Old Timers' Day - Great Smoky Mountains

Old Timers' Day - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Old Timers' Day in Cades Cove includes mountain and bluegrass music, molasses making, and storytelling. Image by Jeaneane Payne

Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides former Cades Cove residents, their descendents, and others from surrounding areas an opportunity to take part in Old Timers Day. Storytelling and reminiscing are also featured during this informal affair. Visitors are welcome to join in and contribute stories of their own.

Old Timers' Day is held the third weekend in September.

One of the most unique areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove, an historic valley rich in pioneer culture as well as bountiful in wildlife, hosts Old Timers' Day and molasses making in September of each year. Former Cades Cove residents, their descendents, and others from surrounding areas take part in this event. Storytelling and reminiscing are also featured during this informal affair. Visitors are welcome to join in and contribute stories of their own. The event is held in Cades Cove.

The Cades Cove Loop Road opens at sunrise to motor vehicles and Park Rangers are on site to coordinate parking. Over 4,000 people attend this annual get-together.

The free event will take place in the Cable Mill Visitor Center area. Visitors are encouraged to stay all day and bring lawn chairs and a picnic lunch. Demonstrations are the first weekend in October.

Old Timer's Day provides visitors an occasion to listen to the sounds of traditional mountain music.