Back by popular demand, Gatlinburg's 5th annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ begins in downtown Gatlinburg on June 11, 2010 and will run through August 7. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.

This popular eight-week event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.

The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 5 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling until 10 p.m. As many as 18 nightly acts perform throughout the evening.

Traditional and bluegrass music will be performed throughout downtown Gatlinburg during the event, along with storytellers, costumed characters, crafters, and cloggers featured each evening.

Two traditional mountain music duos will entertain with a variety of instruments as Booger Town Gap, as well as Suzie Reynolds and Steve Mayfield, perform songs dating back to the very early days of Gatlinburg. The pure and rustic music and folk-like lyrics tell stories of the joys and tribulations of life of the early pioneer families.

Since Gatlinburg is the birthplace of the famous bluegrass tune, “Rocky Top”, Tunes & Tales features traditional bluegrass bands each night playing favorite bluegrass standards. All performances are free and happen all along the Parkway, seven nights a week until August 8 making every evening a special event in Gatlinburg.

Visitors can stroll along the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg and catch a toe-tappin’ performance by "The Back Porch Cloggers," a group showcasing the original dance of the Appalachians. And of course, watch out for the most famous of local characters - Zeno the Gatlinburg BearTM - as he and his Ranger friend make surprise appearances to greet our welcome guests and to pose for family photos.

“Our intent is to take what we feel is one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provide something that is fun and somewhat different than what most places are doing,” Tourism Director David Perella noted.

Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Tunes and TalesTM is an official activity of the City’s Department of Tourism. For more information on this and other special events, contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at (800) 56-VISIT or visit www.gatlinburg.com for mountains of information on how to “Reach Higher Ground