Celebrating Earth Day in the Smokies

Caring for the Earth is backed by the people of the Smokies.  From April 17 through the 21st, you’ll find several activities you can participate in to help the Earth’s health and your own.

Spur Clean-Up—April 18, 2017

From 9 a.m. until noon, you can support the Spur area as volunteers reign in the trash. The Spur is a winding mountain road that connects Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg and is widely traveled by visitors and residents alike. Bring a positive attitude, good shoes, and a pair of gloves with you. Meet at the Gatlinburg Spur Welcome Center at 1011 Banner Road to start the clean-up. The Spur Clean-Up through the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation has been going strong for eight years and is a supportive effort with Keep Sevier Beautiful and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Try and beat last year’s total of about 19 trash bags per mile! You don’t need to register to help out, but if you are a business or want to create a team to compete for the most trash collected, contact Cheryl at ch****@ga********.com or (865) 436-0505.

E-Waste Recycling Day—April 19, 2017

Have a pile of electronics collecting dust because you aren’t sure what to do with them and are afraid to throw them out? Well, you’re in luck! Gatlinburg is holding an all-day event where you can drop off your old electronic waste (up to seven items, and no TVs or large electronics). It will be properly disposed of and recycled by Staples in Sevierville. You can read more on Gatlinburg’s website about what types of electronics they will accept and what items are prohibited. The drop-off location is at the Gatlinburg CVB Events Office at 207 Cherokee Orchard Rd.

Earth Day Festival—April 20, 2017

Teach your kids about planting, recycling, and other ways to be green at this free family-friendly event. There will be demonstrations, music, crafts, and other activities like face painting at Mynatt Park from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Grab an Earth Week t-shirt and your purchase will benefit the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Gatlinburg Goes Green Program and community educational events.

Earth Day 5K Run/Walk—April 21, 2017

This annual event in its fifth year is a night race, which benefits the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s supportiveness in education and their green program. Sanctioned by USA Track & Field, it’s open to all ages. All participants will receive a medal for finishing, created by Buie Pottery. Buie Pottery is located at Buie’s Landing at the entrance to the Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg and makes handmade pottery and stoneware. Registration discounts are available for participants under 18. The race starts and ends at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Gatlinburg at 1138 Parkway. Learn more from the website.

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Have you participated in one of these events before? What kind of tips can you give us on easy ways we can be good stewards and help keep our Earth clean? Let us know in the comments section below.

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