Appalachian Bear Rescue, in cooperation with the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau, will host Black Bear Expo on Saturday, June 26th from 9:00 am to 5:00pm. This event is an opportunity for residents, visitors, and business owners to learn about black bears and how to avoid any negative incidents with these iconic symbols of the Smoky Mountains.
The full day of activities will include a guided hike to an inactive bear den. The hike, which will depart from the Visitor Center at 9:30, is limited to 20 hikers, who must preregister by calling 828-524-9904 or by posting a comment on this blog. If any vacancies are available on the day of the expo, hike signup will take place at 9:00, but to be assured of a spot, we recommend that you preregister as stated above.
There will be music by the band Pistol Creek Catch of the Day
and also by Tony Thomas and Judy Carson, who will offer “old-time pickin’ on the porch.”
Two retired Park Rangers, Joe Kelly and Dwight McCarter, will entertain with stories of bear encounters through the years; TWRA will have a display of equipment used in bear workups; there will be a demonstration of the right way and wrong way to set up a campsite; a local woodcarver, Don Taylor, will demonstrate his skill and a chainsaw carver will have a display as well; there will be a table of games and activites that teach about bears; Roy Givens, photographer, will show visitors how to take pictures of bears and other wildlife (cell phone cameras just don’t work for wildlife!); and you will be able to meet and talk to ABR Board Members about the important work of ABR and how you can join us. At the ABR table you can register to win a prize and pick up a packet of information.
Of course, no event is complete without food, and at Black Bear Expo you will be able to choose from mouthwatering barbecue, prepared by Foothills Smokers BBQ or equally tasty hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks served up by Mac Clabo of Mountain Star Lodge.
In addition to all of this, bear items will be offered for purchase by Carol Kueny of Moonshine Ridge/National Park Store, and photographs will be displayed for purchase by Chuck Cooper.
As you can tell, Black Bear Expo will be an event that you shouldn’t miss! Look for this banner when you come to Townsend on June 26th.
Black Bear Expo Banner