Cosby in the Park Festival

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced the annual “Cosby in the Park” festival on May 15, at the Park’s Cosby campground.
    “Cosby in the Park”, a partnership between Cocke County government, Great Smoky Mountains Association, and the Park, celebrates the cultural heritage of this area and highlights the many recreational opportunities available. The event is free to the public and is scheduled between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
   The festivities take place in the campground amphitheater and the picnic area, both located along the Cosby campground entrance road. Free parking for attendees will be provided in campground Loop B.
   A full day of activities is planned that include Southern Appalachian music, hikes, presentations on local history and demonstrations on blacksmithing and metal working, quilting, and other folk arts. Children will enjoy the sack races and other games that are planned.
   “Cosby is a great place to visit, especially this year after major renovations were completed on the facilities,” said Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. “Visitors will appreciate the repairs that were done to the campground and other day use areas, paid with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
    “The major facelift resulted in new, smooth road surfaces, freshly painted comfort stations, and updated roofs.”