The free event, a series of hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and musical entertainment, is made possible through the cooperative efforts of many Park friends including the Smoky Mountains Historical Society and Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association.

The festival provides an atmosphere of Christmas holiday cheer as many Park friends gather to share their reflections on mountain lifestyles through conversation, storytelling, music, and demonstrations of domestic arts and food preparation. It's a great opportunity for visitors to learn about mountain folkways and how Christmas was celebrated in a traditional fashion.

The day's activities will take place at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and the Sugarlands Training Room, the building adjacent to the visitor center.

In the Sugarlands Training Room several hands-on activities will take place all day.

Artisans will demonstrate basket making, spinning, and weaving, while others share their knowledge on woodworking and how homemade remedies, chores, and foods were traditionally prepared. Participating this year as they have for many years are: Connie and Bertha Clabo, Elmer Bakley, John Davis, Jane Green, Ben and Buena Winchester, Anita Heist, Jenny Bennett, Mary Frances Davidson, Pat Large, Dale Liles, Herb Clabo and Frank Carter.

In the Sugarlands Visitor Center auditorium, renowned storyteller and Executive Director of Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park Charles Maynard will begin the program with a few tales, bringing humor, history and holiday spirit to the event.

Performing throughout the day will be a variety of musical entertainers. The Old Time Gospel Music/Old Harp Singers, Fred McMahan and the Little Pigeon River Boys and the Heavenly Sunshine Singers will entertain with sounds of traditional gospel and mountain music and old fashioned Christmas hymns and carols.

Also planned is a "Talk Show" of informal discussions presented by Gene Aiken, Ruth Davis, Eddie Walker, Marshall Fox and Larry Fox about their memories of the Smokies. Mark and Sherry Finchum will share their Cherokee heritage and present customary speech, dress and native American thought during "Men and Women in the Cherokee Culture."