My Tennessee Story

What’s New in Tennessee This Week

Things To Do, My Tennessee Weekend

The Tennessee Department has a few things in the works that we’re excited to share with you.

We know you’ve been waiting, and we’re pleased to announce the launch of the Sunny Side Trail! This trail is the second trail to officially open in the Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways statewide program. The launch will be celebrated today, May 13 and May 14 with three special events.

The kick-off event was held today at Sevierville’s Robert Tino Gallery. Other launch events will be held at 10 a.m. May 14 at General Morgan Inn and Conference Center in Greeneville and at 3 p.m. at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The Sunny Side Trail will highlight more than 330 significant tourism sites, promoting Sevier, Cocke, Greene, Washington, Unicoi, Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Hawkins, Hancock, Hamblen and Jefferson counties. Beginning in the Great Smoky Mountains and coursing through the Cherokee National Forest, the trail’s quiet backroads and lush countryside lead to the hidden gems of the Appalachian Mountains.  The trail winds through small towns brimming with history and attractions bursting with adventure. Sunny Side explores America’s first frontier, returning to the days of colonialism in an area where many historians agree is the location for America’s first declaration of independence.

In other news, the tourism department along with the Tennessee Department of Transportation will host the grand opening of a brand new Tennessee Welcome Center on Interstate 26 near Erwin at 1 p.m. May 14. Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely and Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker, along with other state and local dignitaries, will be on hand to bring remarks and present a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Welcome Center, the first-ever welcome center in the area.

Designed as a log cabin, the facility combines the warmth of Tennessee with the modern advantage of new construction. The I-26 Welcome Center in Unicoi County can be accessed via both eastbound and westbound lanes. Erwin is located east of Johnson City near the North Carolina border. Interstate 26 is approximately 349 miles in length.

If you’re out and about this weekend, take a drive along the Sunny Side Trail or stop in and say “hi” at the new Unicoi County Welcome Center. And while you’re out, remember there’s the 36th Annual Festival of British & Appalachian Culture May 15 and 16 in Rugby, Bloomin’ Barbecue & Bluegrass Festival May 14 and 15 in Sevierville and A Toast to Tennessee Wine Festival on May 16 in Hermitage. See you there!