News Release

Community programs offered at Cosby Campground this summer

Date: June 15, 2023
Contact: Emily Davis, 865-440-0066

GATLINBURG, Tenn.— Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials invite the public to attend Celebrating Cosby: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow community programs every Friday from June 23 through July 14 at the Cosby Campground Amphitheater. The programs honor the rich cultural and natural history of the Cosby area through storytelling, dance, music, and history walks. “These programs offer incredible opportunities for visitors to discover Cosby by experiencing it firsthand with the people who live and work here,” said Chief of Resource Education Stephanie Kyriazis. “We are grateful to our friends from the local community who are leading these unique experiences.”

Programs feature musicians, dancers, storytellers, moonshiners, and former residents who once lived in the park. Visitors are invited to step back in time during these summer programs to experience the stories, music, and mountain ways of people living in Cosby area both then and now.

“We are so happy that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is bringing this program back to Cosby Campground,” said Cocke Country Partnership Tourist Director, Linda Lewanski. “We all know how talented our Cocke County folks are and we are delighted to be able to showcase them.”

All programs will be held at the Cosby Campground Amphitheater unless otherwise specified. In case of rain, “Celebrating Cosby” programs will move to the covered picnic pavilion adjacent to Cosby Campground. Programs will be held rain or shine. Visitors are welcome to find seating in the amphitheater or bring their own chairs or blankets.

For more information, please contact Park Ranger Katie Corrigan at 865-436-1263 or e-mail us.

Program Schedule:

June 23, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cherokee Storytelling and Dance Learn about the Cherokee culture and stories through dance, music, and storytelling featuring members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
June 30, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Edge Band Enjoy traditional bluegrass music and the stories of Cosby families during this musical night! Featuring musicians; Judge Carter Moore (guitar and vocals), Andy Williams (mandolin and vocals), Nicholas Ball (banjo and vocals), and Carty McSween (bass).
July 7, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Moonshiners White lightning, mountain dew, moonshine! Come distill myth from fact as you learn details of making moonshine in the mountains from Moonshine Legends Mark Ramsey, Digger Manes, and Kelly Williamson.
July 14, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Cosby Homecoming Join Park Rangers and Cosby residents as grandchildren, children, and elders share the stories of their families in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Take a walk down memory lane to learn first-hand about what life was like living and working in Cosby both prior to and after the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.