In 2007, Townsend [1] and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park [2] established a new annual event, the Townsend Winter Heritage Festival (800/525-6834, www.smokymountains.org [3]).
Featuring concerts, lectures, guided hikes, and other special events, the festival focuses on the music, food, history, and culture of people who once lived inside the park. It takes place in early February.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/tennessee/great-smoky-mountains/gateways-the-smokies/townsend
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/tennessee/great-smoky-mountains
[3] http://www.smokymountains.org