events in the smokies

Rally Racing: The Thrill of the Overmountain Rally

When hills of East Tennessee begin their glorious autumn colors, something incredible begins to stir—engines roar, tires screech, and the buzz of excitement fills the air. It’s time for the Overmountain Rally, one of the most adrenaline-packed events in the U.S. rally scene. This is no ordinary race. It’s where the wild spirit of adventure, the thrill of speed, and the breathtaking beauty of the Appalachian mountains collide in an epic showdown.

Rally racing in the U.S. has a long international history, but it wasn’t always the spectacle it is today. It was originally created by European drivers testing the reliability of cars over long distance, but as the years went on, rally racing evolved into a competition against the clock and found its way into the heart of America—through the dusty deserts, forest trails, and winding mountain roads- and no place brings it all together quite like the Overmountain Rally.

The rally is named after the Overmountain Victory Trail and is the ultimate test of man and machine. Each fall, the Cherokee National Forest transforms into a playground for car and driver.  Here, drivers face off on twisting dirt roads, dodging sharp turns and steep climbs with only one goal in mind: the finish line.

The Overmountain Rally has captured the attention of rally drivers from across the world.  And for good reason! The Overmountain Rally isn’t just about speed—it’s about survival. The course is brutal. With narrow, rough trails that could easily throw off even the most experienced drivers, it’s all about precision. One wrong move, and you could be kissing the mountainside.

But let’s be honest—what makes this rally so exhilarating isn’t just the cars. It’s the whole vibe. It’s the spectacle of cars and driver teams.  It is the pit crews who fix the WRC cars between rally stages.  It is the roar of a car on a forest road and the dirt flying behind it as it hugs tight corners, while spectators wait to see if the driver navigates safely through the road section. . Whether you’re a lifelong racing fan or a newbie, watching these cars dance through the dirt is nothing short of electric.

And then, there are the drivers. These aren’t just speed demons—they’re masters of strategy and skill. They don’t just race—they become one with their car. Each twist and turn is calculated, each jump is a calculated risk. Rally racing is as much about guts as it is about brains. Nothing compares to that split-second when a driver nails the throttle, powers out of a curve, and tears down the road like they’re chasing the wind itself.

Of course, the Overmountain Rally is just one of the many events that makes U.S. rally racing so legendary. Whether it’s the icy roads of Michigan’s Sno*Drift Rally or the muddy paths of Washington’s Olympus Rally, every event brings its own unique flavor of challenge and excitement. But the Overmountain Rally?  It’s the most challenging rally of them all. It’s where fans from all over the country gather to celebrate the high-speed chaos and dirt-streaked glory of the sport.

 

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A&I Fair- A Timeless Tradition in Cocke County

Every summer since 1948, the A&I Fair honors the past, present, and future of agricultural industry in Cocke County.

For five days, 4H students, farmers, and  community neighbors compete for blue ribbons and bragging rights for the best of that year.  The midway rides, fair food, demolition derby, and live music round out the festivities.

The fairgrounds are also steeped in history.  Once a working farm, the land was purchased and timber from the land was used to build some of the structures on the fairgrounds.  Originally, the fair was focused on horses, but a local agricultural teacher and FFA advisor serving as fair president grew the fair to attract students showing livestock and community competitions for blue ribbon displays of sewing, cooking, and canning.  Later a racetrack was added for car racing, a very popular sport in the  south.  With the addition of the midway carnival rides, the fair attracted people from western North Carolina.

Today, the fairground holds true to its roots on the 5 days of the fair, but the fairground also continues to serve the community throughout the year.  Some  of the biggest community events in Cocke County- Popcorn Sutton Jam and the Cocke County Bluegrass Festival.

The A&I fairground is a legacy to the enduring spirit of  a close-knit community and the power of farming traditions. It’s a place where locals and visitors alike come to gather to recall old memories and create new ones, where the past and present seamlessly merge in a celebration of rural life in Cocke County.

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Newport Harvest Street Festival Oct. 4-5, 2025: Harvesting Memories

Bringing with it an atmosphere of nostalgia and a chance to create new memories, the Newport Harvest Street Festival has for 38 years served as a premier East Tennessee community celebration event

Heralding the onset of fall and launching the start of Cocke County’s annual season of weekend festivals, the Street Festival strikes a cheerful balance between old and new.

Many of the vendors and participants have been returning year after year, becoming an integral part of the festival’s identity. This continuity is essential for the festival’s charm, as it allows visitors to relive cherished memories. Whether it’s savoring a favorite treat from a familiar food stall or reconnecting with long-time friends, the Newport Street Festival has a unique ability to transport attendees back in time.

But what makes this festival truly exceptional is its capacity for  renewal, year after year. Alongside the familiar faces, there are new vendors, attractions, and activities waiting to be discovered. This delicate blend of tradition and innovation is what keeps the festival fresh and exciting. It’s a testament to the organizers’ commitment to providing a diverse and engaging experience for both long-time attendees and first-time visitors.

“We’ve got vendors that have been coming for as long as I know and  before, and then we’ve always got new ones,” said Lynn Ramsey, Cocke County Chamber of Commerce director and an organizer of the event since 2008. “We have everything from crafts and Christmas and fall decorations to children’s toys. Some people are selling different kinds of stones and herbs and handcrafted soaps and a lot of handmade arts and crafts. A lot of churches will come and give away information, and sometimes they give away free stuff like bottles of water to drink.”

If the weather is beautiful and the sun graces the streets of downtown Newport with its warm glow, turnout can run as high as 6,000 people or more. Clear blue skies and crisp autumn air set the stage for a weekend filled with laughter, music, and delicious food.

Food trucks and tasty treat-serving tents line the streets and fill the air with the enticing aromas of all your favorite festival snacks and beverages, from fresh squeezed lemonade, corn dogs and spiral taters to funnel cakes and deep-fried desserts.

And of course, no Tennessee festival would be complete with music, and the Newport Street Festival always serves a wonderful variety guaranteed to get your body moving to the sweet beats and lively melodies. Make sure to see all the lovely ladies and babies that come to compete to be 2024’s Harvest Queen in their appropriate age division. Children up to 16 years of age will compete in pageants according to their age bracket. The ever-popular Miss Newport Harvest Festival, for females ages 16-21 years old, will be the last pageant of the day. All pageants will be on the Broadway side of the Courthouse lawn on Saturday at 10:30 am.

The Newport Harvest Street Festival is a testament to the enduring spirit of close-knit community and the power of Appalachia traditions. It’s a place where locals and visitors alike come to relive old memories and create new ones, where the past and present seamlessly merge in a celebration of life in Cocke County.

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