Director of Communications
amanda.murphy@tn.gov
615-741-9010
Senior Communications Manager
jill.kilgore@tn.gov
615-927-1320
Communications Manager
Alli.Lapps@tn.gov
TOWNSEND, Tenn. – Townsend Founds Day, a new event in Townsend, honors the mountain town’s history and entertains guests with a major logging competition 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 15 at various locations in Townsend. Admission is free.
“The Townsend Walland Business Alliance was inspired by the desire to have an event that would be special and unique to Townsend, exciting and informative, and fun for people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Carl Goodman, president of The Townsend Walland Business Alliance, who is helping organize the event.
The festival offers a walking tour of the old town from the Little River Railroad Museum, woodworking demonstrations and local foods. The Townsend Visitors Center serves as the host for the 2017 Southeastern College and University Lumberjack Competition, a demonstration of one of the old logging town’s richest traditions featuring some of today’s most athletic lumberjacks and Jills.
Participants compete in chopping, sawing, felling, climbing, birling and other time-honored lumberjacking challenges. The University of Tennessee Forestry Department organized the event, which it is calling “Tennessee STUD,” based on the Johnny Cash song.
The event also features music from local artists, history discussions and food from local restaurants and food trucks. Guests are able to peruse businesses in Townsend, including the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum, Trillium Cove and Apple Valley.
The event is hosted by the Townsend Walland Business Alliance, The University of Tennessee and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority.
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Director of Communications
amanda.murphy@tn.gov
615-741-9010
Senior Communications Manager
jill.kilgore@tn.gov
615-927-1320
Communications Manager
Alli.Lapps@tn.gov