August

Music in the Mountains
Free traditional music concert. Bring a lawn chair.
Where: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot
When: Every Saturday evening in August 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Lance Armstrong Foundation Benefit Dinner
Spaghetti dinner with live music and prizes. All proceeds go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. $5 per person.
Where: Slow Joe's Cafe
When: Thursday, August 9th, 2007 @ 7 p.m.

Smoky Mountain Community Theater presents: Jakleg
All concert proceeds benefit the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre.
Where: Smoky Mountain Community Theatre
When: Saturday, August 11

September

Music in the Mountains
Free traditional music concert. Bring a lawn chair.
Where - Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot
When - Every Saturday evening in August 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Inspirations Labor Day Festival
Gospel music weekend featuring some of the nation's most famous gospel music groups. Take exit 69 off Hwy 74 or use Hwy 19 to Hyatt Creek Road. 828-497-2060.
Where: Inspiration Park, Hyatt Creek Road, Bryson City, NC
When: Saturday & Sunday, September 1 & 2, 2007

Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour 2007
The Reel Paddling Film Festival showcases the best canoeing, whitewater and sea kayaking films of the year. Benefits Nantahala River Conservation Fund. Tickets go on sale July 1. (828) 488-6199
Where: Endless River Adventures, 14157 Hwy. 19
When: Sunday, September 2, 2007

Tsali Challenge Triathlon
Individuals and teams face a 3-mile paddle, 4.5-mile trail run and 12-mile mountain bike ride.
800-232-7238, ext. 4600.
Where: Tsali Recreation Area west of Bryson City, NC
When: Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9, 2007

Railfest 2007
Special train excursions, arts & crafts festival, entertainment including railroad work songs, motor car and equipment display. Bryson City Depot. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. 828-586-8811
800-872-4681.
Where: Railroad Depot, Bryson City
When: Friday-Sunday, Sept 14-16, 2007

Mountain Life
10-4pm. Sorghum syrup demonstration using horse-powered cane mill & wood-fired cooker. Hearth cooking, hominy making, apple butter, apple cider, soap making & traditional music. Mountain Farm Museum, Oconaluftee Visitor Center 828-497-1904.
Where: Mountain Farm Museum
When: Saturday, September 15, 2007

Fireman's Day Festival
Bryson City Fire Deptment's famous barbecue dinner, "Miss Flame" contest, and parade of area fire trucks and emergency vehicles with sirens at full blast. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot. Cylena Hughes, 828-488-5818, 828-488-2585
Where: Downtown Bryson City
When: Saturday, September 15, 2007

October

Smoky Mountain Bike Week
Join your friends at the best cycling event in the Smokies. Food, concerts every night on the green, poker runs, entertainment and vendors. Experience the finest cycling highways in the east: the Dragon on 129, the Hellbender on NC Hwy 28 and Cherohala Sk
Where: Fontana Village Resort
When: October 4 - 7, 2007

Corn Maze
During October, children and grown-ups alike enjoy this exciting journey through an 8-acre maze of corn. Visitors to the Maze are given a map and a "passport" with questions and clues. 828-497-2376.
Where: Darnell Farms, just East of Bryson City on US 19.
When: All month, 2007

Music in the Mountains
Free traditional music concert starts at 6:30 pm. Every Saturday evening in October. Bring a jacket and a lawn chair.
Where: Train Depot
When: Every Saturday evening through the month of October

Inspirations Fall Color Festival
Gospel music in a beautiful mountain top setting featuring many well-known groups. Inspiration Park, Take Exit 69 off Hwy. 74 or Hwy. 19 to Hyatt Creek Road. 828-497-2060.
Where: Inspiration Park, East of Bryson City
When: Saturday, October 13, 2007

Bryson City Art Walk
Tour galleries and meet artists from 1-7 pm. Galleries: Elizabeth Ellison Gallery, Heath Creations Studio and Gallery, The Cottage Craftsman, Homestead Gardens Gallery, The Artist's House Gallery and the Swain County Center for the Arts. 828-488-2282
Where: Downtown Bryson City and High School
When: Saturday, October 13, 2007

The Maple Leaf Festival
Area artists and crafters, heritage and holiday exhibits, flea market, music and food. Whittier Main Street, Take Exit 72 off Hwy. 74. Gloria Nolan, 828-497-2393.
Where: Whitier, NC Off US 74
When: Saturday, October 13, 2007

Bryson City Chili Cook Off
Sample chili prepared by competitive teams. Cash prizes and trophies for Judge's Choice, People's Choice, and Showmanship. Craft booths. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Train Depot. Swain County Chamber of Commerce 828-488-3681, 800-867-9246.
Where: Train Depot, Great Smoky Mountain Rairoad
When: Saturday, October 20, 2007

Guest Appreciation Festival
This end-of-season festival includes great deals on new and used outdoor equipment, the Canoe Cup, live music, Halloween costume contests, and fun for the whole family. Nantahala Outdoor Center, Hwy. 19 West.
800-232-7238.
Where: Nantahala Outdoor Center
When: October 26 - 28, 2007

November

Tour de Nantahala
Join NOC for the 100-mile Nantahala Nightmare road ride through Swain, Macon and Graham Counties. Shorter loop options also available in this fully-supported ride.
800-232-7238 ext. 4600. More Information
Where: Nantahala Outdoor Center
When: Saturday, November 3, 2007

Fontana Fall Bass Classic Fishing Tournament
One day tournament beginning at daybreak. 100% payback. Pre-registration begins at 6:30 pm, Nov. 3, in the Carolina Room. Entry fee is $120 per boat, which includes dinner in the Carolina Room on Friday Nov. 4. Plenty of trailer parking. New slip rentals
Where: Fontana Village Resort
When: Saturday, November 3, 2007

Polar Express
The Polar Express comes to life in a 1 hour 15 minute round-trip to the North Pole. Read along with the magical story, enjoy cookies and cocoa and meet Santa himself.
Where: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
When: November 9 - December 29

Mountain Shapes and Colors
Showcase for local artists and artisans includes silent auction and artist's gala. Original paintings, jewelry, hand thrown pottery, hand woven baskets, turned wood and wearable art. 10-5 Sat., 1-5 Sun. 828-488-6413.
Where: Almond Center, Southwestern Community College
When: November 10-11, 2007

Mistletoe Magic Arts & Craft Show
Mistletoe Magic -- an Appalachian Christmas celebration for the entire family, featuring 60 of Western North Carolina's finest artists and crafters. Free. 828-349-9966.
Where: Macon Co. Community Bldg.
When: November 23- 24, 2007

December

Wonderland Bazaar
Area artists and crafters, holiday exhibits, flea market, music and food. Gloria Noland, 828-497-2393.
Where: Whittier, NC Main Street
When: November 30 - December 1

Bryson City Christmas Parade
One of the biggest small town Christmas parades in the mountains! Holiday events begin at 8:30 am with Breakfast With Santa. Sponsored by Swain County Chamber of Commerce, 800-867-9246 or 828-488-3681.
Where: Bryson City
When: Saturday, December 1, 2007

Holiday 5K Race/Walk
Give yourself the gift of a fast time on flat, paved raceway that loops in the Deep Creek area. Early registration of $15 guarentees a t-shirt. Custom medals to the top 3 male and female finishers in 17 age groups. Click here for application.
Where: County Administration Building, Bryson City
When: Saturday, December 1, 2007

Spirit of Christmas
A community Christmas celebration with living nativity scenes, caroling, luminaries, Santa and Mrs. Claus, wagon rides and treats from Bryson City merchants.Swain County Chamber of Commerce 828-488-3681, 800-867-9246.
Where: Downtown Bryson City
When: Saturday, December 8, 2007