Independence Day in the Smoky Mountains means many things, such as festivals with live music, spectacular parades and dazzling fireworks displays. The 4th of July also signifies the return of Gatlinburg’s River Raft Regatta, a unique and fun event on the Little Pigeon River in downtown Gatlinburg! Here is everything you need to know about attending the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta:
Dates, Times and Location
The Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta takes place on July 4th every year on the Little Pigeon River. We recommend you arrive early to get the best viewing spots for this popular event! The event is free to attend and is sponsored by the City of Gatlinburg Special Events Office and the Gatlinburg Recreation Department.
What to Expect
The Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta is an exciting floating race where anything floatable can be entered into the competition! There are two categories of floatables included in the event: Trash and Treasure. The Trash floatables are those which are not hand-made, while the Treasure floatables are hand-made items. Awards will go to the top 3 winners in each category, and a “Judges Choice” award will go to the most creative raft. In addition, awards will be given out to the oldest and youngest participants in the event. Trophies will be supplied by the Gatlinburg Recreation Department.
How to Enter Your Float
If you are interesting in participating in the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta, you can enter anything floatable starting at 10 AM at the Christ in the Smokies bridge on River Road and will end at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Bring out your best Trash or Treasure floatable to see how your raft performs in the race to the finish line!
Where to Stay
If you are looking for the perfect accommodations to stay near the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta, look no further than our cabin rentals! We have cabins ranging from one bedroom for couples on a romantic vacation to cabins with multiple bedrooms for large families and groups. Enjoy beautiful mountain views from our cabins that feature fully equipped kitchens, hot tubs, game rooms and more! Some of the cabins even feature such exclusive amenities as theater rooms and private swimming pools! After attending the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta and other fun Independence Day events in Gatlinburg, you can look forward to the short drive back to your cabin to relax for the afternoon.
Prepare a traditional July 4th picnic on your cabin’s outdoor grill as you celebrate our nation’s independence with your closest family and friends. After a pleasant afternoon at your cabin, head back into Gatlinburg to check out a fireworks display or simply watch fireworks from your cabin’s porch!
Check out all of our Gatlinburg cabin rentals today to plan your visit to the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta and other great Independence Day events in the Smoky Mountains. We look forward to seeing you on July 4th!
