visit this fall.
The 2015 Smokies Telethon held in August exceeded $200,000 for the second year. Thanks to hundreds of callers, online donations and help from sponsors Dollywood, Mast General Store, Pilot Flying J, and Tennessee State Bank "Friends Across the Mountains" raised $202,351. Over the years, the telethons have raised more than $3.2 million in support of America’s most-visited national park.
Telethon donations can still be made online at www.friendsofthesmokies.org/donate to help fund more than $800,000 of Park needs this year to protect black bears, educate school children, and preserve historic log cabins and churches from Cades Cove to Cataloochee Valley.
Historic Mills Renovations are completed. Friends of the Smokies and Great Smoky Mountains Association matched federal grants from the Centennial Challenge Fund to complete renovations on two historic mills in Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year.
"We're really excited to be able to do this for the centennial," said Historic Preservation Program Manager Randy Hatten. "A big shout out for the Friends of the Smokies and Great Smoky Mountains Association for partnering with us to be able to accomplish this. We wouldn't be financially able to accomplish it without assistance. The public's donations really do make a difference."
The Second Annual Gran Fondo was also a huge success, raising more than $53,00. Approximately 390 riders came out to challenge themselves and help support Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The event's success was due in part to all the hard-working volunteers.
The National Park Service will begin its centennial in 2016. In January, The Evergreen Ball will kick-off a year-long celebration of NPS's Centennial Anniversary. In the expanded silent auction, special treasures like vintage household items and crafts, antiques, and memorabilia from 1930's Appalachia will be featured. The Friends are especially looking for items from the Civilian Conservation Corps. If you have items like these that you would like to donate, please send an email.
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| Fall in the Smoky Mountains, photo courtesy of Friends of the Smokies |
Sept. 12, 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM: Friends' Day at Mast General Store. Stop by and shop at Mast General Store in Waynesville and Knoxville. Mast General Store will donate 10% of the day's sales from both locations to Friends of the Smokies.
Sept. 18, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Wine on the Lawn and Autumn Path Release. Join Friends and Sugarland Cellars at the Robert A. Tino Gallery for Wine on the Lawn and the limited-edition Autumn Path release. $5 from every bottle sold benefits Friends of the Smokies.
Sept. 24, 6:30 - 8:00 PM: Hiking 101 at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports. Join Friends for a free Hiking 101 seminar at Blue Ridge Mountains Sports in Bearden.
Sept. 26, 7:00 - 10:00 PM: Glow-In-The-Dark Kickball. Join Friends for a fun game of glow-in-the-dark kickball! $10 for adults & $5 for kids raises money for the Smokies.Family-friendly fun at Sequoyah Park in Knoxville.
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