Blooms and Tunes at Anakeesta

The Smokies are in full bloom as Anakeesta welcomes spring with Blooms and Tunes, a festival that celebrates the season with larger-than-life spring-themed art installations, daily live music, chef-inspired seasonal menu items and thousands of new blooms at Vista Gardens. To add to the celebration, Anakeesta will open the Watering Can, a new bar nestled at the entrance to the Anavista Tower. Guests can sip on seasonal cocktails and take in a breathtaking 360-degree view of the great Smoky Mountains. The festival kicks off on April 15 and runs through June 5.

This year, guests can expect whimsical artistry on display including more instagrammable art installations, more blooms and more surprises. Fan favorites return including the massive 20' long blooming daisy, and the famous big green couch - part of Tennessee artist Joe Kyte, a.k.a. Topiary Joe's living sculptures' series. On the mountain, guests can pose with grand and colorful flower sculptures and the popular oversized paint palette complete with 10' tall paint brushes designed specifically for Anakeesta by locally based Brainchild Creative.

Anakeesta is elevating mixology with the opening of the Watering Can. The new bar will feature Kid Craftails like Berry Lemonade and Cucumber Melon Spritz, as well as options for grownups like Watermelon Mojitos and Black Bear Mules. At an elevation of 1,900' the new bar is 611' above the City of Gatlinburg, making it the highest bar Downtown. Guests can grab a cocktail or craft beer, sit back in a rocking chair and take in the incomparable beauty of the Smoky Mountains, a stunning sunset or gaze at the shimmering stars of the Gatlinburg sky.

Anakeesta will turn up the tunes with daily live music by local bands at Black Bear Village. Free with admission, bands will perform seven days a week.

Spring will be on the menu at each of Anakeesta's four dining venues. The park's innovative chefs have created specialties that infuse the flavors of spring including Spiced Pear and Pomegranate Salad, Blackened Tataki Tuna and Hoisin Sriracha Chicken with Spring Vegetables. Foodies can pair these dishes with a signature Blooms and Tunes cocktail including Cucumber Cooler, Blueberry Gimlet and Pickin' Thyme featuring cherry vodka, blueberries, and thyme.

As the sun sets over the Smokies, guests can enjoy the warmer evenings on the mountain. The park comes to life at night with twinkling lights and colorful light displays throughout Vista Gardens. The Treetop Skywalk transforms into Firefly Forest with lights projected above and below the canopy giving the sensation of being surrounded by thousands of shimmering fireflies.

URLs:
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/1111910-0?pid=176 
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/1111910-2?pid=176 

Time: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Category: Community | Recreation

Price:
Included with Anakeesta admission: USD 32.99