Events & Festivals

History

Covered Bridge Celebration

Thousands flock to downtown Elizabethton each June for the annual Covered Bridge Celebration offered by the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce. Organized during the month of September, award-winning musicians, vendors and others set up on Elk Avenue Bridge and Covered Bridge Park to offer family-friendly entertainment. A children’s area is also provided to give joy back to the youth in attendance.

Carter County Car Club Cruise In

Founded in the 1980s, the Carter County Car Club has served the community needs by offering car shows through Historic Downtown Elizabethton. Car enthusiasts from across the country descend upon downtown through the spring and summer months to showcase their vehicles and share in fellowship with one another. The event is used as a way to gather funds for children’s charities and brings additional foot traffic to the various shops located downtown.

Over the summer months, Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department offers the annual Covered Bridge Jams concert series. Starting in June, various musicians and bands take to the mainstage at Covered Bridge Park to perform each Saturday evening for droves of attendees. Different musical genres perform during the series, including country, bluegrass, blues, rock and gospel.

Covered Bridge Jams

Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore

Shoals

Each year, during the last three weekends of July, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area goes back in time as a volunteer cast of actors and crew members present Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals.

This annual production is the Official Outdoor Drama of the State of Tennessee.

Liberty! tells the stories of the earliest settlers in the region and some of the important historic events that transpired here. Nationally significant events that helped to shape the future of our nation before, during, and after the American Revolution are presented in an engaging, exciting, and entertaining fashion.

The drama is set in front of the full-scale replica of Fort Watauga on the grounds of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.

Liberty! tells the stories of these important days of American history as well as demonstrating the life of pioneers in a frontier settlement. Moreover, it gives faces to the names we see on many of our street signs and other local area designations. Liberty! runs Thursdays-Saturdays during the last three weekends of July. For more information, contact Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area at 423-543-5808 or check out the website www.TheLibertyDrama. com.

Native American Festival

Each year in June, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area hosts a weekendlong festival celebrating the history and culture of the Native Americans who lived here before European settlers came to the region.

This educational event provides the opportunity for our visitors to experience many facets of Native American culture, particularly that of the Cherokee. This weekend-long festival features traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, traditional Native American song and dance, Cherokee storytelling and legends, Native American flute, Cherokee language workshops, and craft demonstrations and sales.

A unique feature of the Native American Culture festival is our educational/ demonstration area, located within Fort Watauga. The dance circle is located in the center of the fort, where the popular traditional dance and drum performances take place. In addition, flute music, storytelling, lectures, and so much more take place within the circle, which share native culture and history with our visitors.

For more information, contact Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area at 423-543-5808.

Each year in June, members of the Roan Mountain Citizens Club host a two-day event to celebrate one of the most gorgeous displays of natural beauty available in the country — the blooming of the Rhododendron Gardens atop Roan Mountain.

The Rhododendron Festival takes place the third weekend of June in Roan Mountain State Park. The Citizens Club first hosted the festival in June 1947 and over the years the event has continued to grow. Originally they held the festival at the top of the mountain at the Rhododendron Gardens but as the event grew it moved to Roan Mountain State Park to accommodate the growing festival.

The two-day event features handmade crafts, food, and a variety of traditional music plus an array of old-time folkway demonstrations of traditional arts and skills. Over 100 arts and crafts vendors. A variety of food available. Visit the world’s largest natural rhododendron gardens atop 6000-ft Roan Mountain. Hike the Appalachian Trail as it runs along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Learn about our nation’s history as you relax beside cool streams. Camp or stay in a rustic cabin. Swim. Play tennis.

For more information, visit the Roan Mountain Citizens Club website at www.roanmountain.com.

Hosted by the Elizabethton/Carter County Community Foundation, the event brings in vendors, music and other types of fun for the public at Covered Bridge Park. Area restaurants attend the event to go for the “Best in Show” competition. Select craft beers are also available throughout the event. Proceeds raised from the event go to benefit the local Bonnie Kate Theater.

Naturalist Rallies

During each season, outdoor enthusiasts are invited to make the drive to Roan Mountain State Park for the annual Naturalist Rallies. Organized by the Friends of Roan Mountain, different programs are hosted across the park to encourage the love of outdoors. Different agencies also stop by during the events to offer information and other details about the area. Youth rallies are also offered over the year. Visit friendsofroanmtn.org to learn more about the different events.

Elizabethton River Riders

The Elizabethton River Riders is a premiere summer collegiate team in the Appalachain League. The regular season begins in June. A fun, affordable family experience where you can see the stars of tomorrow, today.

Farmers Markets

Roan Mountain and the City of Elizabethton offers Farmer’s Market during the warmer months as a way to encourage healthier lifestyles and give local farmers a chance to sell their products. Roan Mountain’s event is held at the Roan Mountain Community Park while the Elizabethton event is held in downtown Elizabethton.

Information on both markets are available on social media.

Every year around the Fourth of July, local boat owners dress their vessels in patriotic decorations as they participate in the Watauga Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade. Spectators line the shore to watch the boats pass by.

Roan Groan Bicycle Race

Fat Tire Omnium Road Race

Boasting the only category 1 finish in the Eastern United States, the Roan Groan is a grueling race that draws cyclists from around world to Roan Mountain and Elizabethton. Featured in the spring, the race has riders traversing downtown Elizabethton before taking off towards Carver’s Gap, located atop Roan Mountain. The race’s path covers over 6,000 feet of climbing and finishes at one of the prettiest views in Carter County.

The race is in June and requires the closing of several downtown streets in a box, which begins on Hattie Avenue, down Sycamore Street to East E Street, then east on North Riverside Drive to Hattie Avenue, on on Hattie back to Sycamore.

The othe two stages of the Omnium will be held on a Saturday. They include the Roan Groan, which begins in Elizabethton and takes Simerly Creek Road to Roan Mountain. The top classes do a double loop of Simerly Creek and ride for 80 miles, climbing a total of 9,747 feet. The race is followed by the Ballad Health Time Trail in Erwin.

Downtown Christmas Parade

Organized by the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce, floats descend upon downtown Elizabethton for the annual holiday parade. The Christmas Parade serves as the unofficial kickoff for Christmas in Elizabethton.

Elizabethton Christmas Tree Lighting

Elizabethton’s annual Frasier Fir tree lighting helps usher in the holiday season. Community groups come together to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season.