Visit Roan Mountain for 06/01/2017
Published 8:25 am Thursday, June 1, 2017
Friday, June 2
Summer Concert Series: Blue Yonder. Don’t miss this talented group from Knoxville, Tenn. Wild Blue Yonder delivers an energetic blend of mountain tunes, alt-country/Americana songs and edgy acoustic originals with fiddles, mandolin, guitar, and warm harmony vocals. Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. Free Admission! Donations accepted. Meet at Park Amphitheater. 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 3
National Trails Day: Diamond Dash Trail Run 2017. Celebrate your love of trails on National Trails Day with our annual 5K trail run! Meet in the RMSP Campground for an adventurous 5K run along park trails. Day-of-race registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m. Prizes awarded to the top finishers. Register in advance if you want to ensure a T-shirt! Meet at Camp Store.
Summer Concert Series: Bandwagon Fallacy. This groovy band hails from just over the mountain in Buladean, N.C. Bandwagon Fallacy rocks the house with old-time favorites and touching originals from classic rock, country, folk and soul. Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. Free Admission! Donations accepted. Meet at Park Amphitheater. 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Monday, June 5
Balds Hike — Come explore this uniquely beautiful environment! This moderate hike will be 3 miles total and have an elevation gain of just over 300 feet. We’ll begin at Carver’s Gap and hike the Appalachian Trail up to Round Bald and Jane’s Bald, then return the same way we came up. Please pack a jacket, water, snacks, and wear sturdy shoes. Be prepared to drive 8 miles to the trailhead, and meet Ranger Meg at Park Headquarters to caravan to the top at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, June 7
Park Ranger PT — Search and rescue, fighting fires, trail maintenance. Park Rangers must stay fit in order to perform their many job duties. Do you have what it takes? Join Ranger Meg for a fun but challenging PT session at the basketball/tennis courts. Please wear sturdy athletic shoes and comfortable workout clothing. Bring drinking water and prepare to work hard… at your own risk. The event takes place at 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 8
A Walk in the Park — Start your day off right with a short hike. Join SIR Chloe at the Camp Store, and then walk to the Tom Grey Trail for a moderate 1/2 mile hike. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes to get a good look at the trail in the morning and then compare it to the Evening Hike later in the day. Event begins at 8:30 a.m.
Recycling Relay – Superheroes aren’t the only ones who can save the planet! Join SIR Bailey at Picnic Shelter 3 to race to sort through the litter. Kids of all ages welcome! The event begins at 10:30 a.m.
Evening Hike – Wind down after a long day by taking an evening hike along the Tom Grey Trail. Bring your flashlights or headlamps and meet SIRs Bailey and Chloe at the Camp Store for a moderate ½ mile hike as the sun sets on the mountains. The event begins at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 9
Backyard Birding – Looking for some birds? Join SIR Bailey for a short hike to listen for some of Roan Mountain’s backyard beauties. Meet at the Visitors’ Center with comfortable shoes, water, and some binoculars if you have them to hike the 0.5 mile Peg Leg Mine Trail. The event begins at 8 a.m.
Tomahawk Throwing – Learn about this Native American weapon then try your hand at throwing one! Meet SIR Chloe at the Campground Fire Ring and see if you can hit the bullseye. The event begins at 10:30 a.m.
10 Essentials – SIR Bailey doesn’t know what to pack for her next hike! Meet her at Picnic Shelter 3 to help her sort through her backpack while also learning about the essentials to pack for your next hike. The event begins at 12:30 p.m.
Invasive Hop – Invasive exotic plants are taking over! Hop on over to Picnic Shelter 3 to meet SIR Chloe for a fun game about invasive plants versus. The event begins at 2:00 p.m.
Summer Concert Series: Shawna Cyphers and Friends. Shawna Cyphers is a brilliant, up-and-coming singer/songwriter who comes to us here in Roan Mountain all the way from Knoxville, Tenn. Don’t miss this special park performance by Shawna and her talented friends. Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. Free Admission! Donations accepted. Meet at Park Amphitheater. 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Raccoon Tag – No, we won’t be chasing raccoons, but we will be learning about these nocturnal animals through a game of freeze tag. Meet SIR Chloe at the Camp Store. For both kids and “kids-at-heart”. Be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight! The event begins at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 10
Nature Photography Hike – Come practice your photography skills or enjoy the beauty of Roan Mountain. Meet SIR Chloe at the Visitors’ Center to take a short, moderate hike along the Cloudland Nature Trail (approximately 1 mile). Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, pack some water, and bring a camera if you have one. Begins at 9 a.m.
100 Inch Hike – Are you looking to go on a hike without having to find a good trail or pack a bag? Look no further! Join SIR Bailey at the Camp Store to explore the tiny world beneath our feet. For kids of all ages. Begins at 11:00 a.m.
Animal Athletes – Run like a rabbit, leap like a deer, or fly like a humming bird. Join SIR Chloe at Picnic Shelter 3 to try your hand at different animal skills. Begins at 1 p.m.
Predator/Prey Tag – Explore the competition between hunters and hunted. Meet SIR Bailey at Picnic Shelter 3 to learn about animal predators and prey though a fun game for kids and “kids-at-heart”. Begins at 2:00 p.m.
Afternoons at the Farmstead: Dutch Oven Cooking with Pete Wyatt. Join a TWRA program manager for a fun hands-on demonstration with cast iron cooking tips and tricks.
Summer Concert Series: Stemwinder. From right here in Northeast Tennessee, Stemwinder is a quartet of musicians playing guitar, mandolin, bass, and banjo. They sing and perform bluegrass, folk, and then some. Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. Free Admission. Donations accepted. Meet at Park Amphitheater. 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Campground Campfire – Meet SIR Chloe at the Campground Fire Ring for riddles, stories, and s’mores. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight for heading back to your campsite after dark. Begins at 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 11
Natural Creatures – Create your own creature using all natural materials. Meet SIR Chloe at Picnic Shelter 3 with some items you have found around the park to create your own natural creature! Be sure all items are natural and already on the ground. Please do not pick anything from a living plant. Begins at 10:30 a.m.
Splashing Fun! – Beat the heat with SIR Bailey by enjoying some water games at the pool. Who knows, maybe you will learn something while you are there! Must pay pool entrance fee to participate. Meet SIR Bailey at the Pool Gate. Begins at noon.
Saturday, June 17
Rhododendron Festival 2017. The Rhododendron Festival is a long-standing tradition that hails the blooming of the world-famous Rhododendron Gardens atop Roan Mountain. The festival features crafters, musicians, and tasty food! Sponsored by the Roan Mountain Citizens’ Club. Meet at Park Amphitheater. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day.
Friday, June 23
Summer Concert Series: The Rusty Nails. Have some fun with these East Tennessee old-timers playing and singing some classic bluegrass, country, and gospel tunes performed under the sweet summertime sky. Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. Free Admission! Donations accepted. Meet at Park Amphitheater. 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 24
Afternoons at the Farmstead: Dulcimers and More with James Garland. You will certainly enjoy the company and music of this talented craftsman and storyteller, James Garland.
Summer Concert Series: The Trail Blazer Cloggers. This high energy dance team will keep you moving to the beat. Come enjoy this showcase of an Appalachian tradition with a modern twist. This high-energy dance team will keep you moving to the beat! Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. Free Admission! Donations accepted. Meet at Park Amphitheater. 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Tennessee Promise Saturday. Students can volunteer to earn service hours toward fulfilling their Tennessee Promise requirements during this park workday event. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday, June 30
Summer Concert Series: The Fiddlin’ Carson Peters Band. Playing since the age of three, Carson Peters is a young musical prodigy who never ceases to amaze. Talk about BIG talent in a small package. This famous child fiddler has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, played onstage with Ricky Skaggs, and been a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Concerts will be relocated to Picnic Shelter 3 in the Campground in case of bad weather. Free Admission! Donations accepted. Meet at Park Amphitheater. 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 1
Independence Day Celebration 2017. Roan Mountain State Park commemorates the 4th of July the old-fashioned way with a bicycle parade, checkers tournament, field games and more.